Obsession with European Travel

[TimTwoFace]

Who here doesn't like to travel? I know many that can't because of financial issues or time restraints, but virtually everyone I know wants to travel and see the world. I've done a survey, both in my personal life and with net friends, and it would appear that, outside of the North American continent, France was always the number one choice.

Why exactly is that? I personally want to see all of Europe, and Paris seems to be the #1 destination for anyone I've asked. Why is there such a mystique about this place? Is it the centuries of history, the different society, the very liberal, artistic feel, or just the fact that it's a very pretty place?

Paris aside, the entire continent of Europe holds a certain mystique that many people I know are attracted to. Myself included. Thing is, why is that? I can't quite figure it out. :p

If anyone's travelled there, lives there, or has any opinions I'd love to hear them. Hey, I'm a travel nut, what can I say?

-Tim

:)

PS - Where does the name "Eiffel" come from, anyway?

[Fiona]

I love traveling, but right now, as I am in college I don't get to much. There are so many places that I would like to go, especially in South Africa, Egypt, Russia, Amsterdam and London. I'd love to go to France too but for some reason it's never been at the top of my list. Anyway, I'm a travel bug too! :)

[Sue_Jackson]

I would love to travel. (That is if I had the time and the money :p ) I would love to visit Australia, Japan, Singapore, Italy, Spain, France, Austria, Switzerland, England, Ireland, or even Greece.

When I retire (which is a looooooong time from now :D ) I think I wanna do traveling. :cool:

[Outlander00]

I dunno... I think its because for us on the Wetern continent, we identify with our heritage and/or hear and read these stories about European regions (in classic books, stories, etc). Europe, in general, has so much history, places to see, people to meet... That it excites us.

And England, Germany, and Poland are high on my list... France is low on it :p

[Salvor]

Originally posted by TimTwoFace
Why exactly is that? I personally want to see all of Europe, and Paris seems to be the #1 destination for anyone I've asked. Why is there such a mystique about this place? Is it the centuries of history, the different society, the very liberal, artistic feel, or just the fact that it's a very pretty place?
Seems like everybody talks about France these days :)

Well Paris is a beautiful city, with a historical and architectural background that gives it a unique feel. When you stop by the Louvre or Notre-Dame, you don't just visit a place, you visit several centuries of history... believe me, I've been leaving in Paris for about 6 years (in the "Quartier Latin" -- I'm the luckiest guy in the world) and I'm still not tired of roaming the streets.

[Lucky Bob]

I live in Belgium. Nice place to visit, pick up a few fries, and whatnot. But the larger cities leave much to be desired. Holland's okay. I've only been to Paris and Dunkirk in France. Paris was nice, but got a little boring after the Eifell Tower and Notre Dame. Dunkirk didn't have enough electronics stores for me. Germany is nice. They have Wal-Mart now. England is probably the best country I've visited over here. London is a blast, you have to see it to believe it! (Madame Tussaude's is well worth the trip, if nothing else.)

[finbarlafume]

Maybe the fascination with Europe stems from the images of quaint streets, country landscapes, Royal families and ancient castles that are commonly depicted in the media. For people in the US and elsewhere, Europe might seem like a peaceful getaway - a quiet, friendly place steeped in proud artistic history.
Some of that may be true... but not all.
As a resident of Ireland, a place usually depicted as full of small whitewashed cottages and friendly pubs steeped in the smell of Guinness, I can safely say that these images are slightly misleading. While it's true that Europe has a far older history than the US, the late 20th century has taken it's toll. The tourist guides show pictures of Paris streets but keep the McDonalds and Burger King just slightly out of camera range ( I was quite surprised to find a huge McDonald's along the Champs Elysees when I visited Paris a few years back ). Aside from languages, there's very little difference between the US and Europe - maybe our skyscrapers aren't quite as tall but that's about it. The way the world is going, it looks like everywhere will be the same within 100 years... sad but true. I think any US tourist expecting to find a vastly different culture in Europe won't find what they're looking for, not in the big cities anyway. For some of the 'old' Europe, try and stick to rural areas where older traditions live on.

BTW, Eiffel was the surname of the guy who designed the tower.

[Rune]

I live in South West England and I love travelling to the US & Canada although I don't get to do it very often 'cos of family commitments and lack of money to splash around but what you're saying is very true, I have a lot of penpals and netpals and they nearly all to a person want to see Europe.

Paris, as Salvor says is a beautiful city, its has a buzz, an atmosphere that's hard to define and of course for many people it incredibly romantic. I have to admit is feels much different to other cities although Copenhagen, Oslo, St Petersburg, Moscow, Amsterdam all too have their own distinctions and London too of course, I've been there with foreign friends and they tell me it buzzes and feels so alive whereas to me its just London, I suppose you stop seeing/feeling it when you know it well .

I think the most valuable thing to have on a trip has to be time, here in the UK we see so many visitors from the US and also Japan who arrive here and then get -literally - dragged around the country on some whistle stop coach tour. It can't be much of an experience or indeed much fun being ferried around - look here's the Tower of London, no sorry its not foggy today, get on the bus! This is Hampton Court, 10 minutes for photos. Up to Oxford, up to Stratford - a quick sniff at Shakespeare's birthplace - nope, no time for tea we have to be in York by sunset. Up at 6am to see the Lake District then all the way down to grab a glimpse of the roman ruins of Bath and Stonehenge and that's it., don't forget to tip the driver! I had a friend from Ontario who did one of these tours, she arrived jet-lagged and went round in a permanently scrambled state, its a shame, time makes such a difference.


Me, I'd like to see Egypt, Petra (Jordan), New Zealand, Australia, more of Canada, more of the USA, heck anywhere would be great, we're off to Ireland in May and I can't wait :)

[Clayface]

I've been to a few countries, and, frankly, none of them lived up to what I'd hoped they'd be. England was a big dissapointment - it was like an old, small America. EVERYTHING there is old, and small. I always felt damp, and cramped. I guess the "quaint" and "historical" aspects of places don't do it for me.

I wouldn't recommend France to my worst enemy (sorry Salvor!). I wasn't all that interested in seeing Paris, but my girlfriend wanted to go so badly (the whole city-of-romance thing, you know), and I was up for seeing some place I'd never been. In the end, we both hated it. Its a filthy, dirty, rude city. The people there are worse than the stereotypes make them out to be, and the streets were just nasty. Its worth going there to check out some of the sites like the Louvre, but we found absolutely nothing romantic about the place.

Personally, I still want to see Germany, Austria (where my family once owned a castle), Australia, Poland, Ireland, Spain, and Italy.

[Kuja's Light]

French people aren't bad. I'm French after all. Not fully, but still.

[James]

Originally posted by Clayface
I've been to a few countries, and, frankly, none of them lived up to what I'd hoped they'd be. England was a big dissapointment - it was like an old, small America. EVERYTHING there is old, and small. I always felt damp, and cramped. I guess the "quaint" and "historical" aspects of places don't do it for me.

I wouldn't recommend France to my worst enemy (sorry Salvor!). I wasn't all that interested in seeing Paris, but my girlfriend wanted to go so badly - the whole city-of-romance thing, you know. In the end, we both hated it. Its a filthy, dirty, rude city. The people there are worse than the stereotypes make them out to be, and the streets were just nasty. Its worth going there to check out some of the sites like Louvre, but we found absolutely nothing romantic about the place.

Personally, I still want to see Germany, Austria (where my family once owned a castle), Australia, Poland, Ireland, Spain, and Italy.


LOL. *Slap*

Yeah, UK does hold some similarities with the US - I could see why that could disappoint. That said, I know of anglophile Americans who have come here, fell in love with the place, and settled down.

As for Paris.... sorry Salvor, but perhaps because of it's hype, I was a little let down. A lot of it was unfriendly - and I know that can be a complaint made against the English too - and indeed, rather smelly in places (the metro was really bad). At the same time, there are some great places to visit and there was a little romance there for me too.. (not much though!). It was pretty expensive I must say.

I was only there for a few days, so it's only what I experienced - and we all have different experiences of the same city. I would be happy to try it again.

I've more of an interest of US and Canada at the moment, both being childhood dreams, yet Europe still holds interest no doubt. I've been to France, Germany, Netherlands and Italy as well as stopping on the way through Belgium and Switzerland. I would, opportunity arose, like to visit some more - especially Sweden and Finland where the people are meant to be really friendly and have some great food.

[Stardust]

I heard the French are especially unfriendly to Asians, too. Ever since my friends visited Paris and basically said the same thing Clayface did, France has been pushed down on my "To Travel" list.

Always on the top are New Zealand (when my dad didn't let me go on this trip sponsored by People-to-People, it's been my mission to get there one day), Greece, and Australia. I'd like to go to Ireland, Switzerland, and Austria, also.

The only country I've been to is Taiwan. I've been on a few road trips around Northeast US, but that's the extent of my travels.

[Elven Moon]

From what I'm hearing here, perhaps I'm just setting myself up for a big disappointment. I've always wanted to go to Europe, mostly because of the romantic, beautiful and culture stuffed hype I've heard my whole life. Particularly Ireland. I picture these wonderful places with wonderful people, so much better than what I have or hope to have. That's just the way it's been. But lately, I've been thinking twice about France. And how they're acting right now is NOT helping.

[Barb Gordon]

The creator of the tower was named Eiffel.

Europe just has so much history - that's what makes it so interesting to me and makes me want to check it out so much. Especially to an American, I mean, we've only been around some 200 odd years...England has been around for thousands of years. It's just astounding and so intriguing. I'd like to check out other places like Germany and France for historical purposes. But overall England is the only place I really want to check out and stay in.

~Barb

[TimTwoFace]

Yeah, that's it for me, too - the continent of Europe holds a mystique to me because of the thousands of years of history there. It's also where my ancestors are from (the UK, more specifically), and I'd like to see where we came from.

And despite the fact that North America is a very multi-cultural continent, I still believe that Europe is even moreso, because it's home to like 20 different countries. I'd love to spend a few months exploring all of them - particularly the western European nations, the Meditteranean, and Scandanavia.

-Tim

[Clayface]

Originally posted by SJJ
LOL. *Slap*



LOL! Whoops, sorry about that, SJJ. Nothing personal meant by it.



Yeah, UK does hold some similarities with the US - I could see why that could disappoint. That said, I know of anglophile Americans who have come here, fell in love with the place, and settled down.



Yeah, I was more than a little disappointed to see how Americanized some aspects were - for example the same fast food places. Not that I went to the UK for fast food, but it shattered the illusion of a "foreign land" with quaint little pubs when you see KFCs and McDonald's restaurants on every corner in the larger cities.

On the other hand, the countryside of the UK was beautiful, and some of the sites were fantastic. It was a nice place to visit for a short time (unlike France! :p), I just wouldn't want to live there.

Its also mind-boggling to realize just how small the area is. I mean, you look at maps and you can see it, but it doesn't really set in until you jump in the car and travel across the entire country in such a short time. I'm used to those long, vast stretches of roads you travel in the US to get just half way across the country. Traveling across the UK in such a short time really made everthing feel "small". That's really the best word I can come up with for the place - the buildings were small, the country was small, it was all just so...small!

[Joe Wagner]

At the top of my list would have to be Australia and New Zealand - I've always wanted to go down there and having a Aunt from New Zealand would make it doubly cool to see Sydney and Wellington. After that I would like to return to England - I lived there for a couple of years but would love to see how everything has changed and of course visit some of the things I didn't get to see before (primarily Ireland and Scotland). Thirdly on my list would have to be Israel - I would love to see Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. After that I would have to go to Japan and visit Tokyo.

If I ever got the chance I would probably try and check out my heritage as well by staying in Germany and Poland - altho I am very iffy on Germany now.

As for France - I have no desire to ever go there, primarily because of the treatment that my mom received while visiting Paris. Because of her American citizenship she was refused service at some of the restruants and was just generally mistreated throughout the city while her British friends were treated far better. No offense to Salvor but I can't see myself visiting a country that is so willing to disrespect my nation.

-Joe!

[Calico]

I'd be content never to travel outside the US (except for Canada of course ;)), though I would die a very happy camper if I could visit Australia and hold a koala some day. Yep that's right, my goal in life is to hug a wild, eucalyptus-eating, marsupial :D

[Outlander00]

Originally posted by Calico
I'd be content never to travel outside the US (except for Canada of course ;)), though I would die a very happy camper if I could visit Australia and hold a koala some day. Yep that's right, my goal in life is to hug a wild, eucalyptus-eating, marsupial :D

Actually, that seem rather intriguing :p

[Galaxia]

I went to London and Scotland for 8 days in April 2001 with my high school, and I had a blast! I saw Oxford, York, London (and all the sights there in - Tower of London, Big Ben, Parliament, Crown Jewels, St. Paul's, Piccadilly Circus, etc.), Edinburgh (I got to spend my birthday on an 8-hour bus ride from Stratford to Edinbrough, then on the way there we stopped in the Lake District and took an impromptu boat cruise. It was one of the best birthdays I've ever had :D). I also saw Windsor Castle (one of the girls in my group saw a painting of a girl in the Castle, and she said that the girl looked exactly like me! :eek: Heh, I always knew I was a princess, but I guess I needed someone other than myself to confirm it :D). While I was in Edinburgh, I got to attend a Scottish Ceildh (I think that's how it's spelled - it was a dinner show with food, music, and dancing. I even got to try the haggis. And the show was named after me too! I snagged one of the empty wine bottles from the table that had the name of the dinner show on it, lol!)

I think the most valuable thing to have on a trip has to be time, here in the UK we see so many visitors from the US and also Japan who arrive here and then get -literally - dragged around the country on some whistle-stop coach tour. It can't be much of an experience or indeed much fun being ferried around - look here's the Tower of London, no sorry its not foggy today, get on the bus! This is Hampton Court, 10 minutes for photos. Up to Oxford, up to Stratford - a quick sniff at Shakespeare's birthplace - nope, no time for tea we have to be in York by sunset. Up at 6am to see the Lake District then all the way down to grab a glimpse of the roman ruins of Bath and Stonehenge and that's it., don't forget to tip the driver!

LOL! Rune, that's hillarious - it's kinda true though :) And that's cool that you're going to Ireland in the spring too - tell Bono and the boys I said hello :D

I'd really like to see the rest of England, and Italy, Japan, Germany, and Spain.

[turbomog007]

I think I would be bored to tears if I ever went to France but that is just me I guess, but I like traveling in general.

[James]

Originally posted by Clayface

Its also mind-boggling to realize just how small the area is. I mean, you look at maps and you can see it, but it doesn't really set in until you jump in the car and travel across the enitre country in such a short time. I'm used to those long, vast strtetches of roads you travel in the US to get just half way across the country. Traveling across the UK in such a short time really made everthing feel "small". That's really the best word I can come up with for the place - the buildings were small, the country was small, it was all just so...small!
[/B]


Yeah, three hours and you've travelled half the country on a good day! Likewise, the expanse of the US is what makes it seem so amazing. Can't comprehend it!

Originally posted by turbomog007
I think I would be bored to tears if I ever went to France but that is just me I guess, but I like traveling in general

Come come, that's a silly thing to say. You have to experience a place before you make such a generalisation and even then you'll have missed 99% of what's going down in a country!

[Salvor]

lol I'm away for a couple of days and now pretty much every new post in this thread has "no offence Salvor but..." in it :D

Guys you're entitled to your opinions. The French are admittedly not the nicest hosts in the world, but still some of them are (----->me!). As for considering Paris a "filthy, dirty, rude city", I'm sure you didn't go out in the right places... the center of Paris is quite the opposite of this description.

BTW I hated London. I've been there for Xmas and god, what a filthy, dirty, rude city! (seriously)

[Lucky Bob]

To Paris's credit, the only place I thought was filthy, dirty, and rude in Paris was the McDonalds bathroom at the Champs-Elyesse. (sp?) Now I can honestly say, though, that I have eaten at a famous Scottish restaraunt on that fabled street. :D

[Clayface]

Originally posted by Salvor

As for considering Paris a "filthy, dirty, rude city", I'm sure you didn't go out in the right places... the center of Paris is quite the opposite of this description.



If by the center of Paris you mean the area with the Louvre, Notre Dame, and all the other museums and monuments, then yes, it was a filthy, dirty, rude (and I forgot smelly) city. Again, no offense meant - that was just my reaction to it.



BTW I hated London. I've been there for Xmas and god, what a filthy, dirty, rude city! (seriously)


Hehe. Yeah, I had the same reaction - it was most definitely dirty (unfortunately, aren't most major cities?). Though I can't say I ran into anyone rude - in fact, the people were rather nice for "city folk", IMO.

[Stardust]

Originally posted by Salvor
lol The French are admittedly not the nicest hosts in the world, but still some of them are (----->me!).

Lol, so if any Toonzoners are heading for Paris, they should seek you, eh? :)

[finbarlafume]

To Paris's credit, the only place I thought was filthy, dirty, and rude in Paris was the McDonalds bathroom at the Champs-Elyesse

I've eaten there too - but I have no memories of the bathroom. Maybe I mentally blocked it! :P

[James]

Originally posted by Salvor
lol I'm away for a couple of days and now pretty much every new post in this thread has "no offence Salvor but..." in it :D


Don't want you to feel that way Salvor! You know it's merely my right as your mortal enemy for over a millenium to rip at your country... :)

Seriously, I wasn't impressed, as I said, I think it was more that the hype got in the way of the reality that, hey, it's a city, some of it isn't nice. Same as anywhere else. We had some bad instances too - a clever pair of men managed to steal my friends purse, we almost got mugged on the way back from the supermarche (and it was smelly! Sorry! :D) and then the city prices tore the heart out of my wallet!

Again, I'm sure most of these attributes can be thrown at my capitol and I don't doubt your experiences. I've seen some seriously shoddy areas of London, and I've seen some places which have taken my breath away. Same with Paris, I think it's just you expect more from a city that isn't you own... how cruel that is...



Guys you're entitled to your opinions. The French are admittedly not the nicest hosts in the world, but still some of them are (----->me!). As for considering Paris a "filthy, dirty, rude city", I'm sure you didn't go out in the right places... the center of Paris is quite the opposite of this description.


Well we were based in a midway quarter for the hotel I recall, and the center was better. Yes, the French were rude, but having worked at a UK airport I know how disgustingly embarrassing the English can be. They are terrible abroad - I don't know what they are like on their home turf but if they are like they are in other countries I'd be very humilated.

BTW I hated London. I've been there for Xmas and god, what a filthy, dirty, rude city! (seriously)

Well come on, it's the English/French thing. One day we MIGHT get along... :p

[JonnyQuest]

I want to take the oppertunity to mention Iceland here !!!!

It's got all the comforts of home (McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Dominos Pizza) plus you get go go around the country and see beautiful plazes.

I think that there is a campain in Germany now, to let the German people visit Iceland, and also in the US.....We've been the the Disney Movies (Atlantis: Lost Empire & Lilo & Stich), and Iceland is "IN", all the main stars have been here.....Jerry Seinfeld, John Travolta, landed here, left minutes later, Dean Cain (Lois & Clark), Damon Alban from UK band Blur, Hillary Clinton, Travis and many, many more..... also presiendt of China, and along with Falon Gong members....you name it....

Visit Iceland, it's a beauty, in the summer!!! :D

[TimTwoFace]

Actually Jonny, I was always hoping to visit Iceland some day. Ever since I first played WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CARMEN SANDIEGO in 1988, I always had this fascination about a city with a name as strange as Rekyavik (sp?). And the geysers sound cool, too. :D

-Tim

[Livewire]

Although Europe isn’t the only continent I want to travel, it certainly is at the top of my list. I think there is so much fascination and interest in it because it holds so much rich history. It’s filled with mystery and wonder. Mighty civilizations rose and fell, empires conquered and became conquered. Europe gave us the Renaissance, an age filled with unparalleled artistic beauty. It gave us great philosophers, exquisite architecture, magnificent literature, and amazing advancements in science.


So that is why I find Europe, and also Asia and Africa, so incredibly intriguing. They hold the knowledge of countries that have existed for thousands and thousand of years.