What are the best European countries for those who prefer warm weather?

[gfd43tg]

It seems like everything is more fun over there!

USA is getting boring T.T

Need to graduate so I can get out of this country

 

[micromass]

It seems like everything is more fun over there!

Yep, it's a continuous party over here!

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Have you done any travel in Europe? For that matter, have you traveled the US extensively?

 

[x BlueRobot]

You should read the economics and politics over here.

 

[gfd43tg]

Yes, I've traveled in France, Germany, Finland, Sweden, and The Netherlands.

And yes, I was at an international school for over a week in Finland and all the Europeans partied every single day.

I've been around the USA as well, Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami, Texas, etc. I don't know why, but Europeans just seem to be way more friendly and the lifestyle over there is a lot more laid back.

I had a conversation with a Swiss political columnist when I was in Paris. I know they have some messed up politics. It seems that Brussels is the criminal city of Europe. Sounds like Chicago in the USA haha.

One of my hosts in Paris said not to go to bruxelles because it's a town of criminals with nothing to show. The other German said his rental car was stolen there. But I still want to go. I only got to be in a train station in Belgium, haven't done any extensive traveling there.

 

[micromass]

One of my hosts in Paris said not to go to bruxelles because it's a town of criminals with nothing to show.

That's just french people hating on belgium. I'm sure Paris is more dangerous than Brussels.

 

[Bandersnatch]

Ah, Europe. The mythical homegenous political entity, to which all Yanks yearn to return their prodigal genetic material. Here, plumbers are Polish, cars are German, wine is French, gandja is Dutch, and women are bearded. In Europe, parties are wild and not bipartisan. Ruled by the Queen and Silvio Berlusconi from their royal seat in Vatican, the land has enjoyed lasting peace for the past hundreds of years, broken only by minor quarrels of little significance.

By Jove, how boring it is! I want to live in Asia. Everything seems more fun over there.

 

[gfd43tg]

Well, my next adventure in upcoming months is to Hong Kong, China, and southeast asia =)

I know I have rosy colored vision of my trip to Europe last summer. I do recognize some conveniences that are in the USA that aren't in Europe. Such things include the lack of ice in Europe, paying for water because by default you get mineral water (I spent 20€ in the Netherlands because I thought the 7 waters I drank out of stupid 100 mL cups were free like back home), getting gas water by default unless asking for non-gas, and generally higher prices for everything. Generally smaller living spaces and more cramming...Well, maybe the USA isn't so bad after all, but I still want my rosy colored vision of Europe in my head :D

 

[SteamKing]

If things get too slow in France, students and immigrants have been known to throw 'bloc' parties, where you can get your car overturned and/or torched. And, from what I hear, anti-semitism is making a comeback on the Continent:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world...a8ae34-1a71-4f50-893a-9842af51e3ce_story.html

Yep! Europe, it's a laff-a-minute kinda place!

Adios, muchacho!

 

[StatGuy2000]

If things get too slow in France, students and immigrants have been known to throw 'bloc' parties, where you can get your car overturned and/or torched. And, from what I hear, anti-semitism is making a comeback on the Continent:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world...a8ae34-1a71-4f50-893a-9842af51e3ce_story.html

Yep! Europe, it's a laff-a-minute kinda place!

Adios, muchacho!

As far as anti-Semitism in Europe is concerned, it may be worth reading the following counterpoint from the Economist:

http://www.economist.com/news/europ...g-violent-anti-semitism-guns-and-ballot-boxes

 

[gfd43tg]

If things get too slow in France, students and immigrants have been known to throw 'bloc' parties, where you can get your car overturned and/or torched. And, from what I hear, anti-semitism is making a comeback on the Continent:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world...a8ae34-1a71-4f50-893a-9842af51e3ce_story.html

Yep! Europe, it's a laff-a-minute kinda place!

Adios, muchacho!

yeah, but you get your manual transmission car overturned

 

[lisab]

yeah, but you get your manual transmission car overturned

...by thugs who appreciate good wine and cheese!

 

[Evo]

...by thugs who appreciate good wine and cheese!

Well, actually IIRC, they were in poor immigrant neighborhoods. Not necessarily French.

 

[Borek]

I know people fed with Europe and thinking about moving to US.

You can't have everyone happy.

 

[Chronos]

There are always some who insist upon the right to complain. Even if it's only to complain about the lack of things to complain about. Even heaven had dissent.

 

[cristo]

Yes, I've traveled in France ... I don't know why, but Europeans just seem to be way more friendly

Sorry, there's a contradiction here...

and the lifestyle over there is a lot more laid back.

Might it be that you were on vacation? That'll make most places seem better.

 

[tridianprime]

To a lot of people, it is better somewhere else. Here in the UK, people think the USA is awesome and so on. However, as much as it may not be true, moving somewhere away may make said person happier not because the country is better but because it is different. I think saying you want to move to Europe is very vague though. If I wanted to move anywhere else in Europe it would probably be Germany or Switzerland. I think Spain and Greece have too many issues economically, or so I've read.

 

[x BlueRobot]

To a lot of people, it is better somewhere else. Here in the UK, people think the USA is awesome and so on. However, as much as it may not be true, moving somewhere away may make said person happier not because the country is better but because it is different. I think saying you want to move to Europe is very vague though. If I wanted to move anywhere else in Europe it would probably be Germany or Switzerland. I think Spain and Greece have too many issues economically, or so I've read.

Greece is meant to be recovering now, and Spain's economy is too dependent upon tourism.

 

[Ryan_m_b]

One of my hosts in Paris said not to go to bruxelles because it's a town of criminals with nothing to show.

Nothing to show? There's a famous statue of a boy taking a pee! What more do you want?!?

 

[JorisL]

One of my hosts in Paris said not to go to Bruxelles because it's a town of criminals with nothing to show.

That all started with the European parliament.
Also I don't think there's too much trouble except in some bad parts. But hey France has some good parts, just as Brussels has some bad parts :-)

Also in rural areas it's quite nice. I don't like cities in general.

Last tip; don't rely on the Belgian railway organisation. They are on time once every 5 years.

 

[Borek]

Nothing to show? There's a famous statue of a boy taking a pee! What more do you want?!?

And even if you are into pissing and you want something more, it is probably already there:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanneke_Pis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinneke_Pis

 

[gfd43tg]

I learned trains in Europe are infamous for not being on time. My train connection was an hour late so I missed my train to Stuttgart from Paris. I was happy with the SNCF as they put me in a hotel in Paris for the night :)

May I ask because I was never really satisfied with any answer given, what is up with the total lack of ice in Europe? Not one restaurant puts ice in your water!

 

[tridianprime]

I learned trains in Europe are infamous for not being on time. My train connection was an hour late so I missed my train to Stuttgart from Paris. I was happy with the SNCF as they put me in a hotel in Paris for the night :)

May I ask because I was never really satisfied with any answer given, what is up with the total lack of ice in Europe? Not one restaurant puts ice in your water!

Compared to what though? I don't think there is a massive issue and I imagine it's about the same as the USA. I think most trains aren't great unless you're in Japan.

All in all, I don't think they are particularly bad or any worse than most places.

Disclaimer: I could of course be completely wrong because I have only ever been to western Europe and not Scandinavia or Eastern Europe.

 

[Borek]

As of today, don't try train in Poland. They are getting worse with each passing year.

But the idea of "trains in Europe" doesn't make much sense. Each country is different.

 

[x BlueRobot]

The trains in Italy are really good, and I've never noticed the lack of ice in water thing?

 

[Ryan_m_b]

Trains in England are pretty much always on time, unless there's some sort of accident which I suppose isn't that rare, but they cost an absolute bomb. Every year prices go up ahead of inflation.

 

[gfd43tg]

True. My experience was Germans telling me the German trains are more often late than not. My French train experience was only my own.

 

[Borek]

My experience was Germans telling me the German trains are more often late than not.

Funny thing - punctuality of German trains is proverbial in Poland.

 

[x BlueRobot]

Trains in England are pretty much always on time, unless there's some sort of accident which I suppose isn't that rare, but they cost an absolute bomb. Every year prices go up ahead of inflation.

That's privatisation for you.

 

[ModusPwnd]

I think most trains aren't great unless you're in Japan.

Heh, I thought you were being sarcastic and I was expecting this clip in your link;

 

[StatGuy2000]

Heh, I thought you were being sarcastic and I was expecting this clip in your link;

That only applies to subways during rush hour in Japan, and it has always been this way for the past 40 years!

Non-rush hour subways and the bullet trains of Japan are nowhere this congested. And people are right to say that the bullet trains are rarely if ever late except on truly exceptional circumstances, possibly due to the various advanced technologies that are incorporated into the bullet train rail system, including the use of fuzzy logic and others (I am not an expert on the Japanese rail system, so I'm merely speculating here; others can weigh in on this).

 

[Monique]

I don't know why, but Europeans just seem to be way more friendly and the lifestyle over there is a lot more laid back.

Absolutely right! Feel welcome to live here!
And who needs ice anyway: who enjoys watered down drinks? Just take a drink from the refrigerator and you'll be fine.

 

[Monique]

Trains in England are pretty much always on time, unless there's some sort of accident which I suppose isn't that rare, but they cost an absolute bomb. Every year prices go up ahead of inflation.

My Dutch €1,70 train ticket went up in price to €25,00 Their rational: now you can use it the whole day to travel the whole country! *I don't want that!* oh well, at least the trains are on time most of the time.

 

[gfd43tg]

I got burned in the Netherlands because that's when I learned that water out of a glass isn't free. A lot of those amenities I would miss if I did go. Well if I had to choose a country I might go with Switzerland since they are neutral and seem cool. But I'm open to any of the northern ones, just not the Mediterranean or ones too close to North Africa, it's too hot

 

[lisab]

I got burned in the Netherlands because that's when I learned that water out of a glass isn't free. A lot of those amenities I would miss if I did go. Well if I had to choose a country I might go with Switzerland since they are neutral and seem cool. But I'm open to any of the northern ones, just not the Mediterranean or ones too close to North Africa, it's too hot

For some reason, this made me think of a song...

It's like a dream, you try to remember but it's gone, then ya
Try to scream but it only comes out as a yawn, when ya
Try to see the world beyond your front door...

...I could leave but I'll just stay
All my stuff's here anyway...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3NE6UuaLiY

(Barenaked Ladies, Pinch Me)

Maylis, what are you looking for -- really?

 

[gfd43tg]

I'm a lost spirit, I need to be wherever I currently am not

 

[Astronuc]

I'm a lost spirit, I need to be wherever I currently am not

But then, one will always be there.

I think the US is fascinating both in terms of Nature and of it's people. I've been in 46 of the 50 states by car, and landed enroute in a 47th. I'm determined to drive in all 50.

I've also been to most of W. Europe and parts of E. Europe, in plane, train, bus and automobile. I have many dear friends and colleagues there, and always feels at home, whenever abroad.

I'd recommend a road trip to the seashore, or mountains, or several national parks before writing off one's home.

 

[Czcibor]

As of today, don't try train in Poland. They are getting worse with each passing year.

But the idea of "trains in Europe" doesn't make much sense. Each country is different.

My recent experience with trains in Poland is actually quite good, so I would not agree with what you said.

 

[BobG]

Absolutely right! Feel welcome to live here!
And who needs ice anyway: who enjoys watered down drinks? Just take a drink from the refrigerator and you'll be fine.

Lack of ice? No problem.

Lack of coffee? Aauurrgh!

First trip to Italy, I'm waking up with jet lag, wandering down to the hotel restaurant for a buffet breakfast, and go for the coffee machine ... and they have these teeny tiny little cups! I finally find a decent size coffee cup to get my coffee, push the button, and this tiny little bit of coffee fills the bottom of my cup... and then keep hitting the button until finally I have a full cup of coffee.

Except it's espresso! Holy cow! Does that ever wake you up! Especially an entire full size cup!

The problem is that you can't find just regular coffee anywhere you go. Nor can you even find a coffee maker so you can't even make your own. When my sister was living in Milan, she had to get someone to ship her a coffee maker from the US (plus she had to grind her own beans as you couldn't find the right grind for American style coffee).

On my second trip to Italy, I was near a US Naval base, so I could at least buy an American coffee maker and coffee grounds - but it also meant an American style plug. All it took was an adapter in order to use it in Italian electrical outlets, but it turns out the current actually makes a difference even in a coffee maker. It worked, but the electronics burned out after a very short time.

Of course, if I'd bought a really cheap coffee maker (one with no electronics), it probably would have worked perfectly. Don't know, because by that time I'd bought a transformer so I could run regular 120V/60Hz electrical power for all my American electronics - only to have the transformer blow due to some power problem in the apartment we were living in. I will say that those circuit breakers in your good power strips really do work. That power strip was totally fried, complete with burn marks on the inside of the power strip. But I didn't lose any of the equipment plugged into the power strip (of course, none of it was actually powered on since I wasn't home when the power problem first occurred - I just came home and noticed the light bulbs were incredibly dim).

So I'd say I had two problems with Italy: the electricity and the lack of coffee. The lack of coffee was definitely the worse of the two.

I need my coffee!

 

[WWGD]

BobG: You can just take some instant coffee packs with you, and then just add hot water.

 

[Monique]

The problem is that you can't find just regular coffee anywhere you go. Nor can you even find a coffee maker so you can't even make your own. When my sister was living in Milan, she had to get someone to ship her a coffee maker from the US (plus she had to grind her own beans as you couldn't find the right grind for American style coffee).

What year was that, 1689? You realize the Italians are known for their coffee?

If you want an American coffee, just take an espresso and add water to it:
http://www.yourguidetoitaly.com/types-of-italian-coffee.html

 

[BobG]

What year was that, 1689? You realize the Italians are known for their coffee?

If you want an American coffee, just take an espresso and add water to it:
http://www.yourguidetoitaly.com/types-of-italian-coffee.html

If I were James Bond, I'd order a caffe freddo "shaken, not stirred".

Adding water to espresso just gives you weak espresso - it doesn't actually change the taste.

For good coffee, the beans need to be grown at high altitude in rich, volcanic soil, have to have a medium roast, and the beans need to be ground just before brewing the coffee. I have no general rule for grinding the beans, as you need a grinder that allows the settings to be changed and then you have to play with it a while until the grind is just right (but the grind does make a difference). Or I should say the coffee maker and grind settings have to be synchronized, as you get to play around with the grinder to find a perfect setting each time you buy a new coffee maker (unless you buy coffee makers two at a time, as I do, but that still only delays the time until I have to resynch things).

Some people feel each cup has to be ground and brewed just before drinking, but I don't quite go that far. Brewing an entire pot is fine, just as long as the coffee's poured into a decanter (or thermos) after brewing (the warming plate on most coffee makers eventually burns the coffee).

Dark roast coffees (such as espressos, dark Italian, French roast, etc) burn the beans before they've even arrived in your kitchen. A lot of people like that taste. I don't. But the important part is that you can't change the taste of a dark roast to the taste of a medium roast (or a light roast, if that's what a person likes) just by adding water.

 

[Monique]

Ah so you do appreciate a good coffee. What is your opinion of french press coffee?

 

[Evo]

Egads Bob, the espresso in Italy is one of my fondest memories, it was SO GOOD. I haven't found anything like it here in the US. But I also like a dark roast, not the taste of a dirty ashtray like Starbucks, but my coffee needs to be able to announce it's presence. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[BobG]

Ah so you do appreciate a good coffee. What is your opinion of french press coffee?

The French press gets kidnapped by insurgents, attacked by soccer players, and they take selfies of themselves in the Oval Office of the White House! I'd be afraid to even try their coffee! They probably just reheat last week's coffee!

 

[Evo]

the french press gets kidnapped by insurgents, attacked by soccer players, and they take selfies of themselves in the oval office of the white house! I'd be afraid to even try their coffee! They probably just reheat last week's coffee!

lol!

 

[DiracPool]

Egads Bob, the espresso in Italy is one of my fondest memories, it was SO GOOD. I haven't found anything like it here in the US. But I also like a dark roast, not the taste of a dirty ashtray like Starbucks, but my coffee needs to be able to announce it's presence. Different strokes for different folks.

Try a bag from this site Evo, they do mail order: http://www.olympiacoffee.com/

The guy that own this is a friend of my friend who owns a local cybercafe. He has all their coffees in stock with new varieties coming in every 2 weeks or so. There's a variety for every palette. I think you may be pleased.

 

[StevieTNZ]

I really want to purchase a nice piece of land in Europe, and build a house that is sort of like Hadrian's Villa.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadrian's_Villa

 

[Tosh5457]

Something you need to look out for is the weather and climate of each country, and how it compares to the state you live in. Nordic countries (Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland) have very good universities and education, but it's almost always below freezing temperatures there and you only get a few hours of Sun for many months during the year. Germany, UK and Northern France would be the most related countries to US northern states.

As a Southern European I can't imagine myself living in those countries, I hate bad weather. I think I couldn't stand being in a cold and wet country all year (atleast here it's just in the Winter).

 

[lisab]

Something you need to look out for is the weather and climate of each country, and how it compares to the state you live in. Nordic countries (Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland) have very good universities and education, but it's almost always below freezing temperatures there and you only get a few hours of Sun for many months during the year. Germany, UK and Northern France would be the most related countries to US northern states.

As a Southern European I can't imagine myself living in those countries, I hate bad weather. I think I couldn't stand being in a cold and wet country all year (atleast here it's just in the Winter).

I wonder, if Europe extended further south, would they have an equivalent of Mississippi?