OT: City break suggestions in Northern Europe

[principe azul]

I fancy taking myself and the M for a short break in some foreign city (I'm in the UK). I'm thinking of Oslo, Stockholm, Tallin, Prague, Helsinki, Copenhagen, Berlin but don't have a favourite. I'm not looking for sightseeing opportunities. When I travel I just like to hang out and watch the world go by. I prefer low-light photography, so somewhere where it gets dark early and rains a lot would be just grand.

I was going to go to the cheapest place to fly to, but they're all pretty much the same, so I'm looking for help to narrow it down.

Any suggestions, please? Or inspiring websites?

Anyway, to get back on topic, here's a gorgeous black 85/1.5 Nikkor (shown on the seller's black M4 and black ?III) for your viewing pleasure.

I have no relation to the seller. If I did, I'd not have to look for a cheap flight...

 

[darkkavenger]

If you come by Prague, let me know!

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

It's pouring with rain in Portugal today. Looks set to stay that way all week. And cheap to hang out here.

 

[airds]

Anyway, to get back on topic, here's a gorgeous black 85/1.5 Nikkor (shown on the seller's black M4 and black ?III) for your viewing pleasure.

I have no relation to the seller. If I did, I'd not have to look for a cheap flight...

Isn't that winner kevincameras.com? Wonder what he'll sell it at ......

ps Reykjavík? See this Tourist guide

 

[back alley]

no winner, reserve not met.

 

[Goodyear]

My wife and I visited Copenhagen in March. Not the besy week for it - it was at the time all those blizzards came across Europe, so it was cold and snowing the whole time. And we got snowed in at Schiphol on the way home 🙁

However, Copenhagen was fun. It's not the cheapest city in the world to visit, but we really enjoyed it. Plenty to see and explore. If you're into cafes (we are), it's like Vienna on steroids. If you've ever been to Vienna, your jaw should be on the floor right about now 🙂

Actually Vienna might be another one to consider? Again, not cheap, but great. Very photogenic city. We plan to return to them both.

If you do go to COpenhagen, there's a shop called Photographica. I would recommend not visiting unless you have plenty of GAS money to hand. Had I the resources, I would go just for that shop 😀

 

[wilt]

Copenhagen is great, and so is Photographica.

Café's: Café Europa has always been my favourite (partly for nostalgic reasons, used to go there a lot when I was a student 15 years ago). Another one is Roberts (Larsbjörnsstrade/Studiestrade) but as someone wrote earlier, there are many of them.

Some of my shots from Copenhagen are here, here, here, here and here.

 

[principe azul]

Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions and pictures. I think I'm going to have to go to the library and mull it over, then throw a dart at a map.

 

[principe azul]

Aaaarghh! More choices!

I've always scoffed at the "I'm going to Europe. Which lens should I take?" threads on another forum. And here I am, saying "I live in Europe, but I haven't the foggiest where to go."

You're right, of course. In August, anything south of Denmark would be out for me - too hot. But we'll be in November, so my options are open.

 

[Pherdinand]

well Prague as northern europe, that's a good one😉
Anyway - I would seriously consider going to Iceland, but it might not be the best time on the year to do it. Otherwise Berlin, capital of arts, or Prague, if you love pils type beer.
But i've not been in these places, that's why i'd pick them. 🙂
I've been in Kopenhagen, it's an enjoyable city. In fact the whole Denmark is enjoyable. We had lotsa fun sitting for two hours in front of the Little Mermaid statue on a bench and watching different sets of tourists come by and take photos, from all the corners of the world. The ones that we've understood, all expressed their deep disappointment in the statue:" I thought it's bigger!!"

 

[Pherdinand]

By the way: they are NOT the same in price, not at all! I guess Prague would be the cheapest unless you prefer four-star hotels, or maybe Tallinn. And remember: the more north you go the more expensive are the drinks. Might be shocking for a scottish to pay four euros or more for a 2.5% beer.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

€0.35 for wine ok?

 

[Jeroen]

<i>In fact the whole Denmark is enjoyable</i> I fully agree. Easy to travel, too. It's a small country, you could take a day or two off your city trip and go to the beach (Skagen is wonderful).

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

In Denmark take the coast road (North Sea Coast) to near Lemvig and find locations from Babbette's Feast. Nice photo opps.

 

[principe azul]

I'm avoiding Denmark because I've been several times before. It's a lovely country - as England would be if we'd had Scandinavian design in the 60s. My mother likes it because it's clean, and because she associates it with Georg Jensen and Noggin the Nog.

That said, I have been thinking about it. I went when I had only a compact camera and wasn't into photography. And almost everyone speaks English - though because of my 'Nordic' complexion, they usually started in Danish. Some continued in Danish, probably thinking I was a Dane who spoke with an affected accent and comedy pronunciation. All I can remember now is "tre kaffen og en askerbaer, vaer veinlig" (I think!), which is supposed to mean "three coffees and an ashtray, please." And I never went to Copenhagen, which I always said I would, just Jutland - round Riba, Ringkobing, Kolding.

Nice beer, too. Nice people, like the Brits, really, always talking about the weather!

And airds, I have fond memories of Oban.

My geography isn't brilliant these days, but I knew Prague isn't really north. I just meant 'non-Mediterranean.'

 

[darkkavenger]

Prague's a bit over-touristic these days even for a foreigner like me living there for now 3.5 years, but if you leave the herds of tourists and the trampled paths of monotony you can find nice places. If you ever come by, let me know. Prague might surprise you 🙂

 

[principe azul]

Thanks, Massimiliano. The language looks tricky - all I know is the Mass in Old Slavonic and a few words from Janacek operas. I was excited at the prospect of going to the Supraphon shop - I have a few of their records from the 60s, and I always thought the Czech animations on Channel 4 were really funky - and the stamps, too, when I was about eight or nine.

Ian

 

[Pherdinand]

Ian, sorry, i did not mean that you don't know where Prague is, i've just found it funny you included it in the nordic list.
In the meantime, i have no idea why i thought you are scottish. Are you??

 

[principe azul]

Hi, Pherdinand. Maybe because I mentioned Oban, or my name's Ian? But no, I'm English. And living in the south, so expensive beer, well, I've forgotten there's any other kind...

 

[P C Headland]

Stockholm's gorgeous. Truely lovely, and not that expensive, as long as you avoid alcohol.

If you want a nice interesting hotel to stay in, try the Lord Nelson in Gamla Stan. If you are staying more than the weekend, check to see if you can get one of their appartments.

Berlin is very nice - I have to say we were quite surprised how much we enjoyed it. Quite cheap too. But then, most places are compared to Amsterdam!! Oh, there's another choice :bang: