1. Bonn, Germany I figure this is a good place to start since this is where I lived the longest during my 2 stays in Europe. This was the closest I felt to home in my years being an army wife. The feel is very similar to the northwest. My favorite things about Bonn I think will do for another blog. But, it is a nice city to visit in europe because it isn't as touristy, but still has a lot to offer as far as sight seeing. It's close to more popular cities like Koln (Cologne) and Dusseldorf. (excuse my lack of umlaut [the two little dots above letters}) This was the capital of Western Germany during the cold war years, so there is a very international feel still there with some embassies still there that couldn't afford to move to Berlin, plus it has a large UN outpost there as well. This also means it is not hard to find someone that speaks English if you're in a jam.
2. Western Turkey. Is this the Bahama's? Is it southern Cali? Or maybe the coast of Mexico? Nope, this is Cesme Turkey, and isn't it gorgeous? It is also an inexpensive resort area. It's one of many places I reccomend and love about western Turkey. I think Turkey will need its own top 5 as well. But there are beaches, cities, ancient ruins and natural wonders to behold. And contrary to what many might believe, they love Americans! Really.
3. Paris. For me it was impossible to be in Europe and not go to Paris. Ever since I saw Gigi the first time as a little girl (Thank Heaven!) I wanted to see Paris. And it didn't dissapoint. Notre Dame is just as imposing as you would think. The Eiffel tower may not be worth the ride to the top for the price (much like the space needle) but just standing in the park and taking it in is worthwhile. The walk up the Champs E'llyses up to the Arc du Triumph, the little cafe's and pattisseries, the parks everywhere. Palaces, architecture, the Louvre. And if you can afford it, shopping galore. Je t'aime Paris!
4. Santorini, Greece. This place had me in awe. It was a port call on a cruise we took while living in Germany. We chose to explore the surrounding volcanoes rather than the inhabited island, but even just looking at it from where we were anchored was fascinating. I really would love to visit there again, get to the top and just marvel at the way this rocky, volcanic island became such a wonder.
5. Amsterdam. I had a hard time deciding how to round out this top 5. But, I went with Amsterdam because it has it all. Canals like Venice, great architecture, city life, the red light district however odd to us westerners, its still a bit interesting to see. Museums (the maritime museum was one of Joey's favorites in all of Europe) and of course the Anne Frank house. I've read a lot about Anne Frank, seen every movie version of her story, but being in that Annex where she lived in secret was an experience unlike any other. We almost didn't make it. We were only in Amsterdam overnight. We went by the first afternoon we were there and the line to get in was down the block, around the corner, and down that block. We decided to try again in the morning, but we also had a train to catch. When we got there in the morning, before it even opened, the line wasn't as bad as the day before, but still long, but we decided to atleast try and get in before we had to catch the train. What we found is that once the doors opened, we didn't have to wait at all, we made it inside in about 5 minutes and had plenty of time to explore the house and the museum. Extrodinary.
Yes, I know there are other places not on this list that I saw that I think other's should see if they can, but this is a top 5 not 100, and I had to draw the line somewhere.
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