I'm visiting Europe for the first time and need to pick two cities from the above list. I'm leaning towards Barcelona and Venice, both of which might be more expensive than the rest. I'm a budget traveler. I'm less interested in seeing ruins and old castles, and more interested in places with active contemporary cultures.
2006-08-16 05:56:45 · 23 answers · asked by brightorangeysun 1 in Travel ➔ Europe (Continental) ➔ Greece
I have the luck of having been to all of these places.
I would definitely say Barcelona is top- it has amazing architecture. All of the Gaudi buildings are amazing and dont miss Parc Guell which is a little bit out of the centre but great.
Barcelona does not have to be expensive. The restaurants are excellent- try to go to ones that Spanish people go to and are family owned. People from Barca tend to eat at about 10pm or later so adjust your eating times and enjoy!!
Venice is also v v beautiful but can be expensive. cheap hotels are OK but its so expensive to go on a gondola (£20 for 15 mins when i last went) and do other touristy things. It might be worth spending your money here though as it is amazing. there is little in the way of night life in venice but barca makes up for it!!
Dublin has loads of road works at the moment so its best not to visit now. it is a great city but has taken a bit of a bashing at the mo with so many stag/ hen nights there. I think that its worth a visit but not in my top two or even four.
the others are great but those are my suggestions.
2006-08-16 06:06:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Two of my favorite cities in Europe are Venice and Barcelona. I love Venice because it is unique. No other city like it in the world! However, you might not find much of a contemporary culture there. If this is what you are looking for - Budapest and Barcelona. The US Dollar doesn't go too far these days in Europe - but check out http://www.backpackeurope.com/
You may not be backpacking but it gives you some good advise on cheaper accommodations.
Also check out http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/spain/spain_menu.htm for some good info on Barcelona.
Since you are on a budget, you might want to consider two cities in the same proximity. For example Athens and Dublin probalby wouldn't be a good choice for obvious reasons! But, Istanbul and Athens would. Since it is your first visit, I doubt you will be disappointed wherever you go. It is an awesome experience. Just do your research before you go. Buy a good guidebook and spend time on the Internet.
Have fun!
2006-08-17 07:23:51 · answer #2 · answered by baja annie 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was lucky to visit all those cities except Dublin and I simply adore Barcelona, Venice, Athens and Istanbul. Budapest is also nice and worth visit, but I would prefer to visit some of those four.
Barcelona is a real beauty, she has a marvolous contemperorary architecture, she is very dynamic and lively, people are very friendly. Venice is very nice and very charming in its unique way. Athens has her Acropolis, but not only that. This beauty in white has very friendly people as well and she is also a very dynamic city. Istanbul is also unique between them, as you can get an insight into an oriental culture there. Yet, what is the most amazing about this city is its energy. Istanbul is so active, dynamic, lively... Even a little chaotic, but in a very charming way.
And one more thing: Barcelona is not so expensive as people might think. I was traveling along the Mediterranean coast through Italy, France and Spain and I remember I noticed (and was surprised with) that Spain was cheaper than two other countries. But I am not talking about hotel prices, because I don't know that, as in my case that was one journey, paid altogether to a tour operator. But I can still tell you that it was pretty cheap. If that means anything, I was traveling in may.
Hope this helps.
Enjoy your trip!
2006-08-16 22:59:45 · answer #3 · answered by Venus 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Athens after the Olympic Games is not any more a city where you can see only ruins. It has developed to a large city with several neighborhoods that depending upon your interests you can choose. You can find small typical taverns as well as clubs next to the sea that offer an excellent service. All year round there are excellent festivals and the most important you can take the boat for a daily trip to small islands close to Athens and then be back at you Hotel for the evening.
IYou can make a good combination by visiting Venice and then take the boat from Ancona (Italy) to Patras (Greece) for visiting Athens.
2006-08-16 18:38:56 · answer #4 · answered by elmamelenia 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've been to Venice, Dublin, Athens and Budapest. And from my experience and that of my friends that travel, I'd definitnely recommend Dublin and Barcelona; both have younger crowds and great nightlife. Venice is beautiful but is full of tourist traps. Budapest I loved, but it was mostly for the architecture, the low cost and the overall vibe of the city. Athens is a bit too dirty for my taste. Istanbul I head was nice but too many smokers and more for the art and history. Have a great trip!
2006-08-16 06:05:40 · answer #5 · answered by sabbat 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Venice Athens
2006-08-16 06:03:58 · answer #6 · answered by yaoingho 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are on a budget, do not count out Europe's two greatest bargains: Athens and Istanbul. Both have active contemporary cultures. Athens has the beach and island life, and Kolonaki is as high-end as Milan. Istanbul is a bustling city that is constantly growing. Taksim is the perfect area to see modern life in Turkey. However, both cultures also allow you to see how the past has shaped its contemporary culture.
2006-08-17 04:44:17 · answer #7 · answered by Ashley M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For contemporary cultures: Barcelona and Venice!
For economic vacations: Budapest and Athens!!
I exclude Istanbul due to the bombs this and last week!
2006-08-17 07:21:37 · answer #8 · answered by soubassakis 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Venice (Venezia) actually wants no introduction, see ways to get there with hotelbye . This town has been a fabled location for centuries. Only the name Venice is sufficient to conjure up a number of pictures, actually for people who have not even set foot in Italy. From gondoliers in striped jerseys to the Rialto and the Bridge of Sighs, bad balls, golden barges, courtesans in gondolas and crumbling palaces experiencing roads manufactured from water Venice is an incredible city. When the sole connection over the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge marks the spot of the island's first settlement, named Rivus Altus and is currently among the plenty of place that Venice needs to offer.
2016-12-20 00:39:45 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Istanbul and Athens. Both have active culture which can be achieved on the cheap. You can take a ferry from Athens to Cesme and an overnight bus to Istanbul.
2006-08-17 18:29:19 · answer #10 · answered by expatturk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋