Europe is About the Small Things

Most people that come to visit Europe dream of Oktoberfest, the Eiffel Tower, the Coloseum, and London.  Vacations like this cost a lot of money, most of the vacation time is spent traveling, and when they go home, they are exhausted, and only have a bunch of pictures of old buildings.  These buildings are impressive, but the vacationer does not get much of a European experience. 

Europe is more about the culture, bakeries, markets, family owned restaraunts, homemade ice cream, wine and beer, farms and countryside, public transportation, parks, etc.  Europe is not about the big events and places.  Europe is about the small things. 

One great thing about Europe is that it is mostly safe here.  Its a place where you can drive just outside the city limits, park along a road, and walk through the grapevines.  Parents can take their kids to fun parks or amazing public swimming pools, and drink a beer or glass of wine while watching the kids play.  Or you can take a relaxing train ride for 5 people for two hours for less than $30 (round trip).  In winter, sip hot spiced wine while the kids go ice skating in an outdoor rink in front of a giant castle.  Insurance and litigation has mostly destroyed these kinds of places in the USA. But here in Europe, life is still wholesome.