I'm traveling to Amsterdam for business the week of October 17. I'll be leaving anywhere from 4-6 days earlier to take advantage of being in Europe and am trying to figure out where to go for these few days. I've been in much of Western Europe in the past, but am leaning towards Italy (Tuscany or Positano), Belgium, Germany (OctoberFest) or Spain. Does anyone have any ideas? Am I being too ambitious? (Woman traveling solo.)

At that point you may be too late for Munich's Oktoberfest which usually ENDS the first weekend in October. Accommodations are probably pretty much sold out at this point since it is already going on I would think.

With so few days to spend prior to the business end of this I would make a general suggestion that you might consider staying either close to A-Dam, or venturing either by low-cost flight to a much farther destination such as Spain, or that if you haven't yet visited, you might consider Berlin.

Just some thoughts but if you are going to Italy or Spain I would definitely look at www.whichbudget.com for the possibility of low cost air.

From Amsterdam, you can make an easy daytrip by train to the lovely Flemish town of Brugges in Belgium.

Bruges would be nice for several days, but I would check the weather first. We loved Hotel Prinsenhof. Betsy

Thanks all for your replies. I didn't realize that about Oktoberfest. Betsy - any particular reason why you specify checking the weather before venturing to Brugge? From everything I'm reading, I expect I could experience 50-60 degrees Farenheit and rain. Is there anything else?

DCar - nothing that I know of. Sounds like you checked the weather. You will want to spend a lot of time outside, but if you are prepared for rain you should be okay. Had a great tour of the town with Andrew, sponsored by the hotel.

I actually found Antwerp to be quite a fascinating, energetic, multicultural place.