What are you looking for the most on your trips to Europe?

Memories

Interesting looking young women. My wife said I could.

Beauty- both natural and 'architectural' Gardens- both formal and informal History- any 'history'- whether important or not, I like to broaden my knowledge- or see first-hand things that I have already studied Cultural- I love learning more about cultures and experiencing them Relaxation- escape from my 'normal' world/cares Enlightenment- I like to meet and talk with people who have different experiences, insights, and perspecitives Art- more in situ than museums Personal 'history'- places related to my (or my husband's) family history Geography- Seeing 'unique' natural 'things'
Specialiness- this may a bit 'travel snobbish'- but I like to feel that I am doing something most people don't or won't do

I'll start with my personal list (the goal is not come up with the "right" list of reasons, just read from fellow travelers :) ) High importance Scenery (especially mountains) / natural parks Secnic road drives Museums Visual arts Architecture Some importance Contemporary/modern fusion food Modern music scene (no folkloric stuff) Gardens and other urban landscape installations Engineering feats Family/ancestral connections
Design/ultramodern hotels (if I can afford)

I like to marvel at historical places that I've read about, and discover new ones I was unaware of. I love the fantastic old architecture. I try to blend in and look and behave as little like a tourist as possible. I look forward to the cafe scene, people watching, all kinds of shopping, the clothing styles, art and cultural events. It all expands my mind! I look forward to experiencing train travel over here -- and getting around without a car as much as possible!

people

Like BG said, I travel to Europe to see and experience the places/sites that I have read about or seen in movies or videos, mostly historic places. I also love the museums and art culture and the architecture - so different from place to place. But the number one reason I go is for the things we don't have here: small villages/hill towns, the ability to get around w/o a car (one can do it from city to city on the East Coast, but nowhere else in the US - at least not efficiently), the outdoor cafe culture (again, we have it here somewhat but nobody just parks themselves for hours at a time just people watching). I'm not a foodie but it is fun to try different regional foods and beers and wines, however that's not of high importance just an additional perk.

"...looking for strippers and cocaine."

Just a bit of everything, but nothing in particular as all of it together is what makes a trip fun, interesting and successful. I am a huge history buff, so being someplace where a special event took place that I am familiar with is always meaningful to me. A battleground, Holy Roman Empire sites, Roman sites, Jewish cultural sites, an important ruin or castle, distinct architecture but both old and modern, these are all interesting. I really like old churches, the older the better, and I also like old unique cemeteries, so a place where both of those can be found, will be high on my list of places to visit. Food from each country and culture is important to experience, but I have never looked at recommendations or reviews or planned where I am going to eat before a trip. Scenery of course, is wonderful to see, but I don't think I have traveled specifically just to see a certain landscape. Though, that said, we did travel to Austria just to go white water rafting to celebrate my 50th b.day.

I travel to see old stuff (ancient, medieval, it doesn't really matter); visit friends; experience new cultures; get a glimpse of how the other 95% of the world lives. Food isn't that important to me. I'm happy when I find something I like, whether it's a crepe or prepackaged pasta at a grocery store.

Mostly related to my work (I teach religious studies, history of Christianity, Christian art, women and religion) and my heritage (Italian), and not ranked in order of importance: Archeological sites, preferably Greek or Roman Churches, particularly early Christian, Romanesque, Renaissance, Baroque Sculpture, classical, Renaissance, Baroque Mosaics and paintings
Synagogues People who love where they live Peoples' stories that live on after them Finding something by accident - like spotting the early Christian Church and baptistery on Via Salaria from the train and figuring out how to get back to it. Or the baptism of a baby at the baptistry in Ravenna (in use continuously for 1400+ years). Or finding my family name in a museum in Paestum 2100 years after the coins were minted. Italy, Italy, Italy. Not snobbish, just sentimental.

For example, I like to see how the Dutch live and what they eat. We enjoyed the Rijksmusuem, the Van Gogh museum, the canals were fascinating, riding a canal taxi from the Anne Frank house to the Rijksmuseum, getting lost in the red light district and a young man showing us how to escape. Oh and the trains. Love to ride the trains in Europe.....what an adventure. What was interesting all over Europe was the lack of ice cubes in drinks. We assumed everyone in Europe had icemakers in their refrigerators as we do. There were several time I offered 1 euro for a class of ice for my coke and not 1 time did I get the glass of ice....except at a Mc Donalds in Paris...they fill my container up with ice before pouring the coke in it. We loved the pastry shops. Another experience, I assume they had brewed coffee as we do. I either got instant nescafe or that strong stuff. We loved each and every moment we have spent in Europe. It has taught us to enjoy our brewed coffee, icemakers and large bathrooms. Can't wait to go back.

We also noticed that in Europe they do not tear their homes and buildings down after about a hundred years. They build them them to last and maintain them. We were impressed.

I love the history & architecture and the art depicting both! Food - can't forget food. Oh - and the trains - big fan of the trains! Did I mention the food? People watching in great little cafes. Oh - and the food and the wine. And meeting the people - always a pleasure. Don't forget the food - and the wine!

Why I travel to Europe? 1) to expose ourselves and our school-age children to the history available there, as well as the subtle differences in traditions and culture. 2) to see in person some of the famous sites we have always seen in photos (trite, perhaps, but let's all be honest about that) 3) to take advantage of a priceless opportunity to imagine living a different life (perhaps even at a different time). 4) to remind ourselves that there are happy, comfortable and generally prosperous people in the world who don't think we (Americans) are the most important people on Earth. As fascinating as all the human history is in Europe, I'm actually looking forward to my upcoming trip hiking in the New Zealand fjordlands in part for it's sense of pre-human history - a rare chance to experience a lush landscape largely left alone.

I second Randy's list, but I also love the food, the coffee, the wine,the public transportation, and staying in the small inns & hotels.

Interests that I try to include when planning an itinerary, after 1), not in order of importance: 1) Anything historical 1840-1918; 2) Train travel - any train will do, but nice scenery, lakes/mountains, is nice, but not necessary; 3) Architecture; 4) Ballet, symphony, opera; 5) EDM festivals; 6) National or Art (19th/20th century) museums;
7) Shopping - preferably department stores

JB, I don't have an ice maker in my freezer here even! And my kids( adults) ask for soda etc with no ice in restaurants and fast food places, they say they hate paying for frozen water that dilutes their drinks! Guess its what you are used to. I travel for alot of reasons like most of us I imagine. History- historical sites, actually being "there" , to walk where someone walked 500 years ago is pretty mindblowing to me. Coming from a "new" country and going somewhere that the average home is older then the first settlement in my province, wow. Museums- well of course any artifacts of history interest me, not really interested in "modern" art, but more historical artifacts or art that portrays life / events/ of an older time. Scenery, well this is a hard one, I live in a amazing beautiful province, our forests and mountains are world class sites in themselves, but I do enjoy seeing places that are completely different. Food- love eating/trying different things, I don't think one needs to spend alot on fancy restaurants, I am happy with street food and checking out grocery stores to see/try different stuff too..

I'm always looking for memorable characters. Like a little old bald man that used to haul us around the villages outside Innsbruck to night clubs. Find a local bar close to your hotel, and buy a round of drinks. It'll be the last money you'll buy that night. And they do like their schnapps. We once drove about 2500' above the city and walked another mile to a little mountain village. After an incredible night at the local bar, the only way back to the car was on a "luge", or a 3' sled. It was a 50 mph trip down the mountain thru the fir trees, and the most incredible thrill of one's life. It once again proved that God is with us.

Most important and top priority: Museums (historical, regional, biographical), Historical sites (monuments, battlefields, castles, chateaux, Schlösser, memorial sites, cemeteries), Geographical areas and cities (cultural, historical, architecture)

Beautiful historic architecture. There just is nothing like it at home, and I find it breathtaking and fascinating. Cultural contrast. So many vastly different cultures in one continent - so much variety! Europeans! I love the laid back, relaxed European way of life. Amazing art. I love great museums with fine art. Great food. I love to sample foods from a variety of different cultures.

Well I didn't come here by choice exactly but since I'm here, I travel. With that in mind: 1) History, history, history. 2) Booze 3) More history 4) More booze. Maybe history of booze?
5) Food OK maybe that's a little flippant. I grew up in a place of great natural beauty and lived in a great food culture so Europe feels lacking to me in those departments, but the history, art, and architecture is what makes Europe worthwhile for me. But have I mentioned the open container laws? Those are awesome. People are cool too, when I'm in the mood. See number 2 and 4. James, no one is even taking your bait. Sorry dude.

Mostly I go for the history, architecture, family history, natural sights. I also love being temporarily a part of a slightly different culture, traveling by trains and other public transportation only, eating different types of foods in outdoor cafes, listening to different languages, trying to use my own limited German and enjoying a few minor successes with my German.

I guess mine is because I just have the travel bug...it's a way to get away from the routine and experience a (slightly) diff way of life for a few weeks. To see these buildings (as someone posted, they don't tear things down after a hundred years) and think about how long they have stood... and meeting people - we had an almost 3 (!!) hour conversation with a New Zealander while in a restaurant in Cinque Terre. We also couchsurf and have met some great people who have shown us things we would not have seen otherwise in their cities and towns and villages and fed us great meals and taken us hiking and opened their homes to us. To see the artwork and the architecture and GELATO! (Hubby and I aren't big foodies, but we can agree on gelato). Even with all the aggravations (missed train connections, exhaustion, sore feet) I still get such a thrill out of planning (for months) and then seeing the fruits of my labour up close and personal...

My priority is first and foremost, to see what's on the other side of that hill or mountain... but first to go to the top of the hill/mountain and enjoy the view... then ski down, if it's winter... then see what kind of food and drinks they have on the other side of said hill/mountain.

Top priorities: - Experience something new. - See something I've never seen. - Meet people. - Eat and drink what people there eat and drink (not the fancy stuff or pseudo-cultural food that no one really eats).
- Learn about the culture, customs, language and history of the people who live where I'm traveling as well as how they make a living today and their views on current events.