Absinthe...or other recommendations

I am seriously curious as to what this does to you. I partied pretty hard in college, but I've heard conflicting things about absinthe, and I wonder if I should pass up the chance to try it ;o)

Any other don't-miss recommendations on what to try in relation to drinks etc. in Europe? I'm doing Amsterdam to Barcelona, so I'll just be going to Amsterdam, Paris, Lucerne, Chamonix, Nice, and Barcelona...