We are trying to decide on a trip next spring during the 2nd week of March (about 8 days all in). So far this is what we are considering:
- Madrid & Barcelona
- Paris & Cologne
- Prague & Vienna w/ day-trip to Bratislava
- Somewhere else & Vienna w/ a day-trip to Bratislava

Thanks.

Who is "we"? What do you like to do? What is your budget? Without more information, no one is going to spend time answering your question.

"We" is DW and myself. Budget honestly is not to much of the concern. We have been throughout a "fair" part of Europe, these are just a few that we have not really dove into yet. As well, we (DW and I) know for certain that would like to go to each and every one of the mentioned "options", but were just hoping to get some feedback from each of your experiences as to which options we should potentially do first, and why of course. History, art, the surrounding landscape is all of interest. As well is food and shopping. Therefore, anything goes.
I hope this is a fare enough start as to the information for assistance.
Thanks.

BTW - We have been to Paris a couple of years ago in the summer and it was absolutely miserable thanks to the heat. This is why we are re-considering it here for the spring hoping to take it in a tad bit better.

ttt

Hi C,

Why pair Paris & Cologne?

With only 8 days, I would stay in Paris.

I didn't think Cologne a great place to visit. Unless for taking boat trips down the Rhine which is what we did when we found out that we really didn't think a lot of Cologne!
I would LOVE to spend more than 4 days in Paris. I have been there 4 times (max 4 days) and still haven't done and seen everything I want to!

Ira, thanks for responding. The reason for pairing Paris and Cologne is because we have visited Paris previously for a week, but still had a few things that we wanted to see. So, we figured we could spend 4 nights there and then train over to Cologne, which we missed on our trip through Germany this past summer.

However, the real problem is....we just can not decide on which trip would be better for the timeframe alotted and the time of year. Also, if you can think of a place to add to the very last scenario (Vienna with a side-trip to Bratislava), not including Salzburg and Munich (visited this summer)...that would be great!

Who ever thought deciding on new travel would be this difficult!

I know you are asking about Europe but did you ever consider New Zealand for a driving vacation?

Wonderful, beautiful country. The drives between towns are relatively short. Fly into Auckland and fly back from Christchurch or Queenstown. You will experience and see one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

If you are the "outdoor" type, then NZ is a dream come true. Plains, turn into rolling hills, to one of the tallest mountain range in the south. Milford Sound is just amazing. Walk the one of the few tropical glaciers in the world.

Shopping is not the strongest selling point of NZ but if you like anything to do with wool, then it's all that and more.

Great restaurants, great wines, great hotels, motels and B&Bs. I never ran into any problems with side road motels. Exceptionally clean. The city hotels range from economy to 5* hotels.

Interesting history.

The drive would also include crossing on a ferry between the North and South islands. Most people just drop of the car before taking the ferry and rent a new one on the other side. Why pay for the car crossing? Besides, if you do an open jaw then it's possible that the rental company may not allow you to drop off the car at the other end or charge you accordingly.

Beautiful, eye opening drive vacation.

March is their fall season. I did my trip in March and it was wonderful. Wine and food festivals in cities. Historic Dunedin and Christchurch. Adventure center of the world in Queenstown. Fall colors, modern,very cosmopolitan Auckland, etc...

Try it, you may like it...

Just a suggestion.

Whatever you decide, have a great trip!

My choice would be just Paris and if you feel you have to leave somewhere else in France (Loire?).

Having been to Paris in late March, we found it to be cold and rainy - hoping to return in the future when the weather would be better. Last March we were in Barcelona and LOVED it!! I would spend a week in Barcelona with daytrips to Monserrat and Girona. Splitting it up between Madrid & Barcelona is also possible, but I haven't been to Madrid yet.

We spent 5 days in Barcelona, had planned to do a daytrip to Girona, but were enjoying Barcelona so much decided to spend the day there. With a whole week, you could definitely fit in the daytrips.