I love quaint European towns with windy cobblestone streets and beautiful architecture, great food and culture, beaches and the outdoors ...

I'd consider Croatia or Portugal

Thank you all SO much for your suggestions. After much debate, I have narrowed down my next European destination to the South of France OR a combination Germany/Austria (and possibly Switzerland) trip - in mid-late September. Croatia was also very close, but I hope to have an opportunity to travel here in the future.

If anyone wants to weigh in with a final vote on the South of France OR Germany/Austria, that would be great. I am very torn, but I trust the opinions of all of you on this board and this is probably the deciding factor. Thanks!

So hard to decide, been to both areas, but I must vote for the South of France. Must be the time of harvest, n'est pas?

I think your final choices are great. I'd pick France. The part I really love also is Brittany/Normandy. Lovely small towns, wonderful food, nice coast. Have fun!

I'm not a France lover but absolutely adore Germany, Austria and Switzerland so they would get my vote.

I'm not sure I would attempt all 3 though with just one to two weeks but you could easily do 2 of the 3.

When you say the South of France, do you mean the Cote d'Azur? Provence or the Dordogne? Or some other part of southern France?

Two factors affect my recommendation: whether you want to drive and how long you really have, 1 week or two.

To best see Provence, the Dordogne and, to a lesser degree, Germany, you need a car. Whereas the Cote d'Azur and Switzerland have good public transportation.

If it's only 7 days, then maybe one area of southern France. Or a couple stops in Germany or Austria. With 14 days you could do southern Germany and western Austria. Or 2 parts of southern France.

Thanks!! I will definitely have at least 10 days, but more than likely 2 weeks. We prefer train travel, but if a car is a must, we are open to driving.

In the South of France, we were thinking of flying into Nice, and visiting Provence and a few other local towns which are in driving distance from Nice. We are open to bouncing around a bit in the South of France as well.

In Germany, we're thinking of flying into Munich and then seeing a few areas of Germany (Romantic Road, Mosel or Rhine river areas), some local towns, and then heading to Salzburg and/or Vienna. If we can fit in a couple of towns in Switzlerand we will.

I am so excited about this trip, I just need to make up my mind and start more detailed planning :-) September is right around the corner!

Read this report and you'll know for sure you are heading out to France:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-lot-and-t.cfm

Also, for those of you who don't really like the South of France, why??

I vote for the South of France. I spent two weeks there two years ago, and I am going back in September. Make sure you see the smaller towns. While Nice and Cannes are nice, the smaller ones are fun for a half day or lunch. My favorites include St. Jean Cap Ferrat for lunch at the harbor and a beach walk and the Rothschilds villa and St Paul de Vence for the galleries. And don't miss Eze or Biot or Antibes. Many, many more to see. If you like art and especially the Impressionists, you can easily overdose. I found Renoir's house in Cagnes Sur Mer very interesting. And there are a multitude of fabulous museums.

I vote for Provence.

You should eat at the Colombe d'Or in St. Paul de Vence.

Cigalechanta has dined there. She could tell you all about it.

Thin

As far as not being a France lover, I think it has a lot to do with language. Having lived in Vienna, I know a little German and am comfortable with the people and customs.

I have been to Paris a few times as well as the Cote d'Azur. I didn't particularly find the French to be that warm and welcoming.

It's all about perceptions I guess. Maybe some day I'll do another trip to France and see if I still feel the same way.

I'll stay out of the argument about the South of France vs. Germany/Switzerland/Austria. I like both of them.

There's really a distinction between the Cote d'Azur and inland Provence. The Cote's all about glamor and yachts and artists and art museums and fabulous view of the Med. Provence is pretty small towns, farmers' markets, lavendar, food and wine. Oh, and Van Gogh and Cezanne.

In Germany, if you want to go to the Mosel and the most interesting part of the Rhine, Frankfurt is the closest big airport. Whereas Munich is close to the Romantic Road.

No matter how many times you visit this forum, you can always learn new things!!

Garmisch-Partenkirchen?? Never heard of it but will go research now.

Thanks bettyk!!

G-P is wildly popular among young Germans specially for the great hiking, sking, mountaneering around it. It is also one of the most beautiful towns in Germany, no doubt! Wonderful B&Bs in town, great souvenirs (Christmas!) shopping, hearty food, and great home base tpo explore Bavaria. About a couple of hours from Salzburg, beautiful countryside.

Sold!!! Christmas souvenirs has my wife's name all over it!!