The Best of Europe (cathedral, attractions, castle, cheaper)

[CourageMom]

Istanbul



Locals fish along Galata Bridge. William Bossen, who shot this photo, calls Istanbul "the most cosmopolitan city on Earth." See more photos from around the city on CNN iReport.

[CourageMom]

In 1989, a Swede by the name of Yngve Bergqvist hit on the idea of building an igloo on the frozen banks of the Torne river in Swedish Lapland to showcase indigenous Sami art and handicrafts. A few intrepid tourists asked if they could sleep in the igloo for a real taste of what the Swedes love to call 'the exotic'. Bergqvist soon realised the idea had potential and within a few years he'd transformed the sleepy backwater of Jukkasjarvi, in Sweden's northernmost reaches, into a tourist blockbuster which now pulls in 40,000 visitors a year.Photo above: Icehotel, in Jukkas. Icehotel ranks as the number one winter destination in Swedish Lapland and its undisputed success has spawned a number of similar ventures in both Norwegian and Finnish Lapland.

[MissLariss]

If you want to truly get away from the tourists and see some beautiful places I would recommend going to Slovenia. Bled is a wonderful place to visit and we really like Ljubljana too.

[CourageMom]

Slovenia.. show us a photo or two, will you?? (Would love to see) thanks!

[Pilgrim21784]

With 10 day chunks as a parameter (assuming 1 day travel each way so you've 8 in country) and no foreknowledge of your interests:

ITALY:Tuscany (Chianciamo is a nice base) & the Etruscan hill towns plus Florence; Venice can easily be a week by itself; Rome for its monuments & art, with a shot to the Amalfi coast; Bolzano is very nice for a northern base. (Be aware - northern Italy is almost a different country, German is a primary language.) The Lakes district is awesome but skip Cumo, its too much of a jet setter area unless that appeals to you. Anywhere on the Italian Riviera is worth a week (Santa Margherita Ligure is very nice).

RUSSIA: St. Petersburg is easily an extended week. Moscow is also well worth a visit. I'd do 3 nights in Moscow and then off to StP.

PORTUGAL: Cascais as a base, train to Lisbon & Sintra. Possibly wander over to the Algarve (southern coast) to Sagres.

GERMANY: Almost anywhere is worth a visit. I'm particularly fond of the small river towns along the train line.

SPAIN: The Alhambra in Granada is extraordinary, Torremolinos is an international beach town with interesting sights, as are any of the Costa del Sol beaches. Seville, Cordoba, Toledo and Madrid all have their charms. Any local village is great for people watching. A day run from Gibraltar to Tangier is worth a visit.

[CourageMom]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim21784

SPAIN: The Alhambra in Granada is extraordinary, Torremolinos is an international beach town with interesting sights, as are any of the Costa del Sol beaches. Seville, Cordoba, Toledo and Madrid all have their charms. Any local village is great for people watching. A day run from Gibraltar to Tangier is worth a visit.

GREAT post Pilgrim!! and don't forget Marbella:

[Wwanderer]

Ah, Marbella! I experienced it in 1970!

Three 10-day trips, presumably during the rest of your life? Wow, you've certainly got your budget figured out rather precisely.

Here's my picks, excluding the places you've been (and I love going back to places I love):

- Italy (Rome, Florence, and do spend some time in the countryside)
- Greece (ahh, the islands!)
- Istanbul (a fabulous city)
- Scotland (if you haven't been to that part of the "UK"--BTW, I love the UK, I could go back and back to new parts)
- Portugal (cheaper than some countries)
- Prague and Budapest (haven't been there, but want to go)

[CourageMom]

[cignalife]

Some places to consider:

- Istanbul
- Lake Cuomo/northern Italy to Venice to Florence to Rome (could be done in your 10 day limit)
- Scandinavia, especially the Fjords in Norway
- Switzerland-Geneva, Lausanne, Mont Blanc

Happy, safe travels!

Edit:

If you consider Istanbul, you could fly into Istanbul, to Kusadasi/Ephesus, to Bodrum or Cesme, to Antalya and fly out of Antalya (fabulous trip!)

[CRock]

I agree with Jezer. What are your interests?

I also 2nd rational1. Go where the tourists aren't! Avoid the crowds and tourist traps found on the tourist trail.

Salzburg is so quaint and a step back in time.

I have been to Cinque Terre 2x's and will return Sept '13, can't wait! Amalfi and Pompeii are also beautiful.

I stumbled upon Ljubljana, Slovenia and fell in love with it.

Another consideration is Croatia, a beautiful, beautiful country! Nice people and awesome food.

My favorite city in Europe is Barcelona.