The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is amazing too. They’re renovating the building, but it’s so HUGE, that they are organising it so that there are still some exhibitions in parts of the building and then there is a travelling exhibition as well, and they change… so here’s the website (English version) so that you can see what will be on when you are there.
http://www.rijksmuseum.nl/tentoonstellingen/?lang=en
The Van Gough museum was nice too, but in a different way. The Rijks blew me a way. (I was there before the renovations started)
As for cultural differences, The French smoke… everywhere. You have to put up with that. DO try to speak a bit of French when you’re there or apologise profusely for not understanding. I only spent half a day in Paris, but the southern French I’ve met were all super lovely people and really went out of their way to help.
Amsterdam and the Dutch people can seem abrupt and rude, but it’s just their way. Don’t take it personally, they’re like that to everyone. hahaha.
It’s the opposite in England. Manners matter. Please and thank you and a smile, even if you don’t see their’s first, if you offer one up, it usually breaks any tension or awkwardness.
I’m still waiting for my trip to London to do the Shakespeare thing. I wanted to do that for my 40th, but… life (or rather death) happened and there was no chance. I would really do the Shakespeare thing in London, but I’m a Bard Nerd.
http://www.shakespeares-globe.org/
If you don’t have a lot of time for the Louvre, they have a section on their website to help you plan a ‘themed trail’. Pick the theme that you like best, and it shows you where to go and how long it takes… (trails take from 1 hour to 3 hours )
http://www.louvre.fr/llv/activite/liste_parcours.jsp?bmLocale=en
Have fun.