My wife and I have never been to Europe, but are planning a trip in the spring of 2012 (April or May). We have small children at home, and can only go for one week.

We have dreamed of visiting Switzerland and Holland, but would like some advice and recommendations.

1. Is there enough to do in Holland/Amsterdam for a week? We would try coordinate timing with the tulip festival, but what else would you recommend?

2. Would visiting Belgium during that week make sense?

3. If we chose Switzerland, is it feasible to take the train to Venice for a day or two, or is that pushing it?

4. If feasible, would you recommend an overnight to save time, or take a day train to enjoy the scenery and sites?

5. Finally, what city would you recommend we use as our base? Which has the most "European" feel, as apposed to a metropolis city, but still centrally located?

I'm sure there a thousand possibilities, but we are just looking for a little "professional" direction! Thank you.

There's plenty to do in Holland and Belgium for a week or Switzerland and Venice. Either combination is feasible, but I wouldn't try to mix the two. Save one for next time. I would not try to see Venice as a daytrip...Venice is about wandering, serendipity, relaxation and taking time to absorb the beauty--in my opinion. A good itinerary might be Zurich, Lugano, Venice. OR Amsterdam and Brussels with daytrips to Bruges, Antwerp, or any one of many Dutch and Belgian towns.

Don't try and do too much. Limit your trip to two locations. I would suggest flying into Amsterdam and starting your trip there and then going to Brugges Belgium for the remainder, flying out of Brussels. We've done that trip and it's a great one.

Switzerland is awesome, you can easily spend a week there.

Or Italy, maybe into Venice and out of Florence or Rome.

These are all great options, as are many others. If you can narrow down your preferences a bit, or share your interests, you might get some more meaningful suggestions.

Planning is half the fun!

Last year at this time, we'd just gotten back from a Paris/Amsterdam trip that was VERY cool. We've been to Paris 5 or 6 times now, and always enjoy it. However it was our first trip to Amsterdam (taking the train between cities) and I could easily go back to Amsterdam for a whole week!

However, it you've dreamed about Holland -- and are interested in combining it with trips to Belgium, it would be an ideal way to spend a week. I love the idea of AMsterdam and Brussels with daytrips to Bruges and elsewhere. I know we want to go back and do that ourselves as we've never been to Belgium and now I want to go!

The combination of Belgium and Holland is nice, but don´t stay in Brussels. Apart from the Grand Place it´s not very pretty. Stay in Bruges instead and make a daytrip to Brussels and Antwerp. April can be nasty weatherwise, though.

To get an idea of travel time, plug in destinations at

http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query2.exe/en for trains
and use google maps if driving.

Itineraries enjoyable to one can be "can't do" for others. Obtain facts as well as subjective opinions.

I lived in Dusseldor for about 2.5 years and was lucky enough to drive around to all the places you mentioned below... I'll give a stab at my experiences. Hopefully it will help.

I would like to stress something--DO not try to fit in the check list of 'see this see this see this...check, check, check'...it's very american and you miss the culture. Slow down, and enjoy a coffee/walk/bike ride...you'll be happy you did.

1. Is there enough to do in Holland/Amsterdam for a week? We would try coordinate timing with the tulip festival, but what else would you recommend?

Holland has: Tulips (in the spring, it does close in May--check the website: www.keukenhoff.nl There are daytrips avialable from the city, it's not too far away and about 3-4 hours you will see everything and take numerous photos..even have the coffee!
Archetecture: Holland is famous for architecture and it's canals. I took a water boat tour that was fantastic, and told us in english about the houses, etc.
History: this is the home of Anne Frank, you can see her attic if you choose. Shipping museums, and some fantastic old ships are around.
ART ART ART: LOTS of famous art museums around.
While In Rome (I mean Amsterdam): There are more bicycles in amsterdam than cars...rent one!
Red LIght district & Drugs: they're everywhere...enjoy. (or rather...enjoy the passed out, puked on, dazed kids on the stoop of your hotel/street sidewalks in the morning) It's creepy.
DenHague is near Amsterdam, it has some beautiful beaches-and history, etc.
Keep your eye out for windmills!
Word to the wise, if you rent a car--WATCH YOUR SPEED!

2. Would visiting Belgium during that week make sense?
SURE! You could take a train or rent a car, but Brusselles driving is HORRIBLE. All the roads are based on a giant circle. I've been lost there more times than I've driven there! UGH. My friends highly suggested Brugge, by the sea, it's older, much prettier, and would well be worth some walks and exploration!

**Here's the inside secret to Europe: Pick a city, any city..and all the old stuff and architecture we are looking for is in the Zentrum (center) of town. So head to the middle, park, and walk around a bit. You'll find some big cathedral, a market, and restaurants/bakeries.

3. If we chose Switzerland, is it feasible to take the train to Venice for a day or two, or is that pushing it?
I LOVE SWITZERLAND!!! I drove my car from Germany to Luzern and it was fantastic. From there I went south, just meandering through the mountains till I came to Interlaken and Grindewald. If only I could buy a house there! Be sure to slow down enough to actually hear the bells on the cows and horses as you go by the farms!

Switzerland is rather big, for a small country. it's very expensive (no Euros) and Northern Italy is near, I don't know how quickly you'd get to Venice. I'd say it would be a day traveling and a day back...but train websites can help with that! Venice is beautiful on it's own..and worth a few days.

4. If feasible, would you recommend an overnight to save time, or take a day train to enjoy the scenery and sites?
It depends on what you are doing and how much sleep you've had. If you are in Switzerland, DAY time...Holland, It's flat..very flat...so, night trips would be ok, but these are TINY countries, so your train trip...it will take 2-3 hours to get to Koln Germany from Amsterdam; Guessing about the same to Brusselles; and Paris will be about 4 hours by train. No need to think it will be overnight.

5. Finally, what city would you recommend we use as our base? Which has the most "European" feel, as apposed to a metropolis city, but still centrally located?
In my opinion, most all cities not completely flattened by the war, are "old world" feeling. Even in the cities aforementioned, the builders did a fantastic job rebuilding the original architecture to resemble what was there before. AMsterdam is nice, very international. Switzerland--I moved around alot, the big cities are..big. And the center is where the old stuff is (see above).

Just my opinion..and only that--I loved Europe, Switzerland was my fav, just because of the scenery and the alps. (and cows wearing bells)...

But in answer to the question: I have a week to spend anywhere in Europe, where would you send me?

Italy. Tuscany, Italy. Central stay in Florence, the center of Medici Renaissance art and architecture. Day trips to Pisa, Sienna and San Gimiginano. You can get creative and if you want a couple days in the country, rent a villa or stay in a convent. Florence is beautiful, has all the older buildings, art, and ambiance that you are looking for. Stroll through the central markets. Stop at a bakery and buy some fantastic Profiteroles (which I cant' spell). Forage for your own dinner in the markets-roast chicken, olives, salad. Stroll a couple blocks off the main tourist attractions for the best Italian you've ever had or ever will have in your life. Eat across from your hotel, a pizza with eggs on it.
That's a week. it goes by in a flash. You could even take a really long day or two--train over to Venice, get lost in Venice--as you will, and train back later in the evening (make sure you know the schedule!) But once you fly there and get settled, I am never one to want to sit on another mode of transport for a few hours till the week is up!

Ok, you also have the Uffuzi Museum, Ponte Vecchio Bridge, The artist's walk, Medici Palace, 3 main churchs, Duomo's to climb for the aerial views, Museum of science & medicine (I highly recomend!), and the art college...just to name a few of the fab attractions!

Wow KrisTiki, amazing! I wish I had enough time to do everything you listed! I think we're leaning towards Switzerland/Northern Italy. If we took the train and wanted to break up the 6+ trip, what stops along the way would be recommended?

You could fly into Zurich and head immediately by train to Lucerne. Spend two days in Lucerne, taking trips to nearby towns on the lake and to nearby mountains like Rigi or Pilatus. If you don't mind heading straight to more Italianate regions, Fly into Milan and head immediately by bus to Lugano, Switzerland for a couple of days (again, exploring the villages and scenery along the lake.) This will save you some travel time over Zurich/Lucerne. Either way, you can then head to Lake Como, an extremely beautiful place with delightful villages and extraordinary scenery. Spend two days there. Then train to Venice and spend two days there.

Was just there last April still quite cold rainy in the north

venice-tourism.com my fav perfect weather magical city

www.hotelpausania.it 59/euro per nite for me Otel.com

Had a beatiful canal view room #211 even warmer for me

Also Sorrento www.hoteldelfino.com $60/nt Sorrento Otel.com

Paid another 10 euro/nt for a sea view suite PERFECT

views over Capri Ischia best food views of my recent trip.

Happy Hunting,