P.S. I also like the 40th b-day celebration with BEER in Germany trip report by November moon!

The "B" Trip, Part Three, Western Balkans
is a great read, an adventure not many here have undertaken

Welcome back, K!

I enjoyed LisaRoberts' TR about her trip to Rome and then a cruise to Greece:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...taly-day-1.cfm

Maybe Lincasanova's report of her Camino de Santiago doesn't technically qualify (since it was in 2010), but it has been commented on a lot in 2011. It has certainly motivated me to start planning my own Camino for 2012!

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...e-santiago.cfm

Thank you for all these (and the warm welcome!)There's a lot to mull over. I (unfortunately) was last across the Atlantic about four years ago. It doesn't look like it's in the cards for 2012, but there's always 2013. Happy Thursday!

iamq is always a big inspiration and writes the most wonderful trip reports! He told a wonderful story about his trip to Umbria this past summer! Happy Thursday, Katie!

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-in-umbria.cfm

Another vote for TeacherCanada's Europe trip reports with his students. They are always informative, interesting and told with humour, both in the content and writing.
Sadly, as previously mentioned in an above post, their 2011 adventure will not be documented for reasons also explained in said post, but his previous annual reports were cracking ! (if you're prepared to make an exception).

Hello Katie and a Happy New Year to you and your family.

John183 really inspired me! I looked forward to each installment and I'll most certainly benefit from his detailed research this summer when I take my 15-y-o daughter to France for the first time!
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...nddaughter.cfm

Reading trip reports is one of my favorite planning tools. Phrases like "Ellenem's suggested day-trip to Firenze" or "Ekscrunchy had a great lunch here" fill all of my itineraries and trip notes. I got the idea to go to San Sebastian this year from a report by LowCountryIslander -- it wasn't even on my radar until I read her report, and it turned out to be one of the best vacations I've ever taken. A great big thanks to everyone that takes the time to write a TR. I truly appreciate it.

This year, I was especially inspired by NNolen's report on her trip to Rome.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rip-report.cfm

I'm hoping for a trip to Sicily in 2012 or 13, and will very likely follow the path of Bruce and Marija

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...n-november.cfm

and I also intend to model a return visit to Northern Italy around Zeppole's report

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-july-2011.cfm

Most inspiring, though, would have to go do Adoc (even though she hasn't finished it -- I hope she comes back and does so!) http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...wheelchair.cfm

oh and P.S. I wish Jamikins and Bikerscott would take me on their next vacation. They always seem to have so much fun!

I enjoyed Ridge Rose's trip to Paris as I was to go to Paris soon after I read it. Mentioned above.
There was another report by a young women disabled who went to Spain. I cannot think of her name it would be posted under. She had researched the places she would go in a wheelchair so that the trip would be more assessible to her.
I think it was this year. I was inspired by her effort to travel even with her disability as this would not be the easiest thing to do.
Does anyone remember this one?

maryanne1 - it was Adoc86 :)

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...wheelchair.cfm

Cambe's 2009 Hurtigruten trip report inspired me to make the trip in 2011, and I am so glad it did.
Thankyou Cambe.

Only two months and I go again! :)

AnselmAdorne report http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/susans-paris.cfm was really moving(and good)plus, any report from ekscrunchy;lincasanova , denisea or bobthe navigator.

I recall enjoying wayfinder's candid report of a family trip to Italy.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...p-to-italy.cfm

Any of the TRs from FrenchMystiqueTours, but I was especially inspired by his reports from Annecy and Burgundy since we recently visited these areas.

Love his photo essays. His pictures and commentaries give me a sense of riding along with him. They make me want to see it all for myself someday.

I'll add another vote for Kerouac's amazing work.

I won't play favorites as all the mentioned above are very good but I will add my friends, Thin and Nikki.

PS-though I am grateful for the free books, it's disappointing to see my old quotes used in two following editions. And, several places in Boston and France have been out of business

I really like Kerouac's photo reports (any topic) - always good. And this year Vttraveler's report on Belgium (http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...etherlands.cfm). Vttraveler and her husband made an effort to get to know Brussels aside from just the Grand' Place, and explored the suburbs much in the same way that people explore the arrondissements of Paris. Full marks!

Lavandula

How great to see you back Katie.

All the Italy, France reports et al are lovely as usual, but I am glad to see the off-the-beaten-path reports, for Europe especially. Julia's in Sarajevo was already mentioned. Been reading thursdayd's accounts through (mostly) Eastern Europe and most recently about her time in Albania in the third segment, the links to the first two segments are in the first post.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rn-balkans.cfm