Best of Europe

[Binford]

I'm gonna go on my first backpacking trip this summer. I mainly wanna go for the scenery and nature n stuff like that.. and take alotta pics. i'm not as into art n history n stuff like that.. although i'll definetly visit the louvre and a few other museums. A few parties too of course

I was wondering if u guys knew ne cool places to visit. I'm planning on interlaken n king ludwig's castles.. as well as the typical paris n london n rome stuff. is cinque terre worth a few days? What else is there?

[omisan]

I've heard Cinque Terre is breathtaking, but sadly, I've never been.

If you're into landscapes and hiking, check out the Catalnuya region of Eastern Spain, namely the area northeast of Barcelona. Places like Garrotxa and Olot are among funky volcanic fields that you can hike and sometimes bike through. There's even one trail that goes from the volcanic mountains down to the Mediterranean.

The Irish countryside was absolutely freakin' beautiful. Rolling green hills, the reddish tinge of mountains and mountains of peat, blacky-brown lakes. Unforgettable.

[lilwings]

If you are planning on Ludwig's Neuschwanstien and Hohenschwangogh... I would advise starting your bike trip in Wurzburg (good party town too), taking the Romantic Trail south to Rothenburg o.d. Tauber and Dinklesbuhl (medival walled cities- R.o.d.T. can be a little touristy though... Dinklesbuhl is better). The route (B 19) ends at Neuschwanstien. From there, try going east along the Alps towards Linderhof and Herron Chimsee. End the whole thing with a stop in Berchestgaden and the Eagle's Nest. I can't say that I have done it on bicycle... but I've done it on a motorcycle. (I live north of Wurzburg, in Schweinfurt)

[Binford]

Thanks for the suggestions. I dont really plan to do ne biking though.. but definetly hiking...

is stonehenge closed off?

[worldwidemike]

I believe Midsummer's Day is the only one that you're allowed actually in amongst the stones...

worldwidemike

[urOZm8]

I really enjoyed hiking near Dresden in Germany. Its called Saxony Switzerland and you can walk through the forest between towns along the Elbe River. The Bastei Cliffs there are really cool.



Another fave in England is the south west coastal path around Lizard Point(especially Kynance Cove)

ev

[Somnambulation]

Switzerland had no equal as far as scenery was concerned on the trip I took last summer. But I especially love the mountains, so it depends on what type of scenery youre after.

[kingcrazylegs]

^Yea Switzerland has awesome scenery - hiking anywhere around the Alps is beautiful. Northern Italy has some nice spots, especially around some of the lakes. Also portugal has some awesome hiking.

[worldwidemike]

Originally posted by urOZm8@Feb 6 2005, 12:26 PM
Another fave in England is the south west coastal path around Lizard Point(especially Kynance Cove)

Damn! Good point, ev! How could I forget the Cornish Coastal Path?

FYI, it goes ALL the way around Cornwall. Awesome cliff and seascape scenery, punctuated by quaint little seaside towns, meadows, sheltered coves...it's well worth a few days of hiking.

One way I'd suggest tackling it is to base yourself in the middle of a stretch you want to see. In the morning, take the bus to one town as far as you want to go in one direction, and hike back that day along the path. The next morning, take the bus to a different town in the other direction, and hike back. Keeps you from having to carry everything on your back like dumb ol' me...

worldwidemike

[butterj]

Id suggest scotland and on your way to interlaken take the train from france, its really nice. it took me 5 hours but it was amazing i stayed in chamonix in the french alps then over to interlacken. amazing scenery

[JiveTurkey]

I would like to chime in with Prague... Prague is amazing. I have been all over Europe and Prague was my fav. Just looking at all the old buildings could keep me happy for days.

Prague Rocks!