1. Take anyone under 12 years old with me.
2. Go in June, July, or August.

i'VE GONE IN jUNE AND jULY AND NEVER AGAIN!

To each their own and I am adding a third one:

not listening to everyone about when to go because some of them obviously don't get it.

You two NOT going then makes it better for those of us who DO..lot less crowded and probably less drama, too LOL

Best months for travelling to Northern Europe, or to higher elevations in the Alps. September is also fine, usually.
Europe is more than the queue in front of the Louvre.

all tongue in cheek

I would go to Scotland in August. In fact, I have done. It really depends on where you are going but in essence I do agree about those three months. I hate leaving the house and the air conditioning in July and August.

I know you are kidding, but I have enjoyed 3 European vacations with children under 12.

Maybe the trick is that I didn't take them in the months mentioned!

i am not kidding about taking toddlers. they are clueless where they are and would rather be home playing with their toys. unless you are going to eurodisney, leave them at home and enjoy yourself !!!

I agree with Cowboy.. July was a great time to visit Stockholm , Berlin , London, Ireland, Scotland
I am going to Paris first week in July...no problem.
Don't like Paris in August, Southern Europe after May (unless a beach location),
plenty of other great spots to visit all year around.

Have an American flag on my luggage

Bark out "Do You Speak English"

Mine would be:

1. Take an infant/toddler or teenage girl with me.
2. Take a bus tour.
3. Check luggage.

I would never:

1. Get mad because they don't take US dollars.
2. Get mad because they don't speak English.

I took a toddler to Europe and I agree that my DD remembers nothing. But I do. And I don't regret a moment of it. I'll take Europe any way I can get it, with or without children.

With that said, I agree with P_M.

-travel with a person ready " to go" at 8:00 AM
-travel with a person who "never" takes taxis
-travel with a woman who takes 1-2 hours to "do hair and make-up" before leaving the hotel
-travel with people who solely focuses of food
-travel with people who constantly depend on YOUR knowledge of the city, metro, language,..
-travel with people who look for internet shops
on every corner

traveling alone is not all that bad!

jetset: Are you speaking from experience?

1. Never say never to any travel opportunity: my best trip ever (and I have travelled widely all my life professionally and with various family configurations), remembered often and fondly by both my daughter and me, was a 10-day Expedia package to Paris in August when she was a teen.
2. Get angry because someone doesn't behave as you think a "normal" American would.

Otherwise, I'm struck by how many people's "nevers" were great or routine experiences for me ("people who depend on YOUR knowledge of the city", traveling with teens, traveling in the summer~I, like other professors and teachers, are "doomed" to do most of our European traveiling then~ traveling alone. . . ."). Fun thread.

Travel with a Blackberry/i-phone addict.

My greatest trips to Europe were with my teenage daughters! They were well prepared and appreciated everything they were seeing and doing!

I would never:
-Visit Disneyland Paris - I don't really like the Disney parks in the US.
-Take a 10-day 5 country bus tour!

I will try not to faint when I see the prices

I will not ask for ice in my drink

I will not ask why they have a problem with "real money"

I will not start talking louder when my English is not understood