Big potential problem: Paris Olympics 2024. Hotels and other lodging during that time will be either already booked or very expensive. I hear that the Paris Metro and maybe the busses will have much higher fares and no discounts. I think I might start a thread about this.

Thank you for your advice. It's nice to hear from mutliple POVs- the #1 reason to put yourself out there to an open forum.

You seem open to different opinions and already are getting great advice about how to start, guide books, etc. Some may be contradictory, so you have to take what suits you.

IMHO, you should not worry about easy. Most Western European countries are super easy to navigate, regardless of language, plus you travel for new rather than similar experiences. The history, theater and museums in London are great, but I suggest choosing where to go based on personal interests.

Is there a place or specific sight you have longed to visit? The Eiffel Tower and lights of Paris, Ancient Rome, Gaudi’s architecture in Barcelona? Is there a time in history which holds special interest to you? You will automatically see new things that excite new interests for you, but to give you something solid to start, focus part of the trip on something of specific interest to you.

For this reason, I highly recommend doing the trip on your own, no tour. Choose your own places to see, your own hotels to stay, you own time table, and use public transportation. What if you wake up and say, no museums today, no getting on a bus at a certain time, how about just wandering or a hike or walk instead, heading to another town for the day or let’s go back to a particular museum today? We often see our top two or three choices the first day or two in a city, but reserve a day for adding something we had not thought about before, a day trip to another town, a canal boat trip, etc.

Just as in the US, there are many different cultures and experiences from fast paced NYC with every kind of food imaginable, world class shows and museums, to all of the Southern States, each offering unique food, music, and style, so are the different countries in Europe and different parts of those countries. To have a wider cultural experience, even in a short period of time, rather than hitting only major cities, choose two cities and visit nearby towns and cities as day trips or even split time with three or four nights in the city and two or three in a smaller town. In Europe, smaller towns may have fewer sights, but many are of equal importance to things in the larger cities. It is also interesting to be in small cafes, restaurants, etc. with more local patrons.

Each place you go will be unique. Paris has cafes and Spain has very late dining. Every place you go will have tourists from all over the world. Relax and enjoy being a tourist.

Please do continue on this thread. It is interesting and fun to see how trips evolve.