I'm Looking for a New Destination
 

Actuaally I ususally hate these kinds of posts were people ask. "where should I go?" So her I am asking that very same question.

We have been to Europe a number of times and we have been to the big citits like London, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Munich, etc. We are incurable budget tourists who like car trips in the German-speaking countries. We've been back to Munich and the German/Austrian Alps any number of times. We like to take car trips exploring the little villiages.

What's next? I always appreciate the input from this board because there is always someone who have been to any where. What new places do you recommend or what undiscovered back-roads places do you like. We have kicked around Slovenia or some of the Eastern Europe places for the next trip. I would appreciate your input.

You didn't mention the Greek Islands. If you haven't been there by all means GO! Santorini is one of the most amazingly spectacular spots on this planet. :)

I've heard that Croatia is gorgeous, especially along the Dalmatia coast.

Both of those are good ideas, I'll start ddoing some research. Brotherlee, we have not been to the Greek isles although we did go to Athens and a few other place in Greece many years ago. What do you recommend. Just Santorini or that plus other islands, how many days etc? Imi, where do you go in Croatia?

I didn't go. My friend went a couple years ago, and showed me photos, and I think I saw a travel show in Croatia, particularly Split. It looks very lovely, and would love to visit there. But first, I must go to Paris, Florence, Rome, and the Provence before I go there.

(PS - It's LMLWEB, but I like the lowercase, but the font used here makes it look like uppercase I).

I also suggest Croatia, which is beautiful and still relatively cheap. Don't wait till it is discovered by more tourists who will bid up hotel and restaurant prices.

In addition, I heard that Kracow (or Cracow) in Poland is pretty. It's been known to many tourists but not to the same extent as Prague.

The spa area of the Czech Republic close to Germany is nice too. It's filled with German tourists.

If these don't sound exotic enough, try Crosica, to where the French and Germans escape in August.

I suggest you do as many Germans do...go to Ireland.

On our trip there a couple of years ago, a large percentage of the tourists were German; a few times we enjoyed sharing a table at a pub with German tourists (and English, Welsh, Scottish, as well as Irish). Some of the road signs are actually in German- Achtung, Links fahren!

You will be very comfortable in B&B's and guesthouses which are similar to those that we stayed at while touring around Germany.

The people are very friendly and welcoming. Germans and Irish seems to mix well...atleast that is what we have found at home where we, along with several others, belong to both the German and Irish cultural societies.

Like Germany, there is a lot of natural beauty; lots of places to bike and hike.

Ireland also offers many interesting ancient and historical sights to tour.

We enjoyed Dublin and sights just north and south of the city (Newgrange, Hill of Tara , Trim, Powerscourt, Glendalough, Wicklow Mts.) but if you have limited time we probably prefered the west (especially if looking for quaint towns and budget). Our favorites were Doolin, Dingle, and Kenmare. This June we will be revisiting these towns with family and are also looking forward to Westport (will visit Connemara from here) and Donegal (will add a trip to the Giant's Causeway from here).

Another positive thing in common is good beer!

Prost...Slainte!

Sorry, a little typo. I meant Corsica, which is the island right above Sardinia.

Santorini is one of the Cyclades group of islands. They are close together. You can conveniently visit Naxos, Ios, Paros, Anafi, Amorgos, Antiparos, Folegandros and Sikinos using the ferry system.

I saw some photos attached to a trip report on Budapest. They also had pictures of some of the surrounding countryside. The area looked just beautiful. I have it on my list...not the short list however. Too many places, not enough time. Have you been to Scandanavia? I was in Stockholm and Copenhagen right after Christmas. Lovely cities. My neice was in Norway and just thought Oslo was wonderful. You mentioned budget travel. These cities can be quite expensive but like anyplace, you can go fairly cheaply if you work on it.

i would definitely add the following to your future "must see" list:

Krakow
Budapest
Prague
greek islands
Moscow
st. petersburg

the gem of northern italy.. lakes, piemonte,bergamo, verona, vicenza, venice. i NEVER tire of discovering (with many fodorites' help here) new small towns in italy.

Try Romania. Between Clifton's and my report: http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34659808
you should find enough to whet your appetite.

This giving me lots of ideas, keep 'em coming. So far I have about 6 new places on my list to research.

Hi
I agree that Croatia is a great place to visit. We were in Istria and Trogir 3 yrs ago and thought it fantastic. we rented a car and drove. As an alternative, we are now planning our 3rd trip to Poland. We've been to Warsaw, Krakow. This time we are planning Lublin, Zamosc and the south eastern area, near Ukrain and Belarus. The area is supposed to be like old Europe. Another suggestion, coming from Slovakia through the Tatras to Krakow. We've been other places in central Europe Including Czech Rep. We find it less expensive, more old Europe. People using horses and carts, old towns with wooden churches etc. Enjoy your trip.

Yes, why not try Norway? A roundtrip by car covering both the southern part with the fjords and the dramatic landscapes of the northern part with the midnight sun can be done relatively comfortable within 3-4 weeks. Based on self-catering and living in camping cabins most of the tour, expenses can be fairly low. Also consider the very low domestic airfares during summer. Welcome to Norway!
Bjorn, Oslo

What about Portugal? It's perfect for what you're looking for. Besides that, it's my beautiful country :)

You might try thinking "outside the box," as the cliche goes. A few years ago, my wife and I became interested in the life and works of Heinrich Schliemann, the man who discovered what are purported to be the ruins of ancient Troy. This led us from place to place around the Aegean, from St. Petersburg to Berlin to places he discovered in Greece, to parts of America where he once lived. Instead of exploring places, we re-traced the path of his life. Now we are off this week on another quest and attempting to re-discover the lifework and sites of another long-dead European. It addes an entirely new (and surprising) dimension to travel.

I can't believe that nobody has as yet mentioned SPAIN. SPAIN, SPAIN.!!!!

Greece is, of course, a wonderful destination - try Lesbos for an island less visited that lends itself to touring by car. And if you are really thinking tangentially - it could be combined with a trip to Turkey.

Istanbul.

A whole new world.

Thanks to all of you who have resoponded so far. these are great ideas and they are really getting my thinking outside the normal (for us) beaten path. I appreciate your suggestions. Lots of stuff to research, which is one of my favorite parts of the trip any way.

We're budget travellers who like car trips too. You will really like Eastern Europe. Czech Republic--in additon to Prague, Karlovy Vary (also known as Carlsbad), Telc, Trebon, Cesky Krumlov. Poland--we've only visited Krakow & the southern areas but enjoyed the mountainous area west of the Tatras whose name I've forgotten on the border of C.R. Budapest is one of our all time favorites. From there, take in Eger north of Budapest and then the area around Estergom along the Danube between Budapest and Vienna. If you are adventuresome and don't have high, picky standards for food & lodging, Romania is one of our all time favorites. Some regions are like what Europe must have been like in the early 20th century.

Back to Western Europe. We love Brittany and have explored there a couple time. Have you done the Bamberg, Regensburg, Passau, Wurzburg route in Germany? Andalucia in Spain was delightful too, and it's especially nice because you can go there when the weather elsewhere is not the greatest. Another place we went when the rest of Europe was still crummy was the Cote d'Azur. We took a week long driving trip there. I had been apprehensive because I thought it was just a rich people's playground, but we enjoyed the area quite a bit in the off-season.

This year, our family is going to Croatia, (Newark to Dublin, then Dublin to Dubrovnik), exploring that area, renting a car, then onto Slovenia. After that we will take a train to Budapest (great city, lots to see and do) and then onto Krakow, Poland, which people are calling the new Prague. Also, a few years ago we went to Bamberg and Dresden Germany, drove around there and onto the Czech Republic. I am becoming a very big fan of Eastern European travel.

Have you ever been to northern Germany?

In the Münsterland, you find small villages, historic towns and dozens of castles from different historical periods.

Or go the coast and the islands. There you will find many fishermen's villages. I particularly recommend Sylt - an island where you will find everything. There are also nice towns on the mainland - Büsum, Husum etc.

For some mystical reason, Americans tend to visit southern Germany only and ignore the rest. However, it is worth a visit.

Traveler1959, you make a good point. When I think of Germany I usually think from about the Frrankfurt area south. I haven't biven much attention to the country above that line.

How come no one here has mentioned gorgeous places in the USA. I have been to Europe numerous times, but recently I just discovered how exotic America could really be. We are planning a trip to the American Southwest. In our planning, we discovered whole worlds that I never knew existed. We plan to visit national parks, Hopi and Navajo reservations, ancient Pueblo ruins, stunning scenery, and maybe interesting characters.

I just recently read a New York Times article about Monument Valley, and the writer commented that most tourist were European. There were German campers and Italian tourists in Gucci scarves.

This is just a thought.

I second Budapest and Prague. Really interesting cities.

Another vote for Croatia; it is not
only beautiful but STILL affordable.
There has been much PR lately on
the country so if it is on your list , it
would fiscally expedient to see both
Slovenia & Croatia before they join the EU (the kuna is national
Croatian currency)

Note to Fodors editors, I have tried three times to post this message and I am getting tired of retyping the list ;;)

Aisleseat, I saved a list of underpriced but up and coming ciites sent to me by smarter travel

tallin, estonia
krakow
dubrovnik
istanbul
kyiv, ukraine
kosice, slovenia
sarajevo, bosn
gdansky, pol

enjoy the research, deborah

Traveler 1959, I lived in northern Germany for 9 years and I can attest that you are so right. Niedersachsen, Schleswig Holstein, and the former east German states of Brandenburg and Mecklenburg Vorpommern are WONDERFUL vacation destinations. Beautiful woods, lakes, cities like Hamburg, Berlin, Bremen....

Hamburg is where I lived. It is the wealthiest city in Europe, the second largest port city in Europe, and was not fully bombed in the war so it has fantastic architecture. A lake in the middle of the city. Very, very sophisticated. AisleSeat, you would be hard pressed to find a better new German destination than the north. In Mecklenburg, beautiful resorts have been built around the lakes with lovely spa facilities, etc. They are reasonable priced. Between Hamburg and Berlin lies Wismar, Rostock, Schwerin and its gold leafed castle. So much to see.

If you want more info on No. Germany, just ask specific questions.

I moved to Piemonte Italy three years ago to fulfill our life long dream of renovating an old farm in Italy. But I still have lots of nice memories of North Germany.

Diana

Hi
What about Scotland? Fabulous scenery,exciting cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow, visit some of the Islands and some of the Distilleries. A small country which you could quite easily tour around.Have a look at the "Visit Scotland" website. Only drawback is the weather!!!

Wow! the hits just keep on coming. Bella, you have realy piqued my interest in Northern Germany. Scotland sounds good too.

Shanghai

Tallinn, Estonia. I was a little nervous the first time but went back a second and going for a third.

SICILY-hands down! Easy to drive,beautiful countryside and interesting cities and site,great food and best of all,the wonderful people that live there!

Wally - why on earth should you be nervous about Tallinn? Don't understand at all!

Some more thoughts on Northern Germany...

The Island of Sylt... (I don't know how to make a link in this post so you have to google it).

St. Peter Ording....the North Sea's ebb and tide causes the water to go out at ebb over a mile!! The result is a sand landscape at ebb which refills at tide. The beach is dyked, and the dikes are covered by sheep and thatched roof houses. St. Peter Ording have a natural landscape rivaled only by Scottland's North Sea coastline.

Both distinations are in Schleswig Holstein on the western North Sea side of the state.

I will keep thinking....

diana

oh, i will just paste the link in here for sylt... the site is in German but the pics will give you an idea:

http://www.meer-sylt.de/_DE_de/WZL_0...mp;TEMPL=EMPTY

let me try that again

http://www.meer-sylt.de

there that works.

If you decide on the greece islands, make sure not to miss Hydra! That is where the greeks go on holiday and they dont like to share it with other people because it is a GEM! No public transport, only donkeys!

AisleSeat
What time of year are you planning on going? If you like German-speaking areas, have you checked into the Erzgebirge area? Lots of interesting small towns like Seiffen. Close to the Czech Republic. We have driven through many of the Eastern European countries. Staying in small towns at B&B's or small inns works great for budget travelers. Lots of great back-road places in Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Poland, Slovakia, and Romania.

LLC,

Interesting, those are my wife's initials. do you know something I don't know?

We aren't sure yet when we will make our next trip. My wife is a school teacher and we frequently go in the off seasons when the school is out (Christmas, Spring Break, Winter break). This conversation is filling my list of places to go. Where exactly are the places you mentioned and where do you fly into to get there?