Dear Friends (those who have traveled and even those who have not)
I have a desire for exploring Europe, but it isn’t really on my radar. I mean, I loved my 2007 Battlefields trip, but since then, travel dreams of visiting Europe have been tucked away.
So last December, my parents announced to me that they had inherited some money and that they would like to use that money to send me to Germany to visit my Great Aunt Edith, who is also my Godmother.
By then I was already planning my Richmond summer. I knew I was working at the Richmond Art Gallery for July/August and I was contemplating maybe doing J’Explore for May/June. Or maybe some other Canada/BC travelling.
Well, I told my parents yes, I would like to go.
I remembered that I had friends who were doing exchanges in Europe. Could I go visit them as well? My parents said no.
And did not start saying yes until just a couple of weeks ago.
This whole process of planning has taken way too long, because I have had to negotiate with them, my Aunt and now my Europe connections as well.
So what I’m trying to say is, with all of this family bureaucracy, I am finding it really hard to get excited. Maybe it’s also because there is still end-of-the-year stress (finding subletters, projects, exams…)
Nonetheless, I need your help!
Help me get excited!!!
I have about 3-7 days in each of these places, except the last.
Here is my tentative itinerary:
- Amsterdam, Netherlands (staying with roommate Hannah)
- Paris, France (Thank you Mike+Dana for hostel suggestion)
- Lyon, France (staying with U of T friend Clara)
- Cinque Terre, Italy (hostels?)
- Basel, Switzerland (staying with Maciek’s sister)
- Stuttgart, Germany (this is where my Aunt is and where I will be spending the most time)
Any help/information/advice is greatly appreciated!
Amsterdam is a freaking maze. There are zero geographical features to orient yourself. Don’t rely on street maps, just follow bus/tram routes (or Hannah can show you around). Even then, sometimes the same bus takes a different route on the return trip so keep your eyes up. Often, perpendicular streets have THE SAME NAMES and intersect (cruelty!) or a street mysteriously ends (CRUELTY!) and you’re on the opposite side of the city (tired feet, homicidal rage). Advice: stay somewhere near Dam Square and get familiar with the Damrak or the Leidsplein and maybe one or two tram routes. Don’t plan walks because you’ll end up in Belgium. Fact. Also, visit the red light district. It sounds sketchy, but it’s just full of cafés and neon signs and buildings that touch at the top (awesome inexpensive food, fantastic photos, a sunny-in-your-soul experience). Prostitutes exist, but not at all like the stereotypes. In fact, I don’t think I saw one. Also, MJ is omnipresent, in sight and smell but it adds rather than hinders the experience in my opin-onion.
DO visit the Van Gogh museum. It’s my favourite museum I’ve ever been to. The layout is completely conducive to my style of learning. I can rave on and on. You can take your backpack in and leave it in a supervised cubby-area. DO visit the Vondelpark, it’s close (walking distance) to the VGM. It’s Hyde Park’s dopplegänger, and very lush and full of bikes and willows and it’s small enough to tour thoroughly on your way to or from something at leisure.
The Damrak has the best and most entertaining tourist shops ON EARTH. You don’t need to buy anything for the memories.
Paris and I are good friends. I have a larger-than-life relationship with it in that the first time I went it felt like I had finally returned and all the streets were where I left them and the metro stations were how I remembered.
And the second and third times extended this feeling. It’s easy to navigate, the metro is fantastic, cheap, efficient, and clean. Some of the trains smell like metal run through tunnels underground all day, but not like urine or anything at all. In all my hours on the metro I may have seen a mouse once.
Do see the Musée d’Orsay. The Louvre is closed on Wednesdays or Thursdays… it’s a random weekday. But, the Tuileries (the park surrounding the louvre pyramids extending to Place de la Concorde) are nice. You can enter the Louvre courtyard to see the pyramids any time, and I would suggest the walk to PDLC via les Tuileries. And perhaps an ice cream/hot chocolate/café au lait/pastry from the vendors.
Rue Saint Antoine is one street up from the Seine. Use it. It turns into the Champs Elysées as it goes from La Bastille to L’Arc de Triomphe. It’s kind of like Robson street, with all the requisite stores, but by the Louvre there are many street-level cafes that offer inexpensive but satiating sandwiches or crepes or omelettes. I like those options because I can walk & eat, but if you’re more of a restaurant sit-down meal person, then that is also possible, but on the street that outlines the Seine (Georges Pompidou/Quai des Celestins-Hotel de Ville).
My general advice is to not plan your hours. Make a general list of things you want to see and do relative to the time you have, and do them in the order that they happen. If you plan, you miss things. For instance, don’t plan to visit the Tour Eiffel. You’re going to see it no matter where you are. If you happen upon the environs and there is a short lineup and you want to pay the 3 euro to see the top, go right ahead. It takes about 15 minutes. Then continue on your way.
ALSO SEE THE CIMETERE PERE LACHAISE. It’s magical, and on a hill, and full of beauty and on a hill. And, on a hill. And, beautiful.
Take trains between cities. The longest trip will be 2 hours. It’s incredible. I want to marry the sound of a long train ride.
YAY WOW
Unfortunately, I only know Paris. And all I can really say about it is B&W film is your best friend there (except around Montmartre.) Try to make a trip to Marriage Frères, because Danny and I missed out on that, and I think the oldest tea merchant in the world is kind of a destination for our collective.
SUZIE TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES.
I know you will, but that was also me saying have fun! in a relative way.