Hello all,

This is my first post here and I am planning my first trip for 3 weeks next July to Europe. I am thinking of going to Germany for the World Cup then off to Spain, Portugal and Italy. Does anyone have some suggestions for a memorable trip- night life is very important as well as good food and decent accomodations

For any trip, the first thing I consider is the weather. You're sort of stuck on Germany because of your plans to attend the world cup. But popular cities in Spain, Portugal, and Italy in July can be brutal. Certain areas in Spain and Italy can be fine in July, but not the major sites.

My advice is to pick one country instead of 4, and to plan a trip to see the parts of that country that most interest you. If you really want to go to Germany just for the games, and your real vacation will be someplace else, then just pick one country. Even with 3 weeks in 1 country, you will only be seeing the tip of the iceberg of the wonderful things that any of the countries you mention have to offer.

I completely agree with Eleni.

There was a time when I'd have agreed to stick with one country, but I'm not sure I do any more. Do you think you will begin going to Europe every year or two and have lots of opportunity to visit country by country? If not, then I see nothing wrong with getting a taste of several countries. Has anyone ever heard of a tasting menu in a fine restaurant -- they're very popular these days. You get a little bit of several unrelated dishes -- the best of each category -- enough to whet your appetite. Well, travel can be that too.

When you can fly between two cities in an hour or two (less time and less expensive than taking a train between Frankfurt and Berlin for example) then I say if you want to see several different cultures, go for it.

I personally see nothing wrong with spending 5 or 6 days each in four different cities of different countries as opposed to spending 5 or 6 days each in four different cities in the same country. Variety CAN BE the spice of life.

Nightlife and good food and accomodations? Fly into Germany and fly home from Lisbon. In between take a flight to Milan (or Rome) and then a flight to Madrid (or Barcelona) before flying to Lisbon, a final destination. Five nights each and it sounds like a wonderful trip.