Hi,
You mention you like to check out some castles. Maybe the Versailles Palace would be nice. It is about 30 minutes from Paris. Or if you like gardens, the Monet gardens is a beautiful place to go. I believe that is about 1 hour away.
Any places you have in mind already that you like to visit during your trip?

>> day heading up to Liverpool and Manchester. <<

Okaaaaay?! You want to do a 'day trip' to Manchester and Liverpool? That is a tall order. London to Liverpool is about 2.5 hours on the train, Liverpool > Manchester a little over 30 minutes, and Manchester back to London is another 2+ hours so you are talking 5+ hours JUST in transit, not counting ANY travel in either city or visiting any sites. Just what all do you expect to see/do in Liverpool and Manchester??

From your various posts I think you may have some odd ideas about transport in the UK/on the Continent. Public transport is great -- but it is not instantaneous. It takes time and planning.

Yes, as Janis said, what do you think you will have time to see in Liverpool and Manchester?

I also wonder about your comment about seeing Venice, Rome and Germany in the future and that your wife will like that because she speaks Spanish. How will speaking Spanish in those locations help? I'm pretty sure they speak Italian and German respectively.

NOBODY mentioned that you need to spend at least 2-3 weeks anywhere. LOTS of people have rightly noted that you want to dart all over the place without realizing what's actually involved - like this "day trip" to Manchester and Liverpool, which is frankly absurd.

I'm also very curious how your wife's ability to speak Spanish is going to be of any help anywhere you're going. It would be more useful in a California supermarket.

A "nice" town outside Paris? Well, there are dozens. Chantilly, Senlis, Auvers-sur-Oise, Giverny, Fontainebleau, Marly-le-Roi, Provins, Bougival, Montfort l'Amaury, Chevreuse, Chartres, Pierrefonds......

Jeff,

Please know that the people here are truly trying to help you. You already mentioned this is your FIRST trip to Europe. Many who have provided advice on this thread either go to Europe multiple times a year or live in Europe.

With that having been said, as you are still in the midst of planning your itinerary is that you do take into consideration of travel times between each destination and day trip. REALLY decide what is actually drawing you there. Liverpool? Because of the Beatles? Perfect. I am not a fan personally and have not found a reason to travel there outside of that. But if it is something you or your wife have an interest in and will regret not visiting, go right ahead. It is your trip. That does NOT negate needing to factor in transit times and other considerations (crowds, schedules).

Paris and its environs have their own gems, too; and again - what draws you there? Those truly are what you need to ask yourselves. Typically for each city due to crowds, plan only 3 sights per day that you're there on the ground (i.e. days not in transit like arrival or departure days) and pick the attractions that are most important to you from there.

You may be able to travel as a "non-tourist" in Chicago and I applaud that. However, because of the nature of cities like London and Paris, you do have to plan carefully. Without planning (like advance tickets to say the Louvre or Eiffel Tower), you can and will expect to spend many hours in line - even in October.

Oh - I totally missed this paragraph: >>But these unrealistic comments of people saying you have to spend
two or three weeks AT LEAST in each of these places are downright ridiculous and borderline hilarious imo.<<

I am a bit concerned with your reading comprehension -- who said you need to spend 2 or 3 weeks anywhere??

You have received a lot of good advice/suggestions/info -- and none of it is unrealistic, ridiculous, nor hilarious.

. . . do remember -- this is your fist trip and those responding either live IN Europe or travel there often and are very experienced. Perhaps -- just maybe -- they know a little more about what is doable/practical. They are actually (honestly) trying to help you -- so you might not want to call them ridiculous . . .

Versailles is definitely on my list. Also, the Catacombs. Ill be there on a Monday and Tuesday so, have to keep my eye out on hours of operation. Most seem to be closed on Monday so..

Your "experience" as a non-tourist in Chicago is so irrelevant as to be ridiculous. Sure, indulge yourself in a trip to Versailles with thousands of other tourists, and the Catacombs, which apparently appeal to a lot of people but left me cold. If this is your ideal visit to Paris, that's all good and well. But please stop short of pretending this is some sort of non-tourist visit.

I agree, which is exactly my point. Chicago is a lot smaller, yet I still feel no need to see everything. And..I'm fine with that😁