acebeer1

Hi all,

My husband and I can take up to 10 days this late August to go away post-wedding. We are from NY in our late 20s. We are planning to get on the baby train soon, so I want this to be a vacation to remember - a last hurrah for a while.

So basically my husband has never really been abroad at all and I've been a bunch of places in Asia and Europe. We want to do a cities trip, I like beaches, he likes scenic views, both like culture etc.

So any advice on where to go? I'd like to get a few places in and jam-pack the trip a little.

I was thinking some combo of either: Scottland London Paris, London Paris Amsterdam, London Paris Barcelona, or barcelona and greek islands (will that be too hot?)

I know this is the Europe forum, but we are also considering Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro, but worried it will be too cold.

Help, so indecisive!!

BigAleinstein

With ten days, you should go to two places max. It is also prime tourist times and the air fares have been extarordinarily high.

Flip in a coin in the air and give each side a city and before it hits the ground the city you want to win is where you shoud go.

Rastaguytoday

Personally, I would go to Paris.

Maybe a day trip here and there.

You can't get more romantic than Paris.

South America sucks in their winter. Brazil also has a $100+ visa each.

mariha2912

Hello acebeer1 !

I agree with other people here, you have time for two destinations max.
You mentioned Scottland as one of your options, which is a wide area, so I would skip this time around. In order to save on transit time, I guess Paris-London or maybe Paris-Amsterdam are more manageable due to train connections. A flight its self might be quicket, but you lose lots of time waiting in airports, commuting into city centers etc. The only thing I do not like on those options is that although fabulous cities, you have no time to take side trips and enjoy a bit of scenery and more rural places.
I find Barcelona and a Greek Island an interesting combination to get both your city and your scenery/beach fix, and of course culture, but in order to accomplish this you'll have either a) to go through Athens, thus losing lots of time on transit, either b)plan around some limited and pricey direct flights from Barcelona to Greek Islands. For example Iberia/Vueling seem to fly to Santorini this August for around 280 euro/person one way.
August is high season in Southern Europe, so you can not avoid the crowds, that's for sure. It will be hot too. If it is too hot, depends on one's tolerance of heat etc.
I think you sort of creating your self a problem that you should. Pick one more specific area only and enjoy. Maybe choose a destination that you find it is harder to return soon with a baby or something (although I believe all your destinations are fine for family travel...).

Whatever you decide to do, Have a great trip!!!

mariha2912

"I think you sort of creating your self a problem that you should NOT"

PS: I almost forgot: Congrats on your wedding, best wishes for a prosperous marriage with many happy travels!

sparkchaser

I agree that two cities in ten days is ideal and anything more than that you spend up to 1/3 of your trip traveling.

I'd say pick two and only two: London, Paris, Prague, Barcelona, Amsterdam, or Munich.

And congrats on the nuptials!

bilboburgler

August, Edinburgh, the Festival if you have not booked yet rooms will be tight, but a very exciting place to be

If going to Scotland in August some of the northern beaches can be wonderful "local hero".

Paris should be good, Barcelona hot and busy, northern europe can be good in August so have a look at Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden. Munich should be ok (emptyish if you chose the fortnight the Germans are in Spain)

hetismij2

10 days including travel days? Or ten days on the ground?
If it includes travel days, and a jet lag day too then stick to two centres, if it is 10 days on the ground, including the jetlag day then you could maybe squeeze in three places, provided they are fairly close to each other. London Paris Amsterdam you can connect by train, which is ultimately quicker than flying, and if you book early enough cheaper too.

Whether you choose a two or three city base look into an open jaw flight - so you don't need to back track.

With 10 days and two cities you will have time to get into the country surrounding the city too, for a day trip at the very least.
It is easy to reach beaches from Amsterdam or Barcelona. Not so easy from Paris or London (but doable from London).

ParisAmsterdam

Paris. And stay there. ;^)

pinnypenny

I vote for Scotland, London, Paris.

I've been in Scotland before, a week in Edinburgh, you can hardly find a panoramic view of ex-volcano (mountain), sea, and city in the same view and that beautiful. So I share this with everybody. Many historical sites too, in London and Paris, you'll enjoy museums and many many famous monuments, you won't get bored and, please, in Paris, French food is sooooo so good.

acebeer1

Thanks all! You guys are so helpful!

Which is a better destination from Paris, Amsterdam or Zurich (or another Swiss city) in August. which is more beautiful, romantic?

I'm liking the Greece/Barcelona option, but I think my husband is more interested in northern europe. It would also be a lot of flying in 10 days, $$ ones at that.....

YankyGal

I'd vote for Barcelona, so you can get your beach fix in, and then Paris, because a honeymoon in Paris is a wonderful thing. We just did a 10-day Barcelona/Paris trip, taking the TGV in between. It's never enough time, but I wouldn't have wanted a 3rd city (or even a day trip) on that trip.

Congratulations!!!

sparkchaser

If you're cost-conscious, stay out of Switzerland.

Heimdall

Pick two out of London, Paris, or Amsterdam. There are nicer beaches much closer to New York, so spend your 10 days in Europe enjoying those beautiful cities.