My husband has never been to Europe, and it's been years since I've gone. We'd like to plan a trip that allows some leisure time, some city stays, and some time in the countryside. We would probably go for about three weeks.

What would your recommendations be for an ideal trip?

..time of year and your interests would be needed to answer this.

IMO
There is no way to comfortably do 3 countries in 3 weeks.
I would maybe do Paris, south of France,
Venice, Florence, and Rome. 4 nights in each...
Or maybe Paris, south of France, Cinque Terre, Tuscany, and Rome.
There are endless combinations.

Get guidebooks and see where you and your DH interests lie.

I agree that 3 weeks won't be enough time for 3 countries. My DH and I visited Spain and Italy in one month, but only concentrated on major cities (with average of 3 days in each). For Spain, we visited Madrid, day trip to Toledo, Granada, Sevilla, and Cordoba. For Italy, we visited Rome, Siena, Florence, day trip to Pisa & Lucca, Venice. Looking back, I wish we had more time in Rome because the 3 days there just went by in a flash.

Hi Kate,

I suggest 3 weeks in France, 1 week in Paris and 2 weeks visiting the valleys of the Lot, Tarn and Dordogne

OR

3 weeks in Italy: Venice, Florence and the Amalfi coast

Or 1 week in each of London, Paris and Venice.

Have a nice trip.