I just got done counting all the museums I'll nbe visiting on my 90 day trip through Europe. I counted 38, is this overkill or reasonable? Here's a breakdown
Averaging about 1 museum in 2-3 days, I don't think that's too much to be honest. If it's up to me, I'd probably end up at 1 per day. Especially when they're all different and unique.
It's only when, if you visit only similar genre of museums, then the museum fatigue will come by very quickly. But seems like you have a good variation in your list, so it's pretty reasonable really. (Disclaimer: of course, I usually travel only for short stints - a few days, up to a couple of weeks - so I don't feel the burden of museum/sight overload.)
By the way, re Dublin. I'm assuming you mean the National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology? To see the bog bodies and all? If you're interested in oriental arts and world culture civilisation, I'd highly recommend Chester Beatty Library behind Dublin Castle. It's free, and similarly the NMI-Aracheology is free too. Do both if you have time!
London (3)
• Natural History Museum
• Science Museum
• Clink Museum
If I had to pick 3 museums in London I would go to the British museum, the Tower of London and the Victoria and Albert.
Amsterdam (3)
• Stedelijk Museum
• Rijksmuseum
• Van Gogh Museum
Rijksmuseum ist a must, I was less impressed by the Van Gogh museum. The Tropenmuseum would also be a good choice. www.tropenmuseum.nl
Berlin (2)
• Pergamonmuseum
• Sony Center
Pergamon is a must, don't skip that.
Sony Center - not much of a museum unless you want to see the building itself. I've been and I would not bother unless you need to go there anyway. There is a cinema inside and the Legoland Discovery Centre, and there are some frequent events like concerts and art exhibitions, but that's it.
If you want to go to another museum go to the Jewish Museum in Berlin or to the museum inside the Concentration Camp Oranienburg.
Prague (0)
I quite liked the sexmuseum.
Vienna (3)
• Michaelerkirche
• Kunsthistorisches Museum
• Naturhistorisches Museum
I can't see the attraction of those museums at all. Instead I can strongly recommend a visit to Schönbrunn and to the Hofburg. Those are the highlights of a visit to Vienna.
If you go to the Hofburg consider skipping the Residenz in Munich and instead go to one of the Pinakothek's in Munich, either the old or the new one.
Florence (4)
• Accademia
• Science Museum
• Uffizi Gallery
• Duomo Museum
Been to the Uffizi and to the Duomo. Tip: If you go to the Duomo either climb up into the cupola or see the cathedral. Doing both is overkill. Note that the lines for the cupola are shorter and you'll see more, both of Florence (great view from the top) and from the art inside the cupola. Of course it means climbing all those stairs too.
Naples (2)
• Archaeological Museum
• Museo Cappella Sansevero
Visit Pompeii and be done with it. My 2 cents.
- Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam. Skip it. What once used to be Europe's most important modern art museum now is a deplorable mess
- Hamburger Bahnhof, Berlin. Add this one, and skip the over-rated Sony Center which is utterly disappointing
- Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna. You cannot not go here. It has the finest collection of paintings anywhere in Europe
- Archeological Museum, Naples. Again: you shouldn't miss out on this one. Best archeological museum in Europe, really quite spectacular
[ 29-Dec-2009, at 07:30 by bentivogli ]
Madrid:
My favourite in Madrid is actually Reina Sofia although Prado is very impressive in its own right. Perhaps this is a reflection of my preference for more contemporary rather than classical Spanish arts.
Dublin:
As I previously mentioned, I'd highly recommend the Chester Beatty Library, which collection is rather unique and more Oriental arts, civilisations and cultural based.
London:
British Museum is definitely worth visiting, and my view of Natural History Museum is that it's a wonderful place. Tate Modern is where I feel in love with modern art, so I have a soft spot for it too.
Paris:
Louvre is an eye opener, that's for sure. If you like Impressionist Arts, you really shouldn't miss Musee d'Orsay. Crypte Archaeologique is actually rather small and forgettable (in my opinion). For history of Paris, you should have a look at Musee Carnavalet instead.
Amsterdam:
Van Gogh Museum was where I rediscovered his genius, and so I was more impressed with it than Rijksmuseum. Don't get me wrong, Rijksmuseum is good too, just that with the renovation works etc, only a very small of its collection is available at the moment.
... and so forth. The list of recommendations can go on, but at the end of the day it's down to your preferences and what you like. I'm a bit of a Science geek, so natural history museums everywhere fascinates me. At the same time, I love Impressionist Arts, certain movements of contemporary arts, and all things Renaissance, so the museums with these works are interesting to me too. Nonetheless I also always keep an open mind that something new will open my world up, just like the way I used to be convinced that modern arts were rubbish until I went to Tate Modern and it changed my view about modern arts. (I do still think some modern arts are rubbish, but I certainly won't be as quick to judge until I see things for myself.)
I think for a major tour like yours, a mix and a variety of different museums would be great. If you go to one national gallery after another national gallery, you're bound to think they're all the same after a few of them. Some of the cities you'll be in have former palaces open for visit, and they make great alternatives to museums. Again, only a handful or you'll see the European aristocrats lived pretty much the same way with small tweaks of differences here and there.
I did not enjoy the Crypt Archeologique at all. While I do appreciate the history and significance of the remnants of cities below the foundation of Paris, there was not much in terms of information and details. If you're in the area and finish with the Crypt earlier than expected, then I recommend popping over to the Sainte-Chappelle which is not too far from there (if I remember correctly). This was the stand-out monument for me (almost more impressive than Notre Dame cathedral). Sainte-Chappelle chapel/church is just amazing and definitely worth the effort - go when there is daylight so you can see the stained-glass windows in its full glory.
The Louvre is an amazing place but definitely decide what you "need" to see ahead of time or be prepared to spend a whole day there - even then, that may not be enough time to see everything. Same advice goes for the Vatican museum - impossible to see it all in one day.
I love Impressionism so I would have to agree regarding Musee D'Orsay. The other museum which I love is the Musee de l'Orangerie (inside the Jardine des Tuileries, by Place de la Concorde entrance), which is smaller and not so crowded with people. The amazing thing about l'Orangerie is the huge Monet canvases of waterlilies - I highly recommend this but if Impressionism isn't your thing then don't worry about it.
Amsterdam: I was slightly disappointed with the Rijksmuseum but the Van Gogh museum (just 1 or 2 blocks away) more than made up for it. The Sex museum horrified some and intrigued others - check it out if you're interested.
In Florence, if you are a fan of sculptures, the Bargello is a must-see, second to Accademia. If anything, the Bargello has a varied collection (of course, no David, but quite interesting anyways) and the building itself is something to see. The Pitti Palace is also beautiful - great collection of Renaissance paintings and opulently decorated apartments.
If it's pouring rain in London and you want to be somewhere warm & dry - the National Gallery and British Museums will not disappoint. Even for an few hours, these two sites are worth the time. And they're FREE!
[ 29-Dec-2009, at 23:15 by canadiank ]
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