Europe "Must See"?

So, later this year I'm planning on taking an extended holiday in Europe. I had originally been thinking about walking from Calais, France to Rome. But planning it out made me realized it took me through a lot of rather, well, questionable areas. I haven't ruled it out completely though.

So now I'm leaning more towards a "grand tour". I figured I could engage the hive mind that could tell me anything I can skip or that I'm missing that's just "must see". Interested in anything with Gothic, Renaissance, and especially Baroque art and architecture.

Things intentionally not on the list - UK ( seen it ), Ireland ( separate trip ), Paris ( seen it lots - love that city ).

I'm planning on traveling mostly by rail, with the occasional ferry. Some places were chosen simply because the train ride between them is supposed to be especially scenic.

Anyway, without any more ado...

Austria

Hallstatt

Innsbruck

Salzburg

Vienna

Belgium

Bruges

Brussels

Dinant

Croatia

Dubrovnik

Pucisca

Czech Republic

Cesky-Krumlov

Prague

Telc

Denmark

Copenhagen

France

Annecy

Arles

Avignon

Bordeaux

Chamonix

Eze

Nimes

Strasbourg

Tours

Germany

Berlin

Cochem

Cologne

Garmish-Partenkirchen

Hamburg

Munich

Greece

Athens

Fira

Folegandros

Hungary

Budapest

Italy

Florence

Milan

Rome

Tirano

Turin

Venice & Burano

Netherlands

Amsterdam

Giethorn

Norway

Bergen

Colmar

Oslo

Portugal

Lisbon

Sintra

Spain

Albarracin

Barcelona

Madrid

Sweden

Smogen

Stockholm

Switzerland

Gruyeres

St. Moritz

Zermatt

Zurich

Comments

[Florian]

The whole Ruhrpott Area in Germany is also very interesting. It's the area around cities like Dortmund, Essen, Bochum etc. There used to be a lot of coal mining as the main industries but this has changed drastically. There are lots of interesting sites like "Zeche Zollverein" or "Insel Hombroich" to visit.

In Italy I really like the area between Torino and Milano (Piemont). Great food and wine, very beautiful landscape and towns and not as many tourists.

[Thom]

France
Annecy ( Next to it there is Aix les bains with le lac du bourget biggest natural lake in france.)
Arles
Avignon
Bordeaux ( If you are there you need to go eat oysters at le cap ferret, and also go to la dune du pila)
Chamonix
Eze
Nimes
Strasbourg
Tours

Paris is worthing it too !
To the south you have la provence and also les calanques de Marseille.)

[Sören]

When you'll come to munich, just shoot me an email and I'd be happy to show you some interesting places in the city.

[Robert Conti]

I meant to post this a while back but you know - life. Anyway hope it's still helpful. A bunch of this is a little tourist-y but we still enjoyed it. I'm also a big fan of walking around cities and seeing what I find.

Hallstatt - Very cool postcard town, we did the salt mine tour which was pretty neat if a little hokey at points. Great views from up on the mountain during the tour.
Salzburg - The old center of town was interesting and fun to walk around. Fortress was also neat.
Vienna - The opera house, cathedral, and Schoenbrunn Palace were all good. We didn’t see the inside of the palace but the gardens were beautiful and fun to stroll around.

Gimmelwald, Switzerland - A great little spot hidden in the Alps. Very charming.

Cesky-Krumlov - Loved this town. Not a whole lot to do but I really enjoyed it.
Prague - Great vibe in this city. Enjoyed the palace, cathedral, river area, and Old Town Square.

Avignon - The old town was great. I also went kayaking down Le Gard Ou Gardon (about 30-45 min away) takes you under Pont du Gard and through some beautiful canyons/scenery.

Berlin - Fascinating city, many vestiges of the East/West still visible. Very diverse and vibrant city. Loved walking along the remain parts of the wall. Holocaust memorial was very moving.

Rome - There are so many sites to see. St Peter’s was very impressive as was the Vatican Museum. Coliseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, etc were also great.