European destinations - what is your favorite?

[Ken555]

As others already wrote, Italy and Wales. Two of my favorites.

I get to Italy, Spain, and the UK every year or so (during non-pandemic times). Though you said you are adverse to driving, I had a wonderful driving trip through Wales and would do it again (and am planning on it). There is so much to see outside of the towns - several times I simply stopped at the next historic site and they were great, and I would never had planned a stop there had I read about them in advance.

I’m hoping to spent 3-5 days (though I may need more) to stop at every historic site from along Hadrian’s Wall. I visited several of them a few years ago, and now want to stop at each. I’m sure I’ll combine that with a few days in Edinburgh and elsewhere in Scotland, and/or return to the Lake District, etc.

Similarly, I had a wonderful week driving around Ireland, and want to return to see more (including Belfast). On another trip I had combined the driving trip in Wales with Ireland by taking the Holyhead Ferry to Dublin.

So much to see in Europe, it’s really hard to go wrong.


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[Ken555]

Pizza is wonderful in Italy, but not everywhere (I could tell you where not to go in Florence, for instance). As you go south, it gets better...and is best in Naples.

I’ve had wonderful meals in Italy, including the best meal I’ve ever had. There is so much variety most tourists don’t see, as towns and regions tend to focus on certain specialities.


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[nerodog]

We are going to start to plan our next trip to Europe this afternoon since we have some free time. I get to pick the European destination this time. We have been to Italy, Switzerland/Austria/Germany, Ireland, France, and London only (never left the city). Where should we go next? We are hikers but love a good historic city. Any favorites? The only caveat is that travel with a lot of driving usually stresses us out. We can do it but I strongly prefer not to. If there is a timeshare that is a plus, but not necessary. This trip will probably happen in 2023, maybe 2022 but with the current situation, who knows. We will probably do 3+ weeks in early fall. We also prefer small B&B's over large hotels. I can't wait to hear your ideas!

I sent you a private PM on bed and breakfast. Of course Algarve is loaded with TS and Lisbon is a hilly city. Why not do a combo of Portugal and Spain ? Also check out pousadas and paradoxes for historical experiences and more out of the way locals.

 

[nerodog]

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me riding in the Enchanted Forest near Ballater


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Random pristine sheep we came upon in the Scottish Highlands


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Guy and his JRT in a Scottish cemetery


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This is Edinburgh Residence exterior

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Edinburgh in the rain

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More Edinburgh in the rain

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Edinburgh windowbox. Yes it’s a handsome city


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Went for a walk from Edinburgh Residence right into a dreamy painting

Gorgeous pix.. love Edinburgh!

 

[nerodog]

And my faves are,Austria... loved the TS in Bad Gsdtein and Hundley.. talk about views!!! Also love Scotland and England's Lake District, Ireland. Beautiful countryside....and of course Portugal!!! Very diverse countryside.

 

[Ken555]

And my faves are,Austria... loved the TS in Bad Gsdtein and Hundley.. talk about views!!! Also love Scotland and England's Lake District, Ireland. Beautiful countryside....and of course Portugal!!! Very diverse countryside.

Which timeshares in Austria did you stay at? I’d like to add that to a future trip. Did you need a car? I prefer public transit whenever I’m in Europe.


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[elaine]

We loved Hilton Borgo ale Vigne in Tuscany.

I assume you need a car? How is the driving? We've driven in France, where we can figure out the signs, but not anywhere else.

 

[nerodog]

Which timeshares in Austria did you stay at? I’d like to add that to a future trip. Did you need a car? I prefer public transit whenever I’m in Europe.


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Hi Ken! I stayed twice at Mondi Bellevue in Bad Gastein and it's a keeper. Also stayed one time at Mondi Grundlesee with a suoer view . Bellevue is right in town and we found it more convenient with a train station handy to get to Vienna rather than drive. We had flown into Munich both times and took the train to Bad G . We did have a car on a second trip and yes a car for Grundlesee. It's more remote but beautiful. Both were very nice but Bellevue had the edge w/restaurant, in town to walk and train station being within walking distance. With luggage you will want a taxi unless you travel light. It's hilly.

 

[DannyTS]

I assume you need a car? How is the driving? We've driven in France, where we can figure out the signs, but not anywhere else.

You absolutely need a car, even the local restaurants are 10 minutes away from the resort. The roads are narrow for North American standards. I was not 100% confortable driving but it was not bad either compared to some other places in Europe. Waze helped a lot, we never had a problem finding anything. The good thing about the resort is that it is very comfortable and you have many places around where you can go for day trips (or half days) and come back to a nice pool. The pool was never busy because the resort is not big and because guests are there to explore the area. Several times there was nobody else in the pool but my kids.
I would go back there in a heart bit.

 

[DannyTS]

Hi Ken! I stayed twice at Mondi Bellevue in Bad Gastein and it's a keeper. Also stayed one time at Mondi Grundlesee with a suoer view . Bellevue is right in town and we found it more convenient with a train station handy to get to Vienna rather than drive. We had flown into Munich both times and took the train to Bad G . We did have a car on a second trip and yes a car for Grundlesee. It's more remote but beautiful. Both were very nice but Bellevue had the edge w/restaurant, in town to walk and train station being within walking distance. With luggage you will want a taxi unless you travel light. It's hilly.

I had noticed it in RCI and it looks like a good option. Thanks for sharing. So many places to travel too!

 

[vikingsholm]

How about Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark? Haven't gone yet, but there seem to be a good number of timeshares for them on RCI, with availability in the summer and fall, and reasonable looking TPUs to trade into them.

 

[Jodyv]

When we were in Rome, every restaurant seemed to be closed on Sunday night. We walked past a pizza place with a delivery bicycle parked out front. (wish I had a picture of that bike). We ordered from the blackboard menu only by pointing...and didn't really know what we were going to get. OMG! Best pizza ever. There is no bad food in Italy. Mediocre one time....but never bad.

 

[Ken555]

Hi Ken! I stayed twice at Mondi Bellevue in Bad Gastein and it's a keeper. Also stayed one time at Mondi Grundlesee with a suoer view . Bellevue is right in town and we found it more convenient with a train station handy to get to Vienna rather than drive. We had flown into Munich both times and took the train to Bad G . We did have a car on a second trip and yes a car for Grundlesee. It's more remote but beautiful. Both were very nice but Bellevue had the edge w/restaurant, in town to walk and train station being within walking distance. With luggage you will want a taxi unless you travel light. It's hilly.

Thanks for the details. I’m fairly sure I’ve been through there on the train from/to Italy.

Bad Gastein - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

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[nerodog]

Thanks for the details. I’m fairly sure I’ve been through there on the train from/to Italy.

Bad Gastein - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

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Its a nice Spa town and has lots of skiing in the area. We really enjoy it there.

 

[nerodog]

I had noticed it in RCI and it looks like a good option. Thanks for sharing. So many places to travel too!

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Yes thats it and its got studios. 1 BR and 2.BR. We have stayed in 1Br and its very nice. With 1.5 baths. Super clean. We have been pleased with the Mondi chain.

 

[Ken555]

Hi Ken! I stayed twice at Mondi Bellevue in Bad Gastein and it's a keeper. Also stayed one time at Mondi Grundlesee with a suoer view.

I don’t see these in Interval, though I do see others. Did you use RCI?


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[nerodog]

I don’t see these in Interval, though I do see others. Did you use RCI?


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Yes I used RCI.

 

[Ken555]

Yes I used RCI.

I also see it listed at TripAdviser with good reviews, fwiw. It seems to be available for ~$100-125 per night, so might not be a great value compared to a timeshare MF.


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[nerodog]

How about Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark? Haven't gone yet, but there seem to be a good number of timeshares for them on RCI, with availability in the summer and fall, and reasonable looking TPUs to trade into them.

I was scheduled to go to Finland this past year but Covid arrived. I was only planning a few days in Helsinki.
I have stayed in "kro" in Denmark. Small inns and enjoyed Norway and Sweden as well. I found Scandinavia very different than Central Europe. Nice scenery and long boat rides !! Driving was long around winding roads and fjords in Norway. Very scenic. Lots of boiled foods and smorgasbord. Have not stayed in TS though.

 

[nerodog]

I also see it listed at TripAdviser with good reviews, fwiw. It seems to be available for ~$100-125 per night, so might not be a great value compared to a timeshare MF.


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I did exchanges through RCI. I suppose it depends on the time of year. One year we were there in April , this more recent trip was in December for all the Xmas markets and events.

 

[Ken555]

I was scheduled to go to Finland this past year but Covid arrived. I was only planning a few days in Helsinki.

Helsinki was fun, but Stockholm was fantastic IMHO. I want to return to Sweden and see more of the country.

I went there a few years ago, and then we went by high speed train from Helsinki to St Petersburg. That was a fabulous method to enter Russia, since passport control was performed on the train as we traveled so when we arrived we just got off the train and went to our hotel (of course, it took them ~30 minutes to clear us - the Russian visa required listing of all countries visited in the previous ten years and I think they had to verify each one by the stamp in the passport).


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[Ken555]

I did exchanges through RCI. I suppose it depends on the time of year. One year we were there in April , this more recent trip was in December for all the Xmas markets and events.

I promised myself long ago I will not return to Europe in Winter unless I went skiing, after having visited Switzerland and being unable to see the Alps due to the weather.


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[nerodog]

I promised myself long ago I will not return to Europe in Winter unless I went skiing, after having visited Switzerland and being unable to see the Alps due to the weather.


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Ah..too bad.. the fog can be something else. We were lucky until the last day. Due to strong winds, the lifts were closed.

 

[nerodog]

Helsinki was fun, but Stockholm was fantastic IMHO. I want to return to Sweden and see more of the country.

I went there a few years ago, and then we went by high speed train from Helsinki to St Petersburg. That was a fabulous method to enter Russia, since passport control was performed on the train as we traveled so when we arrived we just got off the train and went to our hotel (of course, it took them ~30 minutes to clear us - the Russian visa required listing of all countries visited in the previous ten years and I think they had to verify each one by the stamp in the passport).


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Loved Stockholm as well. One of the highlights. What a great way to see St Petersburg. Maybe we can add that on as we still have a voucher to use for a Baltic countries trip. Hoping we will be safe to go in 2021!!

 

[sdbrier]

We have enjoyed Scotland and Italy very much.