It was a tough decision, but I have decided to go to Europe next summer as oppose to this winter.

I will have nearly 40 days of travel time (6/25/10-8/10/10).

I plan to visit the following countries: Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Netherland, Belgium, and maybe Ireland. I plan to use public transportation (train, bus, airline) and do not plan to drive. I do not wish to spend time on the beach. I live near the water and am quite content with the view.

1. Could you let me know if it is reasonable to do all these countries in the time frame? Any suggestions/recommendations are welcomed.
2. I have already ordered RS's Portugal and Spain books as well as Lonely Planet's Morocco. I would have purchased RS's Morocco, but he has not written on that country yet.
3. At this point, do you think it is necessary to purchase RS's Amsterdam/Belgium book or can I just get the Best of Europe book. I do not want to drag around a lot of books especially I tend to purchase books abroad. I purchased 6 books during my one-month long vacation. I plan to use the guide for self-walking tours, description of buildings, etc.

Best wishes!

I don't drag books along. I read them (usually a couple of different publishers) thoroughly before going and either rip out or photocopy relevant pages. RS Amsterdam/Belgium would be more useful to you than the general Europe book but I'd wait and get the 2010 version.

Forty days gives you aprox 9/10 days for each country/area. Obviously, you won't see everything, but it is doable and reasonable, especially since you are doing Spain, Portugal & Morocco together. However, Spain is a pretty big country and you could easily spend a couple of weeks (or more) there. You will just have to pick carefully what you want to see/do.

Definitely get the Amsterdam/Belgium book or get one by Fodor's or Fromer's. The Best of Europe is way to general. You need times of museums, prices, transportation recs, specific directions, etc.

Do remember, it will be super hot in Spain, Morocco & Portugal in July! Good thing you are spending part of the time in a more Northern area.

Oops! Just realized you included Ireland. I don't think it is all doable after all. Since it will be so hot, why not visit Ireland, the Netherlands & Belgium?

HI Hob,

Ireland sticks out like a sore thumb.

Is there a reason that you are including it?

I did a lot of soul searching and realize that I am not a big city person. Don't get me wrong, I love the architecture, history, etc. but I don't plan to stay long in major cities. (London and I did not really mix well.) Therefore, I can decrease my days in major cities and if airfare permits (which is what it looks like) I would like to make it into Ireland to see different things, such as Dingle and Kilkenney. I just want to see/feel what Irish (or any other nationalities) means. You know what I mean?

Thoughts start south and head north. Europeans will be doing the opposite.

Spain is pretty big so need to focus. I'd try Lisbon or Porto and then maybe either the southern Spanish 3 or Madrid/Toledo/Barcelona

Holland and Belgium are nice but really pretty much the same except that really Belgium is two countries (N and S) so I had to cut back to make Ireland I would squeeze this area even through public transport is the best in these 2.

I also think Ireland stands out and you could just drop down to Champagne or Alsace from Belgium to have as much fun.

If you must go to Eire then why not stay around Dublin and the Dart railway system staying in little pubs. Transport easy and you will meet the real irish (just a a bit urbanised and none the worse for that)

I've just re-read this input and I must have been drunk the English is so bad.

My thoughts start with suggesting that you start in the south and head north. Europeans will be doing the opposite.

Spain is pretty big so need to focus. I'd look at Portugal and either try Lisbon or Porto and then maybe either the southern Spanish 3(Seville/Cordoba/Grenada or the middle 3 of Madrid/Toledo/Barcelona)

Holland and Belgium are nice but really pretty much the same except that really Belgium is two countries (N and S) so if I had to cut back to make room for Ireland I would squeeze Benelux even through public transport is the best in these countires out of all the ones you have mentioned.

I also think Ireland stands out like a sore thumb and you could just drop down to Champagne or Alsace from Belgium to have as much fun.

If you must go to Eire then why not stay around Dublin and use the Dart railway system to stay in little pubs (the King Citric (spelling) is my favorite). Transport is easy and you will meet the real Irish (just a a bit urbanised and none the worse for that)

Hope this is at least readable if not perfect

Yes IMO if you mix air for long journeys - say Portugal to Amsterdam or Brussels it can easily be done - all those countries. For ideas on train travel in those countries i always refer folks planning a rail trip to these fine sites: www.ricksteves.com (lots on trains and passes here - much more than in his guidebooks); www.seat61.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com. Overnight trains can also let you travel long distances at night - such as from Madrid to Paris; Seville or Granada to Barcelona or Lisbon/Porto to Paris (change of trains at Hendaye or Irun border).

If you are not a big city person then stay longer in the Netherlands and explore the wonderful diverse countryside and small towns we have.
Get a decent guide book to the country - one that doesn't fixate on Amsterdam.
I would definitely fly from your southern European destination to your northern European destination, or vice versa.

Which guide book would you recommend to use in Netherland?

Or better yet, as a native of Netherland, which countryside/towns do you recommend going?

I am not dutch but i have been to practically every Dutch city of interest and biked around the country many times. I would recommend the following Dutch cities for day trips or bases as well:

Haarlem - very close to Amsterdam i have based there and loved it - great train connections to nearby Leiden, the flower fields, Aalkmaar and Amsterdam

Delft - very cute quint city center and the Porcelain Fles world-famous ceramics manufacturer to tour

Aalkmaar - on Friday mornings April thru Sept i think - old-time cheese market in a very very lovely town

Utrecht - another canal-laced old-looking town center - on Saturdays it will be packed with folks coming here to shop and the open-air market that sprawls throughout it

Leiden - another neat old town

and there are many more - Hetismij has often recommended some super natural areas

Spain/Portugal will be hot but doable - especially if done early in your trip. But Morocco will be EXTREMELY HOT. Maybe think about dropping Morocco and adding days somewhere else (or that might give you enough time to include a bit of Ireland if its a place you really want to visit)

Between Spain and Belgium there is a ...gap. Lot of very nice countryside in France. Could go up along the coast