Summer holiday to Europe-- what must we see?

[Jayar]

Hi everyone! Hubby and I are taking a long break from work this summer to explore some of the cities in Europe that we've been itching to visit. Given that there are so many well-traveled folks on this forum, I thought I would ask for 'must sees' in said cities. We are going to:

Budapest
Vienna
Bratislava (a day trip)
Prague
Dresden (a day trip)
Berlin
Copenhagen
Malmo (a day trip)

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. We have our own agenda, but we're looking to supplement our plans with a sprinkling of your suggestions. Thank you in advance!

 

[JasperBoy]

Allow yourself a couple of days in Prague. Try to attend one of the many concerts in the beautiful halls. See the castle, walk the Charles Bridge, see the clock. Best thing is you can walk to everything.

 

[PrincessLeppard]

Okay, I'm weird this way, and I haven't been to Bratislava since 1995, but I was totally fascinated with the Orwellian nightmare that was the Soviet style apartment blocks. They went on forever. They may not still be there, but you could see them from up by the castle? Fortress? I'm old; I can't remember. Anyway.

I love everything about Berlin, but my favorite place is the Soviet War Memorial.

 

[snoopy]

Budapest has a military museum, which was dirt cheap to get into and really interesting. For me, Budapest was refreshing after seeing Vienna, which has great music, pastries, and lots of dead people. There are basements full of bones of people who died in various plagues, wars, etc.

 

[MsZem]

Allow yourself a couple of days in Prague. Try to attend one of the many concerts in the beautiful halls. See the castle, walk the Charles Bridge, see the clock. Best thing is you can walk to everything.

I went to see Rusalka with a friend, which was awesome. A couple of days seems quite enough for Prague, though, as it is indeed very walkable.

Budapest has a military museum, which was dirt cheap to get into and really interesting. For me, Budapest was refreshing after seeing Vienna, which has great music, pastries, and lots of dead people. There are basements full of bones of people who died in various plagues, wars, etc.

It doesn't really have great music in the summer. Opera/symphonies/etc. are on vacation.

Jayar, if you can rent a car, you might want to check out Melk Abbey (though it does have some dead people, too).

 

[ballettmaus]

Potsdam could be worth a day-trip as well. It's about an hour/hour and a half from Berlin, depending on whether you take the regional train or S-Bahn.

If you're in Berlin during the World Cup, the Straße des 17. Juni (between the Brandenburger Gate and Siegessäule) will be closed due to public viewing on June 17th, 23rd and 27th, and then for the knock-out stage. If you're there for any of the dates, it might be fun even if you're not a soccer fan.

 

[Rob]

Vienna: We got tickets to the opera which was a great experience. We loved Schonbrunn Palace, the Kunsthistorisches Museum (must see the Gemma Augustea), the Hofburg palace, the Albertina, St. Stephens, and the Leopold Museum. I missed out on the Belvedere because it was closed on Mondays, but the grounds were beautiful.

 

[screech]

I didn't love Prague. I was there for 3 days, and to me it was 2 too many.
I absolutely LOVED Berlin. I could easily go back for another week. I loved all the history and exploring the city.

Wherever possible, I tried to start my first full day int he cities with a free walking tour from Sandemans. It helped me get my bearings, and to decide what further tours I'd like to do. I usually ended up booking one or two more paid tours. In Prague I also did the tour of the Prague castle, as well as the trip to Kutna Hora (which includes the cathedral made of human bones). In Berlin, I booked the tour of the Sachenhausen Concentration Camp, and the Third Reich tour. I wish I could have had time to do the tour focused on the Cold War.

 

[skategal]

Copenhagen:

Tivoli Gardens Amusement Park - Walt Disney based Disneyland on this theme park. It's not just for kids either. There are concerts, restaurants etc for adults too.

Nyhaven - great place to people watch, grab a beverage and a light meal.

Little Mermaid statue

 

[JasperBoy]

Check out the public spa pools in Budapest.

 

[Jayar]

Thanks for all of the advise. I've done most of Berlin on foot last year during torrential rains over a week's time. I did go to Sachsenhausen, which was so very haunting and worth every second. I chose to go back to Berlin because I want to see it when I don't have to swim from point A to point B. We are staying in Budapest, Vienna, Prague, and Berlin for 3 days each. Seems like that is enough based on what you are all saying. I was going to do a side trip to Potsdam last year, but so much rain made me kind of give up and stay close to my hotel. It was worth it-- I found the best food that I ate in Berlin at that time! I am hoping to do one of the public spa pools in Budapest-- thank you @JasperBoy. I am going to do some research tonight on the other places you've all mentioned

 

[berthesghost]

Okay, I'm weird this way, and I haven't been to Bratislava since 1995, but I was totally fascinated with the Orwellian nightmare that was the Soviet style apartment blocks. They went on forever. They may not still be there, but you could see them from up by the castle? Fortress? I'm old; I can't remember. Anyway.

yes. I went in 2004 and the castle does give a great view of the endless rows of soviet style block housing across the way. When I went to Berlin in 2003 I actually stayed with a friend who was know bing in one in former east Berlin. The elderly couple he was subletting from had it so kitchified! Lol

 

[Vagabond]

Potsdam could be worth a day-trip as well. It's about an hour/hour and a half from Berlin, depending on whether you take the regional train or S-Bahn.

I was just in Potsdam and recommend it. One could spend a very full day there or even more than one. I recommend arriving at Sans Souci Palace very early or booking an entrance time on line if possible because otherwise you may not get in. If you don't, make sure to visit the Neue Kammeren next door to get a feeling for the decorative style. The Norman Tower offers a spectacular view of Potsdam.

In Berlin itself, the Jewish Museum is open, but the section with the permanent collection is being renovated. I am not sure when the work will be finished, but I recommend seeing the parts that are open.

The Gay Holocaust Memorial is well worth seeing. Don't read up on it; let it be a surprise. I found its Jewish and Roma/Sinti couterparts somewhat of a letdown, but you may still find them moving.

I also recommend going to the dome on the roof of the Reichstag. The views are spectacular. You must make a reservation weeks in advance, but this is easier and more fun if you make a reservation at the restaurant there. Breakfast on a weekday is the easiest option, and the food is delicious.

@Jayar please feel free to send me a PM for more on Berlin.

 

[ballettmaus]

In Berlin itself, the Jewish Museum is open, but the section with the permanent collection is being renovated. I am not sure when the work will be finished,

According to the website, 2019. That's as specific as they get.

 

[Deleted member 1204]

Love Budapest- as cheesy as it sounds, take one of those Danube boat cruises in the early evening when all of the castles and monuments are lighted up; I really enjoyed that. Not a huge fan of Vienna- I find the people to be a little stuffy (how many palaces, museums, opera houses, and churches can you endure?). The only thing I know to do in Bratislava is to tour the castle, or maybe grab drinks in a café in the central walking area and people-watch. Love Prague too- but soooo touristy; everyone should do all the usual tourist sites at least once, though (skip the clock, though- I just don't get why people are so into it). Dresden and Copenhagen are boring (especially that little mermaid, which is literally little and not worth the effort, in my opinion!). I've never been to Malmo. Berlin is perhaps my favorite city anywhere. I could spend a LOT of time there, but my liver might protest...

 

[allezfred]

I've never been to Malmo.

You mean you haven't been to the nightclub where Tatiana Totmianina punched a bouncer or the lingerie shop where Julia Obertas got arrested for shoplifting? #Euros2003

 

[ribbon]

Another Berlin fan. Spend as much time as you can there. Prague and Budapest are more beautiful, however. I liked Bratislava, but as you predicted, you only need a day to see everything. I like Vienna too; the classical music concerts are not as top-notch in the summer but there are often cheap student productions which are still lovely. The various palace gardens are a pleasure and that's where I would spend most of my time. Stockholm is prettier than Copenhagen, but Copenhagen is a fine city to spend a couple days.