Six Weeks Across Europe

The rising euro and falling dollar led me on a quest to determine whether Europe was still affordable to the average North American. The unequivocal answer was Yes & No!

Andorra la Vella, Barcelona, Pamporovo, Paris, Toulouse and Vienna in 1.5 months.

Barcelona, Spain: was my first stop. The capital of Catalonia and Spain’s second largest city, is160km south of the Pyrenees Mountains on the Mediterranean Sea. Several acts of violence occurred in neighboring Basque but 5 days at the Tryp hotel were enjoyable.

Andorra and the Pyrenees: The 16th smallest country is nestled in the Pyrenees between France and Spain. Co-governed by France's President and Spain's Bishop of Urgel I spent two days spring skiing.

Toulouse, France: Seven days in Toulouse turned into two weeks when a racially motivated neo-Nazi attack knocked me silly (I was mistaken for an African Immigrant.) My stay in the four star Crown Plaza, located in the heart of the Ville Rose, was still exceptional.

Paris, France: Having made numerous trips to Paris my feelings changed little: Paris is best left to Parisians. The four star Sheraton Airport Hotel was my domicile; however, I was still recovering from my Toulouse escapade and my impressions were jaded

Vienna, Austria: was inspired for historical reasons and I found it one of the more enjoyable places on this trip. Rapidly becoming a wind energy leader in Europe, Wien’s surrounding area is amazing. The four star Hotel Stefanie, located in the heart of the city, had me as a guest for 7 short days.

Pamporovo, Bulgaria: The further east I went the cheaper the prices: one day in Paris was worth nearly one week in Bulgaria. The five star Grand Monastery, was my lodging for 10 days. Located in the Rhodopes Mountains and 30 km from the Greek boarder, I had some of the best spring skiing in years. Side trips to Smolyan presented the classic European atmosphere one expects and a 1.5 hour drive landed me on Greece’s Aegean Sea.