Where do you want to go next?

[dbskyler]

Hi gang! I unfortunately don't have any trips to Europe currently planned, but I still think about where I would like to go the next time I'm able to travel. Here is my current "wish list":

UK: Cornwall (never been), Wales (need to see Aber next time), Scotland (one of my favorite countries, so I need to visit it again)

Ireland: need to see western Ireland

France: Paris (last time I was there I didn't spend nearly enough time)

Russia (never been), Norway (never been), Sweden (never been), Finland (never been) -- I know this would be an expensive trip, but worth it!

Greece: it's been ages since I've been there; time to see how it's changed or stayed the same!

Also, I have yet to delve into Eastern Europe, and I would like to do that someday. However I tend to travel alone, and I'm more hesitant about going to Eastern Europe alone. I don't expect it to be less generally safe, but there will probably be more language barriers, and more (or at least, less familiar) cultural differences.

So, there's my current "wish list"! How about you? Where do you want to go next?

Comments

[librariana]

If you want to visit Eastern Europe I more or less vouchsafe for Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia. I'm sure you will have little trouble to travel through those countries and cultural differences are definitely not what they were 20 years ago. Some things are different, sure, but adjusting is no more what you do traveling through Spain, Italy or France. Most young people speak English and they will be happy to show you around.

I also like traveling alone - I went alone to Asia :) - and all I can say that youth hostels are the best any country you stay. You can always find company and meet some nice and helpful people in there.

I am also a huge fan of Lonely Planet guides, with such reference book you almost can't get lost in any country :)

[travelingmonkey]

I'm not a big fan of the UK. But Russia is at the top of my -to visit- list also. I haven't been to Norway or Finland, but I've been to Stockholm and it's pretty nice there. ^^ I was in Greece nearly a year ago now, and loved it. Where did you go there, and when?

It depends on where in Eastern Europe you go. I've heard that Russia tends to be less on the English, but aside from there, the cities that are visited more tend to have at least plenty of young people who speak English, as librariana said. I've only been to Slovakia (Bratislava) off her mentions, but they definitely spoke good English there. I haven't been yet but I know Prague is also the same, etc. I'm sure you'd be fine if you stick to the more tourist-visited cities. And if you do CouchSurfing, then you can find good local host who speak the language and will be able to help you if you need it. ^_^

[cathepsut]

That leaves a lot of Europe uncovered. How about Germany and the counrties around the Alps? How about Southern Europe?

[peaceful_sands]

I'd love to be able to take in some of the more Northern parts of Europe, I've never yet made it to Norway, Sweden, Finland or Denmark, all of which tempt, if I got the opportunity. Plenty of other bits I'd like to see too.

I love some of the less populated areas of France for their beauty. We took a drive this summer through the Alsace area and while we did visit Strasbourg and some of the other larger towns, we also veered off into the wilderness and found some lovely little villages and amazing views.

I have been to Prague (with my Mum - we took a girls' weekend away a few years ago) It was a lovely city and I would love to go back and see more of it again. I didn't feel unsafe there at all, although we did stay in a nice hotel and we weren't out particularly late at night - my mum's not a night owl!

If you were to ask me personally about travelling alone in Russia, or more specifically Moscow, I wouldn't recommend it. I found it very hard and had some unpleasant experiences while there, before meeting up with a tour group to travel onward. I would, however, say that it is definitely worth visiting for the history and the stunning architecture and art (don't miss out on the subway stations - they're unlike anything I've ever seen before). At the same time, I do know of people who had a much easier time while there alone than I did.

I love how Europe as a whole is so varied, each country has its own feel, its own history, art and architecture, so much to see and do. Seriously, I could spend months travelling happily (if finances permitted!).