My wife and I are thinking of going to Europe for a quick trip - only seven nights on the ground. We intend to only hit one or two cities at the most, or in the alternative to drive around the Bavaria region of Germany for a week. No particularly hurry.

I know seven nights is a short trip for someone traveling from North America, but we have frequent flier miles to burn and we feel like going in two weeks.

What are your thoughts on such a short trip? I would be curious to hear how others have approached short European jaunts such as this.

Thanks!

I don't personally think 7 nights is a short trip. In my case, ~70% of the European trips I've taken were 6 nights or less.

Of course, it wasn't too difficult when I lived in the E Coast. Though I've done several short trips from Dallas as well.

Now I'm in Boston, and I'm leaving next week for UK for 6 nights. To me, that's a "normal" vacation length. In my previous job, I could hardly take more than 7 days off in-a-row, which basically translates to a 5-night European vacation.

FWIW, my trips that were 6 nights or less include:
- London (many times)
- Munich/Salzburg
- Berlin
- Bavaria
- Rhine Valley
- Vienna

Choose cities close to each other and fly 'open jaw' so you don't have to backtrack when you leave.

London-Paris-Brussels-Amsterdam-Frankfurt are close to each other, for example.

With only a week we'd plan on trying to rent an apartment or house in one location. You might have trouble finding one on short notice
You don't say what cities you have already visited.
If we take a one week trip like this in the near future we'll probably go to Berlin
Paris, Rome, London, Vienna would be high on our list for repeat visits

hi, dwzemens,

I like your "flying visit" idea.

given that you are intending to travel at the end of May, I'd avoid the UK as it's school half-term.

driving round bavaria would be an excellent choice - not too crowded, good weather [hopefully] - lovely scenery and people.

go for it!

regards, ann

Seven nights would be great in Barcelona or Madrid (with some side trips)!

If you plan on going two weeks from now - the main consideration likely is WHERE you can find seats.

ff tix usually fill up far in advance so can you pick and choose this late? Find your flights first and then we can help you w/ a plan.

I agree about finding the frequent flyer flights first. They do book up quickly. Personally I had to choose dates for the following year.

I am finding FF seats to just about anywhere in Europe, even openjaw, for the second week in June.

At least as of last night -- I know they change regularly.

I appreciate the tips so far!