Any tips will help: Pick any place in Europe to describe its beauty
Jan 11th, 2016, 04:46 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Any tips will help: Pick any place in Europe to describe its beauty
My mom has never left the US and in her 2 weeks here all she wants to see are Windmills?! Help
Hello! I recently moved to Madrid, Spain to teach during a "free" year between my undergraduate career and medical school. My mom will be coming to visit me for 2 weeks in March 2016. She has never left the USA (nor has anyone in my family with the exception of leaving for WWI, WWII, and the current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq).
We live in Dallas and because I went to an international high school, we both really appreciate other cultures. With that being said, we are not much for going anywhere where we cannot authentically experience the culture without living with natives.
On first thought I wanted to show her the Alps, the late night tapa scene in Madrid, and the german town our family left more than 200 years ago.
Then I asked her what she wanted. Instead of asking to see the breathtaking cliffs in Northern Ireland or the historically rich Florence she told me, "I have always wanted to see a windmill". I was shocked and left with no place to start.
My only thought was Holland, but I know nothing of the language (I speak English and now Spanish). Does anyone have any recommendations for a RELAXED vacation that can speak up for the beauty of Europe? She is not a backpacker type like I am, but I want her to find herself enveloped in green, tulips, or cobblestone paths. I have been looking at Halstatt recently or anywhere in Austria maybe, but I'm really unsure.
I also looked into staying inside windmills for a few nights (they are much more expensive than the tents that I usually opt for, so any tips you may have regarding booking, please let me know. Thank you in advance for your help! Planning out this trip well is really important to me.
Best,
Brianna
Hello! I recently moved to Madrid, Spain to teach during a "free" year between my undergraduate career and medical school. My mom will be coming to visit me for 2 weeks in March 2016. She has never left the USA (nor has anyone in my family with the exception of leaving for WWI, WWII, and the current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq).
We live in Dallas and because I went to an international high school, we both really appreciate other cultures. With that being said, we are not much for going anywhere where we cannot authentically experience the culture without living with natives.
On first thought I wanted to show her the Alps, the late night tapa scene in Madrid, and the german town our family left more than 200 years ago.
Then I asked her what she wanted. Instead of asking to see the breathtaking cliffs in Northern Ireland or the historically rich Florence she told me, "I have always wanted to see a windmill". I was shocked and left with no place to start.
My only thought was Holland, but I know nothing of the language (I speak English and now Spanish). Does anyone have any recommendations for a RELAXED vacation that can speak up for the beauty of Europe? She is not a backpacker type like I am, but I want her to find herself enveloped in green, tulips, or cobblestone paths. I have been looking at Halstatt recently or anywhere in Austria maybe, but I'm really unsure.
I also looked into staying inside windmills for a few nights (they are much more expensive than the tents that I usually opt for, so any tips you may have regarding booking, please let me know. Thank you in advance for your help! Planning out this trip well is really important to me.
Best,
Brianna
Jan 11th, 2016, 05:14 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There is a windmill 500 m from my home.
However, not the nicest to see.
So, as much as I don't like to say that Dutch have qualities, most of them speak very good English.
The places I love in Europe for (what comes to mind)
Natural beauty :
- gorges du verdon in France
- gorges de Samaria in Crete
- camargue (with some 'vachers - cow boys) in France
- lakes in Solvenia,
Ruins :
- Valley of the temples, Agrigento, Sicily
- Cape Sounion, Greece
- Pompei, Italy
- ...
Castles
- Hohenschwangau (DE)
- ? Cz
- Vaux le Vicomte, FR, Pierrefonds, FR
- Beynac and ?, Dordogne, FR
- Haut Kayserberg, Alsace, FR
- Bouillon (BE) - medieval castle
- Hampton court, UK
- ...
Cities
- Paris
- Rome
- ...
Towns
- Chartres
My respect to your family who fought in Europe to liberate us and those who fought elsewhere to defend your countries' interests (and sometimes ours, but I don't intend to make it political).
Tips on booking : do look on booking.com and hotel.com and nbreak your stays in order to increase the probability of having a big discount on a specific date.
Ps : You have a LOT of windmills in Crete on Lassithi, but I think they are all falling apart - used to be full of those, but relatively recent and in disrepair.
However, not the nicest to see.
So, as much as I don't like to say that Dutch have qualities, most of them speak very good English.
The places I love in Europe for (what comes to mind)
Natural beauty :
- gorges du verdon in France
- gorges de Samaria in Crete
- camargue (with some 'vachers - cow boys) in France
- lakes in Solvenia,
Ruins :
- Valley of the temples, Agrigento, Sicily
- Cape Sounion, Greece
- Pompei, Italy
- ...
Castles
- Hohenschwangau (DE)
- ? Cz
- Vaux le Vicomte, FR, Pierrefonds, FR
- Beynac and ?, Dordogne, FR
- Haut Kayserberg, Alsace, FR
- Bouillon (BE) - medieval castle
- Hampton court, UK
- ...
Cities
- Paris
- Rome
- ...
Towns
- Chartres
My respect to your family who fought in Europe to liberate us and those who fought elsewhere to defend your countries' interests (and sometimes ours, but I don't intend to make it political).
Tips on booking : do look on booking.com and hotel.com and nbreak your stays in order to increase the probability of having a big discount on a specific date.
Ps : You have a LOT of windmills in Crete on Lassithi, but I think they are all falling apart - used to be full of those, but relatively recent and in disrepair.
Jan 11th, 2016, 05:16 AM
#3
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 18,023
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You have windmills in Spain. Not the Dutch type but Don Quixote type. There is a Don Quixote trail from Toledo you could follow for windmills.
You don't need to speak Dutch to visit the Netherlands. If she wants to see Dutch windmills then why not bring her to the Netherlands where she can see some? March is too early for the tulips, but there may be fields of other bulbs to see instead, daffodils and crocuses for instance.
You don't need to speak Dutch to visit the Netherlands. If she wants to see Dutch windmills then why not bring her to the Netherlands where she can see some? March is too early for the tulips, but there may be fields of other bulbs to see instead, daffodils and crocuses for instance.
Jan 11th, 2016, 05:17 AM
#4
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 8,381
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't know any WORKING wind mill in Europe. However, you may be interested in
http://www.visitgreece.gr/en/civilis..._of_the_aegean
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/greece/p...eros-windmills
https://www.homeaway.co.uk/info/holi...dmill-holidays
http://gogreece.about.com/od/accommo...-In-Greece.htm
Google a bit and you will find a lot of similar websites
http://www.visitgreece.gr/en/civilis..._of_the_aegean
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/greece/p...eros-windmills
https://www.homeaway.co.uk/info/holi...dmill-holidays
http://gogreece.about.com/od/accommo...-In-Greece.htm
Google a bit and you will find a lot of similar websites
Jan 11th, 2016, 05:26 AM
#5
Certainly are working windmills in Europe, grinding local wheats for local bread making. I'd look in Spain/Netherlands/UK/Denmark/Greece/France etc. I've visited a fair few in each of those countries but forget any details so Google has to be your friend. Interestingly in Spain (Fuertaventura) windmills can be male or female depending on which parts move and which parts stay fixed.
You can stay in ex-windmills, but I doubt you can stay in the real thing, too dangerous.
Tulips only at certain times of the year, when will she be here?
You can stay in ex-windmills, but I doubt you can stay in the real thing, too dangerous.
Tulips only at certain times of the year, when will she be here?
Jan 11th, 2016, 06:02 AM
#6
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 468
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If your mom wants to see windmills, I'm sure she means the iconic Dutch windmills.
The easy way is to go to the Zaanse Schans, just north of Amsterdam. Those are real windmills, but not in their original location, so it's a tiny little bit fake. Take the train from Amsterdam Centraal to Koog-Zaandijk (4 trains/hr, 20 mins.).
The most majestic sight is the complex at Kinderdijk. That's the real thing. It involves a train to Dordrecht (1h30 mins from Amsterdam) and a 40 mins bus journey (some direct, some involving a change). I think it's worth the trouble, but that up to you. Schedule at http://9292.nl/en# (fill out »Molenkade Kinderdijk« as destination).
It might be fun to stay one or two nights in Dordrecht. It's the oldest city in this part of the Netherlands.
Being close to the border, it can easily be combined with a visit to Belgium.
The easy way is to go to the Zaanse Schans, just north of Amsterdam. Those are real windmills, but not in their original location, so it's a tiny little bit fake. Take the train from Amsterdam Centraal to Koog-Zaandijk (4 trains/hr, 20 mins.).
The most majestic sight is the complex at Kinderdijk. That's the real thing. It involves a train to Dordrecht (1h30 mins from Amsterdam) and a 40 mins bus journey (some direct, some involving a change). I think it's worth the trouble, but that up to you. Schedule at http://9292.nl/en# (fill out »Molenkade Kinderdijk« as destination).
It might be fun to stay one or two nights in Dordrecht. It's the oldest city in this part of the Netherlands.
Being close to the border, it can easily be combined with a visit to Belgium.
Jan 11th, 2016, 06:03 AM
#7
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 468
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If your mom wants to see windmills, I'm sure she means the iconic Dutch windmills.
The easy way is to go to the Zaanse Schans, just north of Amsterdam. Those are real windmills, but not in their original location, so it's a tiny little bit fake. Take the train from Amsterdam Centraal to Koog-Zaandijk (4 trains/hr, 20 mins.).
The most majestic sight is the complex at Kinderdijk. That's the real thing. It involves a train to Dordrecht (1h30 mins from Amsterdam) and a 40 mins bus journey (some direct, some involving a change). I think it's worth the trouble, but that up to you. Schedule at http://9292.nl/en# (fill out »Molenkade Kinderdijk« as destination).
It might be fun to stay one or two nights in Dordrecht. It's the oldest city in this part of the Netherlands.
Being close to the border, it can easily be combined with a visit to Belgium.
The easy way is to go to the Zaanse Schans, just north of Amsterdam. Those are real windmills, but not in their original location, so it's a tiny little bit fake. Take the train from Amsterdam Centraal to Koog-Zaandijk (4 trains/hr, 20 mins.).
The most majestic sight is the complex at Kinderdijk. That's the real thing. It involves a train to Dordrecht (1h30 mins from Amsterdam) and a 40 mins bus journey (some direct, some involving a change). I think it's worth the trouble, but that up to you. Schedule at http://9292.nl/en# (fill out »Molenkade Kinderdijk« as destination).
It might be fun to stay one or two nights in Dordrecht. It's the oldest city in this part of the Netherlands.
Being close to the border, it can easily be combined with a visit to Belgium.
Jan 11th, 2016, 06:07 AM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If I remember correctly, there's a nice windmill not too far from St-Rémy de Provence, which would make for a nice vacation, as Provence always seems to intrigue visitors.
We have a few of them here in the Dordogne, too, though none that I can think of that provides accommodation - they're all working windmills. (Whathello, other castles here include Castelnaud, Montfort, Purymartin, Hautefort, l'Herm...there are more than 100, I believe).
But really, there are lots of windmills in Western Europe. It might be better to choose the country first, then investigate the windmills.
Bilbo, nice factoid about male and female windmills.
We have a few of them here in the Dordogne, too, though none that I can think of that provides accommodation - they're all working windmills. (Whathello, other castles here include Castelnaud, Montfort, Purymartin, Hautefort, l'Herm...there are more than 100, I believe).
But really, there are lots of windmills in Western Europe. It might be better to choose the country first, then investigate the windmills.
Bilbo, nice factoid about male and female windmills.
Jan 11th, 2016, 06:19 AM
#9
Zaanse Schans is a good choice, and combining it with Amsterdam is a great idea. In my view Amsterdam is an ideal "soft landing" for first time visitors to Europe - it's not too big, it's picturesque, historic, and remarkably quiet (more bikes than cars.) Everybody speaks English, and there are many easy day trips - Haarlem, Delft, Zaanse Schans, or nearby Volendam or (very cute) Edam...
I was there in early March a few years ago and while it wasn't warm it was far from miserable.
Zaanse Schans - http://gardyloo.us/20120312_117s.JPG and http://gardyloo.us/20120312_137s.JPG
Edam - http://gardyloo.us/20120312_49s.JPG , http://gardyloo.us/20120312_103s.JPG and http://gardyloo.us/20120312_76s.JPG
I was there in early March a few years ago and while it wasn't warm it was far from miserable.
Zaanse Schans - http://gardyloo.us/20120312_117s.JPG and http://gardyloo.us/20120312_137s.JPG
Edam - http://gardyloo.us/20120312_49s.JPG , http://gardyloo.us/20120312_103s.JPG and http://gardyloo.us/20120312_76s.JPG
Jan 11th, 2016, 06:44 AM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Castles everywhere in Dordogne - Castelnaud was one name I was trying to remember.
The French fought the English for centuries there and everybody built a castle to protect HIS land.
Since you're there, did you know that the English were called (and are still sometimes) called 'les Godons' because the French kept hearing them swear 'Goddam !' ?
Voilà, voilà, c'est tout pour la parenthèse intellectuelle...
The French fought the English for centuries there and everybody built a castle to protect HIS land.
Since you're there, did you know that the English were called (and are still sometimes) called 'les Godons' because the French kept hearing them swear 'Goddam !' ?
Voilà, voilà, c'est tout pour la parenthèse intellectuelle...
Jan 11th, 2016, 07:13 AM
#11
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Continuant avec la parenthèse, oui, je savais ça, mais ce que j'ai appris aujourd'hui qui est même plus intéressant à moi c'est qu'on français on appèle a toilet plunger "un éléphant" (au moins ici dans le Périgord) - qui saurait?
But to continue with the castles, I googled to jog my memory, and I was wrong about the number 100. There are 1001 castles at least, and some of the major ones I didn't mention are Biron, Losse, Jumilhac, Bourdeilles, Fénélon.....and of course La Maison Forte de Reignet, which is actually more interesting than most of the castles.
But to continue with the castles, I googled to jog my memory, and I was wrong about the number 100. There are 1001 castles at least, and some of the major ones I didn't mention are Biron, Losse, Jumilhac, Bourdeilles, Fénélon.....and of course La Maison Forte de Reignet, which is actually more interesting than most of the castles.
Jan 11th, 2016, 07:29 AM
#12
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,047
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jan 11th, 2016, 07:33 AM
#13
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,047
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Actually, your question is quite impossible to answer because each of us could name a hundred of place in Europe that meet your criteria.
Perhaps for a start: Which is your family's hometown in Germany? If you tell us the name we can draw an itinerary around it and find some beautiful places nearby.
Perhaps for a start: Which is your family's hometown in Germany? If you tell us the name we can draw an itinerary around it and find some beautiful places nearby.
Jan 11th, 2016, 08:15 AM
#14
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,858
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They have windmills in California, for heaven's sake. They provide wind power, they have plenty in Texas, also, as well as other states. If you want a traditional Dutch one, they actually have some in the US -- they have one in Holland MI that is quite old.
There are tons of beautiful places in Europe. I don't understand the idea that you won't go anywhere unless you can live with the natives as that is the only authentic experience. So if someone who actually lives in the country and is a native lives alone, they aren't having an authentic experience?
If your mom wants to see a windmill in Netherlands, that is an easy one, she should go there, I'm sure she doesn't want to see a windmill in France. If your mom has that as her heart's desire and has never left the US, it doesn't seem right to then take her to Austria. Why won't you do what she wants? YOu just have to pick the right season for Netherlands to get lots of flowers.
There are tons of beautiful places in Europe. I don't understand the idea that you won't go anywhere unless you can live with the natives as that is the only authentic experience. So if someone who actually lives in the country and is a native lives alone, they aren't having an authentic experience?
If your mom wants to see a windmill in Netherlands, that is an easy one, she should go there, I'm sure she doesn't want to see a windmill in France. If your mom has that as her heart's desire and has never left the US, it doesn't seem right to then take her to Austria. Why won't you do what she wants? YOu just have to pick the right season for Netherlands to get lots of flowers.
Jan 11th, 2016, 09:01 AM
#15
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Based on what you have said - and if you are willing todeal with the potential vagaries of the weather in March north of the Alps (can be early spring or still winterish) I would do a trip to Netherlands and Germany.
Start with Amsterdan (yes, an easy entry to europ for those not speaking another language) with some day trips for windmills and then head to wherever your family is from originally. If you tell us where it is people can reco the most scenic/interesting places in the approximate area.
As for castles, they are everywhere - but obviously some in ruins, some still perfect and some more interesting that others. This will give you the time to settle in a little in each place and begin to get a feeling for what the country is like.
Start with Amsterdan (yes, an easy entry to europ for those not speaking another language) with some day trips for windmills and then head to wherever your family is from originally. If you tell us where it is people can reco the most scenic/interesting places in the approximate area.
As for castles, they are everywhere - but obviously some in ruins, some still perfect and some more interesting that others. This will give you the time to settle in a little in each place and begin to get a feeling for what the country is like.
Jan 11th, 2016, 09:52 AM
#17
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,047
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just a few thoughts:
You say you are from Dallas. I am from Germany and had been to Texas three years ago with my family. We liked Texas a lot, but mostly - since we seek the difference when we are travelling - Big Bend and the Spanish-style missions around San Antonio.
We had been to Texas Hill Country and to towns with names like Gruene, Luckenbach, Fredricksburg and the King William District in San Antonio and these places, despite their German names, looked 100% American - architecture, townscape, stores, culture.
So, if your Mom comes to Europe, she will certainly see something very different from everything that can be seen in North America.
From what you have written, she might be interested (apart from the windmill thing) in "romantic" north European towns rather than the south European look and feel that can be partly found in Texas.
There are many places in Germany, Netherlands, Austria, England that have this "romantic European" feel. E.g. you can stay for a couple of days in the Rhein/Mosel region, visiting cozy villages, ruined castles and intact castles, doing a mini-cruise on the river, strolling over cobblestoned streets etc.
You want a relaxing stay. Why not staying for a couple of days in a medieval castle that has been turned into a hotel, overlooking on of the most picturesque little towns on the Rhein? http://www.burghotel-schoenburg.de/
Take it just as an example. There are many more similar places in other regions and other countries. Again, naming your family's hometown would help.
You say you are from Dallas. I am from Germany and had been to Texas three years ago with my family. We liked Texas a lot, but mostly - since we seek the difference when we are travelling - Big Bend and the Spanish-style missions around San Antonio.
We had been to Texas Hill Country and to towns with names like Gruene, Luckenbach, Fredricksburg and the King William District in San Antonio and these places, despite their German names, looked 100% American - architecture, townscape, stores, culture.
So, if your Mom comes to Europe, she will certainly see something very different from everything that can be seen in North America.
From what you have written, she might be interested (apart from the windmill thing) in "romantic" north European towns rather than the south European look and feel that can be partly found in Texas.
There are many places in Germany, Netherlands, Austria, England that have this "romantic European" feel. E.g. you can stay for a couple of days in the Rhein/Mosel region, visiting cozy villages, ruined castles and intact castles, doing a mini-cruise on the river, strolling over cobblestoned streets etc.
You want a relaxing stay. Why not staying for a couple of days in a medieval castle that has been turned into a hotel, overlooking on of the most picturesque little towns on the Rhein? http://www.burghotel-schoenburg.de/
Take it just as an example. There are many more similar places in other regions and other countries. Again, naming your family's hometown would help.
Jan 11th, 2016, 09:54 AM
#18
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are lots of windmills in Holland-some old fashion ones as well. I think Rick Steves had a segment in his Netherlands episode. I'd take her to the Netherlands, which has art, culture and modern Dutch fun in Amsterdam. I'd also through in Belgium-perhaps Antwerp or Brugges. As you know living in Europe, many people and tourism workers in Europe speak English or enough to get by. I found Netherlands and Belgium to have some of the highest percent of English speakers-at least in the city.
Sometimes our family doesn't want to see what we want but since your mom hasn't been to Europe before why not humor her and see Holland.
Finally, I'm still trying to find out what isn't authentic Europe..Is it the soulless suburbs where people shop at Aldi and live in modern housing? Or the tourist attractions that have mobs of foreigners.
Sometimes our family doesn't want to see what we want but since your mom hasn't been to Europe before why not humor her and see Holland.
Finally, I'm still trying to find out what isn't authentic Europe..Is it the soulless suburbs where people shop at Aldi and live in modern housing? Or the tourist attractions that have mobs of foreigners.
Jan 11th, 2016, 09:58 AM
#19
Rather than asking us what we like, why don't you have your mother get some of the glossy picture guide books to Europe and let her choose what appeals to her? Look for Insight and Eyewitness - if her library doesn't have them, Barnes and Noble probably will, and she can read them over a cup of coffee.
Windmills in Europe today are very boring - three narrow blades on a thin white tower. But if you want old ones, the Netherlands is the obvious place.
Windmills in Europe today are very boring - three narrow blades on a thin white tower. But if you want old ones, the Netherlands is the obvious place.
