"b1bob does Europe many times" Europe by b1bob

Europe Travel Guide: 821,298 reviews and 1,710,294 photos

I have been to Europe 7 times:

1986: I took a whirlwind group tour and saw Amsterdam (a very little bit due to a late plane); Koblenz (Germany); Lucerne (Switzerland); Paris and London. I met friends in Koblenz and London and used a foreign language in a real-life experience for the first time in Paris.

1987: As a high school graduation present, I received a whirlwind group tour through Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. On that trip, we saw plenty of picturesque countryside, all of King Ludwig's castles, and some other sights including Mozart's birthplace and where they filmed "The Sound of Music".

1989: The main purpose of this trip was to study French in Nice, but I took side trips to Monaco, Ventimiglia (Italy), Strasbourg, and Charmes sur L'Herbasse, France.

1990: Since I did so well in Nice the previous year, I decided to make another go of the study abroad programme in Madrid. After a very interesting trip over there (see the intro to my Madrid page for details), I had successful studies and interesting side trips to Lisbon and Barcelona. After my studies were over, I decided to visit friends in Dortmund and Northeim, Germany and in Charmes sur L'Herbasse, France. I was gone for about 50 days, the longest I have been out of the country to date. English almost sounded strange to the ear on my return.

1993: A friend I met in Madrid (Fernando Pensado Miguel) and I had become good friends and he invited me to visit him at his home in Santiago de Compostela in the northwestern part of Spain.

1994: A friend of mine from Athens invited me to stay with him in August, 1994. We spent most of our time in athens, but we were off to Naxos the first weekend.

2000: Luc Marcellin, my friend since 1984, had invited me to his wedding for June, 2000. However, I couldn't make it then, but I agreed to come a few months later. So, in December, 2000, I visited Luc and his new wife Isabelle for a week. We mostly stuck around Lyon, but on the weekend, we went into the foothills of the Alps in Alpe du Grand Serre. That was my favourite part of the trip.

For my next trip to Europe, I want to take a tour that begins in Germany (and includes much of the former East Germany) and goes through the Czech Republic (maybe Slovakia too), Poland, Hungary, and Romania. When I first started traveling here, the former Warsaw Pact was largely closed to Western travelers. Now, I'm chomping at the bit to see what I've been missing!

Last visit to Europe: Dec 2000
Intro Updated Nov 20, 2004
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Reviews (51)

Cottonwood trees Warnings Or Dangers (4)

Native Europeans probably know that cottonwood trees cause allergies to some people. On my second trip, they affected me... more travel advice

funicular to Hohensalzburger fortress - Europe

funicular Transportation (6)

A funicular is a cable railway on a steep incline, especially such a railway with simultaneously ascending and... more travel advice

the group at a rest stop in Germany - Europe

Second group tour, 1987 Favorites (9)

I hadn't expected to go on another guided group whirlwind tour after the first time. My parents decided to make that... more travel advice

the whole lot of us: 4 July 1986 - Europe

First trip (1986): the overview Favorites (9)

Maybe a group tour was the best way to go for a first trip. That way you get to see lots of the popular things with the... more travel advice

Shopping (3)
See All Corte Inglés
What to Pack (1)
b1bob's European packing tips
Hotels (3)
See All Hotel Krone
Restaurants (5)
See All Rothenberg ob der Tauber, 1987

Comments (43)

Raimix Mar 11, 2011 at 8:19 AM Report Abuse

Nice writings here! Actually looks like you saw quite much in Europe, but still lot of essencial missing :) Welcome! ;)
King_Golo Nov 9, 2008 at 4:28 AM Report Abuse

So your next Europe trip will include East Germany? Why not stop at Chemnitz then? I'll proudly show you the world's biggest Karl Marx head statue... ;)
eslim_81 Sep 8, 2006 at 11:36 PM Report Abuse

I had seen cottonwood trees in my country and I have never stood so close to them... i just feel like wanna touch them...
deecat Aug 14, 2006 at 12:32 PM Report Abuse

Excellent/comprehensive intro explaining your MANY trips to Europe!! Nat, your writing style makes me smile; it reminds me of Mark Twain; you uncover iconoclaustic behavior and situations. A superior overview, great personal tales, and solid tips.
Propermark Apr 11, 2006 at 12:21 PM Report Abuse

It's amazing! I had almost forgot that you visited Europe:)) and you've been to many places..
scottishvisitor Feb 10, 2006 at 2:53 PM Report Abuse

Nice overview of Europe = it does have a lot of history
budapest8 Sep 22, 2005 at 11:12 PM Report Abuse

Great pics and tips of yr European trips..... Always interesting to get an idea what Non Europeans think of the various places, where they go and why... Greetings from a Brit in Budapest Hungary. Tim .·:*¨`*:·~My§ticÄl~·:*¨`*
JessH Sep 12, 2005 at 7:18 AM Report Abuse

Great homepage & travel pages! Very informative & well deserving of "homepage of the week". Greetings from the desert :-) Jess in Dubai
DPando Jul 25, 2005 at 7:03 AM Report Abuse

good descriptions and europe summary!!
matcrazy1 Nov 29, 2004 at 2:30 PM Report Abuse

Great overview of large part of Europe! Amazing pics! Haha, I don't like these communication towers, too! And I NEVER used toll roads in France!