Going on a little trip.

[Howlando]

This coming Wednesday I'll be headed off on a long-term backpacking trip throughout much of Europe.

Roughly my itinerary will be:

Iceland
Norway
Denmark
the Netherlands
England
Ireland
Sweden
Italy
Greece
Eastern-europe in general...

I don't have an exact return date, but mostly plan on continuing until I get tired of it.

I know we have a lot of Euro players so if anyone has any particular choice bits of advice or suggestions for places to visit I'd love to hear them. I'm particularly interested in suggestions for excellent hiking.

As far as EFU goes in my absence, don't worry about a thing. Most players don't see me a lot IG now these days anyways, and I imagine I'll still be checking the forums quite a bit! The active DM team will continue to do their awesome job.

I'll continue to pay for the server operating costs, but particularly as I won't be working donations to assist with the upkeep expenses are always appreciated. Paypal to howlando@gmail.com is the easiest way to assist with that.

I look forward to seeing the continent that has spawned so many of our crazy players!

[derfo]

too good to use the topic like everyone else eh

[SanTelmo]

I am sad that Finland is not on your list :(

I'd say the best hiking/mountain areas in Scandinavia are in Iceland and in the north, near the borders of Norway, Sweden and Finland.
I'm going to this place: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordkapp sometime this summer. Maybe it's on your list too, it's quite nice looking place from what I've heard.

Have a fun on your epic quest!

[Luke Danger]

too good to use the topic like everyone else eh

He's a DM, so he's entitled.

[TheImpossibleDream]

Have fun, I'm afraid I have no suggestions for hiking locations in Ireland as I don't enjoy the outdoors much!

[Crod Mondoon]

Ireland- Giant's Causeway has some great hiking in and around it.
West Coast as plenty of Seaside bluffs/cliffs, with trails tracing the coastline.  Not really a hike, but you may really love the the assortment of Megalithic? circa 5000 ADish stuff spread out around Dublin in every direction. Lots of stonehenge like stuff to hike to and see. NewGrange, I think is the most developed tourist one, but there are hundreds of the things out in fields just waiting for you to discover.

[Crod Mondoon]

Iceland-Vajtna Glacier, spent two amazeing weeks in a tent on that thing, simply awe inspiring. There is a road that runs from Rykavik(sp?) all the way around the island nation.  If you can srping for a bicycle or, if your in a bit of a hurry, a car, you will see just about every terrain/natural wonder you could want, from lava fields to 100+foot waterfalls, glaciers, and everything in between.

[Caddies]

Have fun man.

So jealous. :(

[Dash]

Stop over in Japan!

[core]

You'd love the aesthetic beauty of Dingle (in Co. Kerry, Ireland) - it is pretty tourist-y, though. Kenmare is less so, and they are both surrounded by natural beauty. Cork (a city about an hour and a half of a bus journey from Dingle) is also friendlier than Dublin, and is close to some really beautiful places. Waterford, if you can get there, is a beautifully historic city. Reginald's Tower is worth a visit.

If you go to Dublin, the GPO is a cool place to see, as is the Phoenix Park and St. Stephen's Green... the Four Courts are nice to hang around for a bit, but be careful on Eden Quay! Bachelor's Walk is a nice wooden walkway by the Liffey, if you can get there before the homeless do.

As far as hiking goes near Dublin, head for the Wicklow Mountains. Maybe the Sugar Loaf! It's not a dangerous hike and gives really great views. Just be careful if it's been raining.

If you're really into hiking, try a piece of the Kerry Way (or the whole lot, if you're up for it).

http://www.walkingholiday.ie/kerry.htm

You can obviously just do this on your own, and just do a piece of it -- there are plenty towns and guesthouses along the way, which are priced pretty reasonably.

You could also hike the Dingle peninsula -- this guy did it and made it look pretty cool. The weather over here is great right now, too.

Hit me up on IRC if you want to ask some stuff about Ireland, particularly Dublin or the south! Have fun.

[Garem]

In Italy, there is a chain of cities call Cinque Terra that you can hike along the beautiful coast and stop in each place. My sister did it and it was the highlight of her 5 week stay in Italy.

Rome is awesome, been there myself, but it's easy to spend too much time there if you're limited. My best friend said Positano (may be mispelling that!) was actually his favorite city out of 4-5 in Italy, including Rome.

Ciao!

[Halfbrood]

Southern Lake District.

I would also look into visiting the Eden Project in the South of England.

[BrittanyPanthas]

Please take a lot of pictures and have fun!

[Gebruikers Naam]

If you going to Stavanger in Norway, I'd recommend climbing the Pulpit Rock , It's a steep hike that rewards you with an excellent view of the fjords.
 
If you go to Bergen, there's alot of accessible daytrips across the city's seven mountains. Though, if you're a more experienced hiker and want to see one of Norway's glaciers I suggest Folgefonna glacier . This Site offers alot of information on various fjord tours and hiking routes in Norway.
 
It'd be easier to advice if I knew which region you were going, but there are several Internet sites in English with maps and other sorts of information you'll need. All people under 80 in Norway speak English, and, although most Norwegians may come off as aloof and distant, we're very chatty to strangers we meet way off in the mountains.
 
Hope you have a fantastic trip!

[Snoteye]

If you do go to Denmark, I assume you'll be landing in Kastrup. Copenhagen has lots to see but for a proper hike you'd have to go to the eastern parts of Jutland (in particular the nose area, Mols). That trip alone is, like, $100 each way, though.

I'll take this opportunity to say that I'll be gone from tomorrow till next Saturday, too.