Opinions on vacation spots in Europe.

[trophyhunt]

Going to retire in about a year and half, wife and I are planning another Trip to Sicily, but while we are there, I was thinking about another country to visit.  Top of my head is Ireland or Germany, gonna spend 3 weeks in Italy and prob a week or so in the other place.  Am I missing a “must see” place??  Been to Rome, Venice, have no want to see Paris.  Thoughts??

[JimmyHoffa]

I always hear Iceland is great.

[trophyhunt]

Hmm, didn’t think about that!

[baldopepper]

Amsterdam and Brussels. Very friendly and almost everyone speaks English. Took one of the cruises up the Rhine River a few years back that was actually pretty nice

[3boys]

Portugal and Spain are amazing. Spent 17 days there last year and spending a month in Portugal again this year.

[Gentrys]

There's a lot to see in France, even skipping Paris.  Greece and Spain are also good choices.

[MADMAX]

Egypt
Amazing to see Giza

Barcelona and Majorca

Dubrovnik

[BD1]

Austria...without question. The only place in Europe I would consider living from the many places I have visited.

[Doublelunger]

Been to Spain, Greece, and Croatia. Croatia was my favorite, by a lot.

[Fidelk]

What do you like to do whilst vacationing? Lying on a beach and drinking? Being a culture vulture? Done many trips to Amsterdam and France......and a nice trip to Spain/Portugal. Amsterdam works for me.......better access to American jazz bands than in the US (Bimhuis).......the museums are awesome......Rijksmuseum and van Gogh museums.......the Brouwerij 't Ij brewery.......and you can go to the ticket window a bit before the start of the Concertgebouw concert that night and probably get a seat damn near IN the orchestra. Please note that I made no mention of the Red Light (Rood Licht) district of the reefer scene.

[Skillet]

Cinque Terre in Italy was one of my favorite spots I've ever been, but that was over 20 years ago and I've heard it's pretty busy now. Was pretty tame when I was there. I would go down at dawn and chat with the local commercial fisherman. We got invited to dinner by a local fishing couple at their home, and they broke out some of their homebrew limoncello. Fun night.

Even with Paris out of the equation, if you have any interest in history the channel coast of France is worth a month on its own.  I spent time in Normandy during a cold November, loved it.  The D-Day beaches, towns surrounding, and the Normandy American Cemetery should be a mandatory stop for any Americans in Europe, imho. As impressive as that was, nothing else in Normandy disappointed.

[HighCountryHunter88]

I think you would appreciate what Switzerland has to offer 👍

[JJJ]

You mentioned non France....

if you are into history, PLEASE don't overlook Bayeux France . one of the only towns not bombed in WWII on the coast to nearby normandy....an  absolute gem... TONS of history there....stay in a period original hotel and get up early to walk the cobblestone  streets before the others get up... enjoy French fresh incredible pasties served as they set up their stands.; enjoy the sunrise over this beautiful little town....... priceless memories.... Normandy beach is nearby. Get a good tour guide and go.. you will NEVER  regret it. Visit the US cemetery that overlooks Omaha Beach. Be there when they play taps at dusk and lower the flag. I assure you; unexpected tears flow freely without notice- not a dry eye there, and it's totally unexpected. Its a beyond powerful memory that I will NEVER forget. Unexpected, but is one of my most cherished moments of my life....God bless those brave souls on that hallowed ground.

[trophyhunt]

Now my heads spinning, lots of options to look at, good thing we have a year and half to research.  Appreciate it!

[Fidelk]

I think you would appreciate what Switzerland has to offer 👍

Beautiful country. Was in Zermatt in 1973.......rode a gondola up to a glacier and then walked up the glacier to the Italian border and a ski area......admiring the view of the Matterhorn as I climbed. Think I even had to go through Italian immigration. I really put on the raclette feed bag that night. You don't hear much about their food and wine scene but with a convergence of Swiss-French-German-Austrian-Italian cultures.......great chow and vino.