annbingle has indicated that this thread is about Amsterdam
Paris is far better than Amsterdam.
Florence is OK but with so little time I would spend more time in Rome, then a cheap flight to Paris.
If you use Ryanair (like AirAsia), their airport is some distance from Paris but has a connecting bus shuttle to Paris (I think €16 now). The Metro makes getting around Paris easy. Buy a number of flat fare tickets at a time (flat fare in Paris but more outside).
The "world guide" sites have a lot on both cities. You could always have a day in nearby Disneyland while in Paris.
For me your itinerary seems a bit strange. Why have you chosen 2 Italian cities and then suddenly Amsterdam??? I personally believe that it would be much better for you to explore more Italy as big cities is one thing, but actually seeing the country, another. For instance, when you go to Florence, you should also check out Tuscany - visit places like Pisa, San Marino, San Gimignano - and really see the beautiful nature and landscape that Italy has to offer to you as well as the local life. As you mentioned that in addition to just a normal holiday you want to find a place to settle down as well, it is important for you to actually see the country and its local life and that takes time. You just cannot go to a city for a few days and say: "OH! That's awesome!!! I will live here in the future!" Although you can feel like that in few days, it may be a wrong decision for you as in the first few days, every new place seems awesome and wonderful, but when you actually dig into it, it may not be that awesome any more. Now, if you want to also get Paris into your plan, you should think about cutting down 2 of the places you have chosen - so either Amsterdam&Rome or Amsterdam&Florence -, because again - as you are looking for a place to live in the future, it is important for you to really experience the French lifestyle.
Personally I think, on a 12 day trip, you are there for a good time not a long time.
Do everything you can fit in, have an awesome time, sleep on the plane on the way home.
If you were going for a longer time I would certainly recommend slowing it all down and looking at the countryside, but I am a big fan of making your first trip an awesome one - come back exhausted but see everything you want to see, check off the sites you have always wanted to see.
You can explore in more depth another time, especially if you plan on going back soon - a brief stopover isn't enough time for a lot of people to soak up the culture but it's long enough to get a feel of a city and to know if you want to go back there and see more.
Two days in Paris is quick and you certainly will barely scratch the surface of what it has to offer, but it's plenty of time to eat a baguette, look at fancy French people sitting in cafes smoking cigarettes and stand in front of the Eiffel Tower and take in its glory.
Do it. Why not!
In my opinion, you should definitely squeeze Paris in. While Amsterdam is great, you surely have more to see in Paris. I liked Rome and Florence, nice places, lovely atmosphere! If you're gonna queeze only 2 days to Paris, then check if a travel pass will save you some time and money, I did that last time I went to Paris, as I only had a weekend. -snip- Palace of Versailles, Notre Dame Cathedral, The Louvre... So many amazing places to visit there. I vote for Paris, Rome and maybe Florence if you really must. Not sure about travel passes for the other cities but check timeout, it has some great tips there.
0 Response to "Europe Newbie"
Post a Comment