For fun only. Pick a place (country, city, site) and tell us what you like best about it. There doesn't have to be one right answer.
I'll start.
The best thing about Ireland is the people. Visiting a pub in Ireland is like visiting relatives you like but haven't seen in awhile. They're happy to see you and you're happy to be there.
Just one of the best things about Paris is waking up to a cup of cafe au lait and croissants with marmalade!
The best thing about Scotland is playing golf the way God intended it to be played, and the whisky
Joel- I second the whisky... a good single malt in front of the pub's fireplace after a walk beside the river on a cool winter's night.... ahhhhhh.... add a piece of shortbread and it is beyond words.
Paris: you can spend years there without having to set foot on Rue Cler.
The best thing about the Highlands of Scotland is the sense of peace. You can look out over wonderous moutains, waterfalls, lakes and clouds and feel peace settling into your very bones.
The Best Thing About UK/France/Belgium/Holland....grocery stores sell fresh squeezed unpasteurized orange juice. It's the real reason I travel to Europe four times a year;)
Michael, justify your travel any way you wish, but you are aware that appliances called "juicers" are available here in the US?
The best thing about Paris is seeing how much people love being in Paris, and sharing in that joy. In the movie "Paris Je t'aime" a woman says, "At that moment I fell in love with Paris, and Paris fell in love with me."
Karen if this topic doesn't interest you, feel free to walk away...slowly.
The best thing about Belgium is the beer. And the chocolate. I'd fly there any day just to eat and drink.
Essentially paraphrasing from 84 Charing Cross Road...
The best thing about England is that people always find the England they were looking for.
(I've sought the England of literature, of history, of King Arthur, of Robin Hood, of Sherlock Holmes, of Roman times, and a dozen more, and never failed to find them all.)
Matt- AMEN! England (espeically London) can be all things to all people.... and whatever you need at the moment!
The best thing about Vienna is that the church on my street is built on the foundations of a Roman watchtower and that a liberating army of Poles and Germans descended down the hill behind my apartment in 1683 to save the city. Sitting under a tree in our neighborhood Heuriger in summer, drinking local wine and eating hearty food with friends isn't bad either!
The best thing about Italy is it touches my soul. Maybe a corny answer, but I just feel different (in a good way) when I'm there.
Paris has so much going for it. But when I think about the possibility of going back, the first thing that comes to my mind is: Bakeries! On every corner!
The best thing about the Old Bridge in Mostar, Bosnia, is that is where my (now) husband got down on his knee and proposed to me last year. I'll never forget my Jewish husband on one knee just as the mosque minarets started playing music to call the Muslims to prayer, all on Easter Sunday.
On a less personal note, one of the best things about Sevilla is the lady who opens up her stand at 8:00 pm and sells bags of hot, salted almonds. Even better is that she's located just down the street from Lavenderia Roma, where you can drop off the entire contents of a 20" suitcase to be washed/dried for €6.
(thanks, Brad, I like threads like this and the other fun ones that have been started recently by Toni, Liz, and Ed)
My trips change with regard to sights, activities, and compantions -- the one thing that is a given is food. I revel in exploring each new regions cuisine... and LOVE eating outside, no matter the weather.
Bavaria -- Beer & cold cuts plate & beer, & beer, & strudel... & beer...
Prague -- Beer & Wurst or pork knuckle
Salzburg -- Beer & pretzel... and wurst... and another wurst... from a street vendor...
Rome -- Wine with Amatriciana or Bolognese
Naples -- Pizza... and... more pizza...
Vernazza -- White Wine and Frutta Di Mare... (...oh... I think I went weak in the knees....)
Belgium -- Mussels, snails, waffles, fries, beer and chocolate... probably all at one sitting...
Gimmelwald -- Macaroni (...if you haven't had it, you're thinking I'm nuts, if you have had it then you understand...)
Vienna -- Schnitzel... and not the good stuff, the fast-food Shcnitzel with thick fries and a Gosser brand beer...
I could go on, but I've made myself hungry and now need a snack.
Rock Church, (Temppeliaukio Kirkko) Helsinki, Finland
www.sacred-destinations.com/finland/helsinki-rock-church-temppeliaukio
We always stop at the local church or cathedral in every European city we visit. We re not religious in the least, but the churches are such wonderful examples of cultural history and engineering perseverance that we enjoy them all to some degree.
But this place was entirely different for me. Built in the modern day and in an utterly "contemporary" style, it looks nothing like the typical church.
Standing inside this space was the closest thing I have ever felt to a religious experience. But it was not a religion focused on a god in a better place, but a religion of this earth - of people forming a community and trying to make their lives better for it.
It is hard to describe. But I think it is important to sing the praises of the wonderful, but usually overlooked city of Helsinki and this quiet, often ignored site within the city.
I am right there with Liz. Italy is soul touching. Especially Tuscany. There is something about the way that Brunello tastes when consumed while sitting at an outdoor cafe on a warm summer evening in Montalcino. As hard as I try, that same Brunello does not taste the same when I crack open a bottle at home. Don't get me wrong, it is still fantastic, just not the same.
The best thing about Italy is the people. They are so friendly and helpful.
I have to agree with Brad about Ireland. It's the people! I also came in touch with my soul.
Germany: grocery stores and bakeries
Switzerland: magnificent landscape
England: everything
Cheers to all!
France: Lunch. Especially outside.
The UK~~~everything!!!!
London and England-----a cup of hot tea
Paris and France----the coffee and especially, the espresso, the bread, the whole atmosphere that it is Paris.
Berlin----Berliner Weisse mit rot (the typical Berlin beer), the coffee. the atmosphere that it's Berlin
The best thing about Italy is that are no Starbucks. Italian coffee rocks!
The best thing(s) about Eire are the people, the pubs and the pace.
The best thing about London is London!!!
The best thing about Paris are hidden gems and the food.
The best thing about travel is leaving LA.
And, Thomas, sadly the Poles are rarely recognized for helping to save Vienna.
I love New Year's Eve celebrations in Austria and
Germany. Revelry, and also pomp if you like at it's finest, and that's only the beginning of carnival.
(some of) The best things about Krakow:
There’s always something going on in the Rynek- concerts, festivals, craft fairs, art instillations, impromptu celebrations…usually aimed more at the locals than tourists though tourists are always welcome. Plus the ever present flower vendors.
The fact that, despite the growing number of visitors, it’s still a “real” city; for example, there’s a little shop just a block off the Rynek that sells gardening supplies - definitely not designed to separate tourists from their money.
The hourly hejnol played from the watch-tower of St. Mary’s Cathedral. Each of the firemen who plays this bugle call has his own style:)
The encircling park that allows you to wander aimlessly without fear of getting too lost.
Some of the best street musicians and performers, including an accordion player (yes, accordion player:)) who plays a version of Ave Maria that brings tears to my eyes.
After many trips to the Alps (Bavaria, Austria and the Dolomites), it's the friendly people we've met (we stay in touch with many of them) that we remember most. So I guess that's the "best thing" about these area's for us.
Kudos to Claudia for this one:
The best thing about Italy is that are no Starbucks. Italian coffee rocks!<<<
Some interesting results from the Battle of Vienna, Thomas and Stephen:
Did you know that the croissant, the bagel, and cappuccino all are alledgely from the aftermath of this battle?
The croissant was invented to commemorate the crescent shape on the defeated Turkish flag.
The bagel was a gift to King John Sobieski to commemorate his calvalry's successful charge that decided the battle. The original bagel was in the shape of a stirrup.
And the Turks left behind bags of coffee on the battlefield. An enterprising Viennese fellow opened up a coffee house with the spoils and later someone came up with the idea of sweetening the bitter coffee with milk and honey.
My breakfast palate thanks them all.
Romania (Transylvania region): Walking down the street, being one of the very few tourists around, waving at a passingby horse and cart with the people still wearing traditional outfits. Being stopped by locals who ask lots of questions about you and are very curious about you. Watching some 8 year old biy buying a 2 litre bottle of beer for $1.50 at the grocery store (hopefully for his parents!). Seeing people who live with drastically less than me be so incredibly friendly. Hearing the pack of dogs roaming the streets and barking. Hearing chickens and roosters in backyards. Eating mamaliga and mititi. The architecture!!! So old and preserved and having it all to myself!!! Riding the train and having people try to sell you cheap trinkets, hanging your head out the window because it is so hot inside and watching passing towns with the Roma women wearing bright colored dresses, washing clothes in a bucket in the backyard and working the fields with hand held implements. It is all so beautiful.
Germany:beer beer beer and sausage!!!!
The best thing about Paris,,, well, too many things to single out one,, but the food, the wine, and the "cafe culture".. I love stopping for a long lunch.. people watching,, munching away at a delish cheese plate,, sipping some wine.. ahh.
London,, the best thing for me,, so far,, Museums and Art Galleries,, many happy afternoons can be passed in the numerous and amazing Musuems( love Victoria and Alberts, and the Portrait Gallery)
Rome- History,, being in St Peters,, visiting the Forums.. the Colesuem... etc.
Greece- the islands,, if you can't enjoy the Greek islands,, well,, I can't imagine you enjoy life
Switzerland and Austria- any small town in the Alps,, my goodness,, they DO look like postcards,, perfect chalets,, amazing snow covered peaks, great hiking trails.. and cheese fondue!
I love having history come alive for me: Imagining entering the Tower of London through Traitors' Gate or the terror of looking up the bluffs while storming the Normandy beaches.
I love to eat and drink. In Paris, I loved the croissant and coffee and the beautiful strawberries in the markets. In the UK, the clotted cream with tea. And in Italy, the amazing fresh food blew me away.
Above all, I love to go back and experience more.
The best thing about Nice is the people the sea and the food. I miss Nice every day I am not there.
The best thing about Cinque Terra is the relaxed atmosphere in the middle of an otherwise hectic vacation.
The best thing about...
Salzburg, Austria - the endless opportunities for listening to live classical music. Walking the old town and knowing Mozart lived here, performed there, etc...
Switzerland - the hillsides dotted with chalets; just the wonderful scenery in general.
Germany - so many things.... German breakfast, Kaffee and Kuchen every day, the cleanliness in general of the streets, the pride people take in themselves, their work, their lives.... the gardens...
The best thing about Italy is the gelato!
Someone here said that the best thing about London is London. I totally agree! That, and the accent. ;-)
What a great question !
England - I like everything, but my "best" memory was eating a fabulous steak and kidney pie in a small thatched-roof pub on a wet, cold, drizzly day sitting next to a coal fireplace.
Austria - hiking in the upper Oztal and eating our lunch next to the Breslauer Hutte overlooking the Austrian / Italian border where Otzi man was found.
Switzerland - hearing the cowbells on the mountain side; cheese, cheese, and cheese.
Scotland - the wildness of the Highlands, the side-ways rain and the fierce weather. It's very exciting, but you need to dress for it.
Germany - the literally thousands of wineries that offer accomodation and food. We have had some of our best memories staying at these establishments in Franconia and northern Bavaria.
The best thing about Scotland is the people, followed by the land, the whisky, the music and the history. Pam
I'm a history lover, so seeing places I'd read about is a highlight. Visiting the American cemetaries in France, England, the Netherlands & Italy is sobering but moving.
seeing famous paintings "live"
having the opportunity to view other cultures, try new foods (chocolate is a basic food group, right?) & wines
using my very elementary French succesfully to buy stamps in a small village post office
Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London
the stark beauty of the Orkneys and the wonderful people there and throughout Scotland
B & Bs w/ pets because I always miss mine
The best thing about Brittany (France) is that it's not France ;-)
Yes,
Seeing the real painting is a big deal. My daughter's interest in art soared after we toured Europe and visited a number of art galleries.
I pointed out how you could see the reflection of the artist's brushstrokes in the light and see how they created their famous works. I showed her how some artists used heavy, broad brushstrokes and others used tiny, detailed strokes.
She's in art club at school now and I'm amazed at some of the paintings she is doing. Her ability to mix paints to create a spectrum of colors is way beyond what I've ever been able to accomplish.
good going, guys :-))
lol, Beatrix!
Makes me want to say:
The best thing about Austria is that it is not Germany ;-))
that aside . .
The best thing about the Wachau Valley: a glass of cool, crisp Grüner Veltliner
Munich - an extremely walkable city and the English Gardens in the spring, when the beer garden opens, is wunderbar!
Salzburg - another walkable city with a magical atmosphere - especially at night.
Corinna, of course that had to be your reply ;-)
But honestly, what's behind that thought is the fact that we love places that maintain their own unique identity - even if facing somewhat overwhelming powers in their backyard.
United States- second best thing: leaving (redefines culture)
best thing: coming home (redefines freedom)
So Ed, what's wrong with Rue Cler? Have you actually stayed there?
Geographically, what I like about going to Europe:
my two favourite cities in the world are there; PARIS and BERLIN, which also includes Potsdam.
Aside from the sites, just walking the streets in the different districts and neighborhoods in Berlin and Paris is prima!
The best thing(s) about Belgium (especially Bruges):
1. Chocolate (Dumon's!!!)
2. Lace
3. Per my husband -- the beer, or more specifically, the Trappist ales.
aside from the people, who have been friendly and helpful everywhere, as long as you smile at them.....and history is a recurring theme as well
London...hustle and bustle, theatre, and history at every turn
Paris... beauty, art, crepes, cafes, and again the sense of overwhelming history
Rome...beauty, art, architecture, Via Sacra, a place for the ages
Florence...Michelangelo and so much more
Brussels...framboise and chocolates
the Ardennes....quietly beautiful and powerful, both past and present
Normandy....solemn and serene beauty, again powerful past and present
Venice....charming stroll through history
Switzerland and Austria... flower boxes, crisp, cool, magnificent scenery
Tuscany...olives, wine, gelato, lazy lanes with grottos
Thanks for this thread...a relaxing exercise at the end of a hectic school day.
