Welcome to Travel Tuesday!
Since I am currently gallivanting around Austria (@amygreatworld on Instagram to follow along! This country is gorgeous), I don’t have a long post for you today, but I wanted to hop on to take part in this month’s prompt!
This month’s themed prompt is cities vs. country. Which do you prefer, and why?
**Note: the link-up for this prompt will be good for this week and next week if you’d like to link up later!
In answer to whether I prefer city vs. country, well, I would have to say neither, or both, depending on my mood. However, I usually love to find little, somewhat off-the-beaten path towns in whichever country I happen to be in.
I like the combination of small towns–you aren’t completely isolating yourself from people (and people are generally friendlier) but it’s easy to escape crowds, or even to walk back into the hills/forest/etc and be absolutely alone for a little while. I find small towns easier to navigate, as public transportation and traffic both stress me out. I prefer to wander around and experience the town, instead of sprinting from stop to stop. I have an entire series, Imagine If I Lived Here, that is mostly (albeit accidentally) dedicated to all of the small towns I would love to live in.
The longer I live in Prague, the more I grow to appreciate city living (and enjoy it)–but I also am realizing how much I love small towns, and always will.
Part of it is because I grew up in a true small town, Bozeman, Montana…
I fell in love with Dingle, Ireland during a quick visit to the country (and still dream of living there)…
I worked at a ranch near Ennis, Montana, and experienced true ranch country in the Madison Valley, including the beautiful (and tiny!) Henry’s Lake, Idaho…
I pretended to surf in the tiny, friendly town of Huanchaco, Peru…
We road-tripped to Orcas Island and I discovered a whole new type of small town–a small town on an island…
I reveled in the tiny beach towns of Thailand…
and the equally tiny but mountainous Sa Pa, Vietnam…
I found a small mountain town in Colorado, somehow isolated from the crowds of Denver and the hordes of skiers, called Idaho Springs…
We found some quiet canals in the pretty little town of Bruges…
Along with the incredible beaches of Oregon, I enjoyed (and maybe will someday live in!) one of the many small-town gems scattered along the coast…
I went rafting and found a charming town, then true silence, immediately followed by wild Czech river rafters, in Český Krumlov…
I tasted wine the adorable wineries of the Napa Valley, California, and couldn’t believe the charm…
And in Czech wine country, Valtice, I walked from one end of the town to the other in an hour after sampling some of the region’s best wine…
I discovered (and now adore) small-town, charming Germany in Rothenburg ob der Tauber…
and, most recently, fell absolutely head-over-heels with the incomparable Hallstatt, Austria (where I am now!).
It’s no surprise that I love small towns after this list…and I had to contain myself from adding many more! So, I encourage you, if you are a city-lover or someone who only escapes to the great outdoors, give small towns a chance. They can offer the best of both worlds.
Do you prefer big cities, country breaks, or small towns?
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I grew up in the suburbs and find that I love both small towns AND big cities. I blame it on spending a semester interning in NYC, and the charm of the tiny farm town where my husband grew up. but I’m ALL about small beach towns in Thailand… Railway was my favorite 🙂
I haven’t heard of that Thai town! But, it’s a beach town so it’s hard to go wrong in Thailand, right? I would love to go back soon! I think I’m starting to appreciate city living more now (and I can imagine how you feel after NYC!) but I still love me my small towns 🙂
I think small towns seem like a great compromise for travel 🙂 It’s great when you also have the option to quickly get to the nearby countryside. Also, don’t they say that lots of small towns better represent a country as a whole? I am a lover of capital cities but I’ve heard people say things about them not always being like the rest of the country so I guess you maybe get to know the country a little better by visiting smaller towns 🙂 Happy Travel Tuesday!
~ Marcella
Yes I have heard that! Cities are often not the representation of the whole. I think small towns often have more traditions preserved, as there isn’t as much outside influence. But, either way, I love them the most! And the countryside being so near is such a plus, I need to get away from people haha. Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂
Great post! You’re so right, in many ways small towns are the best of both worlds. I love all the beautiful spots you have shown us – you have visited some real gems!
Yes, I really have! Great idea for a prompt 🙂
visiting smaller cities is a good alternative. I like the idea! But you shouldn’t do that in every country I guess… So many places around South Americer just aren’t too safe :/
Yes it’s not always the safest choice. However, I usually feel safer in small towns. I felt so safe in the small towns of Peru and Ecuador! but I know there are certain parts of any continent that are really unsafe for tourists.
I’m all about finding places off the beaten path which can happen in a neighborhood of a small town or even in a undiscovered area of a city! I just love exploring!
So true! I love small towns but areas of a city that are undiscovered are so fun to explore, too! I almost love cities more for their many little pockets to find! 🙂
Hallstatt is on my bucket list! And if you liked Rothenburg, you should check out Dinkelsbühl, located around 35km away on the Romantische Straße. It’s also medieval, fully walled, less touristy, and happens to be where my husband’s family is from (so I may be a bit biased!). Go in July for their Kinderzeche festival even though its more crowded then.
Didn’t know you were from Bozeman! When we visit Montana, we want to go through Bozeman or stay there (not just cuz pictures look so remote and pretty but because it’s referenced in Big Bang Theory ;).
Thanks for the tip! I will definitely look into that city 🙂 I loved Rothenburg but it was really busy, for sure.
I love that Bozeman is referenced in the Big Bang Theory–it is pretty safe and I have never heard of anyone’s luggage getting stolen at the bus station, haha! It’s also beautiful 🙂
I can’t believe how many small towns you’ve visited! I think of them as a hybrid between City vs Country, and also love the charm they excude.
Yes! Spot on! That’s why I love them so much 🙂 I didn’t realize either but I do tend to gravitate towards them!
I love small towns! I used to be a city girl, but these days I like getting out in the country and checking out small towns more. It’s really the best of both worlds 🙂
Yes, agreed :). I always thought i would be a city girl until actually living in the city! Although it’s hard not to love Prague.
I totally agree – in the end, small towns really are the perfect compromise between city and countryside! And they all definitely have their own personalities 🙂
I love that, too! No small town is alike!
Yay, good for you for repping small towns!
Small towns for the win!
I can’t wait to read about your trip to Austria, sounds so wonderful!
It was amazing! I love that country 🙂
Yes, towns are lovely and a great chance to get to know the locals.
So true! I think often they are more open than city dwellers, unless it’s a huge tourist town.
I always thought I was a city girl until I went to Ireland and realised how much of a small town girl I AM.
Ireland has some of the BEST small towns!!!!
haha I think I’m seeing a pattern of places nearby water! 🙂 Love your answer, because I’m a bit the same – I will like either the city or the country, depending on what I’m looking for in different moments!
Haha I didn’t even notice that…I think I tend to gravitate for the water, haha :). I love it! But you’re right, it really all depends on mood! I do like cities because you feel like you’re in the thick of things!
Thanks for sharing this post, Amy. I love how charming small villages and towns are, the smaller the better! I was delighted when I saw this post about lonely houses (the smallest possible!) http://lazypenguins.com/the-loneliest-houses-in-beautiful-secluded-spots-around-the-world/ in beautiful spots in our planet, and now I’ve your post too.. 🙂
Thanks for the link! I love all of those–I SERIOUSLY want to live in the one on the Faroe Islands! xo
catching up on previous posts, and Oh my! I’ve seen my fair share of small towns, but none as noteworthy as yours!
They’re the best! Apparently it’s been an unofficial mission of mine to see as many as possible 😉 thanks for reading! xo