Becca

I will be in Western Europe for three months this summer. I am renting apartments in London, Paris, Amsterdam, and somewhere in the South of France. I am trying to decide if somewhere else along the way I should spend at least a week to 10 days, renting an apartment, getting a better feel for a city. Where would you spend longer? Is Vienna or Salzburg a good choice? Somewhere in Italy or Spain? And why would you make that particular choice?

Aramis

Loaded question - here come the pundits

traveller1959

The only city which would be along the way which deserves a week-long stay would be Köln - historic architecture from 2,000 years, art museums, food&drink, nightlife, culture etc.

Wien would be a good choice too, but it would require a considerable detour (by plane). Salzburg has not much to offer for such a long stay.

Italy would also be out of the way, but offers many opportunities, too: Tuscany or Rome would be my first choices.

You may extend your trip to Southern France to Spain, there either staying in Barcelona or Madrid.

When you have to take a flight, you may also consider Berlin - it is a fascinating city.

sheila

If it were me, I'd be looking for a contrast. You've got 3 major capitals and a sunny part of the country. I might do one of the Danish barrier islands. Or Cork. Or Seville. Or Siena. Or Venice (actually, I wouldn't do Venice in the summer)

Not knowing where WESTERN ends, I might do one of the smaller Greek islands, but if that's too far east, then how about Sardinia or Sicily?

Vttraveler

Rome is a city that is definitely worth a stay of at least a week. Apartments there are usually much better value than hotel rooms

isabel

I would not choose Salzburg - not much to do there after a couple of days. I spent four days in Vienna last summer and that was nice, could have used a couple more to do days trips. So if that's an area that interests you it would work. That same trip I spent a week in Budapest and loved it, I was not bored. A lot of people on this board mention apartments there. I found a B&B that was actually cheaper than an apartment (run by two Americans who've lived there for several years) and loved staying there. I also spent a week in Padua Italy and also loved that - I did day trips most days to Verona, Venice, Bologna, etc. A few years ago I did a whole week in Florence and did a few day trips. I loved that week. This coming summer we are spending an entire week in the Rhine Valley region of Germany (doing day trips by train)and it looks like there is plenty to do there for a whole week.

If you are going for three months you must be visiting lots of other places than the ones you mention. If you list the places you are thinking of going maybe people can give input as to which specific ones are worth a week or more.

Becca

Thanks everyone! My itinerary is nearly set, and I will be in many places but some not long enough to do apartments (for example, I'll be in Cork for three nights, Barcelona for three nights, etc. and already have hotels booked there) so here are my options for places that I will be in long enough to stay in an apartment: Vienna or Salzburg (though I'm ruling out Salzburg I believe), southern Italy (somewhere along the Amalfi Coast, I was thinking) and northern Italy (maybe Lake Como or Turin?). Thanks for any suggestions.

LSky

If you're going to the south of France anyway, why not cross the border and go to Barcelona? It's a great city and there are a few day trips you can do that are interesting and would keep you occupied.

Mimar

Yes, I'd look for a place in the country -- if you're willing to drive -- or in a small town. For example, there's loads to see in Provence or Tuscany with a car. The Amalfi Coast has many sights also, and you don't need a car. A week at Lake Como might be too much.

Here's another thought: you could spend a week in Nice, both in the city and taking buses and trains up and down the Cote d'Azur and inland. Nice has a lovely relaxed sensual vibe.

bilboburgler

I might look at Arles, Avignon, Nimes which make a nice little range of three small cities all within a short train ride of each other. Loads to do in the country there and each city is worth a couple of days