Expert: Alun Hill MCIJ - 2/10/2008

Question
In 2005, my father and I were planning on taking a trip to London, but we had to cancel our trip because of the terrorist attacks in London. Now, 3 years later we are planning a trip to Europe to make up for the trip we never went on. My father and I both want to see London, as we are both big theatre buffs, but we would also like to pack in 2 or 3 more European countries. My father refuses to go to France as he thinks that the French are snobby, so we are deciding on where to go after we go to London. I would like to see Holland and Germany, as well as parts of Scandinavia, but he is not sure if it would make more sense to head to Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. I would love to go to Edinburgh and Dublin, but Wales does not interest me. Do you have any advice?

Answer
Hmm, interesting set of questions - I'm not sure where to start!

You have given me no information on your interests (apart from theatre) nor how long you will be visiting for, so I can only make some assumptions - I trust that's OK!

Firstly France IS snobby - but I'll let you into a secret.

If you dress well, and even learn a few words of French (please and thank you) you'll have a wonderful time, I promise!

The problem with France is that its' language and culture is a bit unique in the modern world, so many of the rest of us find it difficult.

It's also the country most visited by tourists and so many tourists dress down and dash around and have different manners that the locals seem a bit "stand-off-ish" to the rest of us, but do reconsider their country - I dare you!

You can take the Eurostar from London to Brussels (or Paris!), then take the Thalys (my favourite train - see www.Thalys.com) to Amsterdam and Koln - and perhaps on to Berlin or Hamburg on the German railways 200mph tilting Inter City Express trains.

Again, if you're tempted, let me know where you're from and when you may be travelling and I'll try and advise you on the best rail pass offers available.

Scandinavia is quite far from the UK - and much more expensive, both to get to and to eat and stay.

If you are wanting to visit Europe, I would always recommend Belgium - you can take a Eurostar train (at up to 200 miles an hour) from London and be in Brussels, the Belgian capital, in just over 2 hours (booking online at www.Eurostar.com can get you round trip (known as "return") tickets for around £77 (140USD).

It's a gorgeous, relaxed city, with a beautifully preserved huge medieval square at "Grand Place" - right in the centre ... and it's truly one of the "must sees" of Europe.

There is a video of Belgium (which I made) at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Cs_hSBsMm0

Holland and Germany are big countries (well, actually, Holland is one small part of a larger country actually called The Netherlands, but the locals are really lovely people and don't take offence!), so where to go and what to see is very difficult as several weeks in each would only give you a (tantalising) glimpse.

Amsterdam, Holland's main city (but not it's capital!) is quite delightful, having largely shaken off its' "red light area and drugs" history. Everyone uses bicycles, the railway station departure board is mesmerising as trains depart hourly for all parts of Europe and it's great to see all the names!

Do take the circular tram - it runs from outside the station every few minutes and take about an hour to get back to the start. You can get a "hop on and off" ticket form the tourist office right outside the station - look for the VVV sign.

You can visit Anne Franks house (long queues, so arrive early) and the Rijksmuseum .... just fabulous if you want to see real art - but have only seen it on postcards and posters-  they're breathtaking in real life! (http://www.rijksmuseum.nl/)

Oh, and there's even a multi-storey "car" park - but just for the bicycles!

(Do me a favour, will you, please? If you ever find out how the locals recognise their own bike when they return, let me know - I've been dozens of times and never worked it out....)

Germany .. hmm, well, I spent time last year in Hamburg, which I'm always happy to return to. Again, in my younger days it was a rough port, but now it's one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, with the centre full of lakes. I also adore nearby Cologne (Koln) with its' Gothic Cathedral and pedestrianised streets - and Berlin, although it has a lot of new buildings since East and West Germany were re-combined, is always full of life.

If you are still considering Europe, we have exceptionally cheap flights, provided you book ahead - the earlier the better. For example, it is possible to fly from London to most parts of mainland Europe for around £20 40USD each way .... sadly it will also cost you about the same again to get from central London to the airports at Stansted and Luton, which is where the cheap flights depart (Heathrow is usually many times this figure).

Look at www.ryanair.com and www.easyjet.com to get the latest fares.

That said, I'm here at All Experts as the expert on the UK, so let's look at some ideas here!

Again, you can fly from London to Edinburgh and Dublin cheaply (if you book in advance - use the same airlines as above).

Edinburgh is a great city in the summer - anywhere that has a castle on top of an extinct volcano has to be good! - but many visitors are surprised at how cold it can get in the winter, so do bear this in mind.

Accommodation can be cheap and there's lots to see (www.Edinburgh.org is the best website, as it's run by the local tourist board, whom I know quite well and are very helpful).

Dublin is in the Republic of Ireland and has the Euro currency. My mother was born really close by and I had my first ever visit there last year and loved it .. but be aware that 2 days will be plenty to see everything - including the world famous Guinness factory.

Ooh - there's a story this week that Guinness are going to sell off a large part of the factory and move outside the city, so do check nearer your planned arrival!

Again, the best website is www.VisitDublin.com  - and you'll be amazed by the welcome from the locals - they really are the friendliest lot in the world (and I'm a seasoned professional travel writer, so that's not something I'd say easily!).

Whilst in London, do make your first stop the Tkts booth in Leicester Square - you'll get a choice of the best theatre shows for that day at much lower prices.

I always recommend base2stay hotel in Kensington as my favourite, spotlessly clean, incredibly priced London hotel - but book early, as they've only got 67 rooms.

See what the press and previous guests say at http://www.base2stay.com/press_page/what_the_guests_say_about_base2stay_london.h...

You can also look at my sites at www.ShortEuropeBreaks.co.uk and www.IndependentTravelWriter.com for more inspiration - or just contact me here again - I'll be very happy to help!

Alun Hill MCIJ