Travelling to Europe - Suggestions Needed

My sister is doing a semester abroad in Copenhagan, Denmark this semester and I'm going to visit her 4/24 - 5/4. The first couple of days she's going to show me around the city and the area and we also might make a day trip to Sweden. Middle of the week we're planning on visiting Prague, Czech.

I was wondering if anyone had been to any of these places and had suggestions on things to see or cheap-ish nice places to stay in Czech (as I'll be staying with her while we're in Denmark). I've heard from a few people that Prague is a beautiful city and worth seeing, but I haven't gotten any suggestions on what to do while there. Is it easy to get around?

Any information would be helpful. And if you've been to Denmark and have any suggestions for there, that would be great too. =)

my friends who went to europe all recommended staying in a hostel. They are cheap and easy to deal with. they take cash and all that kind of thing. just make sure while you are exploring they dont make you take your stuff with you. sometimes they have a locker you can put it in if they require your stuff to be out of the room during the daytime hours.

also, if you are unmarried. Wear a ring on your left hand like you are. I have two girl friends who went on a tour of europe and some of the guys can get REALLY REALLY irritating and touchy feely with you if they think you're single. don't wink or anything like that in thier direction...no hair flipping and cute smiles. They will be on you like rabbits and they are not afraid to follow you all over the city to get your attention. unless of course....thats what you want LOL. im kidding. but the ring is a good idea. I was told that by several girls.

hope that helped. :) have a great time!

I think that Denmark has the Van Gogh museum.  I am sure that is right.  When I was younger I backpacked around Europe and the museums weren't first on my list, but I found that I was really fascinated by them.  I am sure that Prauge has a wonderful museum to visit. 

I stayed in a hostel in Denmark and hooked up with these guys from Germany who were also staying at the hostel.  It is safer to walk around with others than by oneself and they went several places that I would never have gone alone.  It is great to meet people and just see things together.  Of course, you will have your sister and that will be great, but if you stay in a hostel you could still hang with others too.

I also agree with tblover900.  Guys in Europe see American women coming from far away and can be very aggressive.  I got off the train in Rome and was going to walk around some of the monuments, but got so scared by this group of maybe 6 or 7 guys that I just couldn't shake that I hooked up with some other american females backpacking out of the city and left right away.  I didn't even get out of the train station.  It just wasn't worth the risk to see the monuments.

Another thing that happens is that people stand at the train station and offers rides and housing for cheap rates in their own homes.  Don't go with them.  If you want to stay with a family in a spare room then prearrange the couch surfing on line.  I think that happens through Craigs list.  Maybe somebody else can tell you that.

Not to scare you, but just to say enjoy yourself, but make sure that you are scanning your environment to stay safe.  If something doesn't feel right then it probably isn't.

We Americans have a way of broadcasting ourselves in our posture and how we make contact with others.  Eye contact can get you into trouble in Europe in several places.  Much of that is harmless, but some is a pain.

I am so jealous.  I want to go back to Europe so badly.  It is cool just to get on a train and be in another country in a few hours.  Awesome!

So my recommendation - museums.

when I went with school, we did way too much.  The prof tried to get us to see everythng there there was to see...and I don't remember anything.

my only suggestion is take your time...enjoy what you see...instead of rushing to see everything.  enjoy the culture!

The Van Gogh Museum is actually in Amsterdam, not Copenhagen unfortunately. I backpacked in Europe this summer and found these two sites to be infinitely useful, I hope they help!

http://wikitravel.org/en/Main_Page

http://www.hostelworld.com/

I spent a few days in Prague during a college tour of Europe. It's been a few years, so I don't really remember details...but I do remember that is was quite easy to get around. We pretty much walked everywhere.

We stayed in a "tourist" class hotel...not expensive, but centrally located and clean. I know we were walking distance from the square and from the castle, which is where pretty much everything is. It's a beautiful city and I felt quite safe, especially since we stayed in the tourist areas....but take precaution of course.  Hotels are pretty affordable in Prague, so you should be able to get a nice one. Just be sure to find one within the city center, near the tourist areas...then you should be able to walk everywhere and it will be the most safe.

Have fun!

I totally not agree with the warning for the guys, yah, if you go to Italy, France/Paris and Spain and such (the 'hotter countries' LOL), but not in Denmark or Prague, so relax on that one. (well of course you still have to have your normal guards on, but there's not going to be the rabits kinda thing going on, hahaa)(oh and yah the van Gogh museum is in Amsterdam, Netherlands)

I have to agree with rachd that a tourist hotel in Prague is going to be the best to go, more privacy than a hostel, and very payable. and most of the time indeed like everything within walking distance. Also they have a subway and busses so it is really easy to get around.

Make sure to go to the 'little side' (Mala Strana) beautyfull houses and higher up is the castle, it is really outstretched, I think it is even one of the largest castles in the world. Make sure to visit the st Vitus Cathedral, there are a whole lot of leaded glass windows but one is a painted glass window made by Mucha and it totally awed me, so beautyfull (the scenes are in the colors of the rainbow from the middle to the outside...it's so breathtaking) and the cathedral has a beautifull tombe too (and you can climb the 'powder tower', if you are not afraid of heights like me) and be sure to go to the 'golden street' which is like next to the cathedral, tiny little medieval houses, really cute. Then of course there is the Karlsbridge and the other side is the main tourist area (Staré Město - old town) with the big square, really nice clock tower and the town hall. One of my other favorites was the Jewish quarter with one of the most intriguing cemetry's I have ever been to and really wonderfull Synagogues.

You are definitely not going to get bored here lots of things to see just walking around.

Oh and be sure to turn your glass over when you had enough to drink, LOL, I learned the hard way, hahahahaaaaaaaaaaa.

hi,  I studdied in C in 2001 and i moved to prague in 2003 and have lived here since,  so message me if you have any specific questions. I can tell you a few things now, 

for Scandanavia.  if your into art visit the louisiana mus.  it is my fav from everywhere that i have traveled.  and i kick myself for not going to stockholm only went to malmo but if your pressed for time and money its good to see it.  Also lived in Norway dont know your time but bergen is great. 

As for prague.  there are tons of nice hostels or apartments so you dont have to stay in an expensive hotel...but do you feel comfortable in that kinda space.  typically have shared bathrooms, bars lots of younger people.  you do not need to stay in the center because everything is really easy by publictransport.  and the transport is not over priced.  if you by 1 way passes it gets more , but buy a week pass.  or stay in the center.  you can pretty much walk....with time anywhere.  if your interested in what to see of good restraunts or places to go message me.  the thing about prague is it is amazing but there are lots of tourist traps.  also if you are in prague you can mostly use english the tourism here is huge it will not be a problem.  i have lived here 5 years, my czech is awful and i only must use it when i am visiting outside of prague.cau Hesky den.  bye have a nice day.

ha the first time i read it i thought it was your daughter, now i see its zour sister ahhh so you maybe dont mind staying in a hostel and would enjoy that.  i am 27 though and kinda past that i like to be fresh to tour and am not so much of a partier

Original Post by tblover900:

 

 

also, if you are unmarried. Wear a ring on your left hand like you are. I have two girl friends who went on a tour of europe and some of the guys can get REALLY REALLY irritating and touchy feely with you if they think you're single. don't wink or anything like that in thier direction...no hair flipping and cute smiles. They will be on you like rabbits and they are not afraid to follow you all over the city to get your attention. unless of course....thats what you want LOL. im kidding. but the ring is a good idea. I was told that by several girls.

Haha... European men are not neutered like the American ones.

A ring means absolutely nothing. *takes note* Continue to hit on as normal. haha

Italian guy: Hey baby, how are you?

Tblover900: STOP HARASSING ME! IN AMERICA, I'D HAVE YOU IN JAIL IN A SECOND! *snaps her fingers* YOU AND YOUR CAT CALLING STREET HARASSING ITALIAN WAYS! I GUESS THE THIRD WAVE OF FEMINISM NEVER MADE IT TO ITALY!

I haven't been to either Prague or Copenhagen, but I feel I have to comment on the guys topic ;) I'm from Europe and have had loads of experience with people from everywhere. You're drawing some harsh conclusions here ;)

Don't compare Italian and Spanish guys to those from other countries. That is like expecting to get hit on in Conneticut because you got hit on at a beach in California. The Danish are a very calm people and usually very contained and reserved. The Czech have a reputation of being very catholic. Of course there can always be exceptions, but you don't have to expect to be harrassed there, I think ;)

I envy you for going to Copenhagen though. I'm studying Danish and really looking forward to going there some time this year. A total must see for me is Helsingør a bit north of Copenhagen, where they have the Kronborg Castle (the one where Hamlet is set :))

Prague is a lovely city that's easy to stroll around but - a word of warning - don't touch the absinthe....

I last went to prague a couple of years ago, beautiful historic city, don't be afraid of doing the 'touristy' stuff like Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, but like most crowded capitals, keep your stuff CLOSE! Transport system is also pretty good, regular buses and everywheres well laid out so grab a map early and you should be fine!

And this is probably an isolated incident, but when i was there I had my boob grabbed in the street by a tramp and then watched him do the same to two or three other girls in the same street!

-Not that all people in the Czech Republic are like that, obviously, but do be careful as there is a huge homeless population in the city, particularly in certain areas at night.

Oh, and definitely try the local beer; my brothers became obsessed with 'Staropramen' -or something similar, as well as Ghoulash! Very good in Prague!

And in terms of accomodation; Id go for a cheap chain hotel; uninteresting, but safe!

Have Fun!

Original Post by redselene:

I envy you for going to Copenhagen though. I'm studying Danish and really looking forward to going there some time this year. A total must see for me is Helsingør a bit north of Copenhagen, where they have the Kronborg Castle (the one where Hamlet is set :))

 My sister actually just went there and sent back pictures and was looking forward to taking me. She said it was gorgeous and from the pictures she posted, I was impressed. I can't wait to go the Kronborg Castle. =)

Original Post by fortius:

Original Post by tblover900:

 

 

also, if you are unmarried. Wear a ring on your left hand like you are. I have two girl friends who went on a tour of europe and some of the guys can get REALLY REALLY irritating and touchy feely with you if they think you're single. don't wink or anything like that in thier direction...no hair flipping and cute smiles. They will be on you like rabbits and they are not afraid to follow you all over the city to get your attention. unless of course....thats what you want LOL. im kidding. but the ring is a good idea. I was told that by several girls.

Haha... European men are not neutered like the American ones.

A ring means absolutely nothing. *takes note* Continue to hit on as normal. haha

Italian guy: Hey baby, how are you?

Tblover900: STOP HARASSING ME! IN AMERICA, I'D HAVE YOU IN JAIL IN A SECOND! *snaps her fingers* YOU AND YOUR CAT CALLING STREET HARASSING ITALIAN WAYS! I GUESS THE THIRD WAVE OF FEMINISM NEVER MADE IT TO ITALY!

 hahahahaha....thats awesome. But no, I'd be the one encouraging it. I'm pretty bad like that. lol my best friend calls me "man eater". in college she actually hung a sign on our dorm room door, "beware of the redhead. she seduces" it was a joke...but i cannot tell you how many times random guys walked up, knocked and just wanted to talk to me. lmao. horrible...**shakes head**

oh prague.  i went to europe and spent almost a week in prague just over two years ago.  it was my favourite place i visited.  i second doing the "touristy" stuff.  also, this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedlec_Ossuary was really, really cool...and eerie.  the wiki link does it no justice.  it's definately worth visiting, and a train ride (about an hour i think...) outside of prague.  hostels are always an option...i'd pick a middle price ranged one.  but since prague is on the cusp of eastern europe, it shouldn't be too expensive.

ugh, i'm so jealous!

My fiance was born in Sweden and raised in Denmark, so I have spent a great deal of time in Copenhagen and Sweden over the years...in fact, I was just there last September and we're going again in July!

Definitely see Kronborg and Rosenborg - pay the extra to go into the treasury room in the basement area of Rosenborg and check out the crown jewels.  They're beautiful! 

Last time I was there, we drove to Frederiksborg castle in Hillerød (like 30km away from the city or so).  I LOVED it there.  The grounds are amazing and the castle itself is gorgeous.  I also liked Egeskov Castle.

Oh, and check out the Glyptotek and see all the Danish master painters!  And the National Museum. They have some great viking stuff. 

And do it, do it, EAT A HOT DOG!!! Ristet or Fransk...they're my favorite. 

Get used to riding a bicycle, because that's the preferred method of transportation!

I know someone else has also mentioned this, but you probably won't get hit on much in Denmark.  The men there tend to be reserved and polite.  Not saying it couldn't happen, but it's nothing like Italy (can't speak for Spain, I've never been there). 

Sigh, I love Denmark!