NonRevKing From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (7 years 9 months 3 weeks 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 1300 times:
Hi all...
Myself and a buddy of mine are off to Europe for a vacation. We're mostly going to be around the airports, but in arranging all this, I haven't been researching the non-spotting related activities.
So other than the obvious (ie, in AMS, the red light district ) what are some good sights to see, places to go, things to do, and beers to drink?
We'll have time in Barcelona, Amsterdam, Zurich, Geneva, and Hannover.
Peter, I've actually emailed you yesterday, regarding spotting around AMS. If you think you'd be there, it would be great to meet up with you. I've been reading your site religiously for the past week, it's great!
Quoting TriStar500 (Reply 2): Why, of all the places on this planet, would you want to go to Hannover?!?
Russian arrivals my friend. My SVO trip fell thru, so BCN and HAJ are the next best things. Gotta have something to do at night or if the wx craps out tho!
Petertenthije From Netherlands, joined Jul 2001, 3231 posts, RR: 13 Reply 5, posted (7 years 9 months 3 weeks 23 hours ago) and read 1258 times:
Quoting NonRevKing (Reply 4): Peter, I've actually emailed you yesterday,
You've got mail.
In Amsterdam on the 17th (i know, one day late) a huge sail event will start. A good number of clippers and sailing ships will probably arrive early so a stroll around the river might be interesting on the 16th.
ME AVN FAN From Switzerland, joined May 2002, 13874 posts, RR: 28 Reply 6, posted (7 years 9 months 3 weeks 22 hours ago) and read 1255 times:
In Barcelona, start at the Plaza de Catalunya and simply explore that great city. It basically is a relatively "new" city of the late 19th century and NOT medieval. In Amsterdam, get along the Grachten, and enjoy. In Geneva, the lake is the major attraction with the big fountain. There also is a medieval town on the RiveGauche. In Zurich, just as in Geneva, the lake and the river are the prime attraction, plus the old city on both sides of the river.
I'll be showing a few guys from Switzerland around this weekend (13-14th, I know, doesn't really match datewise).
I'll be their "personal driver" for those 2 days, so I'm at the airport on saturday and sunday.
If you plan on spotting the 14th (the day you arrive) I might bump in to you. If not, enjoy your stay.
I can't promise anything because I'm dependant of "my guests", but maybe see you at AMS.
NonRevKing From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (7 years 9 months 3 weeks 22 hours ago) and read 1242 times:
Quoting AirKas1 (Reply 7): If you plan on spotting the 14th (the day you arrive) I might bump in to you. If not, enjoy your stay.
I can't promise anything because I'm dependant of "my guests", but maybe see you at AMS.
Sweet man, hopefully we will. We'll be spotting as long as the sun is out. Which isn't looking likely right now.
Waterpolodan From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 1649 posts, RR: 5 Reply 16, posted (7 years 9 months 2 weeks 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 1188 times:
I spent a month in barcelona last summer, it's a beautiful city. If you are in to architecture, make sure you visit some of the Gaudí creations around the city, with the most famous being the Sagrada Familia cathedral (if you're not afraid of heights, climb the spiral staircase to the very top of the spires, it's an incredible view) and also Parc Guel, a very pretty area. Also, the underground excavations of the old roman city are pretty damn amazing... have fun.
A330Fan1 From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 856 posts, RR: 12 Reply 17, posted (7 years 9 months 2 weeks 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 1172 times:
BCN - las ramblas!
- Cristopher Columbus pole!
- all the people on the side of the streets doing stunts and tricks! so awesome
- NIGHTLIFE !
AMS - wax museum!
- MADURODAM OMG SOOOO GREAT SEE IT (not in AMS i dont think, maybe the hague? dont remember!
ZRH - CHOCOLATE
GVA - CHOCOLATE
(these last 2 i am guessing, havent visited ZRH or GVA...but i hear the chcoolate is the BESTTT)
Highpeaklad From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2004, 538 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (7 years 9 months 2 weeks 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 1168 times:
How could you miss out LHR !
Visit the sex museum in AMS on Damrak just down from the central station, its worth it just to see the faces of people trying not to look too interested in the pictures! Or try the Anne Frank house to bring you back down to earth.
Also do not eat the space cake. I had a whole piece and 2 hours later was completely off my face - and for the rest of the day until the following morning. Stick to the herbal cigarettes instead.
If you don't like heights do not climb the Sagrada familie in BCN ! - I've never been more terrified in my life.
I'm going to AMS at the end of August so feel free to point me in the right direction if you do anything cool.
Have a good trip !
Chris
Don't try to keep up with the Joneses - bring them down to your level !
As Hannover was pretty much destroyed during WW2, there not much left of old structures. If you´d like to see some old buildings, a hop to Celle or Hameln (or "Hamelin" as in the tale "Pied Piper of Hamelin") would be recommended. Both are reachable by train.
Trains to Celle: local trains 45 min - highspeed 18 - 28 min (different route)
Trains to Hameln: local 45 min
If the weather is fine, go to baroque Gardens at Hannover-Herrenhausen.
The zoo is praised. http://www.zoo-hannover.de
There´s an aviation museum down in Laatzen http://www.luftfahrtmuseum-hannover.de/neu/enewsites1/astart.htm
For nightlife in Hannover I´m the wrong person to turn to.
For spotting in HAJ: the visitors terrace is signposted between T1 and T2 (entrance fee of 1 € is good for unlimted returns on the day): Saturday is good to spot a number of a/c from the CIS. http://www.haj-spotter.com
and timetable (general and current i.e today + the next 2 days) on www.hannover-airport.de )
Feel free to ask more specifc questions (here/IM/e-mail).
-HT
Carpe diem ! Life is too short to waste your time ! Keep in mind, that today is the first day of the rest of your life !
Aloges From Germany, joined Jan 2006, 8358 posts, RR: 47 Reply 20, posted (7 years 9 months 2 weeks 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 1160 times:
Just how did I know some people would start dissing Hannover?
In addition to the sights HT mentioned, you could also visit the "Regenwaldhaus" which is a glass dome full of tropical plants, flowers and butterflies: http://www.regenwaldhaus.de/index.php?l=d&j=1&f=1&r=1792 (German only, why the heck?)
There is the so-called "Roter Faden" or "red line" which is a 4.2 km red line painted on the ground in the city, it will lead you here and there and guide you to some sights.
Walk together, talk together all ye peoples of the earth. Then, and only then, shall ye have peace.
AviationMaster From Switzerland, joined Oct 1999, 2464 posts, RR: 38 Reply 23, posted (7 years 9 months 2 weeks 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 1124 times:
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