What's Your Favorite?

When you go on vacation and someone asks, “What was your favorite ___?” the response will likely roll off your tongue immediately. After a blockbuster journey like ours in Europe though, it’s hard to identify the absolute favorites. Several of our answers toggle between two or three items that top the lists. Some of the museums and meals blurred together as we ask each other, “Which location was that again?”

But looking back at the adventurous year of learning to travel in Europe, we thought you might like to see Greg’s favorite items compared to Shannon’s favorite items. The hyperlinks below will take you to our pages or internet information so you can add it to your own travel plans.

Greg Says...

Favorite Short-stay (1-4 days): Venice, Italy

Favorite Long stay (30 days): Lagos, Portugal

Favorite place to live for 1 year: Lucca, Italy

Favorite Food: Djathë I bardhë: Grilled feta cheese with sweet peppers, olives, or tomatoes.

Favorite Museum: Duomo Lucca:

Favorite Motorized Rental: Riding motor scooters through Sarandë, Albania and riding them to Roman Ruins.

Favorite Ruins: Brindisi

Favorite Paid Activity: Learning to make fresh pasta in Florance, Italy

Favorite Castle/fortress: Prague Castle

Shannon Says

Favorite Short-stay (1-4 days): Prague, Czechia

Favorite Long stay (30 days): Pogradec, Albania

Favorite place to live for 1 year: Lucca, Italy

Favorite Food: Fried Zucchini Blossoms

Favorite Museum: Leonardo DaVinci II (Venice)

Favorite Motorized Rental: Riding ATVs in Vlorë, Albania on the streets, trails, and sand dunes to see Communist-era military tunnels and an ancient monastery.

Favorite Ruins: Butrint, Albania

Favorite Paid Activity: Learning to make fresh pasta in Florance, Italy

Favorite Castle/fortress: Gjirokaster Castle

What was your favorite?

Though we have several answers that were different, the one favorite thing we had in common was the connections we made with the people. The genuine interactions we made with locals seemed strongest when food was involved. We visited several small family-operated restaurants where we engaged with the owners who shared their passion of country and food with two American travelers who wandered in one day. We mutually left a piece of our heart behind in each of their restaurants below.

Trattoria Antonia dal 1973

Parma, Italy

Sofrea E Lakrorit Restaurant

Vlorë, Albania

Restaurant Gjoça Tradicional

Gjirokaster, Albania

Restaurant Gatime Traditional

Pogradec, Albania