Places in Europe

[Pmurtagh]

I'm planning a trip for next year around April or May. I think I'll be there for 10 days, and wanted some tips on where would be good places to go.

I've been all over Europe already, and did the "tour" thing, so I don't need to go through that again. Just looking to take some good pictures.

I don't know where I want to start. If I want to go to Ireland and Scotland, or start off in Austria and Germany.

There are so many good places over there, just need help with a starting place that I can maximize my trip.

Thanks.

[Japaslavian]

How will you be moving from place to place? If you're flying each time that will save a lot of travel time, but if you're like me and had to drive from country to country, it takes a good deal of time away.

When I traveled around, we flew into Austria and then when in a weird clockwise route around Switzerland. We started in Vienna and stayed their a couple days. Vienna is a great city for nice open architecture as well as scenic places along the Danube. If you can take a ferry tour down that, you could get some nice shots. Then we drove to Southern Germany/Bavaria for a day. We went to this place called the Eagle's Nest which was Hitler's vacation home or something. But it is this huge elevator up into the alps where there is some awesome shots of the mountains to be had. Then we drove south to Venice where we stayed a few days. Obviously there's St. Mark's Square, the Grand Canal, and ncie buildings. From there we headed to France, stopping in Milan, and Monaco. Milan has a coliseum similar to the one in Rome, just smaller. Monaco is an interesting place to see exotic cars and there's a great shot of the Monaco harbor that makes a great panoramic shot. We say people there from Gray's Anatomy too which was random. From Monaco we stayed in Nice for a few days, which is one of my favorite places. Right along the Mediterranean which makes for awesome waterscape shots as well as plenty of architecture and street photography. We ended out trip in Paris for the last few days which has the obvious Eiffel Tower, Arche de Triumph, Nortre Dame, Louvre, etc. If you're not with a tour group, it much easier to get good shots of stuff because you're not pressed with time. We also spent a good day at Versailles, which is probably one of the best places I went to for photography if you love architecture. Checkered floors, columns, open courtyards and all that fun stuff. The gardens are wonderful as well. 12 day trip with a lot of driving time and we didn't get to go to several places I would have liked to like Florence, Rome, and Berlin.

So transportation can be a deal breaker sometimes, but since you're not doing a tour, it may be easier to go to the places you want, and not waste time.

[sybren]

Be sure to visit Amsterdam! Or other areas of The Netherlands - there is so much to shoot around here. If you need a guide, let me know

[Pmurtagh]

Thanks for the reply.

I wanted to focus on one or two countries at a time, depending on time restraints. Was thinking of finding a central starting point, and drive out to locations from there depending on weather.

Like stay somewhere in central Germany and branch out to Austria and switzerland or something along those lines. Like a country a year or something.

[douglas]

Europe is a VERY BIG PLACE!!!!
My opinion is that too many people try to do (see) too much in a short time. I have moved around France a good deal, and there are so many places to see without spending the whole time travelling. Pick an area , perhaps a city or large town that interests you, and has areas around in easy distance to visit. Almost anywhere will provide ample opportunity to fill your card/s. If it were me I would pick Aix en provence, plenty of places within 100Km, even a trip to Cassis on the coast! Best wishes and have a good time

[fletch]

Yep Europe is very big but it also has A LOT of things crammed into it.

Population density in the US is 31 people/km². In Europe its 134 people/km² and the ammount of sights to see has a simlar ratio. 10 days really isn't a lot of time to see it so I'd echo what douglas said. Pick a place and stick to it. Which place to pick, that depends where you have been and what you want to see.

April/May may favour more southerly locations as it rains a lot in northern Eurpore at that time, although you can't get more classic that Paris in the spring time. If you want a city base then Rome or Barcellona are clasic loctions and you could probably spend 10 days in either but you could travel from both. A great way to move about in Europe is by train Interailing. I sugest getting some guide books from the library and doing some research as you could litterally fill a thousand books with the subject.

Me. I don't think you can beat the English Peak District. I'm biased though as its 5 mins from my door.

[cabrown]

Go to the Alps. You choose the region: Bavaria, Trento Alto Adige, etc... Those mountains are beautiful in Spring.

If you have trouble finding places to take photos in Europe you aren't opening your eyes... they are everywhere!

[Pmurtagh]

Thanks for the replys everyone.

Like I said, I've been there so I don't need to do the tourist thing. I was planning on sticking to one place, or general area. Thinking I may start in Austria. I remember being in Salzburg and it just being breathtaking. Plus there's the eagles nest right next door.

I want to go to England again, I liked everything about it. It is definitely one of my favorite places over there.

And I agree Max, if you can't find anything, you aren't looking.