What is your favorite European Capital City?

I have no problem hearing them scream and I rather enjoy it.

Not just food-fixated, there's also the wine. Tucked between the Rhone and Beaujolais, how could it be otherwise?

If the only criteria for fav FRENCH city was food and wine, I'm going Beaune or Colmar after Paris (in which of course Vins de Bourgogne et Vins d'Alsace are widely available). When 'Countryside' comes into play, it gets mighty tricky. Maybe there should be a 'Most Beautiful Vineyard' Poll...[/i]

I have no problem hearing them scream and I rather enjoy it.

Not just food-fixated, there's also the wine. Tucked between the Rhone and Beaujolais, how could it be otherwise?

If the only criteria for fav FRENCH city was food and wine, I'm going Beaune or Colmar after Paris (in which of course Vins de Bourgogne et Vins d'Alsace are widely available). When 'Countryside' comes into play, it gets mighty tricky. Maybe there should be a 'Most Beautiful Vineyard' Poll...[/i]

...or.... just vote for your favorite European country for overall culture, food, wine, language, art, history and natural beauty..... and for that.... ITALY is my biased vote, even though I love France, enjoy Germany and Austria for various artistic and cultural reasons.....

[James Roscoe]

I just realized that I have been to Berlin and Vienna. Berlin, Maryland and Vienna, Virginia. I haven't made it to Rome yet, either New York or Georgia. I believe their is a Paris, Virginia I went through on vacation once. I was in New London, Ontario a billion years ago. My vote goes to Berlin. It's much more picturesque than the others.

I just realized that I have been to Berlin and Vienna. Berlin, Maryland and Vienna, Virginia. I haven't made it to Rome yet, either New York or Georgia. I believe their is a Paris, Virginia I went through on vacation once. I was in New London, Ontario a billion years ago. My vote goes to Berlin. It's much more picturesque than the others.

You've also had Roma tomatoes, James - that should count for something and give you some brownie points!

[James Roscoe]

I just realized that I have been to Berlin and Vienna. Berlin, Maryland and Vienna, Virginia. I haven't made it to Rome yet, either New York or Georgia. I believe their is a Paris, Virginia I went through on vacation once. I was in New London, Ontario a billion years ago. My vote goes to Berlin. It's much more picturesque than the others.

You've also had Roma tomatoes, James - that should count for something and give you some brownie points!

Good point Paulo! Roma tomatoes rock!! My father makes an awesome tomato sauce with his homegrown romas every year. I might switch to Roma, but my German heritage you know.

I just realized that I have been to Berlin and Vienna. Berlin, Maryland and Vienna, Virginia. I haven't made it to Rome yet, either New York or Georgia. I believe their is a Paris, Virginia I went through on vacation once. I was in New London, Ontario a billion years ago. My vote goes to Berlin. It's much more picturesque than the others.

You've also had Roma tomatoes, James - that should count for something and give you some brownie points!

AND James, you have no doubt enjoyed a Vienna beef frank before. I also believe there to be a New Prague, Minnesota?

[James Roscoe]

And I know a lot of pests some of whom look like Bhudda. You know, Bhudda-pests!

And I know a lot of pests some of whom look like Bhudda. You know, Bhudda-pests!

I think you have graded one too many tests, James!!!!

It looks like Paris has it. No surprise there. Where's the come-from-behind write-in win for Minsk, Belarus?

Holland is weird in that it has two capitals. Amsterdam is the official capital city, while the Hague is the political capital (where all the government functions are situated). In any case, Paris definitely gets my vote for a favorite capital city, although Amsterdam is a close second (not for the food, though -- just for its easiness and beauty).
cheers, Bonnie

[James Roscoe]

Any votes for New Amsterdam (aka New York)?

You are right Paulo. June can't get here soon enough!

Hmmm... No votes for Dublin?

Hmmm... No votes for Dublin?

No, the population growth is exponential. It's Dublin every single day.

GROAN

I have visited each city except Prague. Rome wins hands down, with Paris a distant second.

Well, yeah, it does have to be Paris.

No, it doesn't, not while Lyon exists.

Yes, but how long can you really spend in Lyon? (Apologies to anyone who might live there) Sure it's a cute place with some nice restaurants, but after one week you've been everywhere, whereas Paris is so much more "interesting".

True, Lyon doesn't have the wide variety of dogshit, graffiti, and burnt cars of Paris, but unlike Paris, the surroundings are intensely agricultural. 20-30 minutes from the center of town and I can be in Cote-Rotie or Beaujolais. Another few minutes and I'm in the Cote Chalonnnaise.

20-30 minutes from the center of Paris and all I can be is threatened by a "youth" gang.

True, Lyon doesn't have the wide variety of dogshit, graffiti, and burnt cars of Paris, but unlike Paris, the surroundings are intensely agricultural. 20-30 minutes from the center of town and I can be in Cote-Rotie or Beaujolais. Another few minutes and I'm in the Cote Chalonnnaise..

Fine arguments all of them, although if proximity to a range of other attractions were so important, everyone would want to live in Belgium, as one of Brussels' primary attractions is usually considered to be its proximity to a diverse range of Other Interesting European Places.

Still, I see the merits of having Lyon as a vacation base, although for longer stays I personally prefer Paris..

Well, true, a place to live has different requirements and attractions from a place to be a tourist.

My preferred place to live would still probably be Berkeley.

Brussels might be the most boring city in Europe.

I love beer. Brussels is still boring.

I just realized that I have been to Berlin and Vienna. Berlin, Maryland and Vienna, Virginia. I haven't made it to Rome yet, either New York or Georgia. I believe their is a Paris, Virginia I went through on vacation once. I was in New London, Ontario a billion years ago. My vote goes to Berlin. It's much more picturesque than the others.

Every time I drive from my home to MOCOOL I pass through both London and Paris Ontario. But back to the subject at hand, I've never been to Europe. In fact, 2 weeks ago, when I went to DC, it was the 3rd national capital I'd ever visited, the other two being Port-of Spain, Trinidad and Bridgetown, Barbados, both in 1977. Even when I went to Vietnam, the closest I ever got to Saigon was Da Nang, which is several hundred miles away.

Stuart, I agree -- Brussels is indeed soooo boring. Antwerp is loads better, and the beer is still terrific.
cheers, Bonnie

I have no problem hearing them scream and I rather enjoy it.

Not just food-fixated, there's also the wine. Tucked between the Rhone and Beaujolais, how could it be otherwise?

No doubt the Rhone is some good turf. But, I had no problem getting Rhone wines in Paris. Lyon is food city, yeah, most amazing city for its size on the planet. But, there's a *bunch* of shit in Paris!

Yes there is, mostly on the sidewalk, mostly from the local dogs, though I do not discount the contribution from the rather extensive homeless population.

My major problem in Paris wasn't stepping in the dog doo. It was trying to put up with the smoke everywhere. CA has spoiled me.

The worst was while sitting at Deux Magots next to a couple of women who were madly puffing away while sitting directly under the 'etablissement non fumeur' sign they had posted on the glass. Someone else on the other side of them complained to the waiter, but he just rolled out a classic Gallic shrug and kept moving.

I watched one guy who, in the course of a brief, light lunch (well, brief and light for Paris anyway) lit up seven cigarettes. At least for that one I was far enough away to avoid the toxic cloud.

But, hey, in that category, Lyon probably isn't any improvement. eh?