Knitwit11

My son (18) will be studying in Sweden until mid-May. I plan to meet him at the end of his time there with my daughter and her friend (both 24); I figure 10-12 days (could be extended to 2 weeks). We are trying to decide where to go, having ruled out Scandinavia, and so far have come up with the following ideas:
Prague/Vienna/Dubrovnik
Rome/Florence/Venice
Vienna/Prague/Brussels or London

or perhaps some other permutation of the above. Or something different. We're not married to the above places, though most of us have been to Paris and Amsterdam and would prefer to see some new places.

Any advice and/or suggestions as to an itinerary will be very welcomed!

Two of the three tickets will be frequent flyer on Continental, and the third will be paid. Son's ticket will be purchased as an open jaw to Sweden and returning from wherever we all wind up.

bilboburgler

From Sweden you could do Krakow or Berlin, Prague, Budapest, Venice, Florence, Rome as a sort of North South trip. of these plan 3 days in each and take train/plane between.

But really give us an idea of what you all like to do and people will come up with better ideas

Knitwit11

Sorry about the lack of info... thought I'd covered it all but kinda missed the most important thing! We like experiencing other cultures and we like to do lots of things--art/museums, architecture, walking around, shopping (3 ladies and a man), seeing the countryside, interesting restaurants... I personally like to seek out local yarn/knitting stores, but I suspect I'll be doing those excursions on my own . I'm not especially keen on doing a lot of driving, though I suppose if it's the most economical way to transport 4 people it can be done. I think we'd probably want to choose 3 or 4 places and spend a few nights in each; we can branch out from there if we want.

We do not necessarily need to start out in Sweden: my son can fly to anywhere to meet us (we're coming from NYC). That said, we'd prefer to visit places other than Germany or Poland. Any suggestions would be appreciated--my son is getting anxious because I haven't booked his ticket but I can't do that until I know where he'll ultimately be departing from (with us)!

bilboburgler

May is nice time to visit southern Europe, still cool in the evening but not too hot in the day. I'd look at three possible areas,
1) Carcasonne, Avignon, Barcelona, Granada (probably too much to do in the time allowed)but good for lots of things--art/museums, architecture, walking around, shopping, seeing the countryside, interesting restaurants. I'd do a bit of reading or search this site for stuff on each town to get an idea then bounce it past the gang to chose tops three sites
2) Venice, Croatia (note there is so much ancient Roman stuff here it is fantastic), Serbia which includes Dubrovnik annd if very interested you could come back across to Italy at Brindisi or Bari for a touch of Southern Italy( this is probably too much driving but again search and talk to the gang
3) The old italian favorites of Venice, Florence (day trips to Siena and Lucce/Pisa) and Rome (though Rome is not all it is cracked out to be with the time limits you may have.

Take your knitting (any complete piece) and you will get interested italian women checking it out (my partner makes me wear it and in restaurants they gather around me cooing)

Lexma90

I agree that all of your ideas are good ones; you'll have to decide, as a group, which area you'd prefer and what you'd most prefer to do and see.

I guess, from your list, I'd choose the "Big 3," Rome, Venice, Florence. With 10-14 days, you could spend time in each, and possibly also some time int he Italian countryside (especially if you extend your trip to 2 weeks). Huge amounts of art and history, great food, many good cafe opportunities.

I would say to have your group look at some guidebooks, the kind with pictures are good, and some travel videos too, to help try to narrow things down.

Also have each person name 3 things they want to see in Europe - see how many of the answers are the same, and work from there.

Knitwit11

Thanks all for the great advice. Trying to get these kids to express a preference has been a bit like trying to catch mercury on a teaspoon (they're better at vetoing). I'm going to ask them to do the "name 3 things" exercise and see where I land.

Lexma90

Some other ideas to narrow it down. What activities, locations or trips have they enjoyed in the past? For example, if visiting New York, do you go to shows (London), big art museums (Florence, Rome, Amsterdam, Madrid), or smaller places like the Frick (Rome again).

What types or eras of art/museums and architecture does the group tend to prefer? Our DS has is more interested in more modern art, so a trip to Barcelona was a great option (Dali, Miro, and of course all of Gaudi's stuff). Renaissance art, then you may want to go with Italy (Florence). Rembrandt? Consider the Netherlands.

Knitwit11

I'd have to say that if we're choosing between art and theatre, we'd choose art (DD is an art school grad) --not limited to any particular historical period. We were in the Netherlands 2 yrs ago and loved it. Kids haven't been to Italy or Spain though I have; none of us has been to Prague, Vienna, Berlin... I'm totally stumped and I need to decide soonest!

Kwoo

Since none of you have been to Prague, Vienna or Berlin, that is what I would recommend. Or substitute Budapest for Berlin. I've been to Prague twice & absolutely love it! There is a small Mucha art museum there, (not sure what else for art museums) but the architecture is absolutely stunning! Just walking around the city is amazing! The castle has beautiful stained-glass windows, & if my memory is correct, I think there is an art museum within the castle complex. If you wish, you can click on my name to read my trip report to Prague & other parts of the Czech Republic from Aug 2009. I have been to Spain & Italy (love both), but the Czech Republic is very different from those 2 countries. Both of my daughters have been to Budapest & they love it. Haven't been to Vienna but I understand Vienna has tons of museums. (Prague, Vienna & Budapest is a very popular combo because of their proximity to each other.)

Went to Berlin in 1995, but I prefer Prague. Everyone has different likes & dislikes.

Hez

Prague is great. If you do Prague to Vienna make sure to add in some time in the Bohemian/Moravian countryside - there are tons of amazing villages/castles along the way. I did 3 weeks Prague/walking through Bohemia and Moravia/Vienna and Budapest with my niece a few years back. In hindsight we would have skipped Vienna and spent more time in the Czech Republic, but that' probably just us.

I haven't done it, but you can take a boat from Vienna to Budapest which looks like a great way to travel and will spare you the (imho) 3rd world feel of the train station in Budapest. Great restaurants in Budapest, btw.