Ah!! Becca!! I just read your second post and saw this:

"he grew up on a farm in rural middle Tennessee."

My husband grew up on a farm in rural eastern Tennessee!! Too funny!! But then he moved to the Chicago 'burbs and that's where we met....

With 13 days, do as flanner suggests (can't believe I'm agreeing, but there's a first time for everything.)

Fly into Nice or maybe Barcelona, rent a car, and hit the roads. You could also do an open jaw - into Nice and out of BCN, or v.v. - but spend your days exploring the absolutely wonderful countryside in the south of France and/or Catalonia; the Vermilion Coast, the Camargue... There are some okay beaches in various areas (pebbles, not sand) and we've been able to get into the water around Barcelona at that time of year, but no matter - there are so many hill towns, lavender fields, leafy inland villages, back roads, open markets in the squares of Bastides... the 13 days will fly by. Why not even think about renting a cottage somewhere and spend the 13 days going deep rather than wide?

He would probably enjoy the Cinque Terre region of Italy, along the Tuscan countryside just beyond the riviera. Then go down to Sorrento and enjoy the Amalfi coast area. Some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy, but still Italy, and close enough to do touristy things like a visit to Pompeii. From Sorrento, take a hydrofoil out to the island of Capri for a day.

We have four kids and traveled Europe this summer. Sadly, Italy was the most crime ridden and you do have to be careful. If you do consider the Amalfi coast, don't bother with Naples.

Save Croatia for another time. The coast of ITaly has a lot to offer.

Hi Becca, As a chap who has just come back from my first visit to NYC
and who also loves the Caribbean, I think I can see where he is comeing from.We also have holiday homes in Italy and Croatia and I must say both would be a great choice.However I must agree with the good advise offered but especially, in particular, Tuscany and its northern coast.
I am not sure if I can offer a web site here which would help http://www.underthetuscansun.co.uk
If not search Fontana Vecchia
Have a great time.

I was going to suggest Cinque Terre as well. I think it is similar to the Carribean in that they are small towns on the water with spectacular views everywhere. If you aren't familiar with Cinque Terre, it is a path on the side of the mountains, along the water, of five little towns that people often hike (but you can do it other ways as well) and then stay in the towns. Everyone I know that has been to Cinque Terre says that it is their favorite part of Italy. (I even have friends that have lived there that say that)
As far as Croatia, I agree that I would skip it and concentrate on the countryside in Italy and France. I was in Dubrovnik in October and while it is an adorable town, the beaches did not come close to Carribean beaches and I'm afraid you and your husband would be disappointed. I have heard that there are much better beaches in other parts of Croatia and Turkey, but I think it will still be a little cold for the beach.
I also was in the Greek Islands in October and absolutely loved those. The views were unparalleled and they were very quiet once you got away from the tourist spots. It would be very easy to plan a totally quiet, solitary vacation with beautiful views, beaches, and hiking. I received great advice from others on here on places they go to again and again on the Greek islands.
Hope this helps!

This will really sound like college days, but renting a "mobylette" (sp?) and wandering around the hills in Provence is great. You'll talk to farmers and other real folks on the road, see beautiful agricultural areas and relax in a setting and style that is completely unlike what you've done before. Great way to spend a pleasant afternoon.

I agree with Eze and St. Paul de Vence from another post. And although it is the ultimate commercial stop, Monte Carlo is different, a beautiful setting, and has Cousteau's original Oceanographic Museum. A few hours only . . .

Haven't seen a city in Italy that isn't museums, crowds and walking, even though I love them. Go to Tuscany and stay in a private residence. Drink wine, ride a horse, meet people. . .

When you do go to museums, concentrate on France. One can only see so many gilt Madonna and Childs. (Whoa, I'm going to get lots of posts responding to that one!)

Bravo to your husband and his interest in new adventures. We all have our preferences.

Venice to Croatia is an easy trip--you can even go by bus. We traveled to Croatia last year and thoroughly enjoyed the cities along the Adriatic. The Adriatic side of Croatia is nicer water than in Italy-although Italy is by far my most favorte place to travel. We will be going there for two months this year. The Italian Riviera along the Cinque Terre and the shores of Tuscany are also wonderful and have lovely beaches and wonderful small inland small picturesque towns to visit. Try VRBO for accommodations--I find them dependable and descriptive. If interested I may be able to recommend an apartment in Venice--although they usually rent by the week. The Dorsoduo area is a great location to visit all parts of Venice.

barb74

Well, if the Big Apple was too much for him, then I think he should be able to handle the south of France and other points. Perhaps spend a few days in Nice or Menton (outide of Nice/next to the Itaian border). From there you are only three/four hours to Venice; six/seven to Rome (that's if you want to rent a car). Train travel is fun; I like having a car (which is cheaper in France than Italy).

I've been so many times and I think you can have fun. This particular part of Europe is so incredible diverse and doable.

Hope this helps.

Hello,
My girlfriend and I visited Venice for a couple of days and then took a train to Zagreb, Croatia and rented a car. We spent the night in Zagreb, picked up the car and drove to Plitivice National Park. It was beautiful. We drove to Split the same day. That was a lot for 1 day, but the hotels in Plitivice looked pretty simple. We worked our way down the coast. Mali Ston is a must visit and stay for 1 night. Dubrovnik was beautiful. We took a tour of Montenegro from Dubrovnik 1 day on a bus. We don't like tours, but it was really nice. We saw more than we would have by ourselves. I highly recommend that.
If we do it again we will rent a car in Venice and drive to Croatia. It would be faster and it looked pretty scenic from the train.

Dear Becca,
My young girlfriend loves snowy and cold Europe, while doesn't seem to feel attracted by US and dislikes extremely hot places, but she loves to travel a lot...!
The Caribbean Sea was discovered by an italian from Genova, Christopher Columbus, and conquered by lawyer/soldier Cortez (Napoli was part of the Spanish kingdom, that's why the Caribbean and the Mediterranean definitely have much more in common than Croatia's people mood and culture.
We felt also that Varadero Beach in Cuba (our favourite pkace in the Caribbean with Playa del Carmen, near Cancún, México) has almost the same atmosphere as Siracusa in Sicily, but look: the French Rivera (we went to Niza, Cannes ans Montecarlo)is a fantastic choice for both of you!
My girlfriend and me are from México City and have been twice to Europe (autumn and winter time!), but as we were travelling back I've convinced her each time to visit USA, once to Chicago and then, NYC and of course, she was very glad to admire the fantastic museums they got there, to me it would have been a deep shame to got the unique chance to make so long trip there and not to see the MET and MOMA, as well as to enjoy the Sea Museum and the Chicago Art Institute, I mean, besides the jazz, teather, food, architecture and promenades or do the shopping in that big urban centres, walking Central Park or The famous Mile towards monuments and houses of ancient tradition.
Your plan to this trip in May with him sounds good to me, no matter if he gets angry now and then because that's also normal with us in trips, we discuss (he'll find all Europe very crowded and specially Venice) but the new adventures and mistery to come next in Croatia's beaches will make him behave better, you'll see.
Keep in mind the time of the year you're doing this travel and make reservations in advance, you can take a couchette by train and sleep from France to Venice (or Rome, then go up to Croatia which doesn't seem very far. If I could afford to rent a car I'd drive down to Croatia, why not? Peobably the cost of living there is not as high as in Italy, you know.
USA in 20 days? I'd start in NYC again, then Boston or Washington, after come back to NY to enjoy a coupleof days in nice Woodstock, then Niagara Falls and later also, Chicago. Because Canada would be a great tempation with these four cities "at hand": Ottawa, Quebec, Ontario, Montreal... Oh, a pity I could not go down to the Mississippi River and Louisiana, I love music. Have a nice trip! From México, goodluck:
Seevir

Have you considered the Cinque Terre, the 5 little towns overlooking the Ligurian Sea? This is part of the Italian Riviera and could be reached by train from France, en route to Venice. They are definitely the OPPOSITE of big cities. Gorgeous scenery, beautiful private beaches, great food,quaint little villages to explore on foot.
You didn't mention if you enjoy hiking, but if you do, this would be a special bonus. The area is famous for hiking trails that connect the 5 little towns. Along the hikes, you look up to see steep hills covered with vineyards & olive trees, & you look down from the cliffs to see the beautiful sea!
I also would add to the previous votes for Tuscany.
Tog

I would also put in a nod toward Tuscany and Umbria. My husband and I stayed at Villa Vinnamaggio (spelling?) just outside of Greve in Chianti and it was fabulous. Greve is a wonderful little town and we also explored many of the nearby villages. We recently visited Orvieto in Umbria. It was a great hillside town-lovely winding streets, great views, delicious food. I think both Florence and Rome would not be your husband's speed as they are both very crowded.

Having traveled extensively to the Caribbean and European beaches, (the Riviera, Greek Islands, Malta, Spain and Portugal), you won't find the beaches similar to the Caribbean. I would suggest you invest in good walking shoes for hubby and do see at least one great city, like Rome, then concentrate on the small towns and villages which make Europe so appealing. If he is at all interested in history, he should be blown away.

Becca,

Do you have thoughts about all of the posts?

Jeannie

He might not like Venice after the first day, but will love Croatia - Dubrovnik. Explore the outskirts possibly for more adventure. We went on a Mediterranean cruise with 12 ports and as lovely as they all were - breathtaking actually - Dubrovnik stole our hearts. Very peaceful and a spot we would love to stay to explore and relax. Eze is beautiful as was Cannes - the beaches were beautiful there. However, I did not really see other beach spots that I would like to visit - as others have said, the weather will be too cool. The countryside is always lovely to visit. Costa Rica is a spot you and your husband will love. Beautiful beaches all to yourself. We loved it!

If he likes the Caribbean, he will love Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. Also take the ferry over to Capri. You'll be near Pompeii, which you want to do early in the morning with a private guide before the crowds hit.

Thanks again for all of your suggestions. It is obvious I have a lot of research to do on all of these wonderful places you have mentioned. I think introducing my husband to Europe along its coast line and beaches - where he obviously feels most comfortable in our other travels - is probably the way to go. Thanks!

You should look at the wright place.
Try here.. www.tripsandtips.net