We have a week to 10 days starting on April 7th. We'd like to try someplace new to narrow it down a bit, not France, Italy, Vienna, Prague or Istanbul. Other than that we're in our late 30's w/out kids. <BR>Certainly like cities okay, but ideally need a fix of the outdoors, nature, too. <BR> <BR>Inital thought is Netherlands/Belgium. <BR> <BR>Would love thoughts/input from you!

Sorry, meant to mention the Switzerland/Jungfrau region was also a thought... <BR> <BR>

How about South Italy? There are many reports on this area. Check them out on this Forum. It is a marvelous area with many outdoor activities. Greece is a great to place to visit in April. Also Portugal. These are places I love but there are other options

How about the coast of Croatia or Crete? Those places would be nicer weather wise than most of the continent in early Euope, and you could still get bargain prices for hotels, etc. If you don't mind colder weather, give a thought to western Ireland.

Have you ever been to Spain?. If not, your search is over. Spain, hands down, specifically the Southern part.

The week of April 7th is Semana Santa in Spain and also a holiday in some other (southern) European countries. Top travel season for Spaniards! <BR>Netherlands/Belgium is a good idea. The flowers are in full bloom (visit De Keukenhof flower gardens towards the end of your trip) in April, the weather is cool(between 10 and 20 C), but often quite nice in April. <BR>

Where would I go? I'd go to Sicily, but you already said: not Italy. So then I guess I'd look into somewhere in Greece or maybe some part of Portugal or Spain.

We have spent three weeks in both Spain and Portugal...beautiful, surprisingly beautiful! We drove easily each trip and highly recommend each. <BR>I like the northern coasts, which offer a little more of rugged coastlines and small fishing villages better than the southern coasts. (I'm not into the miles of beaches lined with hotels.) <BR>Greece may suit you as well... <BR>Ciao! <BR>Gloria <BR>

Malta, Corsica, Sardinia, Catalan region of Spain/France, Morocco

I'd suggest the Greek islands. <BR> <BR>April 15th is Easter Sunday - Easter is the most important festival in the Orthodox calendar, and you will find that all Greek islands have celebrations lasting the whole week before. <BR> <BR>You could add Athens at the beginning or at the end (Athens is very quiet during Easter, as many residents return to the island of their birth for the festival). <BR> <BR>Book accommodation in advance on the islands, as they all get very busy at Easter.