European countries welcome more than 480 million international visitors per year, more than half of the global market, and 7 of the 10 most visited countries are European nations. It's easy to see why - a well preserved cultural heritage, open borders and efficient infrastructure makes visiting Europe a breeze, and rarely will you have to travel more than a few hours before you can immerse yourself in a new culture, and dive into a different phrasebook. Although it is the world's smallest continent in land surface area, there are profound differences between the cultures and ways of life in its countries.
My first real travel experience, in 1979, was to Europe. Two months, friend Joanne, no guidebook (I left it on the flight over), Eurail passes, a new camera, a first real travel experience. Craig & I have been to Spain, Greece, Turkey, Italy, Corsica, Slovenia, Bosnia, Croatia, London, Paris, Vienna. He thinks it is too European. Read: snobby. I find it charming and easy. We both find it expensive.
Italy is a favourite. We’ve been a few times, and will return. And we still want to go to Berlin, Amsterdam, Prague, Sardinia, Sicily.
