Considering a European trip a week in the end of March (provided air fares stay down.) Where should we go? We're in our late 30s/early 40s. Wife likes travel photography, landscapes, light hiking, historic sites. DH likes fine dining, historic sites. Both like gardens.

We've been to Amsterdam & London together, wife has been to parts of France, Germany & Switzerland. Ideally, would like someplace warmer than Iowa in March and within a budget of $3000 including airfare. Frontrunners right now are southern Italy or Spain.

How about Greece? I was there in 2006, end of March, and the weather was just wonderful. I live in Indiana, so I can relate to going somewhere warmer.
We were in Athens, Corinth, Delphi, Mycenea,Meteora and the island Aegina (spelling is probably incorrect). The wildflowers were blooming, the crowds were small, we loved every single minute there. Two of us are very interested in photography and there were photo ops at every turn. Lots of good food, too. Needless to say, lots of historic sites. I don't recall a lot of gardens, though.
The weather is changeable, but we were very comfortable in light jackets and never had any rain.
Good luck!

Just remember that at the end of March most of the Midwestern schools go out for Easter which causes alot of places like Italy,Spain and Greece to be full of not only college kids but families. Make your reservations NOW!

sferguso, might I suggest Sicily? The weather should be great - so much to see and so much history and art. Affordable with good highways for driving. Needless to say, the food and wine are reasonable and excellent.

Happy travels!

In Greece this year the orthodox Easter will be the 19th of April, so at the end of March there won't be any crowds anywhere!