I am picking my daughter up in mid-July from her study abroad program in Germany. We will have a week to visit wherever we want.

My husband was intending Paris but isn't that when their holiday season begins? Maybe that's not the best time to go for one's first trip?

I'm being offered an entire continent and don't know where to start. I could use some suggestions. This is very frustrating.

Budget is there but not a huge constraint. Priority would be a nice hotel over fabulous meals every night. We both love history - but that doesn't narrow things down much. Rome, London, Madrid, Paris, Prague - would all be interesting. We live in TX so heat in July is not much of a concern -- as long as it's under 100!

Where is your Daughter based and do you mind driving?

The traditional vacation period in France is August, so Paris shouldn't be too shutdown at that point. July is more common as a vacation period in Scandinavia. I would vote for Paris if that is your first thought. The other cities are great, but Paris can certainly entertain you for a week, and if it is your gut instinct, then I can't think of an overwhelming reason to go with another option.

July in Paris is Soldes (sale) month. Great sales in all stores-60-70% off. It will be hot during the day, cooler at night. We usually go in late June thru mid July. Never had a problem with anything being closed. If a restaurant is closed, then one 20 ft. down the street is open, etc. Try to book a bit out of the tourist area for cheaper but good hotels, and better restaurant prices. We eat a lot in a rented apt.-we cook our own food purchased as Parisians do and at brasseries. Do not get an apt. with a "loft" sleeping arrangement, you will not like it. Try to go to any famous areas -Louvre, Eiffel tower, early. Be there when they open. You can avoid some of the crowds that way. Be aware of pickpockets in Tourist areas. Notre Dame, Louvre and Eiffel Tower especially. Keep all valuables in a pouch under your clothing. Just keep a few Euros in shirt pocket for purchases -coffee, souvenir, etc.
I was in theParis US Embassy this summer, and in one day, probably 250-400 people were there getting replacement passports, documents, etc. because of pick-pockets. Pickpockets are ot just in Paris, but in Nice, and other French cities. Be aware at all times of surroundings and again, keep valuables under clothes.

Humptynumpty: she will have been in Dessau for three months. She will meet me wherever we decide to go. I do have family in Norway. But ... Just don't know.

Dessau makes my suggestion of a central European tour a little more difficult. We travelled around the Alps, the Italian Lakes and Milan from Munich. It was our best road trip to date and took a week.

I personally don't like Norway in summer, particularly in the North which can be quite sparse. In winter it has to be one of the world's great destinations but in my opinion summer is like The Bahamas in winter. You are just out of season.

Dessau is fairly close to Berlin which is well served by Europe's extensive low cost, frequent service airlines which will make gettig around relatively straight forward.

We have approached this proposition before and have made the mistake of spending most a our week in airports and whistle stop tours around cities. I personally would pick one maybe two destinations and stay put.

How about driving to Prague then flying to a Southern city such Seville, Barcelona or Palermo which are all good three day stays. Some larger cities London, Paris or Rome demand a longer stay but smaller cities struggle to keep your interest for more than a day.

In fact how about a week on Sicily?

what's wrong with Berlin?

loads to do there for a week.

or if she wants a change from Germany, the south of france? or venice, or Rome, or...