(02-19-2021, 04:54 PM)Senor Fantastico Wrote:

(02-19-2021, 02:54 PM)mikesez Wrote: 1) I had a chance recently to spend a couple of days in one small town in Germany (Muenster) and I did a study abroad in the big city (Hamburg).  I'd go back to either place in a heartbeat, or Holland, or Belgium.

2) I'd like to spend some time in the small towns of the countries I mentioned, the ones most tourists just drive through.  I'd also like to see the national parks out in the western US like Arches or Grand Canyon.

Do you speak German?

A tiny bit.  I picked some up while I was over there but I never studied it formally.  Native Germans mostly want to practice their english when they meet an American.  It's the african and arab immigrants who want to work on their German with you.  Occasionally you meet an old east german who might get a little nationalistic and insist you should speak their language when you're in their country.

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(02-19-2021, 05:53 PM)jagibelieve Wrote:

(02-19-2021, 05:07 PM)Senor Fantastico Wrote: I travel fairly regularly to South America and love it down there but my favorite place I've been to is probably Japan. Very different culture, lots of history, extremely safe and clean. Cool place and I was lucky to be with a Japanese speaking buddy which made it all the better. Fugu!

Place I'd really like to go is both Germany and Italy. A lot of family history in Germany, and so many friends have told me how awesome Italy is. I'm also into historical stuff like others have mentioned.

I never made it to Germany but I can tell you that Italy is an amazing place to visit.  Great food and more importantly great wine.

Germany is quieter and cleaner than italy.  In italy everyone is super friendly, in germany less so.  They don't smile as much but they are kind.  Which country you prefer depends on how boisterous you are, I guess. I've only been in Italy for a few days at a time, though.

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