I've been all over Western Europe, to parts of Eastern Europe, to parts of North Africa, and to all of the continental US states.
My five favorite countries are as follows: Austria, Germany, Ireland, Switzerland, and Croatia.
Croatia has some of the most lovely and beautiful Mediterranean beaches I've ever seen. It's like Greece, but not. White hills, crystal, dark blue water, lush small islands off the coast. It can be a bit pricey to get there, but once you're there it's not that expensive. Things are changing quickly, as Croatia is transitioning to the Euro.
Switzerland and Austria: The Alps. Plane and simple. Breathtaking. Not to mention, both countries are incredibly safe. Salzberg (Austria) is especially awesome. For some reason I hold a special place in my heart for Salzberg.
Germany, especially Berlin, is amazing. The whole city is under construction because they are still "rebuilding." Visit East Berlin and West Berlin to see what's left of the difference between the two sides. I love Southeast Germany or Bavaria. No, you don't have to eat Bavarian cream pies while you're there. The castles in Germany on the Rhine River are really beautiful and amazing.
Ireland: The countryside is beautiful and the people are incredibly hospitable. You can go on a really cool bike ride along the the west coast. Start and Galway and end up wherever. The castles in Ireland are awesome too. Ireland's expensive though, even by European standards.
I spent a good part of this past summer in Spain and Morocco, so I can tell you plenty about those places too, though I don't think I'd ever return to either. Maybe I'd go to back to San Sebastian (Spain), but that's it. Morocco was f-ing wild. The highlight of that trip was traveling across the Atlas Mountains into the Sahara and then taking a camel ride deep into the desert. We slept outside, under the stars in a vast expanse of sand dunes. It was like a different world, a universe filled with wave after rolling wave of nothing but sand dunes. Fun times were had, but I've no desire to return to Morocco.
I can send you pictures if you want, but posting them might be a problem because I don't know how to do that since the pictures aren't hosted anywhere.
Chances are, if a country in Europe interests you, I've been there. Let me know if you want pictures or info.
Tamara
