OK Geekzoners - what to do/see in Shanghai, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Hong Kong.......

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ascroft

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Topic # 195195 9-Apr-2016 20:03

Hi there.

Looking at a bit of a trip later in the year - summer in Europe.

I have some thoughts obviously - going with adult sons and other family members.

We are interested in history (but not too many museums), technology, sightseeing. Beer.........

What have others done that would be recommended?

All thoughts welcome!

Mark

Mark Ascroft
Wellington

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Reply # 1529208 9-Apr-2016 20:21

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I recommend a trip to Auschwitz, it's a very sobering experience.

Most of the trouble in the world is caused by people wanting to be important. (T.S. Eliot)

roobarb

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Reply # 1529211 9-Apr-2016 20:30

Stonehenge, Le-Mans 24hr, and Waterloo battlefield.

Dolts

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Reply # 1529229 9-Apr-2016 20:50

Lan Kwai Fong in Hong Kong if you are keen to fall off of a few bar stools.

richms

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Reply # 1529241 9-Apr-2016 21:05

I found hong kong to be quite unpleasant for the short time I was there. Hop over to shenzhen and it is a much nicer place.

Richard rich.ms

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Reply # 1529251 9-Apr-2016 21:30

Number 1 pro-tip for travel. Go anywhere that isn't on the tourist map - small towns etc. and try to make friends with locals. You will learn a million times more about a place and culture than joining the tourist throbs.

Spent a month in a tier 4 Chinese city earlier this year staying with Chinese people. The town has like 2 million inhabitants and probably like 50 foreigners lol. Think I really understand that culture and living style way more now... Understand its harder with so many people though!

E.g. Auschwitz etc. - sure go to a camp but maybe one of the smaller less "popular" ones

sir1963

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Reply # 1529345 10-Apr-2016 10:04

Amsterdam- Rijksmuseum, or any of the art galleries that house some of the great masters (Rembrandt etc), Hard Rock Cafe, Canals

Hong Kong - Big Buddah , Any/all of the night markets, Avenue of Stars, Symphony of lights, Ocean Park , Disney (its small though), "The peak"/Victoria Peak.

You can get a metro pass or what ever they call it at the HK airport that is for visitors only, it MUCH cheaper and the HK metro is excellent.

One warning about HK, they don't have milk, tea and coffee are made with sweetened condensed milk, its disgusting!!!!!!

Rikkitic

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Reply # 1529428 10-Apr-2016 12:14

I think just walking around central HK and taking in the amazing neon signs at night is enough for a short stay. I wasn't too impressed with the funicular. Pollution was so thick I couldn't see anything below. Amsterdam definitely the Rijks and other musea on the Plein. I also highly recommend the technology museum, geared to the young but interesting for all, and especially the Maritime museum nearby. And the canal boats, of course, but everyone knows that already. The Heineken Brewery used to give out free beer but they may have stopped that. The historic windmills at Zaanse Schans just north of Amsterdam. Don't overlook the trains. Train travel in Europe is a worthwhile experience in itself.

I reject your reality and substitute my own. - Adam Savage

floydbloke

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Reply # 1529431 10-Apr-2016 12:19

floydbloke:

I recommend a trip to Auschwitz, it's a very sobering experience.

And if you're in that neighbourhood, a visit to the salt mine chapel is something a bit different.

http://www.wieliczka-saltmine.com/

Most of the trouble in the world is caused by people wanting to be important. (T.S. Eliot)

stashren

16 posts

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Reply # 1529511 10-Apr-2016 15:37

In Shanghai go up the Oriental Pearl tower... you can see for miles. Also take a walk to the old part of Shanghai it's only about 45 min from the main tourist area. At night walk along the Bund.

As i had not been to Chine before I booked an English speaking driver from/to the airport/hotel a bit more $$$ but well worth it.

When in Amsterdam have a look at Body Worlds, perhaps a canal trip to the Heineken experience and have a beer

ascroft

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Reply # 1529620 10-Apr-2016 19:03

Thank you - appreciate the ideas.

Mark Ascroft
Wellington

knoydart

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Reply # 1529622 10-Apr-2016 19:13

Going slightly O/T If you want to go very techie, the porthcurno telegraph museum in Cornwall is pretty up there. The Hong Kong computer malls are worth an hour just to wander round if you are stopping over but do get out and wander the night markets. There are other specialist malls too so a 5 minute Google should turn up something of interest.

Copenhagen is great, just to walk and cycle round a city well set up for non car users. Crossing the bridge into Sweden is an experience in itself in views and engineering.

Batman

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Reply # 1529647 10-Apr-2016 20:44

sir1963:
One warning about HK, they don't have milk, tea and coffee are made with sweetened condensed milk, its disgusting!!!!!!

It is heavenly. But have it cold.

stashren

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Reply # 1529671 10-Apr-2016 21:48

In Amsterdam make use of the hop on hop off bus,(they are in other cities to) it goes past all the tourist places and you get to see the city at the same time.