I'm looking to take my wife to Europe in early July and would appreciate any suggestions. Paris, Barcelona and Italy are options, and we'll be basing our decision on the cost of flights from DC. We are seasoned travelers, but looking for bargains and less-touristy suggestions. Thanks in advance.

By seasoned do you mean you have been to Paris, Barcelona and Italy? If not, check the cost of flights and narrow your options. If you have been to none of these places, the flights to Paris are likely to be less costly. Depending on how much time you have, you could spend a week in Paris and a week in Normandy and Brittany or a week in Normandy and the Loire. The weather should be nice in July.

My opinion is to go for northern Europe in the summer. Scandinavia is great, but expensive. Although I haven't been there, the Baltic states might fit the bill. Lots of daylight and pretty cheap and a reasonable climate. You could fly to London and take budget flights to the first destination.

Thanks for the first suggestions. By seasoned, I mean we've traveled a lot. I haven't seen as much of Europe, and I've never been Paris or Barcelona. I've done Italy, but I went 20 years ago and wouldn't mind seeing it again.

We're probably looking to spend a week over there.

If you want a less-touristed area, where in Italy did you have in mind for a week's trip?

There aren't a lot of bargains in Europe in the places you mention, especially not in July, and not with the dollar to euro ratio. You would do better to stay out of the largest or most popular cities.

What about the Greek Islands?

How about Eastern Europe? Anyone been to Croatia and Slovenia lately?