Sorry, I know this is another annoying broad post, but we have been researching for a while now and cannot decide. My husband and I are in our early 30's with small children and will have a full 9 days for vacation away from the kids for the first time in a while! We have been to France and England and love history, architecture, hiking, and some nightlife as well. We will be going in mid March so I know it will still be quite chilly in much of Europe (which we are okay with). So for 9 days (I know its not enough time, but its what we have with the kids out of school) in mid March, which do you think would be best? I'm open to any other amazing suggestions as well!

1. Munich and Salzburg or Lucerne
2. Budapest and Prague
3. Rome, Florence, Venice
4. Athens and a Greek island

No losers in the group, but weather is likely to be better in Athens and an island. IMO, 9 days would not be enough for Rome, Florence, and Venice -- even if you literally have 9 full days on the ground; YMMV. BUT do your 9 days include travel days? How many NIGHTS will you have in Europe? (Its easier for many of us to think in terms of nights than days.) If you have less than 9 full days on the ground, I'd also question whether you really have sufficient time for Budapest and Prague.

Good luck!

We do have 9 nights and 9 full days, 11 days total.

Italy would be great for kids - Venice, Florence and Rome - spend say 2 nights in Venice; 3 in Florence, 4 in Rome. Not time for hiking. Take trains between - cars can't be driven in those cities' centers.Book trains early at Acquista il biglietto con le nostre offerte - Trenitalia or www.italotreno.com - two competing railway companies serving those cities over same tracks - www.seat61.com has loads on info on doing that yourself online - general info www.rickstves.com and BETS-European Rail Experts. Could do day trip from Rome to Pompeii though 3 hours or so each way.

None of them.....have a look t the Transylvania Region in Romania by self-guided train travel.

Sinaia, Sighisoara, Sibiu, Brasov are all great places to visit. Inexpensive, green, and very clean. Give Euroland a wide berth imo.

Care to elaborate?

Value for money for starters, I'm no fan of the EU either, or multi-cultural societies that are ever pulling in different directions.

Transylvania is a wonderful region, clean and green.

@ LancasterLad: Thanks!

FWIW to the OP or anyone else, I enjoyed every trip to Europe that I've been fortunate enough to have taken -- and I've visited all the places the OP mentioned. I would suggest that what constitutes "value for money" depends on what one values. I haven't been to Transylvania yet, although I hope to go there one day.

Kja....
Get in there quick, dodgy greedy Government, not helped by the EU Federalists.

Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Macedonia are also well worth a trip, both great vfm.

My vote would be for Italy.

We actually wont have the kids with us, yay!! We are also not too worried about cost since this is a splurge for us and we rarely travel without the kids.
I had also suggested Turkey or Morocco to my husband but he worries about safety. I think they are relatively safe but dont know anyone who has personally traveled there. Should we stick to Europe if we haven't traveled there much or venture elsewhere?

I would do Italy. Athens might be a tad warmer but it isn't really "island" season yet so lots will be closed and ferry routes greatly scaled down. Might be a good time to see Santorini without the crowds but if you did get bad weather that might ruin it - Greek islands are all about sunshine and blue sky. The north of the Alps destinations could still be quite wintery.


But Italy can be gorgeous in March and 9 full days is good for a quick 'taste' of the big three - Venice, Florence and Rome. I took a friend who had never been to Italy on that trip in March two years ago and it was great. We actually had even less time than you will. You won't be able to see everything but will be able to see if you want to go back (and I bet you will)


Here is my trip report from that trip - www.fodors.com/community/europe/italy-thru-new-eyes-chasing-the-sun-in-march-1290060/


It's also on my blog with photos - https://andiamo.zenfolio.com/blog/20...italy-in-march

I've been to Morocco three times and am going back for 10 days in December. I have no more concerns for my safety there than anywhere in Europe. I love Morocco, and it will certainly be a lot warmer there in December than it will be where we live in France. And accommodations and food are enticing and inexpensive.

I (solo female traveler) wouldn't worry about the main tourist destinations in Turkey or Morocco at this time, but I think it is reasonable for people to consider their personal comfort levels when traveling. Here's a recent thread by a Turkish Fodorite:
Turkey for the Experience

And whether to stick to Europe is a decision only you can make. The world is full of fascinating places!

If not experienced travelers Europe is fairly easy to do on own - can easily book all hotels and trains and many folks speak English at least in tourist industry. And Europe is much better organized too - there could be more street crime in places like Rome and Barcelona than Turkey or Morocco so that should not be a factor IMO.

Regarding safety in Istanbul, I was there the day a bomb explosed at the airport (I was taking a flight but from the other airport...).
Since I didn't ear much. I also have friends who had relatives die in le Bataclan, Paris, or the subway of Bruxelles. Safety is not guarantee anywhere anymore, if it has ever been.

in March however Istanbul can be real cold (I nearly froze to death in mid march visiting Topkapi palace). I'd go to Greece, if for no other resaon than the weather. Or Crete or Malata or Marocco or ...

Better organized than what? I find it hard to think of places that are "better organized" than, say, Japan. And much of the world is easy to visit on one's own.

Of course I agree that personal safety should figure into anyone's travel plans. I was just responding to the OP's mention that she didn't know anyone who had been to Turkey or Morocco. I've been to Turkey, too, and would probably go back there now as well, but with Morocco I have no concerns except for encounters with camels, which are vile, nasty creatures. Morocco and Turkey are both equally organized, whatever that means, as Western Europe, and certainly not hard to organize on one's own. It's a no-brainer to organize hotels and transport in either country, and just as in Western Europe, many people in the tourist industry speak English, if that's a concern.

Not pushing for either Turkey or Morocco, just saying I love Morocco and would go back to Turkey, and probably will, next spring.

Of the choices you had, I voted for Italy but my husband and I did 10 days in Switzerland and had a great trip.

Originally Posted by PalenQ
And Europe is much better organized too .>

I was referring to Turkey and Morocco - having been to Japan yes it is super organized and so are other countries outside Europe -organized meaning easiness of travel and booking things, etc.