Where do I go this weekend?

September 17, 2018 7:59 AM

Based in Berlin and trying to narrow down a few options.

In a quite nice position in that I've been based in Berlin and leaving next week, leaving me with one weekend left. I have narrowed down my choices to the following:

-Stay in Berlin (and go clubbing)
-Paris
-Vienna
-Hamburg (day trip most likely)

All equally appeal to me, but can't decide. I narrowed it down to this because I've been quite lucky and already traveled to a lot of other European cities.

I originally thought I'd stick around Berlin but went to a new city this weekend and loved it so much that I wonder if I should explore more.

I've explored Berlin a fair amount but have yet to have had a proper night out.

Paris I've been to numerous times so it wouldn't be new for me, but I love the atmosphere and the food.

I'm not that price sensitive, but would prefer to not kill the bank. I like to walk around cities, see beautiful architecture, and have delicious food.

posted by treetop89 to Travel & Transportation (7 answers total)

If you're the clubbing type, I would think that Berlin would be your jam.

On the other hand, Vienna is really fantastic and worth at least a weekend of your time. I will admit that the street/cheap food didn't appeal to me, but you can just live on delicious pastries and coffees.
posted by praemunire at 8:24 AM on September 17, 2018

If I was travelling I would probably do Paris again and indulge myself with morning patisserie and evening bistro steak and red wine. But since I know myself to be lazy I would stay in Berlin, visit Markthalle Neun for food treats and some keepsakes (closed sunday). I want to try this Russian style tea room, perhaps it appeals to you? Its not too early to stock up on good quality German chocolate for Xmas in the shops around the Stadtmitte U-Bahn.
posted by biffa at 8:30 AM on September 17, 2018

Paris hotels are ridiculously expensive towards end of this week/ next week due to Fashion week. Think €200 room being €700/ night.
posted by zeikka at 8:41 AM on September 17, 2018

Best answer: Go to Hamburg! So much to see there! Walk under the Elbe river through the Old Elbe Tunnel (Alter Elbtunnel), tour the harbour (Hafenrundfahrt), visit the famous St. Michael's Church (der Michel), City Hall (Rathaus), the Landungsbrücken Piers, Elbphilharmonie (the view from the Plaza is amazing), the UNESCO World Heritage Site Speicherstadt and much more. Also, Hamburg is often called "Venice of the North" and has many canals and more bridges than London, Amsterdam and Venice put together! There's also lots of interesting architecture, e. g. the Chilehaus with the Sprinkenhof next door. I also recommend a visit at Miniatur-Wunderland (get tickets in advance if possible to avoid waiting in line; I once did a guided backstage tour and loved it).

Let me know if you decide to go there and need more specific tips.
posted by amf at 8:56 AM on September 17, 2018

Paris. As if there were a question.

Since you like to walk you can stay outside the tourist zone and get a reasonable room rate.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 9:22 AM on September 17, 2018

I made day trips to Jena and Wittenberg.
posted by brujita at 12:01 PM on September 17, 2018

Response by poster: Decided on Hamburg! It came between Paris and that, and I realized I'll likely not go to Hamburg ever if I don't do it this week.

I also love riding on trains and outplaned at the moment.

And amf, that model railway...I couldn't resist!
posted by treetop89 at 1:59 AM on September 18, 2018 [1 favorite]