Belgium does have good food, but Belgian people are not very adventurous in their tastes. Fine if you're a tourist and are happy with mussels/fries/steak. But we get bored seeing pretty much the same menu in 90% of the restaurants here. I much prefer eating out in London. Or Amsterdam.

Anyway, getting off track here.

For 2 weeks of art, history, food, shopping on a first trip to Europe, I still say London/Paris.

Thank you all for the input. I will start researching Paris/London/Italy!

Ohmigosh! I should probably just quit randomly clicking on threads because I read just such headspinning statements, and I feel compelled to say something.

Beligium is one of the most wonderful dining destinations in Europe -- especially if you like adventurous cuisine! It has an overload of Michelin restaurants -- maybe more than any other European country I can think of. It has an multi-faceted immigrant culture too, and if you eat Kosher, head to Belgium.

I'm sorry if people living in Belgium don't take advantage of all there is on offer in terms of variety -- I could spend weeks just trying different chocolate, beers and pastries -- but it's a terrific foodie destination if you like adventure in dining.

In Italy, I wouldn't consider either Florence or Venice to be the best destination for food. For art, Florence is probably the best. For shopping, Milan is best, and Rome is probably a close second. It really depends on what you're hoping to buy. For excellent everyday food, anywhere in Emilia Romagna or Le Marche is good. For stellar restaurants, Milan and Rome are best.

If you want one destination in Italy that ticks all those boxes, it's probably Rome, or Milan would be a close second. Milan doesn't have as many great art museums as Rome, but the Brera Gallery itself goes a long way to make up for that, and there are usually good art shows at the Palazzo Reale.

Frencharmoire, we were in Belgium’s Wallonia region so could be the reason for not remembering much of what I ate. We traced my Dad's unit and there were small villages and Bastogne didn't have a lot of choices at the time. I know our dining options were not that great and can't even remember a pastry shop.

I loved the food in Florence and my cooking class helped with exploring the markets first for the ingredients.

bvl - I think we must be on the same page tonight. For me it would be Rome all the way - so many little streets and shops to mooch about it, so many museums and galleries to enjoy [most of which a virtually deserted] so many marvellous cafes, bars and restaurants to explore. Heaven!

Hi, You mention Art history, Florence is pretty amazing. London would be easy with English language (not sure where you are from), great museums, Tower of London/royal crown room...also Venice. ..an amazing place. There are good and bad restaurants in every country, I'd focus on other interests, such as history interests. I also love Vienna (Bellvedere Palace/ Klimpt paintings) Spanish Riding School/Lippizanaer Stallions with the Hapsburg Palace, great food I think, interesting shopping, Vienna Opera House (ticket on Internet for both Riding School/and Opera). Great coffee houses in Vienna. So many wonderful cities. I'd go in one city like London and leave from another such as Vienna or Amsterdam (another great city) canals, Rijks Museum and Van Gogh museum, Resisitance museum...Have fun planning. Sue