6 week itinerary critique
 

Hi everybody!
My husband and I are planning a 6 week trip to Europe in April and June (although we may have to make it May and June because of impending work conflicts...we'll know soon). We are in our early 30's and want to do a big trip before we start a family. We've travelled quite a bit but there is still some Europe 101 that we want to experience. We love it all: adventure, relaxation, art, history and just sitting and drinking and watching...Here's what we've got so far:
Istanbul-4 days
Puglia-4 days
Amalfi Coast 4 days
Rome-6 days
Florence 5 days
Lucca 2 days...we've already been to Venice and the hill towns of Tuscany and Umbria
Provence 5 days
Dordogne 5 days
Paris 5 days
Amsterdam 3 days
Home---NYC
It's killing me that we're not doing Belgium, Southern Spain (we've done central and northern)and Portugal but we just don't have the time. Are we trying to do too much as it is? Should we not do Istanbul and Amsterdam and do a week in Andalusia instead? I'm stuck...any advice would really be appreciated. We are planning to do quite a bit of travel by train but I think we'll rent a car for Puglia, Provence and Dordogne. thanks again!

At the very least I suggest a day trip to Brugges, Belgium from Paris. It is absolutely the most romantic city. A great place to conceive. :) (Just teasing)

Sounds like a fabulous trip. Enjoy!

I would go to Bologna instead of Lucca, and take one day to go to Ravenna, which would mean cutting out a day someplace else.

I would start my trip in Italy and save Istanbul for a time when I could also visit other places in Turkey.

Michael, would you suggest 2 days in Bologna? and why Ravenna? the mosaics?

How does six weeks in April and June work? Do you go for three weeks in April, come home, then go back for three more weeks in June?

oops. I meant April and May. or May and June depending on work conflicts...

Definitely the mosaics.