The Evaluation

Early on in our European Adventure, I had this idea of doing a grid with each country we visited and a grading system for various characteristics of each place.....that must be the left brain working again......anyways, Molly and I talked about all the places we had been and evaluated them and the attributes we found important. Our friend Patty had come up with the idea of giving each city (or country) a word. Let's see if I can summarize it:

1. England (London) Cultural
2. Netherlands (Amsterdam) Freedom
3. Portugal (Lisbon, Faro) Relaxed
4. Spain (Seville) Hot
5. France (Paris, Montpellier, Tours, Lyon) Old
6. Switzerland (Lausanne, Neuchatel, Zermatt) Expensive & Beautiful (2)
7. Hungary (Budapest) Proud
8. Slovakia (Bratslavia) Sick
9. Austria (Vienna) Musical
10. Czech Republic (Prague) Weird
11. Poland (Krakow) Somber
12. Italy (Rome, Sorrento, Pompei) Romantic
13. Greece (Athens, Nafplio, Monemvasia, Gythio) Fun
    

1st Place 2nd Place

MOST BEAUTIFUL: Switzerland Greece

BEST HOSTEL: Sorrento-Hostel 7 Vienna-Hostel Ruthenstein

BEST FOOD: Greece Switzerland

BEST TRANSPORTATION: England Amsterdam

BEST RUINS: Rome Greece

MOST INTERESTING: Prague Budapest

BEST SHOPPING: France London

FRIENDLIEST: Greece Budapest

FAVORITE CASTLES: France Switzerland

MOST FUN: Greece Budapest

BEST CULTURE: London Vienna

BEST VALUE: Krakow Prague

FAVORITE LANGUAGE: France Greece

BEST HIKE: Zermatt Nafplio

If I think of more catagories, I will add them.......of course, the amount of time, the people we met, the things we choose to do in each place greatly influenced the outcome of our favorites. Any different factor, people, weather, hostel, choice would affect the experience and result in a different outcome.

Places I want to go back (in Europe): Almalfi Coast in Italy, Greek Islands and Portugal

Places I have added to my travel list (in Europe): Istanbul (Turkey), Croatia, Barcelona (Spain)

So, we leave Europe with amazing memories, thousands of pictures, a few souveniers and new aquaintances from all over the world. We have a better understanding of the history of each country and the challenges they have had and continue to face. We have seen amazing beauty, unlike what we see in America. We have learned that big cities all over share many of the same characteristics. We have also learned that people, all over the world, of every ethnic background and culture are all people like us, with their own struggles, their own families, their own connections, their own dreams and desires. We are all basically the same.