You are lucky to have AA FF miles. The majority of mine are NW. I too have tried over the years to book 11 months ahead. Some times I'm lucky, but it's surprising to find no seats 11 months out. I have found better luck 4-6 weeks out. One day I can get to my destination, that afternoon I can only obtain seats in a reverse trip. Go figure.

Actually, I'm not "lucky" to have AA miles, I planned it that way and work at it very hard. LOL

Yes you are lucky. My employor has exclusive work with NW.

The OP stated her husband is Delta Platinum Medallion, the highest tier of DL FF elites. Often the airlines make additional award inventory available to top-tier folks (I know we get it with AA) so getting award tix may not be as great a struggle as non-elites would face.

As for where, one has to recognize that <i>all</i> of Europe is on holiday in late July-August. So it pretty well doesn't much matter where one goes; everywhere is packed.

That said, I'd pick Amsterdam, because it has reasonable access to the North Sea coast, quick day trips via train to great visitor cities like Haarlem, Delft, the Hague, Antwerp, etc., and enough interest of its own to soak up the whole time - museums, canals, markets, shopping... Plus it's a compact city, everyone speaks English and doesn't mind doing so, you don't need a car, just a bike, so if a car is to be rented it needn't be for the whole time.

Hi, yes I'd avoid Spain because of the high likelihood of it being very hot.