If you were given a choice of European city to go to THIS WEEK, all expenses paid...

Copenhagen

Kyiv

Bath.

Very hard question OP. I'd probably have to go with either London or Cape Town.

London because after a 3 days there in 2016, it stole my heart as my favorite big city after Chicago and NY. What a city, and those accents!!!!! It's easy enough to reach from the US, but damn is it expensive. If the air fair and hotel can be covered I'd be in heaven having afternoon tea at least 3 times (didn't do it once when I went). Touring St. James Palace (don't care that it's winter and the garden is out of season). I'd see a West End show, a Cabaret show, and a play at the Globe Theater's in-door stage (not in the actual Globe). I'd also hit up the museums, some swanky bars, and have a Sunday roast, depending on my arrival/departure day. I'd do a day trip to Windsor or some other nice city/town. I'd used Tinder to setup a date or two, super easy, do it when I travel for work.

Next we'd have the gay bars and yes, I'd visit their two main gay saunas.

I'd also have to consider Cape Town. It's a long as hell flight, and I've already been in Sydney. I'm currently saving up for a South Africa trip for 2023, but man the ticket prices hurt. Hard to find great deals. It's also summer down there right now, so while hot as balls, I'd take the free flight and accommodations. So much to do and see in South Africa. I can't wait for my real trip.

I'm sorry, I meant Hampton Court Palace.

Take 2.

Barcelona

I've been to most and right now I'd say London. Maybe Paris. Or Zurich - I haven't been there.

A whole week in Zurich?

Lisbon 3 days, Porto 3 days, plus a little countryside.

Zurich = a week of bankers and angry looks

Dear R4, perhaps you should have paid attention in geography class??

Paris... zero question

Nice

Palermo, Italy

r12 what part did I get wrong. I mentioned, Sydney because when people think of long expensive flights it's usually Australia or Japan on their minds. I've already done Australia, not in the mood of Japan right now, but want to visit South Africa. I was just noting that the flight is almost as long as the flight to Sidney.

Also, stop being a cunt, you wonder DL member you! :)

Oops, I didn't read OP's title correctly. It is me being the cunt.

Either Havana or Shanghai!

Quebec City.

Lisbon

Definitely London. Theatre and Indian food -I'm home!

[quote] and Indian food

Every night? & what's on in the theater that's drawing you?

I've only been to London, Bath, Paris, and Versailles, so far. I'd rather wait a few weeks and go to the Christmas markets in Germany, or Scandinavia. But what country and city has the best Christmas market(s)? Has anyone here been? I'd love to know about your first-hand experiences. I really don't like crowds, but I don't seem to mind as much in Europe.

IF I waited a few weeks (which is not what the OP posed) I could go in mid-December to enjoy the feast of St. Lucy, take in the Christmas markets, AND partake in Finnish saunas. So...Helsinki I guess? But the German and Swedish markets look so much more inviting from what I've seen. Fuck, I need to do more traveling.

German Christmas Markets...

Yes, Indian food. It's an entire cuisine with many different kinds of dishes. Every night for a week? Why not? People in India do it all the time...

What's on in theatre? Honestly, I don't know. But I've been to London so many times that I've learned the West End musicals aren't all there is. Plenty to choose from at all times.

And by day there are wonderful museums, great shopping, and scones with cream everywhere!

London.

Vienna or Florence.

Barcelona

r23 given your history of grand European cities and desire for a good Christmas feel, I'd say you'd fall in love with Vienna at Christmas. It's a gorgeous city and in parts, like a mini Paris without all the drama and grime. I could just imagine sitting in one of their fabulous cafes watching snow fall while I cradle my mug like a common midwest frau.

Florence

Eat

[quote] "[R23] given your history of grand European cities and desire for a good Christmas feel, I'd say you'd fall in love with Vienna at Christmas. It's a gorgeous city and in parts, like a mini Paris without all the drama and grime. I could just imagine sitting in one of their fabulous cafes watching snow fall while I cradle my mug like a common midwest frau."

That's a WONDERFUL idea, R28! I don't know why I didn't consider it, given I used to watch the Vienna Philharmonic New Year's Concert every year on PBS. The tickets aren't cheap of course, but I'd spring. It would be amazing and surreal to see it in person after watching it from across the world for all those years.

And I'm right there with you where the café is concerned. Everything about Viennese Café Culture is beautiful and fascinating. I'd have to wear something dapper and 18th or 19th century adjacent. I'd do a lot of walking, but I'd gain so much fucking weight eating my way through Vienna...and I'd love every minute. Thanks for the suggestion! I think I have a plan now!

r30, I mentioned Vienna because I was there in August 2021. First time visit and fell head of heels in love. There are always standing tickets to the symphony, and you won't have to wear a full tux or suit for those seats. I'm not sure if their COVID rules have relaxed, probably. When I went they had an outstanding deal for the cheap seats. It was center stage back balcony on the first level. You used to stand but due to COVID regulations, they were giving people seats. Our tour guid said it's a massive perk to have a seat, direct view of the stage at like 15-30 euros. It may be back to standing but at the prices they're asking, it's still worth it.

The cheap seats were the box in the very first row. Outstanding view and in part done because the opera is largely state funded and they believe that all people should have access to the arts. And, they change the show every week. While you are watching one performance, the stage and design for the next is already being built or built behind the first.

I found the men to be handsome to very attractive, though it's hard to tell who is or isn't a local on the street. Food was great, but typical Germanic fair. Airbnb's were very affordable and Parisian (in my mind). Think french doors, beautiful hardwood floors, Juliet balconies. Their streets have wide boulevards.

Vienna was outstanding. I'm 30 so met a guy on Tinder and he took me to a pop-up club in one of their fancy train stations. It was so random but added to the outstanding part of my trip. You will love Vienna.

Cairo for the legendary Christmas markets!

Is Balmoral considered a city? I hear that there, all seems to breathe freedom and peace and to make one forget the world and it’s sad turmoils.

I’d like that.

San Sebastian

I’d like some clarification on “all expenses paid.”

Could we stay at The Ritz?

It would be either Paris or Berlin.... Paris because I returned from my first visit there almost exactly 3 years ago & thoroughly loved it and the French people I interacted with (and eagerly want to go back again soon!) or Berlin because it's been on my bucket list nearly all of my life. I worked in W. Germany one summer as a youth but never made it Berlin when it was an isolated and divided city behind the encircling Iron Curtain and to this day still only ever knew Munich in Germany.

I've been to London 3 times and HATE how it's skyline has grown so absolutely ugly in the 30 plus years since I went there the first time. It's as if they've willingly or purposely sold off their city (and it's skyline!) to the influx of dirty banking money and as a result also lost what they had in terms of order and also taste & sensibility in design!

Linked below is one of the worst offenders.. I kid you not!

I live in London and I've never even seen that building...so why you'd find this aspect such a big deal, I do not know. Most of those buildings are in The City (the financial district) where most people have no need to go.

Bologna. Cooking classes. Eating out.

I’d choose Madrid with lots of day trips to Toledo and other small towns. I’m a bit over big cities since I live in NYC.

To each their own and their own tastes in design. You know mine and now I know yours. If it's out of sight for you, apparently it's of no concern. And that's just fine... for you.

It's really hard to miss that tower if you are a tourist and doing things that are Thames-centric in location and thus easily seen.

On my last visit to London, we did things with my Watford and Chelmsford friends that constantly put us within close eye sight of that ugly, misshapen monster.

Judging by the tone of the piece I linked first, it has had a bad rap with much of the British public as well so I'm not alone in my negative opinion of it.

The only 2 days during which I didn't see it was when my partner and I took day trips out of the city.

If I hadn't seen London in 1989 and 1991 on my 2 earliest trips, I'd likely not be so bothered by that particular bastardization of design... but I do remember that London and know that it looked far better back in 1989 & 1991 in terms of it's skyline.

On the plus side for London, the dirt and grime that was evident in 1989 are all but erased and that's a very welcome change for the better!

R17 Because when you assume, you make a cunt out of you and me.

Andorra La Vella.

Rome, and see all kinds of old shit and eat and drink and see the pines, The Coliseum, The Pantheon, The Trevi fountain, the catacombs...

Paris, probably.

Bologna sounds interesting. I've been to Rome and I don't think I'd need to go back, again.

Another for Rome.

Rome had become overwhelmingly touristy last time I went. The centre of the city is all pedestrianised. I first went in 1973 and it was so buzzy and still had the chic movie world vibe that began in the 50s. And I was into cars as a kiddie and the cars were so cool.

The new Così fan tutte in Munich, then some hot trade huge cock, beer, and sausages.

Stockholm.

Never been there

Rome or Venice. If you could force all the tourists out.

Seville. It's warm. And gorgeous.

Newcastle-upon-Tyne and then travel all around the Northumberland countryside and see all the castles.

[quote] Is Balmoral considered a city? I hear that there, all seems to breathe freedom and peace and to make one forget the world and it’s sad turmoils.

R33, Balmoral (and Ballater, the nearest small town) are beautiful, but Her late Majesty had the right idea: visit in spring, summer and/or autumn and then get the hell out of there. I suspect the place falls asleep in October until the springtime.

If I was being given an all-expenses-paid trip, I’d visit Reykjavik to see the Northern Lights, and enjoy nightlife.

Of the places I have visited before, Stockholm, Hamburg and Edinburgh are wonderful.

London, to rekindle an old flame and to buy some new KCIII tea towels.

Vienna. Always grand, beautiful Vienna.

[quote] The centre of the city is all pedestrianised.

Oh, the horror!

Wexford, Ireland

i'd say she married to her level.

Lubyanka! I’d take a river cruise and have lunch at a riverside cafe. I’d visit the local farmers market. I’d ogle the handsome college students.

Paris, at le depot, shirtless with pants around my ankles

I would go to Palermo where I would eat, drink, fuck and sleep.

I am, in fact, leaving for Lisbon on Saturday. How do I get my expenses reimbursed?

[quote]Bologna. Cooking classes. Eating out.

And not to mention their famous processed meat!

R61 Please contact Ginny in Billing

Portugal seems like a bootleg Spain.

It's good to be home in Spain after a couple weeks in Italy, but if I had to jump on OP's offer, I think I would back to Italy and take a week in Rome.

No Amsterdam mentions? Sure it’s suffering from overtourism again but there are areas like the Jordaan and de Pijp that are still massively charming.

Anywhere where I am least likely to be blown up by a terrorist.