[Judex]

Never would have occured to me to post this here, but reading GeN's London post got me to thinking. I am going to Europe very soon for 3 weeks. Specifically: Paris, San Sabastian, Barcelona, Marseille, Venice, Florence, Naples, and Rome. Anyone out there have the inside scoop on the best places to go and see? Very interested in all art related sites/museums, that sort of thing, but definitely throw in the best place to grab a pint, socialize, listen to music, ect. if you have any ideas there are well. Any places not really worth fighting the crowds/prices, and that sort of thing for? I know that covers a lot of ground but if anyone has any ideas, please throw them out! Thanks everyone,

-Rich

[ May 05, 2002: Message edited by: Judex ]

[ May 07, 2002: Message edited by: Judex ]

[Xysryc]

I myself have never been in Paris, but friends have told me about it and I think the LUVR and Centre Pompidou are worth a visit!

[edraket]

Every major city has a good art museum and is worth visiting. It's all about what you want kind of art you want to see.
Paris is without question the art mekka and should be on your list.
If you like golden age dutch art (Rembrandt type stuff) amsterdam is the place to go.
Barcelona has Gaudi Architecture.
Rome has lots of cool renaissance stuff.
Vienna has a lot of good art museums, specifically if you like german expressionists (So does munich).
It's all about what you want to see. Don't try to visit every major city. You'll just end up spending 75% of your time travelling.
If you want to drink you should go to prague or budapest btw.

[Judex]

Thanks for the replies,

Edraket - I would love to visit Prague or Budapest but the itinerary is pretty well set.

I'm sure we'll hit most of the obvious places, but I was just wondering if there were any undiscovered places really worth seeing. Thanks again for the info.

-Rich

[kebab de mars]

Marsalle ?!!! Do you mean Marseille ? (it is where i live...)

[Judex]

Whoops,

Yes, I did mean Marseille. Sorry about that, I was looking at a piece of paper my friend wrote out for me that had our original itinerary on it.

Any ideas on what to see?

[silber]

In Florence you could spend days over days visiting museums but the one I would recommend to you is the "Akademia" (=acadamy)
This is the place where Leonardo Da Vinci's
sculptures are.
"David" is also standing there, and you have to see this masterpiece in life.
No photo, no copy -nothing looks like the original one-believe me the original one is so damn perfect! It isn't possible to copy it.(there are lots of copys standing in the city)

[Judex]

Thanks for the tip,
That one will definitely be on the list.

[lowpoly]

Paris, Mus�e d'Orsay

and see this.

[Myself]

august 2-10 is the time for Pepsi Island in Budapest, it is almost the biggest festival in Europe with a lot of music, art etc...

[Pixie Nim]

I went to Barcelona last summer and it's a stunning city. I definately recommend going to Park Guell, for the beautiful surroundings and Gaudi architecture... I could've spent all day there! And entry is free... There's loads of other Gaudi buildings to see all over the city, the one inspired by St George and dragon is particularly impressive with it's scaly roof and scull-like windows!
And La Fuente Luminosa de la Plaza Internacional are quite impressive, if you get the opportunity - giant fountains which at the right time of year (and night) they light up in a myriad of colours...


and go to La Rambla at least once while you're there... there are far too many crummy tourist-y shops, but plenty of good ones too, and loads of eateries of various kinds... nice seafood there, imo...

Pixie

[ May 10, 2002: Message edited by: Pixie Nim ]

[Judex]

Thanks for the info everyone, some great ideas there.

-Rich

[tayete]

At Barcelona you *must* see what you have been told: all Gaudi's buildings and parks (Sagrada Familia-impressive, Parque G�ell, la Pedrera...). The museum of Art is great too (artworks from the Middle Ages till now). There's also an exact reproduction of the "Santa Mar�a" carabel which you can visit (it is surprising how Colon could travel from Spain to America in a boat that isn't even 10 mts long).
And yes, you should visit Las Ramblas. But be careful. Tourists are cannon fodder for the illegal inmigrants (mostly African)wandering around, ready to pickpocket you, or something worse.

At San Sebasti�n there's not too much to see, I am afraid. Well, I mean related to art. But you can always enjoy the city and relax by the seaside. And gastronomy is great at both cities. You must try a wine called "txacol�" (readen chacolee) at San Sebasti�n. If you want to try new tastes, ask for "croquetas de tinta de calamar" (squid ink mixed with bechamel, covered with a layer of "atomized" bread, and fried...I supposse this could be explained much better in English, but I am not a cook and my English is rottening for the ceasing use I do of it).

[Judex]

Tayete -

Thanks for the info, sounds great. I think that I will defintitely have to try that squid dish too!

-Rich

[MikeP]

if you'll be in venice (i hope i am not repeating anyone, but i didn't see that anyone said this), make sure you hit up the Peggy Guggenheim collection. i just saw it last summer and it was quite an experience....it is mostly early to mid 20th century work methinks...surrealism, cubism, some abstract expressionism, etc.

i highly recommend it