This is very pathetic, but my wife and I cannot decide on a destination for a May trip (10-11 days). We have been to Bavaria, Vienna, Budapest, Prague, UK, Madrid and Barcelona, Italy, Paris and South of France, Scandinavia, Belgium and the Netherlands. We are considering going back to Paris and Provence as we liked these spots. I would like to consider somewhere new, though. We are looking for something interesting (of course) but not too busy. Any suggestions?
Posted by
Germany, Germany
813 posts
Europe-Stuttgart Germany, Jungfrau Joch Switzerland, Latvia, Lithuannia, Estonia.
Asia-Hong Kong, Thailand, Sri Lanka
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Wales.
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, USA
3428 posts
Any of these:
Ireland, Salzburg, the Snowdonia area of Wales, Norway
Posted by
Kent, WA, USA
107 posts
Tallin, Estonia.
I did the RickSteves, Tallin, Helsinki, StPetersburg tour a year ago and it was great! Great mixture of old and modern, busy and not busy.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17400 posts
Ireland or Andalusia.
Posted by
Portland
3642 posts
Sicily.
Posted by
Everett, WA
1299 posts
Have you seen the new shows on Slovenia and Croatia? They have really peaked my interest and that is where I am hoping to go next. I think the trip would be a good mix of mountains, beaches, cities, countryside and sites. It is also a small enough area that you could do it in 10-11 days without being rushed. After seeing the videos, I went over the RS travel center and took a class on the area. I think May would be a good time to go, as long as you are not planning on hiking up in the higher areas of the Julien Alps. If that doesn't work for you, I vote for Ireland. (it could be hit and miss on the weather in May, but I do love the country)
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
Portugal & northwest Spain. Poland.
Posted by
Centennial, CO, US
2185 posts
Greece or Croatia.
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
Iceland.
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
2773 posts
How about Normandy and Brittany in France.
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA
2030 posts
Do you always have to go someplace new? I see the interest in this, but re-visiting a favorite place is very rewarding also. I've been to Paris over 9 times and can't wait to go again -- this seems like your instinct also. I would go for it.
Posted by
OP
Hamilton
84 posts
Thank you for all the responses. We are planning on Japan in the fall, so we will hit Kyoto then. Went to Iceland last year, or that likely would have been our pick. In addition to returning to France, we have been considering: - Alsace/Rhine - Alsace/Juzern/Berner Oberland - Poland - Baltics - Hawaii (but my wife is not a beach person)
- Portugal (doesn't jump out to us much)
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2804 posts
Northen part of Norway....Kirkenes, Norway...visit some Lap villages. Wales would be another great place to go.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
1525 posts
Pardon me for being a heretic, but if you can't decide where to go in Europe, you need a break from Europe. Go to Australia and/or New Zealand. I just did a search and airfare was pretty close to the same as Europe, which is astounding when you consider how closely airfare usually follows distance traveled.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
I know you say you've been to the UK, but have you been to Orkney and the Shetlands? It's very different, and you have long days in May. Also, if you are at all interested in birds this is peak time to see them. But there is plenty to see outside the birds. The Orkney Folk Festival is the last week. http://www.visitorkney.com/events/events_detail.asp?month=5&year=2011 I also would suggest Berlin. I guess I would combo it with Poland. I've not been to Poland. It's still on my wish list. Pam (Sorry that the link isn't clickable. For some reason the coding isn't working.)
Posted by
Bainbridge Island
3284 posts
We should all have this problem---time and money to go, but no real fire, not even a spark. Along the lines of Randy's suggestion, maybe it's time to explore the beautiful home continent. If you like to speak French, Quebec/Montreal? For outdoor adventure, Alaska? Hip culture, wine, scenery---San Francisco, wine country, Yosemite?
Posted by
Clarksville, TN, USA
959 posts
We're going on a trip to Eastern Europe in September this year. We're going to Bled, Slovenia; Prague; Budapest; Krakow; and Dubrovnik. Except for Slovenia, none of these locations are on the Euro yet which will make our dollar go much further. So my vote is for somewhere in Eastern Europe that you haven't been to yet -- while it's still cheap!
Posted by
Texan in CA
4415 posts
Favorite food? Can't stand accordions? Don't like to sweat? Beer lover? Peace-and-quiet, or city noise? Want to cook with local ingredients, or eat out every meal? Like to shop?
Posted by
La Crescenta, California, USA
361 posts
Chad, You mentioned Italy BUT have you seen Italy's other side, the Le Marche or Puglia regions and for good measure how about Sicily?
Posted by
Vancouver, Canada
10 posts
Croatia wouldn't be a bad choice... Zagreb, Zadar, Dubrovnik? Throw in some side trips to Plitvice and/or an island?
Posted by
Kirn, Germany
331 posts
I was also going to suggest Orkney and Shetland. Spring is a great time to go as Pam has already said from the point of view of wild life, not only the birds with their young but also the sea otters. There are probably more 'impressive' places to go, but for sheer wilderness it takes some beating.