A couple of weeks ago when Fred and I were in Budapest, Fred said, “How long do you think it would take us to see all the capitals of Europe?” He suggested that we set a date and try to visit them all.
I said, “How many are there?”
He didn’t have a number, so I took out a piece of paper and did one of my favorite things: I made a list.
This is the list of capitals that we’ve both been to (either together or separate). They are in no particular order:
1. Netherlands - Amsterdam
2. Hungary - Budapest
3. Denmark - Copenhagen
4. Germany - Berlin
5. France - Paris
6. England - London
7. Scotland - Edinburgh
8. Spain - Madrid
9. Austria - Vienna
10. Italy - Rome
11. Poland - Warsaw
12. Czech Republic - Prague
13. Croatia - Zagreb
14. Belgium - Brussels
15. Cyprus - Nicosia
16. Vatican City - Vatican City
Fred has been to another number of capitals without me and will have to go back to each of these if we are to complete our mission. The list includes the following:
17. Sweden - Stockholm
18. Luxembourg - Luxembourg
19. Portugal - Lisbon
20. Greece - Athens
21. Ireland - Dublin
22. Andorra - Andorra la Vella
23. San Marino - San Marino
24. Monaco, Monaco
Then there’s a list of the countries where one of us (usually him) knew the name of the capital but neither of us have been there yet:
25. Estonia - Tallinn
26. Finland - Helsinki
27. Norway - Oslo
28. Wales - Cardiff
29. Slovakia - Bratislava
30. Slovenia - Ljubljana
31. Serbia - Belgrade
32. Albania - Tirana
33. Romania - Bucharest
34. Bulgaria - Sofia
35. Malta - Valletta
36. Russia - Moscow
37. Ukraine - Kiev
38. Iceland - Reykjavik
39. Switzerland - Berne
Lastly, there’s a list of countries whose capitals I had to look up:
40. Lithuania - Vilnius
41. Bosnia and Herzegovina - Sarajevo
42. Latvia -Riga
43. Moldova - Chisinau
44. Macedonia - Skopje
45.Montenegro - Podgorica
46. Belarus - Minsk
And lastly, there is the list of countries we didn’t remember existed:
47. Georgia - Tbilisi
48. Kosovo - Pristina
49. Liechtenstein - Vaduz
So that’s about 50 capitals and we’ve both been to 16, so we’ve got to visit about 33. How long did we give ourselves? Ten years. Yes, that’s three or four a year for the next ten years, but a lot of those Eastern European countries are about the size of states in New England. We could hit five or six on a two week car trip of we plan it right. And no one’s holding us to it. We just thought it was a nice goal.
It seems like a lot of those Eastern European countries would all be the same. The food is certainly similar: meat and potatoes with not a lot of vegetable choices apart from red cabbage or…or a different kind of potato. I was amazed when we were in Budapest, Warsaw and Prague. They’re very similar, but very different. It’s sort of like states. I’m sure to a Southerner, New Hampshire and Vermont seem like twins, but I bet the locals see lots of differences. I’m sure it’s like that with those little countries. They have their traditions, their history and their culture.
We had a short discussion and decided to split the UK up into Scotland, Wales and England rather than just mark of London and move one. I’m sure it’s the same there. Don’t call those Scots ‘English.’ They’ll correct you. They’re British, but not English. Plus, I’ve had a fascination with Wales for a while. Possibly because Brenda Dayne is there, but also because I recall one of my parents saying we have Welsh ancestors.
My maternal grandparents visited every state in the US before they died, and my mother only has Alaska to go on her quest to see all the states. I would probably do the state thing if I still lived in the US. As it is, I’m here, so why not make a list and mark them off? If all goes as planned, we’ll be a spritely 54 an 58 - or there abouts - when when we’re finished.
This list may need to be spell checked. Feel free.
Sorry but you have forgotten the Faroe Islands
And…..what about Andorra?
I added the Faroe Islands, although they are technically a constituent country - part of Denmark. And Andorra is also now on the list. Andorra, as many people might not know, is the country ruled by Samantha Stevens’ mother.
The capital of France is Paris.
And I went to Google to see why it’s Amsterdam and not Den Haag. Reminded of something old every day!
Heh. What I *really* wanted to comment, until my copyeditor habits took over, is that this is a great idea. I’m sure you’ll have interesting adventures and will visit some places you otherwise wouldn’t have.
Having grown up in southern California, where one could drive a good 12-15 hours north (on freeways) without leaving the state, I’m fascinated by smaller entities–I’ve thought of car excursions in either the US northeast or in Europe to see how many states one could drive through in a single day.
That sounds like such an interesting goal. I love seeing the pictures from your travels.
My parents were adamant about driving wherever we went on vacation during summers as a kid, so I’ve been to all but about 6 states. I’m hoping to eventually get to them.
Hy, im holding you to it! xx
Hey, im holding you to it!
Ill be back in around ten years to check.
x
This list seems right to me . . . my Grandfather taught me many years ago to recite the American states or their capitals in alphabetical order to send myself to sleep (using our own, here in Australia, doesn’t really reach ten fingers!). I can still do it, but after my first visit to Europe two years ago I switched to your list instead - and like the US, it comes to 50 excluding the Faroes.
I was going to say ‘What about Turkey?’, since part of the country is in Europe. But its capital, Ankara, is in Asia, so that answers my question. And I much more prefer Istanbul, anyways.
Pity you have already visited Edinburgh..I could have pointed you in the dirction of a few good yarn stores (I said ‘Yarn stores’..I of course mean ‘wool shops’..lol)
It seems I have lost the ability to spell.
And the Faroe Islands just came off because Fred insists that it’s so much part of Denmark that it doesn’t count as its own country. Let’s just say we’ll get there if we have time.
You missed Vilnius! ):
Haha, it’s ok. Everyone misses Lithuania.
Good luck on your mission!
Scotland is not a country. They might think so, and both Scotland and Wales pretend to be countries when it comes to sports competitions. But in all other senses, they are not countries.
Andorra’s on your list twice now. It’s not that big a place, so I think one visit should suffice.
Alex, I would beg to differ, but it depends on how you define country. Scotland is one for me, without a shadow of a doubt.
Opinions are divided here in the UK as to everyone’s status, but if you’re going to split us up into bits you need to add Northern Ireland, with its capital Belfast.
OMG Alex..you naughty person you..LOL.
Scotland is most definately a country..we are even self governed these days. We have our own money..even if it is pounds..we have SCOTTISH ones.
Lithuania is on there - No.40!!
Scotland and Wales and England make up Great Britian, but when North Ireland was included, it became the United Kingdom - and I also noticed Northern Ireland was missing!! (and I am English!!)
My Canadian friend asked me why I never call myself British - but how many Scots and Welsh and Irish call themselves British??
In sports, they are only British when they are winning the race, if they are losing their country name is given!!
And yes, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own parliment now, so they can stop bitching about the English - or at least living in England and complaining about the English!! (which many of them do all the time).
LOL just catching up on these comments because i haven’t tried the RSS feeds yet….. and my oh my. England is BEAUTIFUL. Not London, although i love London too. But The lakes, Devon, Kent, the north west (where i am from) its all stunning. As is wales, Pembrokeshire, Snowdonia, and Scotland, Edinburgh, the rolling hills, and northern Ireland. Belfast is stunning. the people are SO friendly despite what you may have heard. And, i must also say Southern Ireland is beautiful too.
Oh, i think maybe i LOVE the UK. You would be mad not to.
Always a spare bed at our place Andy and Fred. Although, it is only ONE bed. Can you breathe in?
xxxxx
gotta love lists!
and of course you’ll have to blog about your adventures!