We are a group of women going to Europe in September and trying to decide where to go to make everyone happy. We don't want tour - prefer to move at our own pace. We don't want to rent a car so must be convenient to transportation. We definitely want to do Paris but would like to go to 3 or 4 other places as well. Problem deciding on where as some prefer to just relax like on a beach while some others would like to do some sightseeing. Definitely need to be near some good restaurants, and some nightlife preferably within walking distance. Suggestions please!! Thinking of Venice and Nice.

I'm not sure those who want to relax on a beach are going to find it in Nice in September. It appears that the average high temperature in early September is 68 degrees--not what I consider beach weather. I would recommend checking out the weather carefully for any beach destination your consider in Europe in September.

You don't mention how long you have for this trip, but I wouldn't try to cram Paris + 3 or 4 other destinations into anything less than 2.5 - 3 weeks, especially since you are relying on public transportation.

How long is the trip?

Crete might be warm enough to swim and has sightseeing opportunities. Or maybe Sicily?

No European beaches really compare to the Caribbean or much of California. Europeans come to America and the Carib to have beach vacations on long stretches of white sand near cerulean water.

For reliable beach weather in Sept you will have to go far south - southern Spain or Sicily. And that means your other options are limited unless yuo have a lengthy trip,

If you are all decided on France you could do a bunch of differnt trips in one - Paris, Alsace, Loire, Normandy, Dordogne, Riviera - but won;t have a beach option.

If you must have beach you could do Marbella - with seme people on the beach and some in hill towns, then a couple of cities in Anadalusia, then fly to paris. But how much time DO you have?

We have 2 weeks. I had looked into the weather and the average was mid 70's in Nice for Sept I thought. Is that wrong? Will it be too cold to spend a little time on the beach?

Don't forget that average is for a whole month, which can be hot at the beginning and quite cool at the end. So it probably depends somewhat on which end of the month you will be there.