ASU2003

I'm going to be going to London, Paris, Nice and Barcelona for two and a half weeks next month. It's my longest vacation yet since starting my job 5 years ago, and I'm not sure how relaxing it will be. There is the language difference, the train schedule and the time difference that I will have to deal with. But, it should be a good trip, and I am excited to go to Europe for the first time. If you have any tips on traveling in Europe, or any unexpected things you found out, I would like to hear about it.

So, I have to ask, what things should I make sure to do when I am there? I'll be there when the Le Tour De France is going on, so that will be something to see. I have my hotel, plane, and train tickets so I don't need to worry about transportation or where to stay. Well, I do need advice on the best way to get around London, Paris and Barcelona. I will probably walk quite a bit, and I am staying downtown, so it shouldn't be a problem to see the major tourist attractions. I would also like to travel outside of the city to see something in the countryside for a day or two. But, I am also looking for info on the other places to go that would make it a great trip. There have to be some people here that either live in one of those places or has visited that would know something about what to do there...Thanks!

squeeeb

barcelona is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! spain is one of the easiest countries to get around in. take the metro in barcelona.
Barcelona Metro, Subway System, Barcelona Underground Guide

travelling outside of barcelona in spain, get your train tickets and bus tickets the day of travel. if you try to be prepared and get the tickets the day before, it's a hassle for some reason. if you walk up to the counter an hour before the train arrives, its a breeze.

go to the market Boqueria Market in Barcelona - Boqueria Market in Barcelona and get some jamon de iberico, it's fantastic.

from barcelona, you can take a day trip to figueras and see the salvador dali museum which will blow your mind.

in barcelona, see the sagrada familia and behind it, eat at alkemia http://www.barcelona.com/barcelona_d...uisine/alkimia

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Glory's Sun

Could you steal the Champions League cup while you're in Barca and take it back to Manchester England where it belongs?

nomcat

Just got back from a week in Barcelona... what an awesome city!!

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ASU2003

Thank you, this is what I was hoping for. I'll be sure to check out the market, the sagrada familia, and that restaurant. Do you have any recommendations on what to get there? My biggest worry is that I won't be able to read the menus (or what is written on the wall), so I will have no idea what it is.

What did you do there? Are there any good beaches or parks? Do you know anything about some bicycles you can rent at the metro stations or something? Are there any football matches or bull fights (besides the Pamplona one) that you know of?

noodle

didn't Halx just do some travelling? i'll bet he has some great Paris advice.

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snowy

Watch for pickpockets in Barcelona. I haven't been, but my 6'6" uncle and his 6'3" son tangled with a gang of them on the Metro there last summer. They're apparently that foolish or brave, depending on how you look at it.

Take good walking shoes. You will be doing a lot of it. Walking is the best way to see Paris and the character of the different arrondissements. When you're done walking for the day, THEN you can take the Metro back to your accommodations. You don't need to pay a lot to eat well in Paris--everywhere you go you will find places selling these baguette sandwiches that you should try. Picnicking in Paris is the order of the day--just grab a baguette and some wine and find a spot (and there are many). Just don't act like a stupid American and you should be fine. Know some basic French before you go; it goes a long way in showing the French people you will deal with that you respect their culture.

London is expensive. Be prepared for that. And don't buy the wrong ticket for the Tube.

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Cynthetiq

awesome! we're going to Madrid for Labor Day weekend, then drive to a parador en route to Barcelona, then back to a different parador on the return to Madrid. 4 days in each city.

looking forward to going to this market. we love going to markets in every city we go to.

Not a fan of the iberco jamon, prefer just regular jamon.

can't wait to go!

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n0nsensical

You'll love it. I'm probably heading to Ibiza myself later in summer. Never been to any of those cities but it's cool everywhere. A different language can be tough but lots of people speak English, especially young people, you have it quite easy relatively speaking (no pun intended). Can't think of any tips off the top of my head but if I think of something I'll post it. (Bring lots of Euros!)

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Glory's Sun

As far as Barcelona, it's doubtful that you'll be able to attend any matches. Most players are in Confederations Cups or international duties. You may be able to see some training sessions or some international warmups..not real sure. I'm not real familiar with the team schedules out there so you'll have to do some research.

London has plenty to do and see in the football sense if you are interested in touring the grounds. I'll have to check the London teams schedules to see what's going on as far as matches.

squeeeb

don't worry about reading the menu, its spain, not china. you can figure most stuff out, and they will probably have an english menu. if you don't know what something is, just get it anyway, it will most likely be awesome.

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onward to mayhem!