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enjoy your trip and make that gift card payable to Will :)
It's not just the heat in some places - it's the lack of atmosphere. Paris and Madrid in summer are deadly - locals have left and the only inhabitants seem to be tourists. That's not how I like to travel. Switzerland, on the other hand, doesn't change much in atmosphere between summer and winter - except for lack of snow and proliferation of outdoor cafes.
In the non-Northern countries of Western Europe, I would tend to agree with Lily - Lisbon is very much an undiscovered gem. And its location by the sea makes it breezy even in summer. But even in Lisbon, locals disappear in August.
The Balkans, like Will's suggestion, could be fun if you go somewhere slightly off the beaten path (Montenegro qualifies, Dubrovnik does not!)
Hmmm... I don't think I've made your decision much easier... ;-) But there is so much choice you could just land somewhere, start traveling, and still end up in an amazing destination!
Sandier Pasturess last blog post..Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt - Hanging
Green fields, lilting Irish voices, sheep, beer, and Irish whiskey. Perhaps the Dublin authors' trek. Go. Go now. Because I can't.
Amsterdam or Prague are cities that immediately come to mind.
Nomadic Matts last blog post..The Saturday City: Prague
My best European experience was the five days I spend in Barcelona at the end of September. Unbeknownst to me, the festival La Mercè was taking place and I wandered the city coming upon parades and celebrations at every turn. The place is packed with locals and tourists, but the festival, fantastic Gaudi architecture, lovely weather are totally worth it.
Think of it as Prague's younger, cuter sister. The locals are incredibly friendly. The outdoor cafes and restaurants are located in beautiful squares or narrowly charming streets. There is this great, laid-back vibe to the whole place that is perfect for summer livin' and it's much less expensive than Western European capitals. Stay within the walls of the old town. You'll start to feel like you live there. Doable in three days, I wouldn't stay longer. Unless you want to take a day trip to Vienna, which I have done and it's great. A one hour train ride in the beautiful countryside followed by a day of museums and royal palaces...perfection.
Tanyas last blog post..Politics as Unusual
So for your next trip, I'm going to vote for Interlaken, Switzerland. It's so beautiful and its very backpacker friendly. The nearby towns are so quaint, and it's just a relaxing, gorgeous place to get away. Ascend to the top of Jungfrau, have a picnic lakeside and watch the swans swim by, walk through mountains that will make you think of Heidi or cause you to want to yodel...
Although I do have to second Tanya's rec for Bratislava. That's where my family's from (some of them, anyway) and it's a fun place to spend a few days. Probably pretty toasty this time of year, tho. We were there in July a few years back and sweated our dupas off.
Your original premise is right on... so many fun places, so little time!!! Good luck narrowing it down.
(I agree with the post a few up about Interlaken, as well. Gorgeous!)
As last blog post..First Impressions
anthonys last blog post..Twenty days and counting...
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And honestly, you have to go to Sintra and you have to go to Café a Piriquita - (here's my quick writeup) - http://matadortravel.com/travel-guides/portugal... - to try pipping hot traveseiros
Trust me! You will be glad you did!
Lolas last blog post..Berlin comes to town
I second Lily's Lisbon suggestion. I was there with her. Definitely take in a 2 hour boat cruise--it's roughly 20 euros, but you see the entire city and it is absolutely wonderful.
I use to buy some of these coupon and i need this information.
<abbr>Sintra Lisbon´s last blog post..Sintra, a fairy tale town</abbr>