We have traveled through Italy many times, and been to most areas with the exception of Sicily. Could anyone recommend another country they enjoyed as much as Italy, which we love! We have spent 2 weeks in Spain (really liked it!), and a bit of time in France on the Riviera. I want to explore someplace new, but want to enjoy it as much as Italy! Thanks!
Posted by
Land of La
9235 posts
Ireland. Love the people, love the land, love the archeology, love the music, love the history, love the writers, and love the beer.
Posted by
Tacoma, WA, USA
671 posts
That's a hard question without knowing WHAT you loved about Italy. I am more of a fan of Germany than Italy for my own reasons.
That said, I have heard people absolutely love Turkey. Or what about Greece?
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
It seems you've covered a lot of ground in Southern Europe, why no try going up north to Scandinavia: Norway in a Nutshell tour, Stockholm and the ferry ride over to Helsinki, and beautiful Copenhagen.
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA
2030 posts
Well it sounds like you haven't seen Paris, the surrounding Loire Valley, London and the wonderful English countryside, Amsterdam -- and the Scandanavian countries. I can't imagine you will not enjoy Paris as much as any place in Italy. I love Italy too, and northern Europe is definitely different -- but Paris is #1. Always will be.
Posted by
Nederland, CO
1530 posts
Switzerland, Germany and Austria are my favorite countries in Europe.
Posted by
Atlanta
3262 posts
Croatia and Slovenia are cool--Italy is still my favorite but it's fun to explore new destinations.
Posted by
Longmont, CO, USA
22 posts
Greece was fantastic--we took a 1 day cruise around the Greek Isles--an experience of a lifetime.
Posted by
Brentwood, ca, USA
115 posts
I've been to Italy and loved it, but our last terip was eastern europe using Ricks guide best of eastern europe, and it wss the best trip of our lives, We absolutely loved Croatia and Solvenia but especially Croatia., Bow we know why the Italians go to Croatia for their vacations.
Posted by
US
157 posts
Loved Ireland - the Irish are extremely friendly. What a magical country!
Northern Ireland- the drive along the east coast was magnificent!
Posted by
Chicago, Il, USA
126 posts
Debbie Depending on your interests… you are doing yourself an injustice if you don’t see Sicily. It has miles & miles of vineyards rivaling any in Tuscany, majestic mountains, fields of wild flowers, beautiful unspoiled beaches, world class art ranging from Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Norman, French to Spanish. Greatest collection of Greek ruins. It is Italy but has the diversity of Spanish, Arab, German & Greek. Truely a one of kind island!
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
Each country is diff than Italy. Great Britain, France, parts of Austria and Germany get my vote.
Posted by
Tulsa, OK, USA
126 posts
I love visiting Italy, and always make it at least 5 days of our annual 14-17 days in Europe. I try to include a new country or area each year. This year it is Portugal and Andalucia in SW Spain. It is fairly easy and inexpensive to fly between two countries with Ryanair or Easy Jet. I really enjoy Provence, found Croatia very interesting, and love Barcelona and Paris for big cities. I enjoy a few days in the big cities, but enjoy larger chunks of time in the countryside, by lakes or by the sea, a mix of all works best for me.
Posted by
Nelson, BC, Canada
11 posts
Turkey, Turkey, Turkey!!!!! We also really enjoyed Croatia and Slovenia...and Ireland...and the UK...hmmm...come to think of it, although Italy is our favourite destination, we have found that every country we've visited has made a profound impact.
Posted by
Wheaton, IL
52 posts
My wife and I have travelled throughout Scotland on many occasions (some with our children...even when they were small), and absolutely love it.
Beginning in Jedburgh (where Mary Queen of Scots was born), up through Edinburgh (the Edinburgh zoo has a daily penguin walk where they walk the hundreds of penguins from one end of the zoo to the other...through the visitors!). The backside of Loch Ness (Foyers) is magnificent with it's waterfall, and the upper highlands are beautiful.
The people are so warm and genuine. Not a lot of tourists in the highlands, so you really get the flavor of the country. It's history is brutal, but the experience is delightful. At the Cullen Bay House in Cullen, you sit on the veranda and have breakfast as the dolphins swim by.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
debbie, it doesn't sound like you have done much in France at all, remember,, the staying a few days on the French Riveria and thinking you have " done France" is like thinking if I visit Las Vegas I have done the United States,,, think about it.. LOL
Posted by
San Leandro, CA, USA
632 posts
debbie,
plan on visiting all of the countris listed above...they are all good recommendations...so the only thing you need to do now is decide in which order you want to see them...since you've spent time on the Med, I would suggest a change of pace and go north...there you will find a true contrast to your previous experiences...