Well, my time here in Ireland is quickly coming to a close. Before I head home, I think I need a real vacation. I’m planning to do some traveling around Europe for a bit before I head back to the U.S. And I have one question for you:
Where should I go?
I want to know where you’ve been, where you’d go back to, where you want to go, your favorite city, your favorite tourist trap, your favorite non-touristy thing to do. I even want to know where I should not go. Help me make sure my last couple weeks here are well spent.
This post is intended to spark some conversation. Make a comment on this post so that others can see. Do not email me your thoughts. I won’t read them (ok I might, but that really just defeats the purpose).
I really loved Edinburgh, Scotland. Beutiful city. Lots to see. A little farther away is the Cinque Terre in Italy. Five of the coolest towns on the northern coast of Italy. I stayed in Monterosso and LOVED it. The people were great! Hope your last trip is Rockin!
I would recommend Italy as well. Not that I have been there but I ave always wanted to go and maybe do like a food and wine tour of the country. I would also love to go to the Azores for a visit.
Oh, if you do go to Edinburgh, definitely let me know! You may want to wait until after the festival though. I loved Florence–the ice cream alone is reason enough to go, and Sevilla, Spain is amazing–the whole place smells like oranges, and the bar La Carboneria was awesome. I kind of wish I had never seen Malaga, but Marbella was lovely. The twisty alleys in Lyon France are gorgeous, and there are all sorts of options for a mid-day fortifier (caffeinated or alcoholic), and great shopping. I think my all time favorite experience though was going to the Friedrichsbad bath house in Baden Baden, Germany, closeish where you just were. It was only 30 euro, it’s totally naked, and good lord, I have never been so relaxed. Britons Arms in Norwich, England may be the best tea house in the world
I have to say though Jenna, Dublin is my favorite city of all, so I think you’re ahead of the game!
My favorite two weeker through Europe… Fly to Athens, Greece (see all the Greek Ruins) take a ferry to Mykanos & Santorini (2 greek Islands HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, gorgeous, quaint, loved loved loved both of them. Went to one more that was good, but not as fantastic as Santorini & Mykanos!), then ferry back up to the southern coast of Italy. Train it to Venice (Have to go!), Rome, and Vatican then train it over to southern France (NICE is GORGEOUS and right on the coast!). From NICE you can take a day trip to a little tiny country starting with M….can’t remember it. Then take to Spain &/or Paris. I wish I would have done more of spain. Went to Barcelona & Madrid, but didn’t spend a lot of time. In a different trip also loved Prague, CR. If going around Austria…LOVED SALZBURG (birthplace of Mozart & the Sound of Music) PS…went out for dinner with Nicole:)
Thank you guys so much for the information! This is exactly the kind of info I’m looking for. I’m contemplating a Labor Day weekend jaunt to Edinburgh (only like €4 roundtrip). Still haven’t decided on my longer vacation – still gathering info on the best places to see.