Now that the pages of the calendar have slipped into a new year, it’s the time of year to reflect back and dream forward (and start back to the gym!). I’m not going to rehash the places I visited in Europe during 2012 but just need to say, if you’ve not been to Germany you must put it on your list for this year. Make sure to cover the touristy areas such as Munich, Ludwig’s Castles and the Rhine River but also leave time to explore the country’s lesser known jewels as this is where Germany shines!
Make sure you visit those small Bavarian villages, be amazed by the wines Germany offers, taste beer fresh from the keg, follow Luther’s footsteps into Erfurt and beyond, travel along the many scenic routes like the Romantic Road, explore the beaches of the Baltic and North Sea for a taste of sea side Germany and don’t forget the diamonds in the rough that were once part of East Germany.
But now that we’re a few days into January, I’m dreaming of my travels in 2013. I have not made any travel plans yet but I am dreaming of where I’d most like to go and have narrowed down my list to these 5 areas.
Dordogne by Jos Dielis, on Flickr
Dordogne Valley France
Small villages, rivers, canoes, hot air balloons, wine and prehistoric history all combine to make the Dordogne Valley call to me. I could see myself spending time driving from village to village enjoying the lovely markets, wines and cuisine along the way. Adding in days lazing in a canoe along the Dordogne river or visiting the national parks and gardens. There are many castles and churches to be visited too!
Adare Manor Ireland by Jerzy Strzelecki
Ireland
When I think of Ireland I see green rolling hills, smiling people, lochs, fog, turbulent oceans, pubs, beer and music… and castles waiting to tuck me in at night! Along with general sight seeing, I’d most like to enjoy evenings in those famous Irish pubs drinking the local brew while humming to wonderful Irish music. I’m not a huge whiskey fan but I would enjoy touring a whiskey factory and sampling this distilled wonder. I’ve always thought I’d probably like whiskey if I was drinking it in Ireland J Besides this, I’d love to drive around the country gazing at the scenery and learning about her history while spending of my nights in some of the many bed and breakfasts that dot the countryside (when I’m not staying in a castle, of course!).
Karlovy Vary Czech Republic by Bobak Ha'Eri
Czech Republic
I’ll admit it, pictures and movies talk to me! So as I was watching “The Last Holiday” before Christmas I was reminded of how much I’d love to visit Karlovy Vary and even stay at the Hotel Pupp! But that would just be a start to my visit of the Czech Republic. Of course, I couldn’t leave without visiting Prague but I really want to visit the areas outside the capital city. Plzen for its beer would definitely be on the itinerary along with the castles, forests, gorges, mountains, caves, architecture and history that Bohemia and Moravia are known for!
Dolomites in Sud Tirol Italy by Alesvp
Sud Tirol Italy
I’m a mountain girl and those gorgeous and jagged peaks of the Dolomites have beckoned me for years. I would love to stand in an amazing green meadow surrounded by the soaring mountains. Of course, I’d also love to sample the local wine, enjoy the cuisine, learn about the history and legends and visit the small villages that sit so cozily at the foot of the Dolomite’s. There will also be time for a little hiking which would only make the trip complete.
Berchtesgaden Germany by Eric Sorenson
Germany
You didn’t think I could make a potential travel list without including spots in Germany did you 
There really is so much of this country I haven’t been to but I think I’d really love to travel along the Alpine Road into Prien visiting Chiemsee, Berchtesgaden and any number of small lovely villages along the way. Or maybe I should finally break down and visit those lovely Christmas markets!
Boy this is going to be a tough decision!
What are you European travel dreams for 2013?
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I would take any one of them and all of them but I think Tyrol and Czech call to me the most. I hope all of your 2013 travel dreams come true my friend!
Jeff Titelius recently posted..A Tour Through Normandy, France
Yep those two are screaming pretty loudly to me too!
There’s some great places on your dream list Debbie. I can highly recommend the Dordogne and the Dolomites! Ireland has been on my wish list for a year or two now so I’m hoping that this may be the year!
jenny@atasteoftravel recently posted..Istanbul’s Aya Sofia Museum
And both are very high on the list. I may have to put them all in a bowl and draw to see where I go!
I always consider myself a beach girl but those mountains take my breath away. I can see why you have Dolomites on your list. It’s quite an impressive list if you ask me! I can’t wait to see all these places through your eyes, Debbie.
InsideJourneys recently posted..New York’s Fashion Walk of Fame
The Dolomites are very high on that list!
Love all the choices you have here, Debbie! It’s always great to dream and write them all down but such hard decisions. I hope you go to more than half on this list
Our European travel dreams are still Bavaria Germany, Salzburg and Prague and it’s looking good to go for June. {crossing fingers} Best wishes in the new year and wishing you lots of travel adventures.
Mary @ The World Is A Book recently posted..Memorable Sights of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
That sounds like a wonderful trip! My fingers are crossed for you too
I’d probably side with Italy, but I doubt you could go wrong with any of your choices. I don’t understand the whole “decide” thing though. I think a week or two in each destination is the easiest way to settle any argument you may be having with yourself.
Steve recently posted..Behind the Scenes on a Tour of Safeco Field
I do agree that a week or two in each would be optimal but at this point in my life I just don’t see that happening. . . yet!
It’s fun to dream isn’t it? I think you should do the Christmas markets and that way you can hit up all the cute villages in Germany and Prague at the same time, which also has a great Christmas market. Then you can make several of your dreams come true on one trip
Laurel recently posted..My Favorite Travel Adventures of 2012
I like the way you think! That one could really work out. Thanks
Great list…The golfer in me would say Ireland…the beer lover in me would say Prague. Why not both?:)
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..Gone Shrimpin’ Aboard The Lady Jane
Ah, that would be nice! Zipping across Europe would be wonderful.
Great list, Debbie. Me, I’m thinking deeper into Provence. And more of Northern Ireland. And the Outer Hebrides. And Lampedusa. And Kaliingrad. I should probably make my own top 5-list…
Sophie recently posted..Zip lining in Costa Rica
Yes, it sounds like you have your own list
You’ve got me dreaming of all these places now. I was so lucky to visit Prien and the islands of Chiemsee this year. Hope you make it there in 2013. I’d love to venture into Eastern Europe this year.
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..Surfing in Munich
Its fun to dream, isn’t it! I’ve been enjoying reading about your recent trip to Europe.
Great ideas for travel in 2013. Unfortunately Europe doesn’t figure in my plans for 2013 though from experience I can highly recommend the Dordogne (we biked it) and Ireland though do go expecting rain if you visit there. I have lots of adventures planned and I’d love to go to the Dolomites and the Czech Republic – hopefully in the next few years.
Leigh recently posted..Banff Adventure: The Johnston Canyon Ice Walk
Even though you’re not going to Europe, I’m looking forward to your adventures during 2013!
You should try to fit all these in! If you go to the Czech Republic, you should over to the Tatra Mountains in Slovakia. Beautiful area, nice villages/towns, great hiking.
Margaret recently posted..Ode to the sopaipilla
Oh gosh, Slovakia is on the list too! I’ve heard how wonderful the villages and hiking is.
*sigh* all these are dreamy destinations that i would want to see in 2013. Even the one in Germany
where I have already been
Marlys recently posted..A Nazi Monument in the Centre of the World
It is a difficult choice. Guess we will see where I end up!
Sign me up for all of these! Karlovy Vary has actually been on my list for awhile…I hope to make it back to the Czech Republic someday. Best wishes for the new year!
Happy New Year to you too Michael! I would love a driving trip through the Czech Republic. . . gotta get to it and soon.
That photo of Berchtesgaden looks very alluring, Debbie. I’ve only ever made the tiniest visit to Germany, across the Polish border to Goerlitz, so I’m sure I should see much more. No big plans for me yet this year, but lots of little ones.
Johanna Bradley recently posted..Picture the World : Madeira
Berchtesgaden is very alluring! That part of Germany has been on my list for a very long time. You absolutely need to spend more time in Germany
Such hard travel choices you’ve created here. I vote for doing all of them. Since, like you, I’m a mountain girl, Sud Tirol, Italy has to be my top choice.
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