Europe...Love:)

The history does it from me - the architecture is a big one. The scenery too, but of course I can get that at home...but add in the hundreds or years old buildings and that is what does it for me. If something is 100 years old in my town, it's considered historical. I'm not a big foodie or art lover, so I guess it's the history!

As a general rule most of Europe is just a more laid back, go with the flow type of existence as opposed to the more predominant rush, rush, rush, dog eat dog way of life in the U.S. Of course there are always exceptions to any broad general statement and this is just one individual's perception.

I think it is the History too but also a feeling of being a part of the whole world not just America. It just fascinates me!

It's the history for me too. My ancestors are all from Europe, and Europe was the cradle of western civilization, so it represents my heritage. It's so much older than the US, and with that comes beautiful old architecture that you can't find here. Each country has different customs, culture, language, food, etc. so there's a lot of diversity. In Europe I feel like I'm someplace different, yet it's connected to my past. I just love going to Europe!

Terry,

Thanks for the upbeat post.

Blood lineage, feeling at home (even in countries where I don't speak the language). Rhythm, atmosphere, attitude, memory. The present and future have a palpable past.

Zoe...thanks... It's so dreary here I need some wonderful imagery!

We need to plan a get together!
As soon as I get back from Italy. Also.. Do you see my question about the train out of Firenze? I know you will have the answer.

Great topic! We've been discussing lately the things we will miss when we finally return to the U.S.

• Ease of travel and so many great destinations in a few hours train ride or short flight

• The food and wine, especially in Italy. Never a bad meal; Some are just better than others

• The pace of life; Domani is fine.

• Walking everywhere and the overall feeling of safety

• Great public transportation

• Constantly growing/being challenged/adapting

• Markets, piazzas and the passeggiata; The outdoor lifestyle even in a busy city.

Great topic! And great list, Laurel. Everything you mentioned is why I love Europe.

Laurel
I think the next challenge for those of us who love Europe is to bring home all those attitudes we love and make them more a part of our culture. As many of us are European heritage it should be easy, right? :)

Well said, Terry Kathryn. For me, I love the laid back, un hurried feel even in the big cities; the architecture, the gardens, the feeling of being in places and walking in the footsteps of those I have only read about in my college history classes. Being from Colorado, I love that it doesn't take long to get to the next beautiful country/city/village.........

I really appreciate the political and societal awareness. It just seems that people are using their heads more to consider what's good or not good (i.e. think), and action is taken and is generally supported, whatever the cause. In the case of France, for example, liberty, equality, and fraternity are not just empty words, they take it seriously, and that's a really positive thing that I feel we could learn from. Please don't take this in a political direction..as this is simply what I "find so endearing about Europe and the culture".

I feel a wonderful sense of awe and delight when in Europe, love being surrounded by so much history--some of it well-known and always so much more to discover. It feels much more relaxed to me, people seem to live simpler and more fulfilling lives. Since I discovered the joys of travel to Europe 5 years ago I must say that there's no place in the US that I am remotely interested in travelling to.

History, people, food, etc. are in stark contrast where I live, where few people and many cows roam in a state larger than Germany.

I love European history, so I love to go and explore historic sites. Also, the very accessible public transportation. Plus, I think I like going someplace where everything is different enough to feel different, but not so much that I am overwhelmed, if that makes sense. Some day I might get brave enough to travel to some place where the differences will challenge me more, like China.

History, architecture, excellent public transport. Travel little distance, everything changes - countryside, culture, language, food, total kaleidoscope of traditions, languages, food, in many countries much better bakery, butcher's products.
Traditional folk festivals, more community feeling especially in smaller towns, less alienation, less paranoia, much better gun laws, fewer guns among people generally, less crime and less fear of it. Subjectively feeling and objectively being safer. Did I forget anything?

To echo others: history, architecture, great art, great public transit. I like getting out of my comfort zone and going to new places, figuring out neighborhoods and transit. I like seeing how people live in other parts of the world - it really broadens my perspective.

My family came from Eastern Europe - Poland, Romania, Russia, Ukraine - which I haven't visited yet, but my mom's mother was born in Paris. I loved seeing the apartment building where the family lived and walking the streets in Montmartre where they walked.

So many things I find endearing, but here are a few that come to mind:

Being able to use public transit to get where ever I need to go

The pace of life

Learning about my family history (I recently acquired dual US-Italian citizenship through the Jure Sanguinis process)

art in situ. That's my love for Italy, especially Venice and Rome.

Nigel, I agree about the art in situ and not only in Rome and Venice but in the churches, monasteries, and convents in the smaller towns throughout Italy.

That's something we don't have in the US. We have some wonderful architecture but almost all great art is in museums.

I love thinking about this question! I agree with so many of the posts.

I love the history and architecture and the lasagna effect where building are built upon other buildings. On the first visit to Rome, I loved visiting Basilica of San Clemente where in the basement you can see the level that was the Temple of Mythras. Louvre -> excavations of medieval foundations underneath. Cluny -> Roman Baths underneath. Museum of London -> Roman Wall outside. Roman Baths in Bath -> well, lol, Roman on the bottom and Georgian on the top.

In contrast, Idaho?? Oldest building still standing -> Cataldo Mission ~1850. I guess more impressive are old growth cedar groves that were living when Columbus landed. (If indeed he did land.)

I like Nigel's point about art in situ. Frescos, mosaics, carved stone.

I like the point about good public transportation. I enjoy that immensely in Europe as I have never lived where there was actual public transport.

Yes, ancestors came from England, Wales, The Netherlands and Italy...so maybe a connection there but moreso, just the feeling of permanence and continuity Europe gives me.

Not to get all Dr. Sheldon Cooper about it, but trains, trains, and more trains! Love it. :)

LOL Rachel, plus the CERN super-collider! (All I know about physics I learned on Big Bang!)

Europe is an adventure. Waking up everyday not knowing what is going to happen is exciting. I love experiencing a new culture and the history is amazing.

endearing about Europe

Its more what I can do for world peace by way of my traveling…………… no, that’s not it.

I guess to be honest it’s about the people. I understand the great architecture, etc.; I actually have degrees in the subject. But after a while a lot of the gothic churches look alike, but no two people are the same. Each trip tends to be for a different reason. Sometimes political. Sometimes social, sometimes for a monument and sometimes for nature. But it’s always the people I meet that stay in my memory long after the memories of the scenery begin to fade.

A great question ! Why I always keep going back, be it to France, esp Paris in particular, after all, "C'est ça Paris" or Germany, (west, east, north and south), and specifically Berlin, "die dufte Stadt," England, Austria, Poland, and Budapest, etc, etc? For me it's mainly the subject of European History, also the food, drink (coffee, beer, wine), architecture, the various cities/towns and villages for historical, cultural, political reasons, meeting the people who impressed me since the first trip as a college student solo backpacker in 1971, my relative interest in languages, the way I can travel using public transportation within cities and by train (day or night) and by bus, be it 15 mins or 15 hrs. There are still a lot of places on my bucket list to see in Europe. I've been hooked going over ever since that first time.

Gelato is cultural, right? I can say it's one of the things that makes me long to return!

Fred, be honest. It was that Ukrainian girl in the summer of '76. Face it she was a spy. She didn't really love you!! Time to move on!! (smile Fred)

@ James....This is true here: in the summer of '76 was my first time in Texas, went there for vacation in that August heat to Houston, San Jacinto for a day trip and almost a week in San Antonio, which has a lot going for it when flying out of SFO., distance wise, culturally, relative cost, cuisine, historically, entertainment, a place for down time, etc. If cost were no matter at the time I decide on where to go, then I would pick another place, ie, "way down yonder in New Orleans" like the Freddy Cannon song. Bravo on the Ukrainian girl....whose side was she on? A defector? Historically, they have no great love for the Russians. WW1, the horrors of Stalinism and WW 2 demonstrate that. I managed to get back to Europe in 1977 (Aug-Sept) for one more trip in the 1970s. "Time to move on"...reminds me of the Hank Snow song. I'm too old school, fossilized.

I love to travel; I go mostly to Europe because it's closest. I love museums - whether it's great art, quirky collections or anything in between. Every city in Europe has wonderful museums in abundance. I try to visit new places on each trip, but some places pull me back . . .

London. Everyone speaks English (more or less). Theatre, theatre, theatre

Paris. Everything. There is so much beauty everywhere, the tiny parks and squares, the churches, the carefully displayed shop windows. Last year I made my first forays outside Paris. Every town and village was charming, people were friendly (not that they weren't in Paris), can't wait to explore more of the country. And I love hearing French

Italy. Every town is different, always something new and unique to see and learn. Lucky you, Carnevale! Romantic Venezia

Spain. I'm headed back to Barcelona and Andalusia in a few weeks. I'm not sure what exactly draws me back - well, this time it's Semana Santa, but that's just a small part of the reason I'm so looking forward to 3 weeks there.

I'd be as happy spending 2 weeks in New York as in most European cities, but I can't afford hotel prices in Manhattan.

My two favorite places - Zion National Park and Jerusalem. Fortunately one of them is only a hour's drive from home. I can't explain it, but in Zion I have a feeling of serenity, peace and well-being that no place else provides, and the natural beauty is breath-taking and awe-inspiring.

Thanks for this thread. Love it.

I really enjoy all these post... Lots of heartfelt reasons why we continue to travel.....