Your “must visit” cities/places in Europe
I have been to Europe once in my life, back in 2001, when I backpacked with 5 mates for 4 months. Needless to say, it was epic and a real eye-opener. We didn’t get to see every country, obviously, but we visited a lot of incredible cities including: Rome, Venice, Florence, Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, Nice, Barcelona, Valencia, Granada, Seville, Malaga, Lisbon, Lagos, Faro, London—and probably a few more I’m forgetting.
Michelle and I have had a long-term plan for a while now to travel Europe together before we start a family. We have been saving for sometime and it looks like this trip is finally going to happen next European summer (2015). We plan on travelling for about 3 to 4 months, visiting some old favourites, but also visiting a lot of new cities we are interested in or heard great things about. For the most part, we are going on recommendations of friends and family.
I haven’t been to Europe in 13 years and Michelle has only been to a couple of cities on short trips. We do plan on “backpacking” in the sense that we will only have backpacks and we will mostly be travelling by Eurail. We aim to budget wisely by staying in “good value” places, while also making sure we experience it to the full and enjoy good food and wine.
This trip will be very different to what I experienced last time, travelling at the age of 18 with little money and 5 mates. I can safely say my tactics and priorities have shifted a bit since then, much to Michelle’s appreciation haha.
So, here I open the forum to you guys… I want your “must see” recommendations for Europe. Please give us as much insight and useful information as possible. We very well could end up visiting based on your previous experiences. Thank you in advance!
Here’s a couple photo from my last trip to Europe (I’m the cool guy on the far right in the first)... 
That’s right, AUSGANG haha.
Statue riding… before it was cool.
I’ve decided to give a Radical Gloves prize pack to the best response in the first week. You have until midday next Wednesday. Winner will receive snowboard socks, tube neckwarmer, and a fleece face mask. And go…
In addition to cities/places, it would actually be really helpful if you have any hostel/hotel/accommodation advice as well. Having stayed in many different hostels and pensions in Europe, I know how your choice of residence can make or break the experience.
You’ve been to a lot of the same places we visited. I especially enjoyed Venice, Sienna and Orvieto in Italy (on top of the general awesomeness of Rome). Bilbao in Spain is worth a look and all of the places you’ve listed in Spain are worthwhile. I see you’ve already been to Lisbon - that place was a surprise. Are you going to work in any snowboarding? I’ve never ridden in Europe but we did visit Chamonix in summer and it was a very cool place.
I hear good things about places in Eastern Europe such as Croatia and Slovenia. I’m sure Billy can fill you in.
For me I loved Spain, Barcelona thought it had a nice vibe and good food. Stockholm, Sweden is also nice in summer every one is out and about in bars and cafes trying to get as much sun light as possible. You could always hit up Switzerland in the summer it’s really nice but I’m sure you would prefer the winter when you see the mountains!
Sweden!
http://treehotel.se/
I should mention we have no plans to go snowboarding or visit alpine areas (as it’s just a tease if you can’t shred). This will purely be a summer experience. We plan on going back to Europe in the winter eventually, to experience the Alps and do a lot of snowboarding.
Ooh nearly forgot - the Cinque Terre in Italy. You can walk between all 5 villages. Very spectacular and not too expensive. We boarded with a family there.
That looks amazing. I think it’s already on our list as a recommendation from Michelle’s parents. They travelled through Italy recently. Michelle wants to spend most of our time in Italy; I think we will be there for about a month total.
Heading to Oslo in Norway?, this would be right up your alley
Skoytemusset
This exhibition might be over by the time you get there which is shame but if your in hungary, you should check it out!!
Lovely hungarian exhibition
Heres A couple of hundred other spots you might be interested in
Oh, ha ha. 
I’ve been to Europe 3 times, that place is the best!!!!!
Make sure you head to Croatia. Such an amazingly beautiful country. The scenery is crazy. Sail Croatia do plenty of cruises at all different styles and price ranges, so I’m sure you can find something to suit but I really recommend them. Split is a great town, but Dubrovnik would have to be my favourite city in Europe. Amazing. All the stops along the way are great too with a lot to see and do as well as just chill out, sunbake, and hit the beers if that’s your thing!
While you are down that way, Greece is a must do. People write off Athens but I think its a cool city, lots of history and its like no other place on earth. The shopping there is actually pretty good, but the food is the best! But the best of Greece is of course the islands. Santorini, Mykonos, Ios, Rhodes etc. Greece has such a cool culture, history, landscape etc, and the Greeks are pretty friendly! If you go to Mykonos stay at the Vencia Hotel. Its not a party hotel its only small and its older couples but my wife and I have stayed there every time as well as friends I have recommended it too, and all loved it. I actually proposed to my now wife there on our last visit, so it is a special place for us.
Another amazing place is Malta. If I had to move to anywhere in the world it would be Malta.
Friendliest people ive come across, they all speak Italian, Maltese and English, and they all seem very smart.
Its a nice and relaxing place that not a lot of people visit, we did not see 1 aussie in the whole week we spent there.
To this day the best thing I have ever seen with my 2 eyes is the Blue Lagoon in Comino, Malta. We swam in this water, and wow it was just amazing. So clean and clear. Our boat was anchored in a few metres of water and you could see the bottom as clear as anything.
Really a must do and close by to Italy, we got 50 Euro flights there from Rome.
Also: Berlin - very cool city with a still fresh history surround war/Berlin wall etc and plenty going on people wise. There is a hostel and hotel call “The Circus” which we stayed in for 5 days it was the definition of value, best location, really comfy and clean and of course quite cheap!
My parents also just got back from a Europe trip and said Montenegro is one of the most amazing places they have ever been (and they have travelled ALOT!)
that’s about all I can think of! im happy to answer any questions you have!
Thanks for the detailed reply, mate. Lots of good info in there.
Berlin was already on the list. Super keen to check it out. Also going to drop into Munich for a couple of days.
Interlaken, Switzerland. Pretty much the best place ever if you want to do any skydiving, MTB, rafting, paragliding, wakeboarding, SUP, etc. Could probably live there.
Edit: Might be too much of an Alpine tease for your liking though lol
I’ll post more later, on my phone at the mo. BUT….
You *have* to go to Croatia. It’s beautiful. Dalmatian Coast is stunning. Get out to the islands. Go to Makarska. Maybe don’t spend heaps of time in Dubrovnik as that can get quite touristy.
The borf is going back to Croatia tomorrow!! For 4 weeks. Least I’ll be snowboarding. 
I second Cinque Terre. We stayed in monterosso. It was AWESOME!!! We loved it. And not busy! I thought it would be. The trains are so good in Italy, it’s the only way to get around.
Barcelona again, love it, love it, love it.
Will post later! X
Oh, and Switzerland was be-yew-ti-ful!!! Cows with their big bells, and every house looks like it belongs in a ski resort. did the Bernina express train, it’s UNESCO heritage listed, was so so so gorgeous. 7 hours-ish, but worth it.
Interlaken, Switzerland. Pretty much the best place ever if you want to do any skydiving, MTB, rafting, paragliding, wakeboarding, SUP, etc. Could probably live there.
Edit: Might be too much of an Alpine tease for your liking though lol
This - seriously!
I also loved Andorra and the Catalan region of Spain.
I didn’t rate Barcelona (but I am the only person who seems to think this) I do rate Madrid though.
I really loved Avignon - easy to get to by train.
You really must go to Venice before it disappears! At this rate your children will never see it.
And I loved my day trip to Capri and the Blue Grotto!