We're trying to make summer travel plans to Europe, and have realized that our knowledge is limited to the major destinations -- and we're not overly knowledgeable about those.

We plan on doing a home exchange, one of those things where a foreign family comes to stay in your house and you go stay in theirs. The problem with this is that most people want to stay in the top destination cities: Europeans -- if they choose the U.S. at all -- want to go to New York, California, Florida and, maybe, Cape Cod. Americans want to go to London, Paris, Rome, etc.

Philadelphia competes poorly in the exchange market. No beaches and Europeans care less about the 1776 schtick than Americans. That doesn't mean there isn't a lot to do, but it requires a lot of explanation.

Now, I'm thinking that a resident of, say, Liverpool or Dublin might be more up for a swap to Philadelphia than a Londoner. Those second-tier cities, however, are a bit of a mystery to us.

So, my question to the board: What unfamous place in Europe could amuse your typical U.S. family (mom, dad, kids) for two weeks?

Dublin.

English speaking.

Still like Americans.

Most Irish have family here so they are more "welcoming"

http://www.visitdublin.com/


Ireland is relatively small so you can experience a major city and a rural castle in the same day.

Been there 4 times. (2 weeks each)

Never bored.

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I 2nd Dublin.

You should also consider Berlin or Madrid.

Prague, its gorgeous and when I was there it was cheap.

I have family in Leon, France.

I hate the franch and I appologize for any relations my family has with the french.

Munich...then drive to the Alps....take a cable car up...and breathe the fresh air. It is better than the smoking ban for clearing up the lungs. Be careful with the wursts...they'll kill ya. Berlin is a lot of fun too.

I didn't get to spend too much time in Prague...but what I saw....I agree...nice.


How about Spain? I've always wanted to spend time there.

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I love Granada, it's a fun little town. Spain but very old world Europe with lots of Moorish influence, and Alhambra is beautiful.

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The Greek isles and central Turkey (Ankara and Istanbul). Very exotic than the usual stuff seen on television, pretty and full of strange culture and very nice people.

There are tours everywhere including the seaside towns and a train that connects Greece with Turkey (or you can take a ferry). It's been my fav place in Europe for a long time (and it's nice and warm).

If I had to stick with western Europe, I would go through Portugal and southern Spain.

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I'm also a huge Spain fan. Huge. Love Spain. The country is small enough and has great infrastructure so you can take a really active vacation by renting a car and in 2 weeks do a really nice tour -- Madrid, Toledo, Valencia, Malaga, Marbella, Sevilla, Granada, Cordoba and back to Madrid. Or just Madrid and Barcelona, with a side trip to Bilbao. Or do Sevilla/Granada/Cordoba and a quick trip to Tangiers in Morocco for a really difference experience.

Spain. Two thumbs up.

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---Shosh

You might underestimate Europeans' interest in a not-as-famous American city. Tell them you can visit both New York and DC by train and they may see the value of using Philly as a base to visit those more expensive cities, since that is more often done in Europe.

I've always found that those "second-tier" European cities are very interesting as well, lots of history and not as touristed, but easier to get a feel for how the locals live.

I would second the vote for Spain, it is wonderful. The Czech Republic is very cool also.