March 2012 Europe Advice
 

Hello!

hoping to get some advice for a March 2012 Europe trip. My boyfriend and I went to go in mid March for 2 weeks.

We plan to fly into Amsterdam. They have the direct flights from Vancouver, so usually we can find a good deal. We've been to Amsterdam a lot and have friends there so it's nice to start our journey there.

We've been to:

London
Edinburgh
Paris
Belgium (Brugge, Brussels, Antwerp)
Czech Republic (Prague, Pilsen, Kutna Hora)
Germany (Cologne, Berlin)
Netherlands (amsterdam, maastrict, utrecht, haarlem, rotterdam...)

Since it will be in mid March, can anyone recommend new places for us to go to?

We are in our early 30s and like:

Museums, Shopping, Dining, Walking...

I was thinking Italy but if we started in Amsterdam first, should we get a flight to Rome? Then from there I'm not sure where to go. I always imagine Italy being a country that you really should dedicate a good chunk of time to.

Also since it will be mid March the weather will be a bit cooler.

Paris is our favorite place to go there. But it would be nice to go somewhere we haven't been. Although I don't think I would get tired of going there.

Any advice appreciated!

Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, Rome?

Look into flights on budget airlines within Europe. You can check them at www.whichbudget.com

<i>"I always imagine Italy being a country that you really should dedicate a good chunk of time to."</i>

Yes - months. Rome itself needs 7-8 nights to see the basics.

From Vancouver, you can get a good deal to Rome even with a connection in London or Amsterdam (Rome is only about $100 more than direct flights to London or Amsterdam). If Italy is your destination, I would fly directly there.

With 2 weeks, you could do the classic "big three" and enjoy 7 nights in Rome, 3 nights in Florence and 4 nights in Venice - and possibly fly home from Venice (cheaper than doubling back by train all the way to Rome to fly home). that still leaves dozens of future trips to Italy. This is just a "highlights" trip.

Another idea for a trip that time of year would be Southern Spain: 5 nights in Seville, 2 nights in Cordoba, 2 nights in Ronda, 3 nights in Granada and the rest split among some smaller towns. It will actually be VERY nice in southern Spain that time of year mid-60's to mid 70's.

Of course 2 weeks in Paris is ALWAYS an option - it doesn't matter how many times you've been....

Another vote for Spain. You could fly RT from Amsterdam to Barcelona for around $130 (if you want to stop and see friends) or you could go to Seville for around $200 RT. Andalusia is fabulous at that time of year; Barcelona is fabulous all the time, but quite a different vibe - marvelous big city vs. incredible history and beautiful countryside. After a yucky rainy (let's hope that's all) Vancouver/Seattle winter, I think a sun blast in Seville, Cordoba or Grenada (or all three, plus any number of "white villages" or other places) would be a serious treat.

Southern Spain will be warmer then - not beach weather but gret for touring. Hop a flight to Malaga and then rent a car to tour Andalusia - Seville, Cordoba, Granada, white towns etc.

Hi B,

As noted, one can't go to Paris too often.

How about Lisbon or the Algarve, Barcelona and/or southern Spain, Sardinia, Greece, Southern Turkey?

((I))

Wow thanks everyone. Amazing ideas you all have! Going to be doing some researching now on all your suggestions :)

IF we did decide to go back to Paris again, can someone recommend another place in France we could go to for 3-4 days in addition to Paris?

Thanks again you are all so helpful!

<i>IF we did decide to go back to Paris again, can someone recommend another place in France we could go to for 3-4 days in addition to Paris?</i>

In March, blast down to the south and head for Monaco, Menton, or some other place on the Cote d'Azur. Marvelous in the spring.

Another possibility is a quick cheap flight from Paris to Lisbon for a 3-4 night stay (NOT the 27 hour train ride!).

Fly home directly from Lisbon.

Meant to add - March weather in Lisbon will be gorgeous!