For the life of me, I can't decide where to go next September for my week and a half vacation. Unfortunetly, I haven't gotten a chance to go on a vaction for years now and I've never left the states for Europe. Now that I can finally go, I cannot decide. This has been going on for months now - Benelux, Italy, France, UK, Austria or Germany - Can't decide. <BR> <BR>I know my interests and I read a lot about destinations. I like outdoor pursuits, wide open country, big city, small villages, Southern Europe, Northern Europe...I'd like to see it all. Everytime I hit on something I change my mind. Should I just close my eyes and buy the ticket? How do you big time travelers decide???

Can't Decide, <BR>Do a search here for a posting captioned "How do you plan your European trip?" You'll get some excellent advice and suggestions for planning. If this is your first trip to Europe, let me suggest this idea. With only a week and a half, be conservative in your planning. You could get a "feel" for Europe and its various cultures, societies, languages and customs by considering Paris for five days, Belgium including Brugge for three, Amsterdam and environs for three. Or Upper Bavaria for four days, Austrian Tyrol for three and perhaps eastern Switzerland. Just some thoughts!

Just one suggestion... if Paris interests you, I'd definitely include it on your first trip to Europe since, IMO, it's Europe's most beautiful city.

Fate usually plays the trump card: there'll be a TV show about some place, or somebody will recommend a book about somthing, or there'll be a magazine article on a certain city....all places that came up on the short list of to-do's. I figure the Travel God, Gettowdaheah, has given me a sign, and I should take it.

Gettowdaheah!! <BR> <BR>I love it. <BR> <BR>Now I know who I have been praying to all these years...

I have been to all of the places you mentioned except for Austria. France and Italy are by far my two favorites. With a week and a half (10 days?), if I were you I would spend 5 days in Paris and 5 days in Rome (and you can take daytrips so you're not spending every minute in the city -- e.g. from Paris I would highly recommend a daytrip to the Loire Valley!). These are two amazing cities. You can fly between them or take the train. If you have 11 days and want to see 3 places then you could spend 4 days in Paris, 3 in Venice, and 4 in Rome. Those are my three favorite cities, personally. That would be pushing it in the amount of time that you have though. <BR> <BR>The only thing that helps me decide is making an effort to remind myself that I WILL be going back. That helps me prioritize. Don't think of it as one trip. Think of it as the first of, say, 3 trips, or 5 trips (even if there are years between each one...). That can help you break down what you want to see into manageable pieces and group it together, and then all you have to do is prioritize and ask yourself, "OK, I have 5 trips here -- which one do I want to take first?" That way you're not really choosing among your destinations -- you're just deciding in what order you would like to see them.

I agree with the other posters. Just view this as your first trip to Europe,not your only trip to Europe and that will take some of the pressure off. My suggestion would be Venice, Florence and Rome, or maybe substitute Tuscany for one of the cities if you are going to rent a car. Or Paris with one of the Italian cities is a good way to go. You could also do Paris, Venice, Florence especially if you fly between Paris and Venice portion. It sounds like you may be traveling alone and you can cover alot of ground that way so three days in each city would be fine for me. It just depends on how you want to travel and what calls you.

I agree with the above posts and I can not to strongly recommend Paris. <BR> <BR>I feel the most important point is NOT TO TRY TO DO TO MUCH. Every time you go to another city or country it takes travel time, packing, checking in and out of hotels, etc. and that cuts into your ten days. Take your time and enjoy where you are.

Get a ticket to Munich and visit this city and the Bavaria Region. Next year, with more experience, tackle Paris.

What a problem!! I know what you mean and it will get better with more travel, but the feeling of "Where do I go next?" will always be there. With a week and half, I would shoose a touch of Rome, Florance and Venice and the rest of the time in the Tuscany region. Alternativly, I would choose Southern Germany, specificly Bavaria. It has to be some of the most beautiful area in Europe with the Fairytale villages, castles etc. I disagree with Capo (sorry Capo) but Paris is not even in the top 5 as far as beautiful cities in Europe. One that is is Salzberg, easily reached from Munich. Where ever you go remember that it is not the US and go with a sense of awe and discovery. <BR>Have a great trip. <BR>Regards <BR>Art <BR>

BTW, I didn't mean to imply that Paris is not worth going to, she has marvalous art and definitly worth visiting. <BR>

You do have a tough decision. I've visited many European cities through out the years. As others have mentioned, some real key cities are Rome, Paris, Venice but then I have some all time favorite countries as well like Belgium (love Brussels and Brugge both). I would probably NOT vote for Germany, England or Netherlands and save that for your next trip abroad. Let us know what you decide.

I have found travel brochures to be helpful when trying to plan an itinerary with limited time. <BR>I am also scratching my head trying to plan a 3-week 2nd-time trip to Europe in October. <BR>For your trip, I would suggest Paris, Rome and Venice (for cities) then a loop back through Austria and perhaps Switzerland (for the smaller towns and countryside). Salzburg, Innsbruck and Lucerne all worth a visit.

If this is your first trip outside of the U.S.,you may want to stick to an English-speaking country. England and Scotland have all your requirements, with a few days spent in London, then a train to Scotland, perhaps stopping at a couple of villages along the way. By going to an English-speaking country, you eliminating half the hassle of trying to maneuver in a foreign language. <BR> <BR>When you say you like outdoor pursuits and wide open country, what specifically do you have in mind? <BR> <BR>For hiking, in my opinion, Northern Italy can't be beat--either the Dolomites or Cinque Terre or both. The weather will be good then, too. If you do Northern Italy, then you could include Venice and Florence. I am with Elvira, though. At some point that "Gettowdaheah" moment will strike (I call it the "Wow-I-could-have-had-a-V8" moment), and you will know what to do. Have a great time, no matter what you decide.

My choice for a first time trip that would involve seeing both cities and countryside, but would not take too much time traveling from place to place, would be Venice, Florence, and the Tuscany countryside. <BR>Fly to Venice for 4 or 5 days( you can take day trips to Verona, Vicenza,Padua, or even Ravenna , if you want to), then take a train to Florence(about 3 hours)spend a night there and then rent a car . Drive around in Tuscany for three days, perhaps basing yourself in San Gimighano, which is very easy to get in and out of, and is especially enjoyable at night after the tourists have gone. Then go back to Florence for a couple of days, return your rental car and fly out of Florence. I have spent a lot of time in both Italy and France, and while I love France, in my opinion,Italy is more "European" for a first time traveller, that is , more noticeably different from the US in architecture and culture and also very easy to travel around in.Just don't spend too much time in travelling long distances from place to place; it is both tiring and uses up your vacation time.

I vote for France with emphasis on Paris. Germany will be lovely in September but from mid-Sept til the first of Oct. it is Oktoberfest in Munich and the crowds are immense and hotel space at a premium. Oktoberfest is a hoot but crowded!! Italy deserves more than 10 days I think. Certainly there is a ton to see in France but I think you can have a nice trip there in 10 days. Similarly the UK would be a good choice. London theater is wonderful. A trip with a fews days in London and the Cotwolds and/or Lake District would be nice. As a point of referene I lived in Europe for 2 years - 8 months in Paris,1 month in Cologne, 5 months in London, 6 months in Rome and 4 months in Madrid.

I tend to agree with Santa Chiara: first visit to Europe, stick with the UK. UNLESS you speak languages other than English and/or are outgoing, tolerant, patient and love to just dive right in and experience new things. <BR> <BR>The places and descriptions posted on this thread sound wonderful, and I suppose for an American the UK could be considered a lesser stepping stone to the marvels of Europe. But personally I enjoyed the week I spent in Scotland (Edinburgh and Skye, and lots of beautiful countryside in between) better than my week in Paris. If you like the outdoors, which I believe you mentioned, I doubt whether you could beat Scotland (unless perhaps Ireland or Wales, from what I've heard). And the weather in Scotland in September should be ideal. <BR> <BR>Wherever you go, have a great time!

Re: "I disagree with Capo (sorry Capo) but Paris is not even in the top 5 as far as beautiful cities in Europe." <BR> <BR>Oh oh...them's fightin' words, Art! :^) <BR> <BR>To: Can't Decide. While I still think Paris would be a great choice for your first time to Europe, that's coming from the perspective of one who's been to Europe numerous times now. On my first trip, I was very leery of how I'd fare in non-English speaking countries, so I limited my trip (6 weeks) to the UK. How about you; is that an issue for you at all?

The language barrier isn't so much an issue and I was thinking of only one country or two at the most. As far as language I've been on a trek in Nepal several years ago and then also to Mexico once without knowing much language. But I still cannot decide, though I thank you people here at this forum for all your suggestions. I'm still thinking. Tonight I might light a candle and try to summon up Gettowttahear.

I forgot to add that Paris is definetly out of the question, although I think I could do a non-Paris France trip. Paris scares the pants off me because I'm not into fashion and would be embarrassed to walk around with all those trendy, chic people!!