Birkenstocks abroad - Is it a problem?

[Greengardenpixie]

Was reading on a tourist info site that you cant wear flip flops in some museums etc. Is this the case? Would Birkenstocks be classed as flip flops? Would any type of shoe without the back bit. Experiences please!!!

Actually, I wouldn't take expensive jewellery abroad (not that I have any) because I am pretty cautious.

The only place I have visited where flip flops wouldn't be suitable is Pompeii because the ground is too rough. You really do need comfortable shoes rather than flip flops or heels.

When sightseeing having comfortable feet takes far more priority than how I look.

"Baggy, ripped, even skinny jeans are generally frowned upon outside the United States."

Think you can safely ignore that article as being a load of nonsense written by someone who is completely clueless!

I have been laughing so much when you have quoted some of the comments. I don't have any fancy expensive jewellery anyway. The ripped jeans comment was so funny!

I would think they are fine but if you do decide to go into a city consider what are the best footwear you have for cobblestones the blasted things are everywhere.

The no too short shorts, bare shoulders is pretty standard for major churches and shrines but I think only the vatican issue paper clothes to wear.

what on earth are you on about ?

"abroad" is somewhat of a vague term, I would happily wear some jewellery for the Vienna Opera, should be safe enough.

Germany is abroad and Birkenstocks come from Germany.

However, I've been wearing them for at least 15 years and have certainly worn them in Spain, France and Italy, me and half the known world. No one notices.

I bought my Birkenstocks in Madrid when I lived there!

What nonsense!

If you are planning to go into the mountains in Switzerland, though, people will definitely frown at Birkenstocks, crocs and other unsuitable footwear. Trainers are a minimum requirement, proper walking shoes are better.

Another little tip: if you go up very high (and Swiss mountains can be veeeeery high), it will be cold up there. Have seen many a shivering child in t-shirt, shorts and crocs and rolled my eyes at the tourists.

I wore nothing but Birkenstocks for six months in India. Couldn't help but absolutely piss myself and take a picture like a proper smug bastard chuckle when I saw a coach load of American tourists cover their shoes with little plastic covers, complete with the tour company logo, lest they got, gasp, DUST on them

Iwantagin (mmm so do I) - if you enjoy those kind of threads on the tripadvisor forums (fora) then have a look at the ones on Fodors.com - I've lost hours of my life on there, engrossed in Americans panicking about having the right length of sock for Spring in Barcelona and the like.

I don't even have a holiday wardrobe. I just wear whatever I would be wearing at home, but appropriate for the weather.
No, there is an exception; I wore trousers and old clothes, and only local cheap jewellery, for the Amazon and Peru/ Bolivia.

I have worn birkinstocks round the louvre! No one chased me out...
But then went to a French friends family, and it was made clear to me that they were only suitable as pool shoes... I had no other shoes!