3 Wonderful Destinations that Feel Like Home in Europe
Have you visited destinations that feel like home?
I sure have.
Maybe these are places where you have family or friends.
Maybe it’s a spot where you just fit right in.
It might be a destination that is similar to your actual home.
Or it could be so drastically different from your home, but somehow it’s a place where you feel free to be you.
I have a few places in Europe that I simply love and that do feel like home to me.
And I want to share them with you because I think they’re wonderful places to visit.
But first, I have to tell a story…
The first time I heard a traveler say a destination felt like home
When I visited Ireland for the first time in 2007 I was on a ferry from the Galway City area over to Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands.
My Irish friend, Aedín, was with me.
We struck up a conversation with an American woman who had some crazy travel stories.
But the one thing that I always remember is that she was talking about her many travels to Ireland.
This was her 6th visit.
And she said of her first visit, “When I got off the plane in Ireland, I just felt like I had come home.”
This has always stayed with me.
So here are the 3 destinations that feel like home to me.
Kenmare, County Kerry, Ireland
It probably is not surprising that I too feel like I’m home in Ireland.
And for me, I feel the most at home in Kenmare in County Kerry.
I love this town with its ideal location along Kenmare Bay and so close to Killarney National Park.
There’s easy access to the Beara Peninsula and the Ring of Kerry as well as Glengarriff with its lovely bay.
I go to the Coachman’s Pub every time I visit and find a seat at the bar, have a meal and a wee dram and listen to local musicians.
It’s a wonderful town to wander about and chat with the locals.
I’ve always thought about finding a nice Airbnb type place and staying for a month — which I have yet to do.
Kenmare is definitely one of the destinations that feels like home for me.
Castelrotto and Alpe di Siusi, South Tyrol, Italy
It should not be surprising that this place in Italy is on my list of destinations that feel like home.
Even though there is a bit of a language barrier, I just love Castelrotto (Kastelruth in German) and the Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm).
I’ve visited this place 6 times now.
I’ve stayed as long as 3 weeks but could definitely stay longer.
The village is charming — and now even has a small co-working space.
There are trails all around the town.
Then of course there is the stunning Alpe di Siusi further up the mountain.
It’s a destination that is so familiar to me that I often don’t even look at maps for the trails.
I simply start walking in a direction and know where I’ll go.
*Sigh*
Yes, Castelrotto and Alpe di Siusi are destinations that feel like home.
Scotland
This is a bit of a cheat for me as I’m selecting an entire country.
But all of Scotland is one of the destinations that feels like home.
The gorgeous landscape.
The history is complex and intriguing — at times downright tumultuous — as well as utterly fascinating.
Believe it or not the food is delicious.
There are hills, mountains, valleys, forests, beaches, cliffs, fertile farmland, amazing cities and charming villages.
Scotland has a rich culture with strong traditions which I just love.
And then there are the people…
Some of the nicest people on the planet.
Warm, friendly, funny, proud.
Yes.
I’ve definitely fallen head over heels for Scotland.
I’m fortunate to have friends there.
And if I had to select a few specific spots in this amazing country, I’d probably select St Andrews or Pitlochry/Blair Atholl or possibly spots like Nairn (and that area) in the Highlands or Inveraray in Argyll & Bute.
I might even choose the Isle of Mull — although I’m not sure I’d be cut out for island life full time.
All I know is I cry as I fly into Scotland and I cry when I fly away from it.
And I’ve certainly teared up enough times when I hear the bagpipes.
I’m quite sure I have some Scottish blood flowing through my veins.
So there are my 3 destinations that feel like home in Europe.
I’m curious if you have destinations that feel like home to you.
Maybe these are places in Europe.
Or perhaps these destinations are elsewhere.
Let me know by sharing them in the comments below or emailing me at lynne@wanderyourway.com
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