Its a bit late to recall my days in Europe because it is last summer that I took a trip there.But every time I thought of the trip, my mind roamed about there again.My trip started at Rome and ended in Amsterdam.Along the way, I visited Rome, Florence, Venice, Nice, Geneva, Lucerne, Paris, Brussels, Maastricht and Amsterdam.The following is my personal feelings for those cities and some advices that you may find helpful.Cities:
- Rome:Like an open museum.Film-killer.My eyes just couldn’t take away from any fountains, sculptures or buildings I saw.If you go to the Vatican City, dont wear any sleeveless clothes or shorts above knees.Dont buy water at scenic spots because the price is steep.Unique spring water can be found at many places in this city.Do taste it.Prepare an empty bottle to fill some along the way there.
-- Florence: I personally like this city very much, even indulged in it.A peaceful and artistic city with Renaissance touches almost everywhere.My friend and I hanged out on our own at night, an experience that eventually becomes a short adventure to tell.Recommend anyone to go to the Pizzale Michelangelo (米開朗琪羅廣場) at night if possible.It’s a totally different feeling at night to look over the city from the hill, have a drink at the local bar and sit on the steps of the plaza with tourists from all over the world whispering under the same clear sky.
- Venice: Very commercialized yet good scenery.I had a good time feeding pigeons in the St. Mark Plaza (聖馬可廣場) and enjoyed the walk along the bay.
- Lucerne (硫森):Idyllic scenery.Another film-killer.Enjoy the view at the top of the snow-mountain and the roam around the small town at the foot of the mountain if you can.Standing in the balcony of the hotel I lived, I could see mountains on my right and left sides and peaceful and clean town dotted with lovely little houses, like something I read in fairy tale.
- Nice (尼斯):Go to the beach!A wonderful feeling to walk along the beach at night and lay on the shore listening to the tides and watching stars above your head.
- Paris: If you go there with travel agency, they will definitely take you to those famous attractions.The Louvre (盧浮宮) is worth visiting.I almost dreamt of studying art in Paris while watching the exhibits there.The Palace des Vosges (凡爾賽宮) is grand, so grand that the luxurious rooms and ornaments made me dizzy until I came to the huge and beautiful garden in the back yard.We went out ourselves by metro at night and strolled along the Avenue des Champs-Elysees (香謝麗舍大街).If you want to buy cosmetics, you may go to one store on the avenue with 40% cheaper price than that in Shanghai.Take good care of your wallets or any precious stuff.Its the only city that our group encountered a pickpocket and a steal to our bus.The show in Moulin Rouge (紅磨坊) was good but not good enough to worth a 110-dollar ticket, I think.The most expensive show I have ever watched.Well, at least I can say I have watched the real show live…
- Brussels: A simple and peaceful city compared to grand Paris yet has its own flavor.The Grand Place located in the very heart of the city is worth visiting, especially at night because you can see the lights on the buildings changing their colors with the music.There are also numerous impressive baroque and gothic buildings, many of which have dazzling gilt details.I am lucky enough to visit the Royal Palace, which opens to public only when the king’s family is out for summer holidays.I also enjoyed the local snacks very much.The mussels and cherry beer there were very delicious.
- Maastricht (馬斯特裡赫特): A city on the border of Holland.Nothing very special there but I had a very nice dinner of western style in a local restaurant.Every dish serves in a large portion (an ice-cream came in a big cup in the size of a vase) and make you feel that every penny you pay is rewarding.
- Amsterdam: Windmill, cheese, wood shoes, that’s what everyone knows about Holland.I saw all these in Amsterdam, and something else.As prostitution is legal there, I felt much safe in the crowded and colorful red light district with many policemen around.Other than the windows girls, the houses various in all kinds along the river are also impressive.
Tips:
- Take lip balm, moisturizing lotion and sun block lotion/cream.Very dry there if no rain.Umbrella may not be necessary but prepare easy-to-carry/disposal raincoat.Take toothbrush and toothpaste yourself and preferably towels.Bring foot soothing cream/gel if possible.
- Suggest contact lens users to use one-day contact lens.
- Checking on the web for the weather forecast of every city you will go may help you decide on what clothes to take.I used this one http://www.intellicast.com/LocalWeather/World/Europe/, which provide you with a ten-day forecast.
- Wherever you go in Italy or France, ice-cream is a must-try.Those sold in scoop are available in dozens of flavors, many of which cannot be seen in Shanghai, and can be found almost everywhere in downtowns there.My favorite flavors are lemon and mango.
- Pizzas in Italian are no better than those in Shanghai, even worse.French bread tastes good.Wines and champion there are also tasty.Swiss chocolate is worthy of its name.Worth buying some home if not too much trouble.
- The daily three meals may probably be prepared by the travel agency in local Chinese restaurants except for breakfast (actually my favorite meal every day there is breakfast due to the various choices of cheeses, breads, yogurts, etc.).We discussed with our tour guide to exchange a few of our Chinese meals for the local ones and luckily we succeeded.You may also have this try but if you are not lucky enough you can do it on your own.Not all are delicious but at least you wont regret not tasting local dishes when you are back and some are really yummy.
- Hang-out at night by yourselves is recommended.Grab a map and a name card from the hotel and set off on your own way.Receptionists are always there to help in guiding your way and calling for taxi.
- Local bars/cafe are worth going in every city you visit.
- Take enough films and batteries with you.Expensive there.My friend and I consumed averagely one film each day per person.One video camera plus one camera is a perfect combination.
- Exchange for Euro in China is better than there.Money exchange can be easily found in downtowns with a sign "Exchange" or "Combion".One-dollar note or coin is very useful.