Hi all! Looking to plan a 30th anniversary trip in July or August of 2019. I know, I know, every tourist in the world is in Europe/the UK then. My husband is a teacher though so that is the only time of year we can take two weeks. He is a history teacher so some history exploration would be great. We're not stuck on any particular place to go. We're planning a week with friends, then another week just the two of us. We don't have to go super cheap, but we do like to stick to a budget. I'm hoping to keep to about 5k for two weeks. I've traveled more than he has, and I am willing to go back to places I have been before. We spent a lot of time in Rome together so that's the only place that's out. Thoughts? Ideas? Thanks a bunch!

As most of southern Europe's tourist destinations are super mobbed then why not think of say Germany and a bit of Switzerland. Berlin has so much for history buffs Switzerland for natural beauty and they could be no better place IMO to experience that than in the Jungfrau Region up from Interlaken. Hit some other places in Germany like Munich. Take trains if going mainly to large cities - for lots on trains check www.ricksteves/com; BETS-European Rail Experts (excellent free online European Planning & Rail Guide with rail itineraries in each country) and www.seat61.com - didactic info on booking your own train tickets, often at a discount online

Austria and Prague and Budapest would make a great 2-week tour. Or driving thru Scotland or Ireland or U.K.

Paris and Venice could make a wonderful combo with Switzerland in between perhaps.

Well pretty open-ended so zillions of possibilities - do you want to drive or take trains?

Maybe say what places attract you?

I'm more adventurous than he. Three countries would be too much for him in two weeks. Wouldn't mind driving, but trains are fine. They are typically so easy to use in Europe. Maybe drive about Ireland and then head to london for a few days and depart from there? Would that make sense?

Maybe drive about Ireland and then head to london for a few days and depart from there? Would that make sense?>

Sure! can take ferry to North Wales - spend few days there - so much to see from say Conwy as a base - train to London. Or fly to London from Ireland. Classic Irish driving route goes up or down the rugged West Coast where also Gaelic is oft spoken in daily use IME. From Dublin- Cork-Blarney Castle - Killarney - Ring of Kerry - Dingle - Cliffs of Mohar and the Burren up to the Connemara and Galway and Shannon Airport or Dublin. Anyway a route we drove once and was fabulous.

Hi, You don't mention what country you are going to spend some time with friends. You also don't say much about interests other than spouse/history. I might sugget that you fly into one European city and back out another to save some travel time. You mention you do not want to go back to Rome/sanitation strike there now too. How about more Northern Europe, like Switzerland/Amsterdam/Germany/Austria? I like to mix up larger cities with smaller villages, like fly in to Zurich (city that I like), train down to Wengen (lovely with Jungfrau/Monch over village and lift up to Mannlichen/hiking/incredible vistas) or Zermatt (more touristy). July was love weather in Switzerland when I was there. Amsterdam seems to have too many tourists in Summer for me to enjoy it, as in the past. Could hardly stay on the sidewalk, from all the tourists. Yet it is a great city to explore. I aslo love Vienna, coffee houses, Hapsburg Palace, Spanish Riding School, great art museum/Belvedere Palace (if my memory serves me), Lovely churches....

This is really unclear as to where this week with friends is. It sounds like Ireland? IF so, you have one more week, I agree doing Scotland/Wales/England area would work very well, of course. Pal has some good ideas, really, for a history buff (WHAT kind of history? I don't think that is relevant much in that area for an Asian scholar, for example), tons to see in Edinburgh and London.

Nothing wrong with driving around Ireland if that's what you want to do for some reason.

A drive around Ireland would be terrific combined with time in London would make a lovely trip. If possible, I would allow more time in London than just a few days - perhaps four or five (or more) as there is so much to see and do there, particularly for someone interested in history.

While it would be helpful to know where you are going with your friends, there is no reason you have to go to an adjacent country for the second half of your trip. Flights and trains are both options.

​​​​​​Since your husband has an interest in history, is there an era/place he studied that he'd like to go see? Also consider picking up some guidebooks with photos at the bookstore or your library and get inspired. Or watch some Rick Steves videos on YouTube or at your library.