Best and Worst Europe 2013

Back in 2009 during our first European journey, Greg and I decided that we should rank things best and worst. We saw some really great sights, stayed in some great hotels/hostels, and ate at a couple of great restaurants. But we also saw the worst of all of those things. So here it is, the Best and Worst List 2013 using the original 2009 list:

Best and Worst of Europe 2013

Best Island: Mont Saint-Michel

Best historical thing: Combarelles and Font de Gaume prehistoric cave engravings and paintings

Best View: G-the view from next to the castle in Beynac, E - view from the Eiffel Tower

Best Beach: Not applicable

Worst Beach: Not applicable

Appartements Kohlereck

Best Hotel/Hostel: Appartements Kohlereck

Worst Hotel/Hostel: Labyrinth Hostel

Best Chocolate: Côte d'Or, purchased in France

Worst Chocolate: Kit Kat chocolate

Best Hike: G - in St. Anton, E - from the top of the Mount Fløyen to the Bottom

Worst Hike: None

Best Dessert: Strawberry custard tart things at E. Leclerc grocery store in France

Worst Dessert: the Mont Blanc at Angelina's in Paris

Best Bread: G - no specific bread, E- the Viennoise bread at the Carrefour grocery store in Paris

Best Pastry: anything at Douceurs et Traditions in Paris

Best Cheese: Camembert mushroom appetizer at Le Tribeca in Paris

Best Museum: Tie Between National Museum in Copenhagen and the Louvre in Paris

Worst Museum: None

Best Castle: Commarque in Les Eyzies

Best Palace: Versailles 

Best City: Paris

Worst City: None

Best Restaurant: Angelina's in Paris

Worst Restaurant: KFC because they didn't have biscuits

Best Nightlife: Paris Cafe Culture

Best Landscape: France

Worst Landscape: None

Best Subterranean Experience: Tie between Combarelles and Font de Gaume prehistoric caves and the Sedlec Ossuary in Kutná Hora, Czech Republic 

Best Local Brew: Dark Lager in Prague

Worst Local Brew: None

Best Local Liquor: None

Worst Local Liquor: None

Best-Preserved Old City: Mont Saint-Michel

Best Backdoor Destination: Kutná Hora, Czech Republic 

Best Weather: First Day in Paris

Worst Weather: All the Other Days

Best Backpacker Meal: ?

Worst Backpacker Meal: Bread and cheese over and over

Most Interesting Language: French

Most Challenging Language Barrier: G- Eastern Austria tied with gas stations in France, E - Czech Republic 

Least Challenging Language Barrier: Denmark 

Most Interestingly Dressed Locals: Paris

Most Relaxing Place: St. Anton

Least Relaxing Place: Paris

Scariest Moment: G - stuck in the Catacombs in Paris

Biggest Culture Shock: Christiania in Denmark

Cheesiest Tourist Trap: G - Moulin Rouge -- but it was still cool, E - Trolls in Norway

Most Picturesque: Grounds of Versailles Including Marie Antoinette's Cottage

Longest Distance Walked: Paris

Longest Travel Day: G - Trip back home

Hardest Border Crossing: G - in London, E - None

Easiest Border Crossing: No Problems. Sometimes, we didn't even notice there was a border crossing.

Best Europop Song Sung by an American (aka Most Frequently Heard Song on the Radio): Not Applicable

Most Mosquito Bites Received: 0

Best Swim Spot: E - Blue Lagoon

Best Inside Joke: Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Most Expensive Country: G - Denmark, E - Norway

Least Expensive Country: Czech Republic

Best Fortress: G - Kastellet in Denmark, E - Akershus Fortress in Oslo

Worst Hawker Experience: Gypsy Ladies Under Eiffel Tower

Best Serious Funny Statement from a Foreigner: None

Biggest Revelation: You Can't Buy Biscuits or Mashed Potatoes at KFC in France

Added for the 2013 Experience 

Worst Ad: E- Restaurant Cafe Next to the Leprosy Museum

Most Bedbug Bites Received: E - At least a dozen at the hostel in Stockholm