Your Favorite Things in Europe and General Compliments (be country specific)

👏 (that's clapping hands!). Fun topic. I'll think about it and come back.

Great affordable wines in Spain, France and Italy.

I'll bite :).
Coffee in Italy be it expresso, lattes. etc. Can't find anything comparable around me even if the owners are Italian. One owner said it was the water in Italy.

I would agree with the Farmers Market argument anywhere in Europe if I didn't live in VT. I have access to a dozen markets within 20 miles during the season and 2 open yr round with local produce, cheeses, meats, eggs, etc. We have caught up re: locavore.

General Europe cafe culture: Can't find it here. Sitting in a European cafe with excellent coffee and pastry without feeling like you have to rush. Love it.

Excellent topic

General Europe

Loved all the public squares
Loved the people watching
Loved the monuments
Loved the churches
Loved the history
Loved the cultures
Loved the museums
Loved the birds and ducks

London

Loved the parks and gardens
Loved the museums
Loved the bird and duck watching in Kensington Gardens
Loved all that there is to do

Lisbon

Loved the monuments
Loved the people watching
Loved the many places to just sit
Loved the beauty
Loved that there is so much to do

Bicycle races:
France - Tour de France
Italy - Giro d’Italia
Spain - Vuelta a España
Belgium - lots of Spring Classics

Pretty much every country has other races, including the country’s Championship, where the winner is the National Champion for the next year

Switzerland: Natural beauty and the transportation system that connects you to it.
France: jazz festivals at Vienne, Antibes, and the rail system SNCF
Belgium: world renowned Trappist beers (most are very expensive to consume here since they have to be imported).

Norway: sublime scenery in the fjords, extraordinary natural beauty. Fun public transport by train, bus, and ferry. And in the cities, cinnamon rolls !!

Peace and quiet that I’ve found living in France & Germany. All the sights, sounds, places just fill in the core of contentment.

Croatia ~ gorgeous coastlines, wine tastings on the peljesac peninsula; fresh seafood
Italy ~ hiking the Cinque Terre; viewing the Last Supper in Milan; driving through Tuscany
Switzerland ~ views of the Jungfrau at sunrise; walking from Murren to Gimmelwald; fabulous rail system
Poland ~ the warm, friendly people; small villages; a shepherd's hut where they were making cheese; attending Mass at Wawel Cathedral in Krakow
Netherlands ~ Keukenhof Gardens when the tulips are in full bloom
General Europe ~ (especially Poland, Croatia) blessed to spend several days with local private guides learning about their countries culture and history firsthand; knowing we have made a lifelong friend.

Great thread.

I love Europe and have enjoyed every country that I have visited there.

I love the history, art and good dining.
Italy is my favorite in Europe, it has so much history and great art. Also, love Italian food.

Southern Europe - lots of Mediterranean food which is good for you and super good.

Scenic places in Europe, especially Switzerland, Austria and Norway.
The countrysides of Europe are great, not just the major cities. The countryside in Germany, Great Britain, France and Italy are great.

Love the Greek Islands and the amazing Parthenon in Athens.

Goodness....
I'll keep it short.
Germany. Wurst and bread.
Berlin Hacks and a Schultheis
Belgium Beer and chocolate
Sweden Vodka and Herring
Finland Reindeer and salmon soup, or borscht
Netherlands Jenever, young and old and all that follows.
Austria Powidltascherl and Obstler (Heuringen close behind)
Italy Carbonara and Gelato and, and, and.......
UK Hand drawn Speckled Hen and a curry
Ireland Too many Murphy's and a fry-up
Wales Mussels and Cawl
Spain Jamon and a Paella with a good red.
Czech. Goluash and a Budvar
Portugal Sardines or any fresh fish grilled, potato's and hi octane bagaco, the stuff hidden under the counter.
Hungary Goulash and goose livers
Poland So many choices... Zurek sour soup and pierogi...so hard to choose
France Impossible. Baguette, butter and a Bordeaux.
I'm exhausted and need to stop...but not before a 30 year Springbank.

England: Afternoon tea.
Scotland: Haggis.
Genmany: Breads and wurst.
Italy: The many ways pasta is prepared.
France: The many good, inexpensive local wines.
Ireland: Guinness
Austria: Strudel
All of Europe: Civility and the professional wait staffs.

Oops! I think I've confessed my sins.

Germany… I had a fantastic goose breast dinner yesterday here in the Oberpfalz during a Kirwa weekend (consecration of the church). Fantastic local community brewed Zoigl beer. Modern cooking techniques using a steam oven (Dampfbackofen) to make some fantastic goose. Blaukraut with a touch of goose fat, a good sauce and Knödel. Zoigl Stuben, a place to drink Bier, talk, meet friends and enjoy local food. Oberpfälzer wald on the border with Czechia is really a pretty nice place.

Austria and Northern Italy… I love the Alps in Austria and Northern Italy. I visit for weeks at a time every year. I get to Switzerland from time to time too.

Italy... Family is from Carlovilli in Molise. A unique area in Italy not too touristic.

France - frequent and free Aires on the autoroutes

Italy - Autogrill

Germany - little towns with half timbered buildings - the Fachwerkstrasse

Germany - witches towers, one of the best in Idstein near Frankfurt

Germany - Green Sauce

Germany - little Brötchen for breakfast

France - the small very pointed breads we had in the Loire, never seen since

Belgium - the thrill of a country that can, with a straight face, have a kiddie amusement park called Plopsaland

France - the thrill of a country that can, with a straight face, have an amusement park called Walygator.

Germany - the variety of magic Therme properties, some commercial, some municipal, some big some small and most pretty nice to spend a couple of hours at

Alsace and Black Forest - the storks

Switzerland - Le Marché restaurants at rest areas

.... I could go on...

Good thread, Ms. Jo

Europe in general: The history. Being able to see stones, buildings, sights that are thousands and thousands of years old is a marvel to me.
England: the heather on the moors in Yorkshire. It was such a beautiful sight and I wanted to stay there forever. London. Afternoon tea! Westminster Abbey. Bakewell tarts.
Scotland: the rugged and extreme scenic views. The friendliest people imaginable. The ferries. The historic ruins. Cullen Skink soup!
Wales: so much green and beautiful scenery. Tiny villages tucked away and waiting to be discovered.
France: the food, the wine, the joys of Paris.
Spain: the medieval centers that time forgot. The glorious Semana Santa processions!
Italy: the food, the food, the food (and cappuccinos). I firmly believe that Italy has the best food of any country I've been in. The cemetery and views at the church of San Miniato.
Switzerland: the Alps.
Greece: more history here to be amazed by. Riding on a careening bus through exquisite landscapes. The best yogurt!
Czech Republic: the glories of Prague and the nighttime walk through the castle at Cesky Krumlov.
Austria: seeing the graves of so many incredible musicians like Beethoven, Brahms and Schubert.
The Netherlands: Amsterdam--all the museums there; especially the one honoring the resistance fighters. Leiden, which was a charming place to stroll through. Visiting Hoorn with its fishing boats and harbor.
Belgium: Ghent. I loved this city.
Denmark: Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen that makes me break into a Danny Kaye tune whenever I think about it. Roskilde Cathedral.
Germany: the incredible sausages! i would go back there again just to taste those sausages! And the beer. Gengenbach in the Black Forest. Spending time in the village where my g-g-g-grandfather (and countless generations before him) lived. Seeing the baptismal font where he was baptized in 1772.

Iceland - geothermal pools/ soaking culture, waterfalls, stark natural beauty, delicious and innovative food, punches way above its small population

Iceland--everything about it, minus the fermented shark;) The food is so good, the people are straight forward but kind and incredibly helpful, the nonstop nature eye candy, the hiking, the volcanos, the murals and street art, and the variety of outdoor activities, and of course the hot springs/lagoons. The only drawback is how popular is has become, but we still love it!

Portugal--the tiles and cobblestone designs.

Denmark--The lifestyle, especially hygge.

Germany--the Christmas Markets and the smaller towns.

Austria--the Christmas Markets, the Krampus, the natural beauty.

France--The baguettes and escargot. Inexpensive wine.

Amsterdam--The canals.

Norway--The fjords.

Anywhere with farmer/artisan markets.

England: London, Richmond, York, Durham. History, Cathedrals and churches, parks, public transport and pubs.
Ireland: Gap of Dunloe, the West Coast, Killarney National Park, Coumenoole Beach, Slea Head Drive. Guinness.
Italy: My friends rental near San Casiano dei Bagni
Coffee, fresh pasta, churches

Europe in general, cafe culture, history, public transport, parks, people watching, cheeses, pot pies, the bread, window shopping, open air markets, and cemeteries.

Italy….The many churches and cathedrals that contain wonderful art, quiet piazzas in smaller towns, aperitivo anywhere, art beyond belief, the many Greeks ruins, pasta, pasta, pasta!!!

Rome…walking in the footsteps of the Caesars and ordinary Romans, incredible historical monuments, the marvels of the Pantheon and Colosseum, etc., etc.

Venice…the canals, Basilica of San Marco and the campo, strolls through the Jewish Ghetto, and much, much more.

Barcelona…the Gaudi buildings, the interior of Sagrada Familia, churros and thick hot chocolate

Paris…evening boat ride past the Eiffel Tower and other sites, Notre Dame in its glory, strolling in Montmartre, macarons and crepes

Since moving back to Europe after a few years living in the USA, I have gained an immense appreciation for things we often take for granted over here. These are probably self evident but I feel a newfound gratitude for:

Having affordable and efficient public transportation

Not having to look over the shoulder all the time in case of gun violence

Affordable access to high quality food and produce (no food deserts)

Not having to worry about how expensive healthcare costs might add up

The depth and diversity of culture and history, even within a small area

Being able to walk to most places that I need (I don't have/need a car)

Everything just feels more healthy/good for you (lost a few kg without doing anything)

Being able to eat very well for not a lot of money at restaurants (menu del dia etc.)

Strong sense of community and familial ties that act as a social safety net (not so many homeless here)

All the colorful and joyous festivals and events that have centuries old traditions

Having a main square/plaza that is the center of local life

Well lit urban areas and streets

Mardee beat me to it, Scotland has the friendliest people on the planet.

England for its history that I find more interesting than the rest, possibly because of ancestral connections.

Trains trains and trains!!!! So clean, easy to use and stations were great. Their public.bathrooms in stations were.immaculate. and the cleanliness of.the cities. Oh just wonderful. Just returned from.three weeks and have return tickets. We do love the history. Thanks Jo for this idea. It also.gives us reason to be thankful that we can travel.and have wonderful memories and be positive!

As a young person, I lived in Frankfurt from 57-62 (I was 5-10), so when I go to Germany, it is like to Grandma's house. We lived in the US Soldier Housing, on Platen Strasses, in a building that exists today (I have gone to see the building). The sounds and smells and language take me back to my childhood. So I love Germany for that reason. We also still have relatives in Frankfurt, so it's a bit of family time (not sure if Onkle is still around at this time).

Austria is like Germany in some ways, but with a definite and subtle difference in the character. The long years of the A-H empire live on in many ways.

Italy - the weight of history, the resonance of the past on today. The coffee, wine, and gelato are wonderful
France - the cheese, wine, food, art
Croatia - the exotic Balkans and SE Europe at its best
Serbia - more of this Other
Turkey - the food, spices, and of course the cats

Oh, forgot Hungary. This is the country my Grandma was born in, and which influenced her cooking and thinking. Unfortunately, I did not learn Hungarian from her. The food is just great, with that spicy Hungarian paprika twist.

Ms Jo, what a great topic. Thank you for positive memories.
Recurring theme is it's all about people, how friendly and helpful they are if we show respect..

From recent visits:
Italy -- the people, the food, gelato, wine. My favorite city Venice has so much to see when you get off the tourist trail and onto the back streets: small museums, nice people. Rome -- the Roman architecture and history. Calabria's small villages with friendly people.
France -- the smallish museums, food, wine. The stereotype that French people are rude isn't true. Market days.
Germany -- the history both old and new. Munich's Viktualienmarkt with the best cherries I have ever eaten. Visiting Berlin 50 years apart and see the growth and change of the city while accepting the country's history.
Austria -- the music, the cafes, Vienna's museums.

Memories from a quarter century ago:
Ireland -- the horse culture riding/showing/racing, the friendliest people.

Long ago memories from half a century ago:
Ukraine -- the beauty of Kiev/Kyiv
USSR -- the nice people, realizing you have to take away the politics to appreciate the people. The lovely small museum curator who came out to our tour bus to congratulate us (as Americans) for landing on the moon.

Commenting specifically on Portugal (but it is likely applicable to other western European countries):

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the cafe culture; the culture of just going to buy a relatively inexpensive drink that doesn't cost a meal and to be able to just linger a little. In Portugal, the cost of a pastry isn't the cost of a meal either! In Lisbon, I was able to get a cafe for about 60 Euro cents and a pastry for about 1.20-ish Euros. Cannot do that at all in the US. The cost of coffee would be at least almost $4 and a pastry could be the cost of a meal or small meal like $6!

Sorry, I don't feel that a drink for $4 and pastry or bite for $6 can mean I can do this regularly. It is cost prohibitive.

Although in the US it is not uncommon to sit and work at a cafe for a long while, there really isn't much of a culture of lingering repeatedly (i.e., visit a cafe regularly to just linger a little bit and not necessarily to do work) possibly because of the cost.

And I'll say too that generally, public transportation is great in European cities, especially when compared to American ones. When we returned from Portugal recently, I was thinking how would a tourist from abroad actually tour around the cities in my area? They'd either have to rent a car or rely on friends to shuttle them around in their personal cars. It is just not possible to tour in my area without a car unless you're willing to waste a lot of time with public transit. It's terrible. And it's amazing that so many Americans feel that their car dependency is proof of their freedom. shaking my head

Rail stations in Germany and the UK. Always so full of life and interesting even when a bit worn.

Where does one start!?

All of Europe: the history, the history, the history!!

Scotland definitely has the friendliest folks, and even more so as you go further north.

Turkey also has really lovely and hospitable people.
They are great at laughing at themselves and seeing the funny side of things.

I’m not a foodie at all.
However, the coffee in Italy is always so much better than home….it has to be the water.

Oh so many things, many of which are why we travel to Europe to begin with:

The relative ease of travel around Europe: budget airlines, superb train connections, buses and shuttles where the trains and planes don't go. Something we're missing in the US - everything here is cars, cars, cars. The extent and efficiancy of the local public transportation in the cities - and the cleanliness and safety of said.

The general sense of thousands of years old history which we lack here in the US - the amazing architecture of the cathedrals; the Roman ruins (and those of other civilizations); the stone age monuments, etc.

The abundance of (relatively) healthy street food in just about every city, town, or village you visit and the daily or weekly street markets.

The fun experiences of the most mundane things like shopping in a grocery store or pharmacy.

The thriving 'downtowns' of the cities that are safe and walkable (pedestian only streets) - usually the old historic centers, but not limited to them.

The sheer abundance of wonderful sights and museums in the large cities: Paris, Rome, Berlin, Florence, Venice, Budpest, Prague, Vienna.

Countries:

Ireland and Scotland - the friendliness of the people and the pub culture, especially the musical traditions.

Sweden - how clean everything is.

France - I love the formality and no-nonsense attitude and I'm not offended at all by the perceived brusqueness of waiters and salespeople. It suits me fine.

I'm sure i can think of a ton of other things but that's enough for now. Great thread.

Nancy’s portion of her answer that is non-country specific is exactly what I am thinking, also. I love riding the trains & being able to walk to so much within a short distance! And so much ancient history visible in the cities & their architecture; I never tire of it!

Country-specific:

• The Netherlands - the neat & tidiness of the homes & farms; the bike culture; the canals & flowers.

• Spain - the colorful tile everywhere; the culture

• France - the bread & pastries; the reserved formality easily peeled back with respectfulness & a few French words. The stained glass in the churches. The French gardens.

• Italy - the amazing regional foods! The evening passeggiata & gathering in the piazzas; Italian gardens; the beautiful language & response from locals when speaking it. Frescoes & mosaics in church interiors that I enjoy immensely!

• Switzerland - the stunning mountains & villages. The cleanliness of everything.

• Austria & Germany - I love the architecture of the old smaller cities. Also the mountains.

• England - the British culture; the quaint Cotswold-type cottages & York buildings; some amazing fish & chips! Those gorgeous English gardens!

• Wales - the green countryside & the extreme hospitality we received.

• Slovenia & Croatia - the natural beauty of caves, mountains, national parks & islands.

Budapest: the amazing architecture everywhere you look. The trams that make public transportation a sightseeing experience.

Sarajevo: The bustle and mix of different religions and cultures. The history and the resilience of the people.

Kastraki: The majestic soaring monoliths rising out of the ground, right at your doorstep, with monasteries perched at the top. The warmth and hospitable people.

Bertchesgaden: the serene Koenigsee.

Scotland: across the board wonderful people and beautiful landscapes of so many different kinds.

Berat & Girokastra, Albania: people with a strong sense of hospitality. Fresh, good food as a result of years of isolation. Ancient stone cities climbing up mountainsides.

Another thing that I find so wonderful in Europe is that there are not many US chain restaurants in most towns. Yes, I know there are McD and Pizza Hut and Burger King. But these are, at this time, relatively limited, and I believe that some countries are limiting the infestation. So, in 2017, when we drove from Quimper to Chartres, when we stopped in a small town for lunch, there were LOCAL RESTAURANTS that served LOCAL FRENCH FOOD. It was so good. Just a little roadside cafe/restaurant with mostly working-class persons, truck drivers, town locales. Not a restaurant that I would write up in glowing terms. It did not have Michelin stars. It was just a normal place for normal people. The food was excellent. We enjoyed our lunch.

Scotland--snow capped mountains, beautiful valleys, streets of Edinburgh, music, people, salmon, highland cattle, sweaters, folklore, history, highland treks
Ireland--green valleys, sheep pastures, rugged coast, people, language, music, folklore, history, beer, woodland and hill pathways
France--streets of Paris, parks, cafes, walking along coast of Riviera, pastries, architecture, markets, wine
Spain--Sagrada Familia, geese in the cathedral, markets, architecture, food, parks
Belgium--cobblestone squares, clock tower, beer, red roofs, woods, farms, people
England--tea and beer, countryside, history, manor houses, castles, scones, markets, parks
Italy--hills and farms. flowers, food, villages, history, architecture, lifestyle, wine, pastries

Germany: Sipping gluhwein at the Christmas markets; neighborhood biergartens frequented mostly by locals.
Italy: Coming across a town seemingly "in the middle of nowhere"-and finding the food and wine are better than that you've enjoyed elsewhere. Also, a cappuccino for breakfast.
Scotland: Natural beauty and the friendliest people.
Spain: Gaudi's architecture.
London: Museums and parks.
Czech Republic: Beer! (I am not a beer drinker ..but it makes my hubby happy!). Beautiful historic libraries.
Iceland: Natural beauty.
Ireland: Friendly residents ready to recommend their favorite pubs.
Everywhere: Trains! They may not always run on time but in the western US we have nothing that compares.

Decent sized food portions at restaurants.
Family run, one off, restaurants serving fresh cooked food without an over abundance of salt rather than chain restaurants that serve institution food.

Anything else that comes to mind has already been stated.

Italy! Another vote for the lovely, historical, art-filled, incense-scented, dusky-cornered, candlelit churches. And the passeggiatta-with-gelato - best way to transition from day to evening. And.... huge marble bathrooms in my hotel.
Great thread, Ms. Jo.

Oh a million billion things. Great topic.

I'm going to have to chip them in bit by bit.

I love the buzz of convivial conversation in a beer garden that isn't doing the full umpah band and mug swinging schtick. It's a sound that you don't hear in many other places in Germanic culture. But in the beer garden everyone just flows out into unselfconscious light chat. The amalgamated sound of that is beautiful.

While I love how amazing the Dutch bike infrastructure is, I really love the utter dominance of cycle racing culture in Belgium. It's like being a surfer on the North shore of Hawaii. There's nothing image-inflating about it; riding bikes fast is simply just what is done. It's what has been done for generations, and it's what will be done for generations. It's done with a consciousness of the phenomenal classic old-school style that comes along with a century plus of intense road racing heritage. Beautiful to see comfortable stylish tradition zipping around like comets everywhere.

England - Gothic cathedrals and Evensong, history, beautiful gardens, free museums in London

England, Wales, Scotland, France - neolithic sites and the promise of more that are still buried

Orkney and Shetland - Chambered cairns, Standing stones, Rings, neolithic housing sites, fabulous geographic features (including gloups and tombolos) and jaw-dropping scenery, the nicest people you can imagine, Viking history, WWII history and…lots of birds!!

France - Art, caves with art, lol, history, beautiful gardens, areas of the country that are just so different from each other

💕💕💕

I love pfefferlingen (chanterelle) season in Germany and Austria. Everything wonderful about German food, but heaped with impossibly generous portions of wild mushrooms. You'd think a well made schnitzel couldn't get better. And then you stumble across the 3 weeks a year it's topped with to-die-for pfefferlingen gravy. Heaven.

Europe in general: History. Also, I love the Baroque, Renaissance and earlier architecture.

Sweden: The countryside reminds me of New England 50 years ago. The people are the friendliest anywhere, and I've been in many countries filled with friendly people. Strangers handing me to strangers, driving me around to make sure I saw something they thought was important to me. The ongoing laughter and humor was so fun! Again, the laughter! I've never felt so at home.

France: Patisseries, fromageries, playing with the language, the lovely countryside, the helpful, friendly people.

Netherlands: Bike paths! Friendly people correcting my Dutch with humor and enjoyment.

As I live in an area with a cafe culture, fresh food (via farmer's markets, CSAs, community gardens, fishing boats), plenty of public transportation, small family owned shops, and restaurants preparing healthy foods (or not, LOL), I don't go to Europe for this or particularly notice it.