martin018
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Favourite CUFC match: U's 4 - 0 against Sheff. Wed FA Cup 1990
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Post by martin018 on Sept 22, 2020 6:55:04 GMT
Salzburg, Prague and Krakow 🙂 Also forgot to mention Seville as a great small city and agree on Tallinn, especially the old walled city.
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Denton
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Post by Denton on Sept 22, 2020 22:12:49 GMT
Some great responses, and makes me realise that there are many European cities that I don't really know. Some suggestions for places that haven't been mentioned yet would be Reykjavik, and a couple of the smaller cities in Romania (Brasov and Cluj). All three have a fantastic easy going vibe, with lots going on both day and night. On the other hand, I was disappointed with Prague, which I found unfriendly and surprisingly expensive, and I also think it's hard to like Berlin, too many ghosts still haunting the place. Reykjavik is a great shout. Suspect its going to change massively soon (due to the American tourism), find the amount of Americans there a bit mad considering they've got Alaska. Avoid alcohol for a few days and its not too bad price wise
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Post by rigamike on Sept 23, 2020 6:17:01 GMT
Reykjavik is great: quirky and ideal as a base for exploring the amazing landscapes of Iceland. The large numbers of US visitors is mainly due to Iceland’s location, making it a convenient stopover between the US and Europe.
My other suggestions would be Helsinki (cool, compact and walkable), Stockholm (elegant city spread across fourteen islands) and Rotterdam (a modern city, edgy and with some incredible contemporary architecture).
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cambcam
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Post by cambcam on Sept 23, 2020 9:06:48 GMT
Some great responses, and makes me realise that there are many European cities that I don't really know. Yes, agreed. Problem is this thread has stirred a lot of memories, whet the appetite to see some of those great places spoken about, rammed home the frustrations of the travel affects of Covid, and is a painful reminder too of cancelled trips and what might’ve been. I had one of those photo ‘memory’ things pop up on my phone a couple of days ago and apparently a year ago I was on a quad bike in the Pirin mountains. My God, how did that all change so quickly? Throw in the guilt at being frustrated by having your travel plans curtailed when others have far bigger things to worry about, and the thread is as difficult as it is pleasurable. Still, it’s nice to hear of people’s experiences and look forward to a day when we can do all of those fun things again. It’s does seem a long way off but who knows, you have to keep believing.
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Post by cufctheparrot on Sept 23, 2020 18:16:43 GMT
I had half forgotten about Tallinn, a gorgeous city centre. I went when England played there in 2006 and is was even lovely with England fans all over it. That was my First England away match, and what a nice city as well. We got the hydrofoil over from Helsinki, a city that was unfortunately one of the least interesting capitals. Visited quite a few of the less touristy capitals and cities of Eastern Europe since then as a result of following England and there's always something worth seeing in all of them.
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soulhalshall
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Post by soulhalshall on Sept 23, 2020 18:19:53 GMT
We got the ferry over from Helsinki, having arrived there on a long ferry journey from near Rostock. Didn't get time to go into Helsinki itself though.
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irishfan
On trial
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Post by irishfan on Oct 11, 2020 17:11:34 GMT
Cologne : Their local beer Kölsch is super. There is the Cathedral, the Lanxess arena for concerts and lots and lots to see and do. Every city I visit I do a walking tour (yes did this in Cambridge also) and the local tour guide will show you hidden gems. Strasbourg: Of course the locals get asked are you French or are you German and they reply we are from Alsace! Good answer. The historic part of the city is like trip back 500 years. Such a scenic and pretty city Galway : For me the best city in Ireland. So many tourists come to Ireland and never leave Dublin and that is fine n’all but it’s a busy international capital city and well it isn’t unique. Galway is a student city and there is (pre COVID) buzz and fun. Oyster festival, race week, arts festival, always something going on. Great food options and being a port the fish n’chips are incredible. If you want to do some driving then the Atlantic Way is not far Thirdly, not sure it really counts as a city but we loved Cork and the surrounding area along the South cost of Ireland. So picturesque and very friendly people. Good god Mike, not a city? Say that in Cork and you be lynched haha. Fiercely independent and proud but it’s all bit of fun. Known as the rebel county as they supported the House of York after Henry Tudor usurped the throne.
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soulhalshall
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Post by soulhalshall on Oct 11, 2020 19:22:26 GMT
God I've just been reminiscing about Strasbourg. I just remember feeling so young then which probably made it more exciting, young in an awful way, that everything felt so important, so involving or so painful. I arrived there overcome with hypochondria (after spending a peculiar weekend with a woman I had sat next to on the Eurostar, she had a series of endangered animals tattooed on her back), wore homemade denim cutoffs, fell rapidly in love then left weeping for having to leave said love. I don't have social media accounts so I overshare on here.
I agree that there is so much more to Ireland than Dublin. I have always been underwhelmed by Dublin, though I have not been to the centre of Galway city, just the county.
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nutsaboutamber
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Favourite CUFC match: Maidstone(a) at Dartford, playoff semi final 2nd leg, 16 May 1990
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Post by nutsaboutamber on Oct 14, 2020 7:07:48 GMT
Cardiff, St David's and Belfast 😊
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Post by Russ Greaves on Oct 14, 2020 7:16:29 GMT
San Sebastian is very pretty.
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Jerry1971
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Post by Jerry1971 on Oct 14, 2020 10:19:34 GMT
I'm late to this thread as I've not been on this part of the forum much recently, but had to throw in a few thoughts. I have been incredibly fortunate to travel extensively and regularly throughout Europe for both business and pleasure, and so I've built up a number of really favourite places over the years. I'm also half Austrian too, so Austria in particular has featured many times due to family visits etc, and it won't therefore surprise any of you to see Vienna top of my list, so here goes:
1) Vienna. I feel blessed to have been born in London, itself then a fabulous City (but sadly no longer) to an Austrian Mother (albeit born in what is now the Czech Republic, but to Viennese parents - immediate pre-war family history being fascinating), and therefore share a deep love of Vienna as my second home City, despite living in Cambridge for the past forty years, (which is very much home, and also one of the finest small Cities in the World). Vienna is special. Even under the onslaught of mass tourism it retains a slightly haughty demeanour which is very much part of its charm. I particularly remember some of the hundreds of trips I've made there throughout my life - getting Opera tickets on the day having been told by my Aunt it would never happen, riding in a lift with Niki Lauda up to his own roof top Viennese bar and him kindly welcoming me and my cousins for a quick drink as his guest after we'd got talking about aviation, and more recently an amazing day with my son and his own generation of Viennese cousins running around the extraordinary Himmel Park one Autumn Sunday a few years back. For me, Vienna is the greatest European city of them all, but I am incredibly biased!
2) Berlin. A City I've visited for business and pleasure for more than two decades, but where I originally had a very aged Aunt when I was a small boy and the Wall was in situ. She was trapped on the East side of it, and my now very late Grandfather arranged for us to visit during the late 70's, so my first visit to Berlin was during the years of division and involved a trip through Checkpoint Charlie. As a seven year old boy, it was quite something. My biggest pleasure has been seeing Berlin come back together and prosper - it is a special City, steeped in history (not all good of course), but with the most incredible life to it too.
3) Moscow. I'd always wanted to go, and fulfilled that particular ambition in 2017. Moscow is enormous, strong, incredibly cold in the Autumn/Winter, but truly magnificent and incredibly dignified. I adored it.
Best of the Rest: Krakow (I have an office there and visit regularly). It is a beautiful old town, with tons to see and do, and is really reasonably priced for restaurants etc. Absolutely recommended. Amsterdam & Paris: In my former working life I managed offices in both, and was in both almost every other week, both are fantastic, even if Paris is just too French. An incredible air of indifference hangs over Paris. Como: A jewel of a place, much nicer than Milan, and with a fabulous lake to enjoy too! Madrid: My favourite food place in the World. Spanish restaurants can be absolutely incredible, and Madrid has a pile of them to enjoy.
Best Avoided: Barcelona. Sorry, but I just don't get it. I've been to watch Barca play and it was an experience, but as for the rest of it?? Bucharest: I first visited during the last days of Ceaucescu, and was stuck there when he said Ciao himself. It was a war zone then, and hadn't improved one bit when I went back in 2017. Not one for me sadly.
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Post by spyros on Oct 14, 2020 13:39:37 GMT
Best Avoided: Bucharest: I first visited during the last days of Ceaucescu, and was stuck there when he said Ciao himself. It was a war zone then, and hadn't improved one bit when I went back in 2017. Not one for me sadly. Just finished 'The Last Hundred Days' by Patrick McGuinness (not that one) which deals with this period. Sounds like it was a time of part-chaos, part-asset stripping and part absolute boots-filling by the diplomatic sector. An excellent read, but can't decide if it makes me want to visit or not.
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face
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Post by face on Oct 14, 2020 14:46:22 GMT
Big shout out for Madrid. I spent 2 years working there many years ago. Absolutely fantastic bars and restaurants, unbelievable climate and really friendly, laid back people. Some beautiful parks and pools too. Proper 3 course menus at the swimming pools with beer and wine on tap. Not a hint of Bovril and Wagon Wheels! I don't really like cities, but I too spent a spell working in Madrid. Like you say, it is a cracking place. It is busy but never seems rushed, like may cities. Food is excellent and cheap and the whole place seemed very friendly. I love it there. An honourable shout to Ljubljana - another friendly, calm and charming place.
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Post by champair79 on Oct 14, 2020 18:02:26 GMT
Como: A jewel of a place, much nicer than Milan. Best Avoided: Barcelona. Sorry, but I just don't get it. I've been to watch Barca play and it was an experience, but as for the rest of it?? Bucharest: I first visited during the last days of Ceaucescu, and was stuck there when he said Ciao himself. It was a war zone then, and hadn't improved one bit when I went back in 2017. Not one for me sadly. I’m hoping to visit Como this Saturday actually. I was in Milan two weeks ago but my trip to Como was thwarted by Storm Alex. Thankfully the forecast for Saturday looks good. It did make me explore some of the nicer areas of Milan. Milan certainly isn’t renowned for being a pretty city. Barcelona - best to avoid the tourist traps I think. I had a great time on a stag do but I definitely preferred Madrid for an all round experience. Bucharest - it’s an interesting place. You can tell it’s still quite poor but has had plenty of EU money pumped into it. Clubbing and bars are cheap (or were....do they even exist in the ‘new normal’?). It also has that sleazy underbelly though. I’m not sure I’d make a special trip to go there on my own dollar but you can certainly have fun if someone else is paying. Nick
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soulhalshall
Youth team star
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Post by soulhalshall on Oct 14, 2020 18:32:09 GMT
I enjoyed Ljubljana. Food-wise, La Rochelle delivered the most consistently satisfying food of any city I've been to.
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