Paris, Florence, London, Amsterdam & Copenhagen
And We’re Off, But SLOWLY…
There’s a special magic in taking your time. Like savoring a fine wine or watching a garden bloom through the seasons, discovering Europe’s great cities deserves patience, attentiveness and appreciation.
Forego any notion you have that you can “do” any of these fascinating cities in a day or two. “If this is Tuesday, it must be Belgium” would have been madness even in your youth. It would be total insanity now. Visit each of these five magnificent cities. But please. Visit them one a year over the course of five years, allowing each to reveal its treasures at a gentle pace. If you simply must visit two or three in the same year, at least allow yourself 5 days in each. Don’t leave before you have a chance to “BE THERE.”
Why These Particular Five?
Together, these five form a magnificent introduction to Europe’s soul, each offering distinct yet complementary experiences of history, culture, and contemporary life. They share crucial features for senior travelers: excellent medical facilities, reliable public transportation, comfortable and interesting accommodations, delightful food and wine, colorful markets, stunning sights, remarkable art, and many wonderful places to “perch” comfortably, watching life go by.
Paris: Where Beauty Meets Enchantment
The City of Light has mastered the art of welcoming senior travelers. Modern Paris combines timeless romance with thoughtful accessibility. Beyond the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, discover the city through peaceful gardens like the Luxembourg Gardens, where locals play pétanque and children sail toy boats.
Take advantage of the “Boat Bus” (Batobus) on the Seine, offering rest for tired feet while gliding past centuries of history. Wander slowly through an outdoor market on market day. Attend a Vivaldi concert, sitting amid the stunning stained glass of St. Chapelle as evening falls. Visit the flower market and select a few garden elves that make you smile to bring home. Listen to music on a boat bar moored along the Seine, across the river from the freshly restored Notre Dame Cathedral. Stand midway on a brilliantly lit bridge across the Seine, watching boats drift by. Paris teaches us that beauty is best appreciated slowly, from a café chair, with a perfect chocolate croissant and a café au lait.
Florence: Renaissance Treasures at Your Own Rhythm
Compact and walkable, Florence offers Renaissance magnificence on an intimate scale. The city center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, unfolds through narrow pedestrian streets that empty into light-filled piazzas. Walk awhile, then take a break at an outdoor table with a “vino bianco o rosso.”
The Uffizi Gallery deserves at least a full morning. Sit awhile with Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus” and plan to meet your travel partner at the rooftop terrace café overlooking the Piazza. Don’t neglect Florence’s markets and artisan workshops, where Renaissance craftsmanship lives on in modern hands. Select a soft leather wallet to take home. Browse the family-run shops on the Ponte Vecchio and select a pendant crafted by a goldsmith descended from a centuries-long lineage of master artisans
London: Where History Meets Art, Theater and Modern Comfort
London excels at combining historical grandeur with modern convenience. Take advantage of the “Uber boat” on the Thames, delivering you efficiently to your next destination, with a captivating view. World-class museums, like the British Museum and National Gallery, are free and offer ample seating. Make shorter visits to each and plan to return another day instead of exhausting yourself viewing priceless treasures until your eyes glaze over.
Stop by as many pubs as you can find with the word “Swan” in their names. Swans were historically owned by the Crown, making the swan a symbol with royal connections. Take a relaxing cruise up-river to Hampton Court Palace or down river to Greenwich’s Maritime Museum. And don’t miss London’s West End shows. They’re Broadway quality, at a fraction of the price. And many are performed in smaller, intimate theaters, with comfortable seats. Visit Covent Gardens, preferably more than once, for eclectic shopping, plentiful perching spots and quirky “performance art.”
Amsterdam: Gentle Pleasures and Cultural Riches
Amsterdam’s flat terrain and efficient canal network make it surprisingly comfortable for senior travelers. Traveling about by Hop-on-Hop-Off canal boat offers welcomed rest while showcasing unique architecture and history. The Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum are fully accessible and house stunning artwork you’ve always dreamed of seeing in person. Linger in a canal-side restaurant, showcasing the bridges lit up at night.
Copenhagen: Nordic Welcome and Livable Design
Copenhagen demonstrates how urban spaces can work perfectly for seniors, prioritizing accessibility without sacrificing beauty. Lay claim to its abundant benches and enjoy the peaceful waterfront. Take your time strolling Copenhagen’s famous pedestrian street, Strøget, pausing to study the Stork Fountain. Visit the magical Tivoli Gardens, preferably twice—during the daytime and again at night— to understand why it has long been a MUST for all ages.
Take your time exploring the National Museum, covering 14,000 colorful years of Danish history. From Ice Age reindeer-hunters to Viking raiders and conquerors (793 to 1066) to William the Conqueror (1066) to the end of the Viking Era (1170). What a story! These Vikings clearly were formidable foes! But they were also skilled craftsmen, lawmakers, storytellers, artists and musicians. Who knew?
Creating Your Perfect Five-Year Plan
How to decide where to go first? That’s a tough one. You could visit alphabetically or flip a coin. Or, better yet, arrange a long lunch with your travel partner and agree on your plan for the next two years – Year 1 as YOUR pick. Year 2 as THEIR pick. And so forth across the years to come.
Speaking of your chosen travel partner… In our next article, we’ll explore another crucial element of successful senior travel: choosing your ideal travel companion. Whether you will be traveling with spouse, friend, or family member, we’ll discuss how to ensure your European adventures are enriched by sharing them with the right person.
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