(Winner Announced) If You Were in Europe, Where Would You Go?
25. Jul, 2008 
23 Comments
I have a rough idea of some of the places I’d like to go, but I’m a bit torn on my next trip. Should I go somewhere I’ve already been, like Rome? Or should I see another big city, like Berlin? Or should I head to beach in Croatia? Or leave Europe altogether and check out Morocco?
So, I’m pulling a classic blogger move and leaning on my readers to determine my fate for the next 3-4 day trip. I’m opening it up to you guys, and hoping something you recommend will push me in one direction or another. (It’s like picking a flavor of gelato… you can’t go wrong, but how do you choose?)
If you have suggestions, leave a comment and tell me WHERE and WHY. If I pick your suggestion, then there will be a $10 amazon gift card in your near future. (Um from me, did I make that clear?) I’ll decide by Sunday-ish. (We can hope).
Thanks!
Sunday update: Well, I’m very impressed with the suggestions! I thought this would make it easier, but it actually opened up some new ideas I hadn’t considered. Here is what you suggested:
- Monte Negro (Crna Gora)
- Lisbon, Portugal (3)
- Lucerne, Switzerland
- Scotland
- Scandinavia
- the Baltic states
- Malta
- Ireland
- Amsterdam
- Prague (2)
- Bratislava (2)
- Interlaken, Switzerland
- Croatia
- Cinque Terre, Italy
- Padova (Padua), a city outside of Venice
- Greece
- France
In the end, I was swayed by Lily’s endorsement of Lisbon (Lisboa), so I’m happy to announce that Lily won the $10 Amazon gift card (she was the first to suggest it, so she gets the booty). I booked my flight for next week and I can’t wait.
I also booked my flights for the rest of the summer, and I really wanted to go to Monte Negro, Switzerland and Bratislava but the price of tickets were just a little too high on short notice. Here is the rest of the schedule, which you can also see on my sidebar:
Thanks again for everyone who made suggestions!
Without a doubt Monte Negro (Crna Gora) …inexpensive by European standards, historical, beautiful (or so I’m told)…and just so damn…exotic.
enjoy your trip and make that gift card payable to Will
Go wherever tourists don’t go.
Definitely you should go to Lisbon, Portugal… It’s truly an AMAZING place!! Everyone is sleeping on it, but it has everything that makes it an ideal getaway – from the sights to the weather (think 80 degrees with a light breeze every day!) to the food and culture. And the city really grows on you – after 4 days you won’t want to leave!! The weather is spectacular, the scenery beautiful, the people friendly and the food is delicious (seafood but also all kinds of cuisines can be found). And there’s so much to discover – lots of alleys and cute shops and cafes/bars. It’s truly a gem. And much cheaper than say, Madrid or Paris… You can check out some posts by Cynthia Morris – she moved to Lisbon a few months ago on a sabbatical and is now making it her home… Check her out at http://www.journeyJuju.com I had the pleasure of meeting her when I vacationed in Lisbon earlier this month. In any case, I was definitely sad to leave!
Hope this helps…
Hey maybe I should write my first piece on Lisbon eh? lol…
During this time of the year, I would recommend some place a little cooler. Unfortunately, tourists will probably be everywhere during the summer. I’ll say Lucerne, Switzerland, or other Swiss lakeside small towns. They’d be nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of the cities.
I should have mentioned, Lisbon is not crowded at all and we barely saw any tourists! And the weather is truly fantastic (none of that crazy heat that you have in Madrid) – my friend and I were both shocked at how fab it was, almost like Spring every day with cool evenings (but not cold). Am really not trying to get the gift card honestly lol.. I just loved Lisbon that much and I think you will too.
In summer I would definitely head North – although the weather has been so strange that in the Southern half of Europe it doesn’t feel like summer at all – rain, very cold weather (requiring jackets)… still I would consider Scotland, Scandinavia or the Baltic states (although Poland has seen heat waves so check first!).
It’s not just the heat in some places – it’s the lack of atmosphere. Paris and Madrid in summer are deadly – locals have left and the only inhabitants seem to be tourists. That’s not how I like to travel. Switzerland, on the other hand, doesn’t change much in atmosphere between summer and winter – except for lack of snow and proliferation of outdoor cafes.
In the non-Northern countries of Western Europe, I would tend to agree with Lily – Lisbon is very much an undiscovered gem. And its location by the sea makes it breezy even in summer. But even in Lisbon, locals disappear in August.
The Balkans, like Will’s suggestion, could be fun if you go somewhere slightly off the beaten path (Montenegro qualifies, Dubrovnik does not!)
Hmmm… I don’t think I’ve made your decision much easier…
But there is so much choice you could just land somewhere, start traveling, and still end up in an amazing destination!
MALTA. I’ve never been there but I know it’s great!
Sandier Pasturess last blog post..Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt – Hanging
There is only one choice: Ireland.
Green fields, lilting Irish voices, sheep, beer, and Irish whiskey. Perhaps the Dublin authors’ trek. Go. Go now. Because I can’t.
How long are you going for?
Amsterdam or Prague are cities that immediately come to mind.
Nomadic Matts last blog post..The Saturday City: Prague
I’ll second (or third) Prague and Lisbon. If you go to Lisbon, take a day trip to Sintra and take the bus and/or hike up to the top to see an old Moorish fort and a Disney-esque castle.
My best European experience was the five days I spend in Barcelona at the end of September. Unbeknownst to me, the festival La Mercè was taking place and I wandered the city coming upon parades and celebrations at every turn. The place is packed with locals and tourists, but the festival, fantastic Gaudi architecture, lovely weather are totally worth it.
I agree with Lisboa! I loved it when I went! And be sure to take a side trip to Sintra; your photog portfoio will thank you.
Definitely Bratislava.
Think of it as Prague’s younger, cuter sister. The locals are incredibly friendly. The outdoor cafes and restaurants are located in beautiful squares or narrowly charming streets. There is this great, laid-back vibe to the whole place that is perfect for summer livin’ and it’s much less expensive than Western European capitals. Stay within the walls of the old town. You’ll start to feel like you live there. Doable in three days, I wouldn’t stay longer. Unless you want to take a day trip to Vienna, which I have done and it’s great. A one hour train ride in the beautiful countryside followed by a day of museums and royal palaces…perfection.
Tanyas last blog post..Politics as Unusual
I’d head north, where summer isn’t going to last too much longer. Save southern destinations for September (is that your last month in Spain?). Greece, for instance, is at its best in September–the tourists are mainly gone, the weather is perfect, you get shoulder season prices…
So for your next trip, I’m going to vote for Interlaken, Switzerland. It’s so beautiful and its very backpacker friendly. The nearby towns are so quaint, and it’s just a relaxing, gorgeous place to get away. Ascend to the top of Jungfrau, have a picnic lakeside and watch the swans swim by, walk through mountains that will make you think of Heidi or cause you to want to yodel…
It seems that everywhere I go (online) lately I keep hearing about Croatia. Particularly if you’re at all into diving. We have some good friends from there (and they travel back there quite frequently) so if you do wind up there I can ping them for some good insider tips.
Although I do have to second Tanya’s rec for Bratislava. That’s where my family’s from (some of them, anyway) and it’s a fun place to spend a few days. Probably pretty toasty this time of year, tho. We were there in July a few years back and sweated our dupas off.
Your original premise is right on… so many fun places, so little time!!! Good luck narrowing it down.
the Cinque Terre in Italy. Quaint little towns on the Mediterranean with the option of hiking or taking a train between all 5 of the towns. Great fun for a day trip and it isn’t too far from Milan, if you want to explore that too. Where ever you end up choosing will surely be an amazing trip! Good luck!
(I agree with the post a few up about Interlaken, as well. Gorgeous!)
As last blog post..First Impressions
I’d check out Padova (Padua), a city outside of Venice. I was there in 2001 and we stayed there by accident. Small and quiet, a nice place to visit to get away from the bustle of Venice.
anthonys last blog post..Twenty days and counting…
I would recommend greece or France.
Adolfos last blog post..
Glad you settled on Lisboa!
And honestly, you have to go to Sintra and you have to go to Café a Piriquita – (here’s my quick writeup) – http://matadortravel.com/travel-guides/portugal/sweet-pillows-in-sintra-portugal – to try pipping hot traveseiros
Trust me! You will be glad you did!
Lolas last blog post..Berlin comes to town
Your travel schedule looks amazing, Christine. I can’t wait to hear all about it! And can I just say that I’m more than a little jealous?
Hey!
I second Lily’s Lisbon suggestion. I was there with her. Definitely take in a 2 hour boat cruise–it’s roughly 20 euros, but you see the entire city and it is absolutely wonderful.
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Sintra is a true treasure for the senses. It was known in ancient times as Mons Lunae (the Hills of the Moon), because of its strong traditions in astral cults.
Sintra Lisbon´s last blog post..Sintra, a fairy tale town