VivianH

Hi thinking of going to Europe for my 25th Anniversary I have about 12 days to do this. Where to go ideas? Also thinking we might want to rent a motorcycle for a few days and enjoy the beautiful country. Where to start?

KayF

Have you been to Europe before? Any ideas of which places appeal to you? Europe is a big place. France and Italy are popular, with good reason. Croatia is a beautiful country, or try Amsterdam, Brugge and Brussels. We love the Greek islands but 12 days is not very long, especially if this includes all your travel time.

I wouldn't recommend renting a motorcycle, a car would be a lot safer. Make sure you take an international drivers permit.

Kay

VivianH

Thank You No never been to Europe and relize I shouldnt see too many places on one trip. Thinking may 3 countries is all I should do. I hear the Greek Islands are beatiful thinking fly into Paris stay 2 dsys and head over to Amsterdam by train and rent car there and travel from there.

KayF

You really couldn't do Paris, Amsterdam and Greece in 12 days, well you could but you'd be crazy. Belgium has some lovely small towns, like Brugge, Ghent and I've heard Antwerp is nice though haven't visited that one. Paris, Brugge, Brussels and Amsterdam could make a good 12 day trip and they are all linked by train and not too far apart.

Also don't forget that you will most likely be jetlagged once you arrive at your first destination in Europe so don't count on doing too much that day. Usually your body clock takes 2 or 3 days to adjust to the new time zone.

Kay

mamcalice

What time of year are you going? With 12 days for a first trip to Europe I would pick a country (e.g. Italy) or a couple of cities (e.g. London and Paris). Spain would be great but I wouldn't suggest it in the summer - Granada would be HOT! Do some reading or, better yet, view some videos to get an idea of what appeals to you.

Ackislander

Good suggestion from Mamcalice. Go to your public library and borrow some of Rick Steves' videos. A lot of people on here hate RS, but if you don't know where you want to go, watching, or even skimming through, these is a great way to find out. Just don't stay at any of the places he recommends unless you want to be surrounded by other Americans who are staying at the places he recommends.

If I were going for the first time and wanted it to be special, I would fly into Paris or London, spend five days, take the Eurostar train to the other for five days, and fly home from the second city.

I would try to do one of the big tourist things every morning, and I would walk around, shop or hang out in the afternoon. At night I would go out for a nice dinner at a place I found while walking around. Restaurants and cafes have their menus in the window, so you can pick a place you would like easily.

I might have lunch at one of the museums I visited or if it's too much food, I would get a sandwich at Pret a Manger (yes, it's a French name but an English chain) or another sandwich shop in London or at a cafe or bakery in Paris.