We have a week (8 days) to vacation in august. We are looking for a fantastic place to base ourselves, rent a car, and explore during the day. We want a resort or country location, as opposed to a city. We are a family of 4, with 16 & 18 yr old daughters. If you were to pick any place in europe for one week, and didn't mind paying top dollar, where would it be? We were thinking maybe the dolomites or portugal, but are just looking for great ideas.thanks for any inspiration!

You don't say if you've ever been to Europe before, but if you haven't, England is a wonderful place to start. They speak English, so you'll have no stress about facing a language barrier, which is usually the big bugabboo for first timers.

However, even if they didn't speak English, I would still say "Go to England!" It's a beautiful country. And it's small enough to get around and see different things. The southern coast, the Lakes districts, the Yorkshire dales--all entirely different flavors. The Cotswolds is a good place from which to explore. Or another suggestion would be to base yourself outside of London. Your daughters might like access to a big city, even if you don't want to stay in one.

Wherever you go, enjoy!

I would highly recommend the Salzkammergut area in Austria. Lots of beautiful mountains and lakes to explore. You can stay in Salzburg or in one of the smaller lakeside or mountain villages. We have stayed in Abtenau and Hallstatt, but St. Gilgen is another possibility.

See these websites for info:

http://www.salzkammergut.at/ (see English Version)
http://www2.salzburg.info/
http://www.salzburg.com/tourismus_e/...n/s_index.html
http://www.tiscover.at/at/guide/5,en...16at/home.html
http://www.lammertal.com/en/abtenau.shtml

THE WEST OF IRELAND!

Tuscany would fit the bill.

If you really mean top dollar, this place looked like so much fun on the Fine Living Channel,

http://www.fineliving.com/fine/your_..._21351,00.html

Something like this would be nice if your family likes the sea. Check out the private islands website, there are a few that are much cheaper than the Greek Island one!

Switzerland..and just about anywhere there..and you wouldn't necessarily need the car, either. Of course, if you're into diving, well.....hard to answer without knowing some of your interests.

Since you said August that dictates to me a mountains and lakes destination. I like the Salzkammergut and Bavarian castles region that time of year. I just completed a trip plan for another family to the same region for August. Hard to beat--fly into Munich.