Europe

I have now just updated this section, knowing that my Europe leg is now reaching its end. Listed below are the places I've been to during that stint:

• France (Calais)
• Belgium (Brugge, Brussels)
• Germany (Hamburg, Berlin)
• Czech (Prague)
• Poland (Krakow, Zakopane)
• Austria (Vienna)
• Slovenia (Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj, Vogel Mountain, Ljubljana)
• Bosnia (Sarajevo, Mostar, Medjugorje, Lukomir Highlands)
• Croatia (Dubrovnik)
• Greece (Athens, Santorini, Trikala, Meteora, Thessaloniki)
• Spain (Mallorca)
• Scotland (Edinburgh)
• England (Saltburn by the Sea, London, Eastbourne)

I wasn't able to pass by Italy, France and Switzerland. of course regrets exist for not stopping by Barcelona, Spain. Perhaps next time. Perhaps. 

______________________________________________________________________________
Entry point is London. Stay for a few days with relatives. When you're exhausted with mixed dorms, packing and unpacking, it's always best to be staying with family/close friends/relatives. A far away place you can consider home before you hit the road again.

Main points to visit:

• Scotland
• Ireland
• Germany
• Switzerland (MUST)
• France
• Spain (MUST)
• Italy
• Greece (MUST)
• Turkey (MUST)
• Iceland (?) TravBuddy post

As of August 2013, I'd say i need to update this section. There were so many reroutes for me, and a few places on the original list has been erased, replaced by a different country. To date, I've been to the following countries:

• Calais, France
• Belgium 
• Germany
• Poland
• Prague, Czech
• Vienna, Austria
• Slovenia
• Bosnia
• Dubrovnik, Croatia
• Greece
• Mallorca, Spain
• Edinburgh, Scotland

I've missed out on Ireland, France, Italy and Switzerland. Turkey, yet to be determined if I dont get my China visa approved. let's see how that goes





SPAIN

Excerpt from a guy who traveled to Spain:

lauro wrote:

galicia is my favorite corner in europe and sorry if i will write too much because i know i will get carried away. ^^

base yourself in la coruña. because from there - you will see some of spain's isolated and breathtaking and spectacular sites.

the northern part of la coruña (still further north from el ferrol) is dotted with pristine beaches and coves - the best beaches in peninsular spain with beaches named by locals for example: cala sonreirás. hidden by winding roads, galician horreos, cliffs, low fjords and eucalyptus forests. in between are little quaint towns that seem sleepy but have the most hospitable people in the world.

in the northern part of galicia - upper part of el ferrol - lies the highest sea cliffs in continental europe - acantilados en la serra da capelada, beautifil landscape of moorlands that just drop vertically into the sea. located in this place is also the not so known pilgrimage of the legend of san andres de teixido

excerpt:

in cedeira lies the sanctuary of san andres de teixido. san andres, who looked at the tomb of san yago, was sad that large numbers of pilgrims were at the tomb of san yago and not a single one was at his. one day, our lord jesus christ went and visited him, and asked him a question - "how come you are so sad?" and san andres replied  "oh my lord! despite the fact that i also do miracles like santiago (san yago) nobody comes close to these places and my sanctuary is empty".  then our lord jesus christ smiled and told him "there has to be less someone like santiago.  i promise you, that everyone will go at least once in their lifetime to your sanctuary" then san andres replied "thank you my lord, but how will that be possible?" and the lord replied "if no one would come here as long as they are living, they will come here after death has taken them" that is why nobody bothers the animals that around the paths of the sanctuary, because the legend says that they carry the souls of those who do not done their pilgrimage in life. 

i like this pilgrimage - because it is more mystic, spiritual and earthy. just like galicia itself, which is a region in spain that still believes in superstitions, witchcraft, medieval traditions etc.

also along the cliffs, is the picturesque little church of san antonio de corveiro facing the atlantic ocean. in this part of galicia - so many beautiful estuary beaches that little people knew - for example - playa villarube and the hippie beach (where the hippies of spain hang out - coz the otherside of spain is already crowded) - called playa do baleo.

down south from la coruña, aside from santiago de compostela - are the islands of islas cies - the most beautiful group of islands in europe and considered one of the beast beaches in the world - you have to go to vigo to catch a ferry going there but its forbidden to stay overnight if youre not camping.

i recommend that you hire a car to maximize your stay in galicia because the place is just beautiful - driving in the coastline is already a treat in the eyes. park your car and start doing small hikes, following trails of grass and sometimes - forests of ferns and the healing smell of the eucalyptus trees.