We need to know what time of year you'll be travelling. I have to say that 2 weeks in the Cinque Terre would be just TOO long. Nothing much to do apart from walk and I mean serious climbing from sea level up AND down again. Same with Positano- pretty but lots of climbing up and down.
I personally would take the suggestion of Amsterdam/Brugge combo or what about Florence/Siena/Lucca- divine!!

Your post has French Riviera written all over. It has EVERYTHING you asked for and then so much more!

This is the place I would rent if I were you: http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p407594 It has four bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, you can walk to the train station and bus where you can go take day ttrips to St. Tropez, Monaco, Cannes, Eze, Villefrance Sur mer, Antibes, Juan Les Pines, Menton, Ventimiglia (Italy; one hour away, less if by train)....that is, if/when you gals get bored of the FABULOUS CITY Nice is. Museums, shopping (amazing!), markets, Easy flights in; direct flights from JFK every day.

I like Bird's suggestion a lot. Bamberg sounds excellent to me. You won't get bored.

Strasbourg also sounds appealing.

Yeah, what time of year are you going to travel? That's important! Wouldn't want to be stuck in the heat in Italy in summer.

Frankly I think 2 weeks in any of those places is too long. None has enough to see/do to keep you occupied.

If youwant to spend 2 weeks in one place I would do a major city with lots to do and good opportunity for day trips (London or Paris for preference).

I second the nomination by Amy for www.Untours.com in Switzerland and would add in Leiden, NL also. We stayed in Kandersteg, CH last year in an Untours apartment within walking distance of the train station, and it was like living at home. The train system is absolutely fantastic for travel in Switzerland.

We were to have stayed in Leiden this year but had a medical problem and had to cancel. Even so, I learned that the Netherlands rail system appears to equal that of Switzerland. Leiden is a University city outside of Amsterdam.

Another suggestion for Untours is their Sampler program where you can spend two weeks in two different locations.

Strasbourg is a possibility. It is lovely and there are many places accessible for day trips by train or other public transport.

Sorry!!! I just read to the bottom of your post and saw that you had already mentioned Strasbourg, doh! But it would be a good one

I would suggest one week in Florence and one week in Perugia (the capital city of Umbria, in central Italy.)

Both are extremely interesting cities in and of themselves. Both have marvellous restaurants, very good shopping, enormous amounts of art, and great rail and bus connections.

Perugia has remarkable medieval history and architecture. It is definitely a hilltown, but it's flat at the top, which is the historic centre. It's very easy with its new minimetro to get down to the train station for day trips. For example, it's only about 20 minutes to Assisi by train (although you then need to take a bus up to the historic centre.)

And as far as Florence, its train station and bus station are very central.

Trains in Italy are extremely easy to use and inexpensive.

Both Florence and Perugia have airports so relatively easy access from major international hubs such as Rome.

Hi - I second the motion for Florence as at least one week's destination, though because the train station is so central and even Venice is only 1.5 hours away via train, I would even consider the entire time there as my base. There are great apartments for rent at reasonable prices and if you want to splash out a bit you won't be disappointed. Also, because it's mostly flat, your one group member that can't walk/hike won't feel left out.

Florence and Strasbourg are great bases. Florence is excellent since it is neither too small or too big. A great walking town, with cafes and great food, shops, museums, the Biboli gardens, outlet shopping close by and of course the lovely Tuscan hill towns to visit as well.

Another thing to do is to to first visit Rome for a few days and then take the train to Florence. If its a good time of year, weather wise, this would be perfect.

I too would recommend dropping Cinque Terre from your list.

Hello and thank you to all my kind helpers! I am now spoilt for choice, research-wise. Some nominees I have never heard of - e.g. Montreaux, which is kind of what I was hoping for, but others have reinforced ideas that were fermenting away already, such as Siena, Florence & Northern Franconia. We hope to be going in "shoulder season", ie May. Personally I love the Moselle & Strasbourg combo best, but just got to convince the gang. Researching the other options I now have might change my mind though. As Mimar said, it's a fine dilemma! Thanks so very much to you all. Amy, thanks too for the suggestion of untours - this looks great. Jane.