Going to Europe. Which country to visit?

Florestan · May 30, 2011, 01:10:46 AM

Quote from: Sandra on May 29, 2011, 10:31:33 PM
For far, I am considering Romania, Slovakia, Poland and Italy.

Quote from: MDL on May 29, 2011, 02:12:22 PM
Had a fab time in Romania in 2008; it's not in the euro zone, so it's quite cheap. Brasov in particular was lovely. The Romanians were the warmest, gentlest people I've encountered in Eastern Europe... yes, I'm making sweeping generalisations, but I can only comment on my own personal experience, not what the PC police tell me to say.

I am Romanian so I'm not quite neutral, but...

Romania is the most "exotic" (i.e, very unlike US and most Western Europe) and probably the cheapest of the list.

If you want old, tranquil towns, medieval castles, superb Eastern Orthodox monasteries, picturesque scenery, awesome food, plum brandy & wines and friendly and welcoming people, you should definitely consider it.

(Did I mention Dracula's Castle?

)

Besides staying at a hotel, you have the option of going to rural areas and stay in an agri-touristic facility, thus experiencing local life first hand --- and that is indeed radically different from everything you're accustomed to in Oregon or California.

Some appetizers:

If you decide for it, just let me know and I'll suggest you some interesting regions.

mc ukrneal · May 30, 2011, 01:16:08 AM

Quote from: Florestan on May 30, 2011, 01:10:46 AM
Some appetizers:

These are indeed amazing. I was lucky to have spent some time in northeastern Romania and we spent a day going from church to church. They are painted on th outside and many of them are incredibly intersesting. The scenery is nice too. There is also that cool castle a couple hours north of Bucharest (in the hills/mountains) that was beautiful too. Name escapes me just now...

EDIT: Peles castle - I think that was it. Looks like:

Florestan · May 30, 2011, 01:24:18 AM

Quote from: mc ukrneal on May 30, 2011, 01:16:08 AM
There is also that cool castle a couple hours north of Budapest (in the hills/mountains)

Oh, no, not again!

Bucharest, please!!!

(

)

Quote
that was beautiful too. Name escapes me just now...

That would be either Peleş

or Bran (Dracula)

Quote from: mc ukrneal on May 30, 2011, 01:16:08 AM
These are indeed amazing. I was lucky to have spent some time in northeastern Romania and we spent a day going from church to church. They are painted on th outside and many of them are incredibly intersesting.

More.

mc ukrneal · May 30, 2011, 01:42:26 AM

Quote from: Florestan on May 30, 2011, 01:24:18 AM
Oh, no, not again!

Bucharest, please!!!

( )

I did go back and fix it, but I was too late!

Florestan · May 30, 2011, 01:44:59 AM

Quote from: mc ukrneal on May 30, 2011, 01:42:26 AM
I did go back and fix it, but I was too late!

http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,9.msg518758.html#msg518758

The new erato · May 30, 2011, 01:52:06 AM

Quote from: Sergeant Rock on May 29, 2011, 12:46:35 PM
See! Proves my point. You're just passing through on the way to somewhere else

Sarge

Yes, but I have the sense to spend 5 days on route.

Lethevich · May 30, 2011, 02:27:59 AM

Quote from: mc ukrneal on May 30, 2011, 01:16:08 AM
These are indeed amazing. I was lucky to have spent some time in northeastern Romania and we spent a day going from church to church.

How do you (and others) deal with the language difficulties? I felt continually nervous even in France with my only passable grasp of the language. Italy was less of a problem given how everybody expects tourists in such large numbers.

mc ukrneal · May 30, 2011, 02:35:22 AM

Quote from: Lethe Dmitriyevich Shostakovich on May 30, 2011, 02:27:59 AM
How do you (and others) deal with the language difficulties? I felt continually nervous even in France with my only passable grasp of the language. Italy was less of a problem given how everybody expects tourists in such large numbers.

I try to learn at least a few words- the most important being please and thank you. Smiling is key too. Lots and lots of smiling!

MDL · May 30, 2011, 03:46:09 AM

Quote from: mc ukrneal on May 30, 2011, 02:35:22 AM
I try to learn at least a few words- the most important being please and thank you. Smiling is key too. Lots and lots of smiling!

Spot on; learning "hello", "please" and "thank you" in the local lingo will be a big help. I got through China unable to say anything else.

MDL · May 30, 2011, 03:47:40 AM

If all these cities are a bit exhausting, where's the best place to unwind? I'd say the Greek islands, the Croatian coast, Tuscany or the Lake District.

Sandra · May 30, 2011, 04:37:04 AM

Florestan, thank you so much. Those pictures are beautiful. Romania is definitely top of the list. I got an Eastern Europe tour-guide book. I'm looking forward to read some more about these countries.

Getting to hear their national ensembles and orchestras would be another huge opportunity. I love the folk dances from that region!

Sergeant Rock · May 30, 2011, 04:42:20 AM

Quote from: The new erato on May 29, 2011, 09:00:09 AM
I will stay in Halle, Weimar, Iphofen and Rothenburg on my way to Italy this year!

Quote from: The new erato on May 30, 2011, 01:52:06 AM
Yes, but I have the sense to spend 5 days on route.

If you have time you should travel from Halle to Weimar via the Saale-Unstrut valleys rather than taking the Autobahn. Beautiful wine country.

Sarge

Florestan · May 30, 2011, 06:21:32 AM

Quote from: Sandra on May 30, 2011, 04:37:04 AM
Florestan, thank you so much. Those pictures are beautiful. Romania is definitely top of the list.

You're welcome. Feel free to PM me for any further information or help you might need.

Quote
Getting to hear their national ensembles and orchestras would be another huge opportunity. I love the folk dances from that region!

Plenty of opportunities for that as well!

snyprrr · May 30, 2011, 07:02:57 AM

I hear Greece is cheap!!

DavidW · May 30, 2011, 07:11:21 AM

Florestan, Budapest looks rather nice. <runs away!>

The new erato · May 30, 2011, 07:58:50 AM

Quote from: Sergeant Rock on May 30, 2011, 04:42:20 AM
If you have time you should travel from Halle to Weimar via the Saale-Unstrut valleys rather than taking the Autobahn. Beautiful wine country.

Sarge

I have time. And thanks for the tip. Wine's a part of the trip. Staying some nights in Piemonte, and returning via Rhone to Chablis.

Tapio Dmitriyevich · May 30, 2011, 08:52:34 AM

Quote from: romboid on May 29, 2011, 06:54:05 AMTurkey.

Germany

In Germany, I like the Allgäu most.

My best choice would be Switzerland. I loved it. Many years ago I was in a small village called "Ausserberg". Pretty high and far away from the valley, just beautiful.

Florestan · May 30, 2011, 08:55:51 AM

Quote from: mozartfan on May 30, 2011, 07:11:21 AM
Florestan, Budapest looks rather nice. <runs away!>

Hey, don't run away, come back: you're right. I've visited it thrice and it is very nice indeed, it reminds me of Vienna.

Tapio Dmitriyevich · May 30, 2011, 09:05:35 AM

Nice pictures of Romania, Florestan. București seems to be beautiful (but I guess in the center only, as many big cities have their rotten ares as well)

Had a look with street view...

Florestan · May 30, 2011, 09:08:28 AM

Quote from: Tapio Dmitriyevich Shostakovich on May 30, 2011, 09:05:35 AM
Nice pictures of Romania, Florestan. București seems to be beautiful (but I guess in the center only, as many big cities have their rotten ares as well)

There are some not-so-central areas that are nice as well.

Going to Europe. Which country to visit?

snyprrr

DavidW