Where in Europe did you go in 2005? Worth it? What bout 2006?
Jan 3rd, 2006, 08:29 AM
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Where in Europe did you go in 2005? Worth it? What bout 2006?
I am totally ripping off a question posted by Pat on the US Forum. Way to go Pat, good one!
Let me start off with memories of a wonderful Summer trip to Russia and Scandinavia. Norway blew me away; Stockholm is gorgeous. Totally worth every penny!
Plans for 2006 include Spain and Italy, but to be honest the West of the USA is calling me very strongly. Love it!
Let me start off with memories of a wonderful Summer trip to Russia and Scandinavia. Norway blew me away; Stockholm is gorgeous. Totally worth every penny!
Plans for 2006 include Spain and Italy, but to be honest the West of the USA is calling me very strongly. Love it!
Jan 3rd, 2006, 08:45 AM
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Spent a week in Sicily in early May.....lovely and easy to travel around by car. Excellent time of year to travel there weathrwise.
September/October 2005..Athens (interesting but not eager to return); Santorini (pretty but totally inundated with tourists...); Istanbul (wonderful); car trip along western Turkish coast (ditto...will return to Turkey again soon).
Next week: Montepulciano; Florence; Bologna
October: San Sebastian; Dordogne rental; Paris
Wow am I lucky!!!!
September/October 2005..Athens (interesting but not eager to return); Santorini (pretty but totally inundated with tourists...); Istanbul (wonderful); car trip along western Turkish coast (ditto...will return to Turkey again soon).
Next week: Montepulciano; Florence; Bologna
October: San Sebastian; Dordogne rental; Paris
Wow am I lucky!!!!
Jan 3rd, 2006, 08:59 AM
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Italy (AC) last summer, loved every minute of it especially Ravello.
Paris in September - what can I say about Paris that has not already been said.
This year is going to be long haul and I am already posing on the Asia board about suggestions for Singapore and Malaysia.
City break - possibly New York in December for some Christmas shopping.
Paris in September - what can I say about Paris that has not already been said.
This year is going to be long haul and I am already posing on the Asia board about suggestions for Singapore and Malaysia.
City break - possibly New York in December for some Christmas shopping.
Jan 3rd, 2006, 09:01 AM
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We spent two weeks in Bavaria/Austria/Switzerland in May and absolutely loved it. We were thrilled with the locations we picked. Then in November we spent 4 nights in Paris. It was our first trip and we fell in love with this beautiful city.
In 2006 we are planning a trip to Italy in March (Rome and Umbria) and a trip to Croatia, hopefully, for October.
Tracy
In 2006 we are planning a trip to Italy in March (Rome and Umbria) and a trip to Croatia, hopefully, for October.
Tracy
Jan 3rd, 2006, 09:03 AM
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We spent three weeks in Benelux in the spring.
The timing couldn't have been more perfect as we caught the Dutch bulb fields at their most colorful. We spent four nights in Delft, visited Kinderdijk, the Alkmaar Cheese Market, and drove across the Afsluitdijk to wander about Friesland for several days.
The forests and farmlands of Belgium and Luxembourg were green and lush and unforgettable.
We visited Brugge for the 3rd time, Vianden for the 2nd, and Antwerp and Leuven for the 1st. I probably shot as many pictures of the Brabo Fountain, with the variety of stepped gabled buildings as a backdrop, as I have of any single subject in Europe.
This year will be strictly domestic, with much anticipated return trips to California and Alaska. Every year, we always manage to squeeze in a few three-day weekends to Utah or Wyoming.
We hope to save enough to splurge on a spring 2007 trip to Italy that will coincide with our 15th anniversary.
The timing couldn't have been more perfect as we caught the Dutch bulb fields at their most colorful. We spent four nights in Delft, visited Kinderdijk, the Alkmaar Cheese Market, and drove across the Afsluitdijk to wander about Friesland for several days.
The forests and farmlands of Belgium and Luxembourg were green and lush and unforgettable.
We visited Brugge for the 3rd time, Vianden for the 2nd, and Antwerp and Leuven for the 1st. I probably shot as many pictures of the Brabo Fountain, with the variety of stepped gabled buildings as a backdrop, as I have of any single subject in Europe.
This year will be strictly domestic, with much anticipated return trips to California and Alaska. Every year, we always manage to squeeze in a few three-day weekends to Utah or Wyoming.
We hope to save enough to splurge on a spring 2007 trip to Italy that will coincide with our 15th anniversary.
Jan 3rd, 2006, 09:09 AM
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We spent time in Paris, Avignon, Nice and Cinque Terre. Hated Paris, Avignon is doable in 1 day. Loved Nice and absolutely loved Cinque Terre. We went Oct 8 through the 20th and the weather was perfect.
2006 - Tampa for spring training, Anguilla for the honeymoone, Quebec City because we have been meaning to go and never get there, a week on the coast of Maine and then Almalfi Coast for 2 weeks in the fall....looking forward to it.
2006 - Tampa for spring training, Anguilla for the honeymoone, Quebec City because we have been meaning to go and never get there, a week on the coast of Maine and then Almalfi Coast for 2 weeks in the fall....looking forward to it.
Jan 3rd, 2006, 09:59 AM
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6 days in Venice in April ..... city was lovely as ever, but being hampered with a (thankfully temporarily) wheelchair-bound child everything was VERY difficult....
Highlights would be the soft shell crabs on Burano, Fantasy Gelato, and lots and lots of Prosecco.
3 days in Paris and 4 in Normandy in July .... a really nice trip this time with healthy active children.
Highlight in Paris has to be the evening Fat Tire Bicycle Tour, and in Normandy our unscheduled night in Rouen.
4 days (in disguise as a 'mystery guest') on a holiday park in Poole, Dorset in August.
Highlight was 'Zorbing' - rolling the kids down a hill in a huge plastic ball - read about on this website. Thanks to BTilke for discovering it and Steve James for trying it out!
4 days in Dublin in December with teenage daughter, shopping, sightseeing, watching son play rugby match on school sports tour.
Highlight was probably the pub in a Dublin suburb with other visiting parents celebrating the English beating the Irish, or the dinner afterwards with same parents!
2006 - no plans as yet, but urgent replacement of central heating boiler means considerably reduced funds this year, so we will probably rent a house in North Cornwall and go surfing....
Have a great year everyone!
Highlights would be the soft shell crabs on Burano, Fantasy Gelato, and lots and lots of Prosecco.
3 days in Paris and 4 in Normandy in July .... a really nice trip this time with healthy active children.
Highlight in Paris has to be the evening Fat Tire Bicycle Tour, and in Normandy our unscheduled night in Rouen.
4 days (in disguise as a 'mystery guest') on a holiday park in Poole, Dorset in August.
Highlight was 'Zorbing' - rolling the kids down a hill in a huge plastic ball - read about on this website. Thanks to BTilke for discovering it and Steve James for trying it out!
4 days in Dublin in December with teenage daughter, shopping, sightseeing, watching son play rugby match on school sports tour.
Highlight was probably the pub in a Dublin suburb with other visiting parents celebrating the English beating the Irish, or the dinner afterwards with same parents!
2006 - no plans as yet, but urgent replacement of central heating boiler means considerably reduced funds this year, so we will probably rent a house in North Cornwall and go surfing....
Have a great year everyone!
Jan 3rd, 2006, 10:16 AM
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I visited 9 new countries in 2005.
Singpore
England
Scotland (all over and Edinburgh festival)
Wales (only cardiff)
Italy (Amalfi coast, Sorrento etc, Florence, Umbria, Venice). Didn't see Rome as Papa Giovani Paolo died.
Austria (Vienna - I love, Melk, Salzburg)
Germany (Bavaria - great, Heidelburg - sorry that is spelt wong I think)
France (Paris - wonderful, Normandy)
Belgium (Bruges and Brussels)
This year
Amsterdam
Spain
Portugal
France again
Greece
Turkey maybe
Germany again
Czech Republic
Italy (Rome Tuscany)
If I go home this year it will also be Canada, US and maybe Japan. But I think I will run out of money and have to work before I head home.
BTW I am a budget traveller. And EVERYWHERE is worth it even the places I hated as now I know more about me, my own culture and the world.
Singpore
England
Scotland (all over and Edinburgh festival)
Wales (only cardiff)
Italy (Amalfi coast, Sorrento etc, Florence, Umbria, Venice). Didn't see Rome as Papa Giovani Paolo died.
Austria (Vienna - I love, Melk, Salzburg)
Germany (Bavaria - great, Heidelburg - sorry that is spelt wong I think)
France (Paris - wonderful, Normandy)
Belgium (Bruges and Brussels)
This year
Amsterdam
Spain
Portugal
France again
Greece
Turkey maybe
Germany again
Czech Republic
Italy (Rome Tuscany)
If I go home this year it will also be Canada, US and maybe Japan. But I think I will run out of money and have to work before I head home.
BTW I am a budget traveller. And EVERYWHERE is worth it even the places I hated as now I know more about me, my own culture and the world.
Jan 3rd, 2006, 10:24 AM
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Prague, Vienna, Budapest, and London in September, almost two weeks. I took almost 1700 pictures with my digital camera, which I whittled down to just about 300 "keepers" in the end. 
Prague was easily the highlight of my trip, although it was overrun with tourists when I was there. I would probably return to Budapest, not to Vienna without a reason.
Andrew
Prague was easily the highlight of my trip, although it was overrun with tourists when I was there. I would probably return to Budapest, not to Vienna without a reason.Andrew
Jan 3rd, 2006, 10:29 AM
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I had a fabulous time in the Baltics on a 14-night cruise. Saint Petersburg was the highlight (2 day visit), followed by Copenhagen, Helsinki, Tallinn, and Rostock. I wasn't thrilled with Oslo. Met many nice people on the cruise.
In October, my husband and I went to Hawaii, where I grew up. Loved being back on Oahu, as well as visiting the Big Island. We got to see the lava flowing in the distance at night.
Next May will be a solo trip to Italy, visiting Florence, Bologna, and Venice. Will be a 2 week trip. In October, Tony and I hope to go to Portugal.
Happy travels!!!
Monica
In October, my husband and I went to Hawaii, where I grew up. Loved being back on Oahu, as well as visiting the Big Island. We got to see the lava flowing in the distance at night.
Next May will be a solo trip to Italy, visiting Florence, Bologna, and Venice. Will be a 2 week trip. In October, Tony and I hope to go to Portugal.
Happy travels!!!
Monica
Jan 3rd, 2006, 10:30 AM
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2005
June: 2 weeks in Provence / Côte d'Azur (France)
September: 10 days in and around Sorrento (Italy)
Furthermore many daytrips throughout the Netherlands and Belgium (my home country).
2006:
April: long weekend in the UK (Gardens & Castles of Kent)
April: weekend in the Netherlands (Limburg province)
June: 2 weeks in Italy (1 week in Calabria, 1 week in Sicily)
September: 10 days in France (either Languedoc-Roussillon or Pays Basque).
June: 2 weeks in Provence / Côte d'Azur (France)
September: 10 days in and around Sorrento (Italy)
Furthermore many daytrips throughout the Netherlands and Belgium (my home country).
2006:
April: long weekend in the UK (Gardens & Castles of Kent)
April: weekend in the Netherlands (Limburg province)
June: 2 weeks in Italy (1 week in Calabria, 1 week in Sicily)
September: 10 days in France (either Languedoc-Roussillon or Pays Basque).
Jan 3rd, 2006, 10:48 AM
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January 2005 Munich, Salzburg, Bad Gastein~You cannot beat the natural beauty of the Alps in Bavaria. I love all the villages in Austria. Great snowboarding too.
March 2005 Paris, Dijon, Beaune. The food and the wine and of course I love Paris. This was my 10th trip to Paris so I can never get enough.
June 2005 Seattle, another wonderful city, we went wine tasting in the tri citie area,Yakima valley.
June 2005 Paris~with my hubby this time, just beautiful
August 2005 Boston, another great walking city. Love the energy!
November 2005 Washington DC, first time to DC, not my favorite. Warmed up to DC but am not compelled to visit soon.
January 2006 Dingle Ireland
February 2006 London
March 2006 Jackson Hole wyoming
March 2005 Paris, Dijon, Beaune. The food and the wine and of course I love Paris. This was my 10th trip to Paris so I can never get enough.
June 2005 Seattle, another wonderful city, we went wine tasting in the tri citie area,Yakima valley.
June 2005 Paris~with my hubby this time, just beautiful
August 2005 Boston, another great walking city. Love the energy!
November 2005 Washington DC, first time to DC, not my favorite. Warmed up to DC but am not compelled to visit soon.
January 2006 Dingle Ireland
February 2006 London
March 2006 Jackson Hole wyoming
Jan 3rd, 2006, 10:57 AM
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nice positive thread!
2005: May: Athens, Santorini and crete, loved every minute of it!
July/August: Tokyo, Kyoto, Beijing, Hong Kong and Bangkok. Fabulous, fabulous!
2006:
May: Amalfi Coast: sorrento and Capri lodging
July: Slovenia. Croatia and back to Paris for the upteenth time!!
Travel well!!!
2005: May: Athens, Santorini and crete, loved every minute of it!
July/August: Tokyo, Kyoto, Beijing, Hong Kong and Bangkok. Fabulous, fabulous!
2006:
May: Amalfi Coast: sorrento and Capri lodging
July: Slovenia. Croatia and back to Paris for the upteenth time!!
Travel well!!!
Jan 3rd, 2006, 11:16 AM
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<b>2005</b>
January--London (1 week)
February--Paris (5 days)
We used FF miles and took my in-laws for a long-weekend so my FIL could see Normandy: an amazing experience.
April--London (1 week)
July--Paris for my 40th (1 magical week)
September--Vence/Nice (1 week)
This was our second visit to this area and we still have lots to look forward to. Highlight of this trip was the Chagall Museum.
November--Germany (9 days)
This was our first visit to Germany: we loved Trier and Bavaria and our one-day visit to Luxembourg City. Will definitely return to both countries.
**All of these trips were terrific but my favourite was our trip to Paris in July since my sister joined us and it was her first visit to my favourite city.
<b>2006</b>
February--Rome (5 days)
June--Paris and Vence/Nice (2 weeks)
September--Switzerland (2 weeks)
November--Germany (1 week)
Wishing everyone happy travels~
Maureen
January--London (1 week)
February--Paris (5 days)
We used FF miles and took my in-laws for a long-weekend so my FIL could see Normandy: an amazing experience.
April--London (1 week)
July--Paris for my 40th (1 magical week)
September--Vence/Nice (1 week)
This was our second visit to this area and we still have lots to look forward to. Highlight of this trip was the Chagall Museum.
November--Germany (9 days)
This was our first visit to Germany: we loved Trier and Bavaria and our one-day visit to Luxembourg City. Will definitely return to both countries.
**All of these trips were terrific but my favourite was our trip to Paris in July since my sister joined us and it was her first visit to my favourite city.
<b>2006</b>
February--Rome (5 days)
June--Paris and Vence/Nice (2 weeks)
September--Switzerland (2 weeks)
November--Germany (1 week)
Wishing everyone happy travels~
Maureen
Jan 3rd, 2006, 11:16 AM
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We live in the UK with an apartment in Brussels, so that gives us a big leg up in our European travels, but...
2005:
Several trips to Brussels, Bruges, and elsewhere in Benelux lasting from two days to three weeks.
Two week-ends and two days trips in Paris.
About 75 day trips into London, a few to Oxford.
Two weeks in Vienna with a day trip to Semmering
Two weeks in Germany, specifically Detmold, the Teutoburgerwald and Muensterland. A few long week-ends in Baden-Baden.
One week in June and 10 days in December in Orlando area.
The year's travel highlights:
*The Freilichtmuseum outside Detmold. Considered the most important open air museum in Germany, a true delight.
* The Liechenstein Museum in Vienna. Definitely worth adding to a Vienna trip itinerary.
* Paris. From start to finish, the whole city is one big highlight!
* Bruges on a sunny early morning, when the city is quiet and void of day trippers
* Walking in the fresh snowfall in the Black Forest outside Baden-Baden.
* Great dinner at Ming's on International Drive with my mother, one of my oldest friends, her husband and their handsome, healthy, interesting children.
2006:
More day trips to London; hopefully some more week-ends (or longer!) in Paris. Definitely more time in Benelux.
Two weeks in Vienna in Feb/March with a three day side trip to Krakow.
Probably another trip to Orlando
Fall vacation not yet scheduled, so many possibilities!
2005:
Several trips to Brussels, Bruges, and elsewhere in Benelux lasting from two days to three weeks.
Two week-ends and two days trips in Paris.
About 75 day trips into London, a few to Oxford.
Two weeks in Vienna with a day trip to Semmering
Two weeks in Germany, specifically Detmold, the Teutoburgerwald and Muensterland. A few long week-ends in Baden-Baden.
One week in June and 10 days in December in Orlando area.
The year's travel highlights:
*The Freilichtmuseum outside Detmold. Considered the most important open air museum in Germany, a true delight.
* The Liechenstein Museum in Vienna. Definitely worth adding to a Vienna trip itinerary.
* Paris. From start to finish, the whole city is one big highlight!
* Bruges on a sunny early morning, when the city is quiet and void of day trippers
* Walking in the fresh snowfall in the Black Forest outside Baden-Baden.
* Great dinner at Ming's on International Drive with my mother, one of my oldest friends, her husband and their handsome, healthy, interesting children.
2006:
More day trips to London; hopefully some more week-ends (or longer!) in Paris. Definitely more time in Benelux.
Two weeks in Vienna in Feb/March with a three day side trip to Krakow.
Probably another trip to Orlando
Fall vacation not yet scheduled, so many possibilities!
Jan 3rd, 2006, 11:58 AM
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Two weeks in June 2005: I went to Rome, Florence and Venice with my two nieces, my aunt and her daughter - five women ranging in age from 19 to 74! It was a great experience, different from what we each expected, but wonderful.
2006: We are working on the arrangements for a 7-day cruise in late July (maybe Bermuda or the Bahamas, no decision yet) for about fifteen family members - everyone pays his/her own way so we are aiming for consensus. I also have another grandchild on the way in mid-August, so any other travel plans will have to be in the late Spring, after graduation. I am seriously thinking about Spain, but we shall see...
2006: We are working on the arrangements for a 7-day cruise in late July (maybe Bermuda or the Bahamas, no decision yet) for about fifteen family members - everyone pays his/her own way so we are aiming for consensus. I also have another grandchild on the way in mid-August, so any other travel plans will have to be in the late Spring, after graduation. I am seriously thinking about Spain, but we shall see...
Jan 3rd, 2006, 12:59 PM
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Early 2005 was local travel within Texas -- Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Austin, the Hill Country. In the fall, we spent a fabulous month in England, Scotland, Ireland and a 4-day trip to Paris for my birthday dinner with friends. 2006 is undecided, but it will be Europe -- maybe two trips -- along with more local/US travel.
Jan 3rd, 2006, 01:10 PM
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Hi Happy New Year!
We spent 10 days in Germany split between Berlin, Dresden and Potsdam. Had a great time, never been to any of the cities before 2005.
In 2006, it's way too early for us to discuss where to go. We usually decide in the spring. Have to admit though, I'm leaning toward Bulgaria. Part of our decision is based on being standby fliers, where we can get into and out of w/o too much trouble.
We spent 10 days in Germany split between Berlin, Dresden and Potsdam. Had a great time, never been to any of the cities before 2005.
In 2006, it's way too early for us to discuss where to go. We usually decide in the spring. Have to admit though, I'm leaning toward Bulgaria. Part of our decision is based on being standby fliers, where we can get into and out of w/o too much trouble.
