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Europe Trip Advice

T'Bonz

T'Bonz

Romulan Curmudgeon
Administrator
The husband and I will be crossing the Big Pond this summer for a trip to Europe. I'd like help on what to see/do from those of you with experience in these areas:

-Edinburgh, Scotland. We'll take a day trip to Glasgow (I assume buses go there since it's less than an hour away) and a whole day bus trip up to the Highlands.

-Copenhagen/Malmö. I've never been to either. Since Malmö is a short ride across the water, we thought about just popping over to have a small look at Sweden. I know that there is some tourist Viking village south of Malmö, does anyone in that area (if any are on the BBS) know if there are buses from Malmö that ever go there? I'd love to see that.

-Amsterdam. Obviously, I'm doing the touristy canal tour and the husband wants to see the ladies in the window (SEE, not touch! :p) and I want to see the Anne Frank house, but what else is a must see in Amsterdam?

Thanks for any help.
 
Well if you are planning on tripping to the Highlands, i'd be happy to give you a tour of the areas I live in and about of
 
T'Bonz said:
-Copenhagen/Malmö. I've never been to either. Since Malmö is a short ride across the water, we thought about just popping over to have a small look at Sweden. I know that there is some tourist Viking village south of Malmö, does anyone in that area (if any are on the BBS) know if there are buses from Malmö that ever go there? I'd love to see that.
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Foteviken Museum actually does look nice!

I've only ever been to Lejre -and that was with my school :rommie:

Public transportation in Scandinavia works fairly well; you should be able to get there some way...

Apparently others have done the trip by bus: here, but that was some years ago... I'm sure the timetable has changed :)

ETA:
If ancient times are your interests try taking a peek at the sites for the Danish National Museum (in Copenhagen) and The Viking Ship Museum in Roskide (vest of Copenhagen).
 
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Buses do travel between Edinburgh and Glasgow, but the train is a lot faster; as long as you don't travel during commute times it shouldn't be too expensive. I think the open bus tours are pretty cool myself. Depending on when you're visiting I'd be happy to offer my services as guide if desired.

Amsterdam if you like art the Rijksmuseum is interesting and I liked the Pusenboot, but then I like cats. The Anne Frankhuis is definitely a must. I held it together pretty well, but the end before you hit the exhibit on modern intolerance was difficult.
 
T'Bonz said:
-Edinburgh, Scotland. We'll take a day trip to Glasgow (I assume buses go there since it's less than an hour away) and a whole day bus trip up to the Highlands.
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If you're going to the Highlands, I can recommend you start from Glasgow on the best railway journey in the world. You could arrange to pick up a tour coach from Fort William to go round the north and then back down to Edinburgh. Or the other way round, of course.

I concur with what Sean said about getting a train from Edinburgh to Glasgow - it's much faster and more comfortable although you pay more. So long as you go offpeak (not between 7-9 am or 4-6 pm) it isn't too expensive. However there are plenty buses too. If it's a nice day when you go to Glasgow - get an open top bus tour. They start from George Square just outside Queen Street station and they are tremendous fun. You can get off and on all over the city depending on what you fancy going to see.
 
Deckerd said:
I concur with what Sean said about getting a train from Edinburgh to Glasgow - it's much faster and more comfortable although you pay more. So long as you go offpeak (not between 7-9 am or 4-6 pm) it isn't too expensive. However there are plenty buses too. If it's a nice day when you go to Glasgow - get an open top bus tour. They start from George Square just outside Queen Street station and they are tremendous fun. You can get off and on all over the city depending on what you fancy going to see.
Click to expand...

Maybe Bonz's trip could be the catalyst for that Scottish Trekkie gathering?
 
T'Bonz said:
The husband and I will be crossing the Big Pond this summer for a trip to Europe. I'd like help on what to see/do from those of you with experience in these areas:

-Edinburgh, Scotland. We'll take a day trip to Glasgow (I assume buses go there since it's less than an hour away) and a whole day bus trip up to the Highlands.
Click to expand...

Edinburgh is magical, you'll enjoy that. Take the train between Edinburgh and Glasgow. A day in Glasgow should be enough. There are a couple of nice musuems in Glasgow, been to them both.

While there are plenty of bus tours through the highlands, we just rented a car and drove around. Much more pleasant. It's a scenic countryside, why ruin it with hordes of people on a large bus. The small roads and small scale of everything really makes it easy to get around. You'll definitely want more than a day in the highlands.

-Amsterdam. Obviously, I'm doing the touristy canal tour and the husband wants to see the ladies in the window (SEE, not touch! :p) and I want to see the Anne Frank house, but what else is a must see in Amsterdam?
Click to expand...

I didn't know much about Anne Frank other than vague memories of snippets of her diary that I read ages ago. But, the Anner Frank house was absolutely amazing. A highlight of our trip there. Do not miss it! Just get there early because a long lime forms. Do it first thing in the day!

Tell your husband not to take pictures of the ladies in the window, otherwise he'll be accosted!

Mr Awe
 
There are a lot more than two museums in Glasgow and there's a lot more to see than museums, if that's not your bag.
 
My advice is not what to see but how to be. English is plentiful in all of those countries, even Scotland. :lol: Actually, you'll probably have more trouble with the language there than in Scandanavia and The Netherlands.

Learn basic polite phrases in Danish and Dutch before you go and practice them on the flight over. Even a small attempt to speak the native tongue will reap great rewards in appreciation from the locals. So many Americans simply talk louder in English, expectring to be understood. Speak slowly and with your best National Public Radio enunciation. You'll be easily understood, and again, appreciated for the effort.

In a tavern/pub or restaurant, ask about the local beer (if you drink beer). Every town takes pride in their home town brew and will appreciate your interest. Likewise, check out the local quisine and expect some surprises. The breakfast buffet in Oslo had 4 kinds if pickles plus pickled beets along with the usual fare. Surprising, yet excellent.

Don't spend the trip looking through a viewfinder. Put down the camera and let your mind take the images. Buy the tourist photo books instead of taking your own pix. A shot or two of "I was there" should be enough.

About 30 minutes northwest of Amsterdam is a coastal museum village with many working windmills. It is very picturesque but you can also see windmills fitted out for sawing wood, grinding flour and other things you'd never think of. Also, "Coffee house" means pot shop and no medical prescription is required. ;)
 
Deckerd said:
There are a lot more than two museums in Glasgow and there's a lot more to see than museums, if that's not your bag.
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Sure there are, sorry meant to clarify that the 2 that I saw were very nice. One was the transport museum that we went to mainly for our younger daughter but we enjoyed too.

We also went to the Kelvingrove Art Muesuem and Gallery, which was very pleasant.

Mr Awe
 
Mutai Sho-Rin said:
My advice is not what to see but how to be. English is plentiful in all of those countries, even Scotland. :lol: Actually, you'll probably have more trouble with the language there than in Scandanavia and The Netherlands.

Learn basic polite phrases in Danish and Dutch before you go and practice them on the flight over. Even a small attempt to speak the native tongue will reap great rewards in appreciation from the locals. So many Americans simply talk louder in English, expectring to be understood. Speak slowly and with your best National Public Radio enunciation. You'll be easily understood, and again, appreciated for the effort.

In a tavern/pub or restaurant, ask about the local beer (if you drink beer). Every town takes pride in their home town brew and will appreciate your interest. Likewise, check out the local quisine and expect some surprises. The breakfast buffet in Oslo had 4 kinds if pickles plus pickled beets along with the usual fare. Surprising, yet excellent.

Don't spend the trip looking through a viewfinder. Put down the camera and let your mind take the images. Buy the tourist photo books instead of taking your own pix. A shot or two of "I was there" should be enough.
Click to expand...
That's good advice for anyone going anywhere :bolian:
 
Mutai Sho-Rin said:
About 30 minutes northwest of Amsterdam is a coastal museum village with many working windmills. It is very picturesque but you can also see windmills fitted out for sawing wood, grinding flour and other things you'd never think of. Also, "Coffee house" means pot shop and no medical prescription is required. ;)
Click to expand...


You're probably referring to Zaanse chanse, which is a charming place to visit. A preserved historical village. I gather they moved traditional homes and buildings to construct this village. You can also go in some old fashioned windmills, the type you associate with the area. It's just a short train ride from Amsterdam. We enjoyed it. Nice if you're looking for an easy, low effort, day trip Amsterday.

Mr Awe
 
I don't remember Foteviken as that exciting, but it's been a few years since I was there. I think the bus takes you quite near, at least, but I'm not sure.

If you need other things to see in the region, I can help you with that.
 
Speaking of European travel advice, I'm heading to Iceland in September. Anyone got any bright ideas? Besides hakarl that is.
 
^I've seen hot springs and geysers before (Wyoming) and have never had an interest in immersing self in one. Iceland looks like the bastard love child between AK and WY.
 
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