European Honeymoon (Part 1)
Food, Art, Culture, Mayonnaise on French Fries?

If you are a beachcomber and have envisioned your honeymoon as one endless day in the sun with a little water sport thrown in for fun, then it is definitely not necessary to read any further. However, if you are a more active type then lets take a two week tour through Europe and I’ll bet you’ll be looking to get back as soon as possible and visit all the places that time didn’t permit.

For love, let’s start our journey in Paris. There are ongoing non-stop flights from JFK and Newark flying to Charles DeGaulle and airfare has never been more reasonable. For a journey like this speaking to a travel agent may prove very useful and save you money. Prior to leaving, you may want to grab a language book to learn a few useful phrases. You’ll find that the French are very nationalistic and proud of their culture. You will see why as well…after experiencing the world’s best art, classic architecture, fabulous cuisine, and unbelievable wines you may ask yourself too if the French lifestyle is not the only way to live. Nevertheless many tourists find the French haughty. I tell you, all Frenchmen understand and speak English as they learn it in school at a young age, and all they want you to do is make an effort while you are in their country. Any effort will yield you a smile, and your host will probably ask you if you would like to continue the conversation in English. Also in France, when walking into someone’s shop, always greet the shopkeeper, “Bonjour!”, will yield you spectacular approval.

Ok, so we’re here and we only have a few days, what should we see? A long romantic walk along the Seine is a great way to see much of the city without being forced to walk into every museum. However, along the way I would consider stopping into the Musee D’Orsee, a converted train station (modern art and urban architecture at its finest). Starting from Notre Dame (Don’t go in, many more churches to see and this one is overrated), you should be able to walk along the Seine almost to the Eiffel Tower. You’ll get great perspective on one of Europe’s oldest and largest cities. Along the way, stop into a French bistro, but get off the beaten path, as quality will increase and prices will go down.

On day two, the Louvre is a must see of course, with art exhibits detailing 5,000 years of civilization. Don’t get caught up on the Mona Lisa or you’ll miss the crown jewels, Venus D’Milo, and much more. Many people have said it could take you a lifetime to see everything in the Louvre. I would agree, so it might be a good idea to choose a few exhibits of interest and save the rest for your next visit. After a small lunch, take the subway to Montmartre. Here you’ll see the amazing La Basilique du Sacre Coeur. For the full experience climb the steps to the Sacre Coeur, and pass on the gondola ride. On Montmartre you’ll see why this section of Paris has for centuries been home to Paris’ artistic community.

Before you press on, Paris is great for shopping and what better answer when someone ask you “Where did you get that outfit?”, then to say, “Paris!” A word of caution, prices are higher, be patient, and you’ll find some bargains. You may also wish to check out some nightlife. The French are crazy about their cinema and it may be worth the experience for you to check out a theatre. Regardless, whatever you do, enjoy and go with an open mind. Be sure to block some room for experiences that you discover when you arrive that you weren’t aware of before hand.

Amsterdam is a 4 hour train ride from Paris, maybe a little faster by TGV. You could fly as Europe has some intercontinental travel companies with remarkably low airfare rates ($35.00 one way at www.easyjet.com). However, a train ride will give you some perspective on the land and people of the lowlands, Brussels and The Netherlands. Once you get off the Train at Amsterdam Central Station, you’ll have a few days to discover one of Europe’s neatest cities. The Dutch are notoriously friendly and tolerant people stemming from years of international commerce and being one the World’s premier commander of the seas for the past 350 years. English is the most oft used language, because of the remarkably high number of transplants. The joke is that the Dutch speak better English than we do, and it is probably true.

Must sees for this short stop include dining in an Indonesian restaurant, enjoying some Dutch cheese, the Van Gogh Museum, The Rijks Museum, great shopping, diamonds, hash bars, and enjoying all the beautiful and vibrant tulip displays. Be sure as well to take a tour of Amsterdam via canal boat. Because of how low the Netherlands are in relation to see level, the canals will give you an innovative perspective on Dutch engineering and their 800 year quest to reclaim land from the sea. As Holland is such a small country, you may wish to experience something uniquely Dutch…visit all three of their capital cities. Amsterdam is the traditional capital, Rotterdam is the financial capital, and The Hague is the seat of government.

Germany is an oft overlooked stop. However, in no other country in Europe can you experience so much contrast. From Cologne/Bonn, Hamburg, Hannover, Berlin, Stuttgart, and Munich, there is so much to see and experience in such a short time.

In Cologne and Bonn you will see the old seat of government of West Germany. Be sure to experience remarkable cuisine in one of the cities notorious Ratskeller (like a French Bistro) and enjoy the regions unique brew “Koelsch”. A walk to the bell tower of the Cologne Cathedral (all 1,000 plus steps to the top) will not only give you a wonderful view of the cities, but also leave you out of breath and impressed with all that man can build and engineer.

A 4 hour train ride on Western Europe’s most modern train—Die Deutsche Bahn ICE Express will land you in Berlin. Although communism fell 14 years ago, it is incredible to see the stark differences in landscape between East Berlin and West Berlin. If your budget permits, you may wish to book a room at the world famous Hotel Adlon in the center of the city. Here you’ll be treated like Prussian royalty. Other stops include the Reichstag, Jewish Museum, and the Palace of Frederick the Great.

If traditional is your thing, a trip through Germany wouldn’t be complete without a stop in Bavaria and its capital city Munich. You will see that this part of Germany is remarkably different from the rest of the country. Whether it’s taking in a rustic meal in Munich’s renowned Hofbrauhaus or trekking through the Alps to see King Ludwig II’s (The Mad King) Cinderella themed castle, you will certainly leave with memories for a lifetime. As always, when visiting any of these great cities, block a day to just experience something that wasn’t originally on your schedule. Of course, if you visit Munich from the middle of September to the Middle of October, you’ll be able to see the genuine Oktoberfest!

Well, the only problem with tours like this is that time is too short. There is a lifetime of art, culture, food, people, museums, and history to take in. It is best to carefully plan your journey beforehand so that you can maximize your time. And we have only begun, next month we’ll continue through Austria, The Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Italy.