Canada - mostly New Brunswick ., ... Fredericton... my city. I would only come to this city in the fall. The leaves are so beautiful and there is a Jazz and Blues Festival that allows you to see some new music... the weather is cool and walks on our paths are quite loverly.
Rovinj
Where is it?
The Croatian Istrian coat, between Porec and Pula.
How do I get there?
Pula is a fairly small Mediterranean airport with flights from enough European majors that you're well served. You might have to check different days of the week as not all flights are 24/7. Pula to Rovinj is about 40 mins in a cab. It won't break the bank if you use the airport taxis but it'll be about half the price if you book in advance. Do some googling or speak to your hotel, they'll hook you up. There's also a ferry to and from Venice and Trieste.
Is it expensive?
More than Prague or Porto, less than Copenhagen or Rome. Significantly, its a cheaper and quieter (though obviously smaller) alternative to Dubrovnik (King's Landing, to the nerds) down the coast.
Why should I go?
Because its fucking beautiful. One of the most scenic towns I've ever been to. Its also surrounded by umpteen beautiful beaches all in cycle distance (bike hire is everywhere) and the adriatic sea is probably the most gorgeous sea you'll ever swim in. Crystal blue, incredibly clean and clear, postcard perfect sea.
The food is amazing, a great mix of standard coastal seafood, Balkan cooking and the cuisine left behind by the Italians.
Rovigno was an important trading town to the Venetians and was under Italian influence for large swathes of its history, an imprint that's still very much still there. One of the best pizzas I've ever had was sat overlooking its winding, cobbled streets.
Rovinj's old town is largely untouched and features many winding, intimate, pedestrian paths and cobbled roads up to the church at its peak. Its impossible to turn a corner without seeing a perfect photo opportunity.
If you want a week mixing culture, beaches, bars and eateries at snail's pace just enjoying yourself then do yourself a favour and go.
Oh and the locals are fab.
When should I go?
About May or September, aim for slightly off peak but still warm. We went at the end of the season and it was beach weather every day without the crowds. At peak times, the town gets a bit crammed with day trippers.
Any downsides?
Slightly lacking in museums and more cultural things to do other than just look and appreciate. That's fine but if you're 100% culture vulture with no time for beaches you may run out of things to do after three or four days. I'd describe it as the perfect hybrid location for a week of mixed beaches and sightseeing.
Croatian beer is a bit average (but it isn't the worst on the Med, eh Malta?)
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Where is it?
Bavaria, Germany, along what Germany calls its Romantic Road, a stretch of old medieval towns and great scenery.
How do I get there?
Probably the quickest way is to fly to Frankfurt, or even better, Nuremburg and hire a car. It is a little in the middle of nowhere. You won't really need the car once you arrive but you can park it for the weekend at low cost outside the town walls.
Is it expensive?
It's a tourist trap in a major European country so it's not the cheapest but its also not York, Brugge or Venice either. A few days won't kill your bank balance.
Why should I go?
You know that picture postcard German Christmas Market? It's Rothenburg. Berlin and Munich might have staggeringly huge markets that are impressive in their own right but for intimate, traditional, quaint you can't beat Rothenburg.
The city, as it once was considered, went bankrupt in the height of the Holy Roman Empire in the middle ages and was effectively bypassed by trade, having once been an important hub of commerce. At the time this was disastrous and development ceased but over the centuries, what was a curse became a boon and tourism rocketed as people flocked to see the medieval town stuck in time.
And it really is. Lots of European cities have an old quarter with old buildings and a bit of medieval charm, Rothenburg is more like a living museum. It's walls are still in one piece, it's near completely pedestrianised, the buildings, churches, town halls, etc are all stunning.
Such is the scenic value of the town that when the Americans rocked up in the second world war, the commanding General refused to shell it despite a German garrison being present because he'd seen postcards of it his mother owned and refused to do any damage. Mad but true.
There's plenty to do as well. The place adores Christmas and has a year round Christmas museum. Don't worry though, if that sounds too mushy for your Grinchy tastes there's also an enormous medieval law and order museum full of about three stories of torture and execution implements and history. Great stuff. Only in Germany could those two things be a five minute walk apart.
The market itself is fantastic, bratwurst and apfelpunch for everyone. The beer is naturally great, a Bavarian speciality and the people are fantastic.
It also has some of the best restaurants I've ever been to. Much maligned by its romance neighbours, German cuisine is a real peak of hearty northern European dining with great meats, sauces and potatoes and is exactly what you need on a freezing December day. Especially check out a place called Zur Holl. Can't recommend enough.
Where is Rovinj does little with its history, Rothenburg milks it with museums, guided tours and attractions all over.
When should I go?
Christmas, obviously. I mean look at it:
Market season runs from late November but head over in the first couple of weekends of December when things are in full swing. You'll want a long weekend or a three to four night stay max really, it's a small town.
Why shouldn't I go?
If you're looking for the scale of Berlin then Rothenburg obviously can't compete, it also doesn't have much of a nightlife. Finding a bar open past midnight is a struggle and you'd probably be better off picking up some beers from a shop if you want to stay up later.
Sweden, visit between June and August (summer). A lot of great outdoors adventures.
Stockholm, visit in summer. Expensive bars - go to parks. There are about 32000 islands outside Stockholm and it is really cool to go out exploring.
Overall, kinda expensive but noone drinks like a swede on midsummer.
Bristol, UK.
Bristol City is rhyming slang for titty.
If you need more than that, it's also been home to: Bob Hope, Nipper the HMV dog, Massive Attack, Portishead, Bananarama, Derren Brown, Cary Grant, Darth Vader (and the Green Cross Man), Masie Williams, Wallace & Gromit, Paul Dirac, Banksy, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and Blackbeard.
Come visit for:
- the first iron ocean liner
- the last Concorde to fly
- hot air balloons
- more music, theatre, and comedy than you can shake a stick at
- Clifton suspension bridge
- the Avon gorge
- independent cinemas
- great food
- rough cider
But please don't stay - we've already got far too many incomers pushing up the house prices.
Nashville Tennessee, USA. There are ALWAYS concerts happening, often for free. If the bar scene is for you the bars on the main drag start filling around noon just about every day. There are miles and miles of hiking trails just outside the city. Plenty to do all year long
The Pacific Northwest is the most beautiful place I have been to yet!
Cadiz, Spain
An island in the Atlantic, connected to the Spanish land by the bridge = ocean on all sides = incredible sunrises and sunsets!
I went there in late November and it was tranquill, free of tourists but still warm enough to sunbathe and swim a bit, but it's probably better to go a bit earlier.
Amazing archaeological museum contains the proof of this city being 500 years older than Rome as well as other things from its rich history of being an important port and stop before entering Gibraltar. Also has a castle, a lighthouse and about a 100 watchtowers! Be sure to book an apartment in one with a rooftop terrace for late night wine with view :)
Also there a great bike lane around the island to enjoy.
Below: the view from the tower where I stayed
Yes, @dariianity ! Cadiz seconded! Went there a couple of years ago and was really taken with it...
Also going to suggest Inishmore, one of the Aran Islands, off the west coast of Ireland... A great place to go to feel like you've dropped off the face of the earth, surrounded by ancient ruins and free roaming animals, but adorned with a handful of pubs and B&B's... There's nowhere else like it...
Schwangau - Füssen
Where is it?
Bavaria, Germany, close to the most touristic attractions known in the entire world as Disney's inspiration castles, Neuschwanstein and the other nearby castle in Hohenschwangau, and great scenery from the top of the mountains surrounding the area.
How do I get there?
Fly to Munich and get a tourist bus to Füssen or drive about one and a half hours, or a bit more if you don't fancy the free-speed no-limit on German highways...
Is it expensive?
If you stay in a hotel in that area, yes. One can stay a bit outside, enjoy the gorgeous scenery, and plan a day trip to Neuschwanstein and then go away in the evening. One full day is enough IMHO.
Why should I go?
Because of the history of the Bavarian "Swan" King Ludwig II and his majestic Neuschwanstein Castle, in addition to his young age smaller castle in Hohenschwangau, and of course his residence in Linderhof. Of course, if you feel brave enough, there is also Herrenchiemsee, but that is a bit south-east of Munich, so tied to Ludwig II but not close to the area in the map above.
When should I go?
I went in April, less tourists around, but dreadful weather, of course. I think the Fall season is great if you look to take pictures with plenty of colors from the changing foliage. Winter is very pretty, too.
Why shouldn't I go?
No reason, really, I think it's a place worth going once, to get it off the bucket list. I want to return when the weather is nicer, and I really liked the people in the area, they are obviously used to masses of tourists so they are warmer than the average German in other remote areas. The scenery nearby is typical of southern Bavaria, the look over the Austrian and Swiss Alps is majestic, if you like lakes and mountains, it is an idyllic place to visit. If you dislike masses of tourists, chose a less-crowded period of the year, like Spring, but as mentioned above, it can rain a lot.
The renovations at the Neuschwanstein Castle were not completely done back in April this year, so not all areas were available for the guided visit.
Ah yes, speaking of which, I highly recommend to book your guided tour in advance on-line, and maybe, just maybe, if you like to read about the area before visiting, there are hundreds of titles about it, but I recommend this small one, it's factual, written by a proper historian, and it relates the area with the beloved King Ludwig II: Martha Schad, ISBN 978-3-423-08520-7
@paulbillups I've actually never been there. I've never even seen the movie. I'm partial to New Haven pizza. It's the best.
@eisesara and @1956firebird, we went a couple years ago. The Pizza was actually pretty good. Parking is a challenge in June, but it is a tourist town.
For example, nobody in their right mind would want to go to my hometown of Northampton, UK, but if they were going to the UK, I would recommend only staying in London for two or 3 days and checking out the touristy things there. History museum, Science museum, Tower Bridge, Madame Tussauds. That sort of stuff, and then head out of London for the remains of your holidays and check out places like Stonehenge, Warwick castle, some of the historic villages in and around Somerset. I'd even recommend going to (The independent state of) Cornwall & checking out its famous pasties!