Originally Posted By davewasbaloo No worries. Germany is mainly about the vibe, though as theme park fans, Europa Park in Germany is pretty cool with some sweet coasters. But Neuschwanstein, a Rhine Cruise, Koblenz, Collogne, Munich, Berlin, the Black Forest are all great places in Germany to visit.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Beware, food is much more expensive in Europe than in the US. So be prepared for sticker shock. The UK is cheaper, but in the UK, typically a sandwich, chips and a drink is about $10.50, a can of coke is about $1.50 and a meal in a moderate restaurant is about $30 each (our food portions are smaller and there are no refills). In Europe, the prices go up further, and DLP even further still. A small bottle of coke is $4.50, Popcorn (which has sugar in it, not salt) will run $7.50. A counter service meal is about $16. A 3 course table service in a moderate restaurant on resort (think Blue Bayou) is about $60 and at a nice restaurant (think Napa Rose style) is about $90. But serving staff are paid a livable wage, so tips are discretionary and not always the same levels 10% is average for excellent service, and service is included in many restaurants.
Originally Posted By u k fan Sorry I didn't add much, but Wednesday evenings are bad for me! I visited the Moselle Valley (part of the area Dave mentions above) in Germany many years ago and it has some amazing scenery. I wish I could remember more of the places I visited, but it was a school trip and you don't appreciate these things at the time. It would be a great place to relax in amongst all of those cities. Starting in London makes sense I think as it would give you a good "in" to the European way of life as we speak English and are quite Americanized compared to the rest of Europe. With regard to Language, in most of the tourist places you'd be OK, but it makes a huge difference in terms of service in some places if you try to speak the local lingo first!!!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Oh, thanks for the reminder Kiz, I did not see the language question. What ever you do, do not make the mistake of thinking everyone speaks English. To get the most out of your visit, try to learn some of the basics and persevere with pointing and writing down numbers. It is much more respectful and will get you much better treatment, even in tourist areas. Places where English will be fine - the UK of course, Eurostar, DLP, and high end hotels. Also in Holland, they speak English better than most of us native speakers ;-) Part of my I love Europe so much is because I love language. I speak three of them fluently and can get by in 3 others. So we always have a great time. Whereas my parents, who are not great linguists, often have very mixed expereinces. Tours are sometimes a good option for monolinguals. Or like I say, a couple of good travel phrase books and the right attitude with a smile, works a little magic.
Originally Posted By u k fan Most of the bad experiences people report in France could have been avoided if people had tried to communicate in French first. I often will ask a question in French, but get a reply in English when I'm over there, but people really appreciate that I tried!!!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Another fun place to think about in Germany is Phantasialand, though as theme parks go, it's not even up to a Knott's level of theming, it is a lot of fun if you are in the area (it's where Zigfied and Roy were discovered before they went to Vegas).
Originally Posted By HTHgal12 thanks Dave and UK fan! I find language facinating. I think my husband and I are going to try to learn at least a little french. I took german in high school and a semester in college but it's been about 9 years! So I may need to brush up on that too. At least I have a year, I could learn a lot by then...I hope haha. Oh and with food, I don't need anything fancy. But a few moderate meals will be fun! I would actually rather be on the go instead of sitting for 2-3 hours eating haha...are there fast food type of places or fast cafes around? Is there any fun types of candy I should try? I love trying new kinds candy and gum Are there any huge cultural differences I should know about? Thank you!
Originally Posted By u k fan I went to Phantasialand on the aforementioned school trip, it was quite good fun actually, but nowhere near Disney standards! Assuming you want to avoid burger joints (although it's fun to see the differences in McDonalds' across the world) there should be plenty of places to eat quickly, especially in London and Paris. If you want to block an artery or two find a traditional "greasy spoon" and order a "full English"! You'll have no problem searching out cafes and bistros in Paris that'll offer something informal. Regarding candy, I would suggest trying out the various different kinds of chocolate that you'll find available across Europe as in most cases it's different to what you'll find in the US. As far as "gummy" sweets go the biggest brand around here is Haribo (do you get those in the states?) I'm not much of a gum eater, sorry!!!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Lol - in Europe, there is really no such thing as fast food, even in McD's! So please remember, everything is slower paced here. But yes, in the UK, fish and chips, Kebabs, and Cafes for a full english are quick bites. In France, it's Creperies (savoury options include gruyere and ham), Bistro's for a Croque Monsieur (cheese and cream on toast with ham). Also, Guaffre (Waffles) are a good option. In Germany, Wurst (sausage) houses are best for fast. I love Curry Wurst most of all. In Holland, Fries (Frites - in Holland, France and Germany) are double fried and served with Mayonaise. Also Crepes are very popular. For candy, hmmmmm, in the UK, Cadbury and Thornton's are my fav, they are different than the Cadbury's available in the US. Also Liquorice Allsorts, Jelly Babies, and Wine Gums are good UK candy to try. Also, some traditional UK softdrinks you may wish to try - Ginger Beer, Lemonade (more like 7 UP without the lime), Vimto and Irn Bru (scotish). I am not a big fan of any of them, but you might. In France, try the local chocolates, hand made. Dark chocolate is the chocolate of choice in Europe (whereas Milk is prefered in the UK). They are lovely. Mentos are nice sweets, and there are different branded jelly sweets in the shops with nice Cherry or Apricot Flavours. I also love Madelienes - little cakes. And be sure to go to Patisserie and try the local baked goods. For French drinks you may not have in the US, Orangina is popular, as are the various flavoured ice teas. Also, Coke is a slightly different formula in the UK and Europe than the US.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo In Germany, be sure to try the Struedal, also any of the cakes including Schartzwaldtort (Black forest cake - chocolate, cherries and cream), Apfelkuche (Apple cinnamon cake), and any of the ginger breads. MMMMMmmmm. Also Schnitzel is a great treat. For candy in Germany, Haribo is the main Jellies brand, and for Chocolate - Lindermanns, Lindt and Milke are all great. Also try Dickmann - then are mallow and chocolate, and they are gorgeous. And for soft drinks, try Metzo Mix (Orange Coke) and also CandiMaltz (a malty soft drink). Everyone in the US seems to go on about French or Italian food, but I love German food very much. On that not, when in France, try to eat in a Provence Cuisine restaurant. It is a fab fusion of French and Italian cooking. And pizza is very easy to come by, but unless it is an american chain, be prepared for a thin crust with great toppings like artechoke hearts and parma ham. Also, be prepared, a lot more game and offal are used in some traditional European restaurants than in the US. Fish is very popular too. But enjoy, the culinary adventure is a real part of the European experience. Oh, and when in England, we sure to have a cream tea, it is delightful - a scone with jam and cream with a cup of coffee or tea. If you go to a posh London restaurant, High Tea offers sandwiches and other treats. In fact a great day could be a traditional english fry up for breakfast. A day siteseeing/shopping (Harrods is worth checking out), High Tea in a nice hotel restaurant (I like the Waldorf or the Ritz for a special treat), a show in a theatre and then a late dinner.
Originally Posted By HTHgal12 U K Fan - we do have Haribo in the US. I am sure not as much as there is over there as it has just gotten popular. My favorite is the gummy bears. They did not carry them in the US for a long time so I would have my friend send them to me from Germany! Phantasialand seems fun! Dave - I am from Los Angeles, I don't know what a slower pace is haha just kidding. Yummy cadbury...isn't there a cadbury factory you can tour in the UK? I think I have gotten some cadbury chocolate that is from the UK, I went to a scottish festival a few years back and they had some there...yum! I for sure want to try the different kinds of soda except for the coca cola product in italy (I think it's called Beverly?) I tried it in Disney World and it was GROSS! Gingerbread sounds heavenly! I absolutely LOVE madelines They are so good. Pizza sounds safe, I hope I will be brave though and try some new things!
Originally Posted By u k fan In our house Fisn n Chips is always washed down with Vimto or Dandelion and Burdock! I gather that Harrods does a good breakfast, though I doubt there's the authentic crack in the mug that you'd get elsewhere!!!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Lol, I know. I am originally from the Bay Area and grew up all over California. I have lived in the UK over the last 22 years and only realised on our last trip to California, how European I have become. But remember, you are not going to be in LA when here. The more you are prepared for it, the better a time you will have. Cadburyworld is in Bourneville, Birmingham, about 1 2 hour train journey from London. It is fun (I used to work next door). It is a museum of the Cadbury family, then a factory tour with tastings (including the liquid chocolate - mmmmmmMMMMM)and a rubbish little dark ride. It is fine if in the area, for example if you were going to visit Warwick Castle and Stratford, but I wouldn't make a special trip for it. Beverly is an aquired taste. But it is meant to be used as a pallette cleanser, like mouth wash. But do try something new. If you don't, you really would be missing out. I can't believe how close minded I was when I moved from the States (and I thought I was open minded), but when I was forced to try new things living 6000 miles away (the UK used to be very different - now, no where near as much), I learned to embrace it. Now I will try anything once.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Oh, while we're talking junk food. Some other things to note. Chips (called Crisps in the UK and Chips in Europe) are a little different. In the UK, popular flavours are Cheese and Onion, Salt and Vinegar, Prawn Cocktail, Beef and Worcester Sauce (so a little different than US flavors, though after years of waiting we do have doritos and other American style now). In Holland and Germany, Paperika are the most popular. And in all the Euro countries, Boulegnese (spagetti) is a popular flavor too.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Lol, I've not had the HArrods breakfast. I bet they don't have the really vinegary ketchup or brown sauce, or proper fried bread either. I wonder if HTHgal12 would like Black Pudding. I know I keep trying it, but cannot develop a liking for it.
Originally Posted By u k fan Have we had a winner on the new Walkler's crisp flavour yet? Most of them were horrible, but you never know you might be able to try Cajun Squirrel!!!
Originally Posted By HTHgal12 UK fan- are those sodas that you drink with your fish and chips? Dave - Spaghetti flavored chips? Those I have to try! My husband is from the bay area, antioch to be exact. I guess we will probably pass on the Cadbury factory although the liquid chocolate is tempting I am looking forward (and a little scared) to be so far out of my comfort zone. I have always been interested in different cultures so it will be great to experience them.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I'm not sure UK fan - I vote for Onion Baji and English Breakfast. I did not like the chilli choclate ones much, even though I like chilli and chocolate in the real world. HTH - those are sodas (not to my taste, but you might like them). One thing to prepare you for, American food uses more sugar, fat and salt than European food, so the tastes can be more subtle here. Cheeses and Bread in Europe are particularly awesome. Antioch is cool - my mom grew up there and my uncle runs his main office there. I was born in North Beach and spent a lot of my life in different places - Vallejo, Redwood City, San Louis Obispo, Lake Tahoe and Visalia. Me moved so much, the one thing that was a constant was Disneyland (and my Great Aunt's house in Vallejo).
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo As for comfort zones, that is why we definately suggest you start your travels in the UK. That said, we love Europe so much, we consider moving their periodically. In the end we settled for a European vacation club ownership instead.
