Country Re-Cap

Ireland: An incredibly green place! So much beauty here. Will never forget that I was the driver. Something that wasn't on my bucket list, but was all at the same time somehow, never thought I would ever actually do it. We drove the whole island, with added confusion of things changing once we were in Northern Ireland. We definitely feel we saw Ireland, but would go back.

England: Well we only hit London, a big, big city. We enjoyed the big city feel. Would love to see more of this country and venture away from London. But we saw the bigs, and checked that off. London is a place that I would want to go exploring more and see more neighbourhoods and things. It is so big that this would be a place that you spend a lot of time in wandering and getting lost.

Spain: A beautiful country. Feel we saw most of it, excluding the western and southern part. Love the familiarity with the language. Even though due to the many dialects, things weren't able to completely understood, there was still a comfort about it. But the country as a whole has such a uniqueness to it. Maybe it's the Bulls, but even the people. It is different then other countries in Europe, with its history as well, but a place I would keep going back to. Also going the smaller cities and towns along the way.

France: We really didn't do France. But loved being in Nice. A place that could very easily be used as a hub to see other places around. But a great city as well, much bigger then I ever thought. Then Paris, well, I love Paris. A little disappointed about all the rain, but you still got the vibe of the city through it all. I could keep going back, time and time again. I would love to go and walk the streets of Paris more. Through the neighbourhoods and see a different side of Paris. France in general seems to be a neat place. I am not particularly fond of not knowing the language, especially that there is more of an uncomfortable feeling because it is assumed that we should know French being Canadians, even though they are different. 

Netherlands: Biased opinion also because we weren't alone through the Netherlands which made it better as well. Especially with the language. We really feel we saw the Netherlands. Would definitely go back, as it has so much to see. Everyone was very friendly and you never felt like you were inconveniencing anyone. But feel we saw the country. Driving through it was nice and a change as well, looking out at the fields and watching the small towns pass by. Beautiful country.

Germany: Didn't know what to expect with Germany. They are very cautious about their history and how the present everything. You sense that in a lot of different things. Even just walking around you pick up on a different vibe. Berlin would be a place I would go back to and explore more. Germany as a whole I don't know what else I would see there. I really enjoyed what we did and the things we saw, but I wouldn't know where to go back to. But I appreciate the history and how they choose to present it. 

Czech Republic: Well for starters, the price is right. Awesome gluten free beer. I was so captivated by Prague. I would love to see what else the country has to offer. They have a history that is so recent and correlates so much with the war, but still so much happened in recent years. The prices are cheap! You get so much for what you pay for it because of it being a different currency and just cheap. Didn't think the Eastern countries would be places that I would have enjoyed as much as I did. Would love to see more of Czech.

Austria: A sort of mixture of Germany and Switzerland. Definitely not by the landscape for Switzerland, but more for the feel of the place. And well they are a German speaking and eating place so there is that to them. Vienna specifically I wish we were for longer, to see so much more of the city. They main attractions are so close that I would have loved to venture out and see the neighbourhoods, and see what else the city has to offer. And the country. Seeing small town Salzburg I feel authentic Austria is seen in the smaller places. But there is probably truth to that to some extent in every country.

Switzerland: Wow, a slice of home. I would have loved to spend weeks in Switzerland. It was absolutely beautiful. The best trains because even if it isn't much it is really breathtaking looking around. The people are so nice and friendly, and they are willing to help always. It is an incredible place. Pictures can't do it justice. Even the mental images will never compare to how the country is. This is a place that you do have to be doing much to be doing something. The surroundings are amazing. The Rockies are home so I prefer our mountains, but i still enjoyed the Alps.

Italy: Well we certainly saw Italy. I loved Italy. The people, the language, the atmosphere. Everything about it. Would enjoy going further south and to the opposite coast. Plus the food was great! The Italians definitely has celiac down pat. Consistently throughout all of Europe it was usually the Italian places that were gluten free. We had to really search to find places that were country based that were gluten free. Definitely enjoy southern Italy more then north. Mostly just because they are more business in the north. Beautiful country, kindest people, and such a. Romantic language. 

Greece: I would be interested in going to more mainland Greece, to see what it has to offer. The islands were great! Santorini wins for sure. But they are all very similar in feel, and landscape. Greece as a whole I am kind of meh about don't really feel the need to go back. But would definitely go back to the islands. For more then a few nights. If you were actually going to balance seeing them and relaxing and enjoying the sun, a week or 5 days at each island would be necessary. 

Still can't believe we made it to all these places. Looking forward to reading my blog and re living it all, and going through the the trillions of pictures.