What to see

The following are my totally subjective opinions on what I’ve seen in Europe. I haven’t been everywhere, or even come close, but I have seen quite a bit. In every case, no matter where you go, I can give you one piece of advice that will be worth its weight in gold. As I’ve said before, GO EARLY. For example, at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence one morning, ninety minutes before opening there was one person in line. Sixty minutes prior about one hundred people were in line. Thirty minutes prior, five hundred people were waiting, and, as the doors opened, at least one thousand people were in a line stretching out of sight.

I would advise arriving at major museums about an hour before opening time during the summer. That way you will wait roughly one hour in the cool of the morning, see a relatively uncrowded museum, and be on your way as the crowds begin to get bad. Also, at the Louvre you can go late, during the relatively uncrowded evening hours on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Before you go, here are a few tips to avoid offending your hosts, and to help preserve the marvelous works of art you are going to see. Also, remember that most of the churches and cathedrals you will be visiting are functioning houses of worship and/or hold great religious significance. Behave accordingly.