marwaesmail

I am a 32 year old woman and planning my first trip to Europe with my husband . i also know I will likely have no the time or money to go to Europe again so I am looking to go in By the end of this month MAY . i will have almost two weeks.
I will first visit Frankfurt for 3days @least , it is mandatory as I have to attend meeting there.
then I have also to have about 2 or 3 days in the end of trip in Düsseldorf.
which means I have remaining 10 days in Europe.
what is the best cities to visit in this duration .
shall I stay all this duration in Germany and just visit Belgium and Netherlands?
OR I can visit France or Italy instead (both or one of them)?
Also I want to know the must see cities in Europe .Any and all suggestions are welcome!! Thanks!!!

StCirq

There are no "must-see" cities in Europe. They are all different, and it is up to you to do some research and figure out which ones would be the best fit for you.

What is a "must-do" is to arrange your accommodations and transportation (if applicable) immediately, as you have left everything to the last minute, and that means you will pay more than normal (especially for train rides, for example).

Andrew

There are a lot of "must see" places in Europe. No, it's not possible to see half of them in just ten days.

Instead, pick places you are interested in. With budget airlines, you can visit almost anywhere in Europe from Frankfurt. Paris is a quick and probably cheap flight. You could fly there and then train north through Belgium and perhaps briefly Amsterdam before training back to Germany, though that might be a rushed trip.

Or - just fly to Italy for a few days if you have your heart set on that. Really up to you. You could potentially fly to Italy for half of it and fly back to some other city in Europe for a few more of the days, but you'd be wasting time getting from city to city.

Use the site Bahn.com to check train schedules (not just for Germany). Use Kayak.com to check flight connections and fares.

tonfromleiden

The suggestion for visiting Paris and Amsterdam is a sound one. It can all easily be done by train (maximum 4 hrs per leg), sparing you the hassle of flying, and giving you the chance to experience three countries with different cultures.
Don't forget to explore the region of Frankfurt with interesting cities like Würzburg and Heidelberg, which can easily be done as day trips.
You have to be quick though with your decision. Advance buying of train tickets for the long-distance trains can get you tremendous discounts. The trustworthy www.seat61.com/ explains the ins and outs.

His_Dudeness

I don't think I could ever say there are no must see cities in Europe but that's why they make different flavors of gelato...everyone's different.

Sadly, if what you say is true that you likely will never go to Europe again, I would try to go to Paris, Rome and/or London. With 10 days for a once in a lifetime trip I would have a hard time choosing anywhere else.

Whathello

Make a list and roll a dice to select.

PalenQ

shall I stay all this duration in Germany and just visit Belgium and Netherlands?
OR I can visit France or Italy instead (both or one of them)?>

Yes you must chose - Germany and say Amsterdam would be nice and Frankfurt is very close to the gorgeous Rhine Gorge - hit that first - take the K-D.com boats down the Rhine - could do as a day trip from Frankfurt.

Then maybe go via Luxembourg by train to Belgium - Bruges is the highlight for many - a dreamy romantic town - use as a base - day trip to Gent and then take the train to Amsterdam and fly home from there.

Or from Frankfurt blast over to Paris via high-speed trains - spend 3-4 days there - hit Bruges next then end in Amsterdam.

Or fly anywhere and spend the rest of the time.

Lots of options but I have given some that keeps travel to a minimum and also includes what many folks would say are highlights of Europe.

For train info yes www.seat61.com is a great sight and others I like are www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com- check out the latter's online European Planning & Rail Guide for lots of rail-itineraries in those countries and others.

In 10 days you would not realize any benefit of a railpass unless on the train more than in your destination cities.

rncheryl

You are 32 years old, for heavens sake. Why would you think in 40 years you would never visit Europe again?

Germany to Switzerland?
Germany to Paris?
Germany to Italy?

So many choices. Please be confident that you will travel again

Sassafrass

Many options, but based on logistics and at least one "must see" city,

Itinerary 1
This would be easy logistically. You would visit three countries in addition to Germany: fantastic Paris, France, postcard pretty Bruge, Belgium and Amsterdam, Netherlands, with canals, great Art and flowers as well as splendid architecture.

Train from Frankfurt to Paris (no need to fly with waits security, etc.) just as fast and more comfortable to take the train.
Paris, 4 nights, 3 &1/2 days minimum
Train to Bruges, 2 nights, 1 &1/2 days
Train to Amsterdam, 3 nights, 2 &1/2 days
Train to Düsseldorf

Well aware that it would be rushed, but while in Paris, I would squeeze in a day trip to Versailles.

Itinerary 2, if Italy is what calls you more

Fly to Venice, 2 nights, 1&1/2 days
Train Florence, 2 nights, 1 & 1/2 days
Train to Rome, 4 nights, 3 & 1/2 days. day trip to Orvieto for one hill town.
Fly to Düsseldorf.

Both itineraries would be wonderful.
Even though I love Italy, I think I would choose Paris, Bruges and Amsterdam in Spring, by train. It would be a lovely trip.
Going to Italy will require flights, which are more stressful for me, but perhaps not you. In the end, choose what most appeals to,you.

Sassafrass

When someone is planning far ahead, it is fun to do research, ponder all the possibilities and try to create the perfect itinerary, but you have very little time.

I suggest you keep it simple. Look at the concrete plans offered so far and simply pick one. You can see at least three people said Paris paired with Amsterdam, but Italy works too. You won't go wrong either way.

Come back. Tell us your itinerary. You will get advice on how to get there and where to stay.

burta

I hope that you will have a chance to go back to Europe again, but if you don't you should at least see Paris and London. You could fly to London from Frankfurt, spend few days there, the take the Eurostar train to Paris. There is so much to see and do in both cities that they could occupy your entire time. I would not waste time taking a train back to Dusseldorf, but fly back if the flight scheduling permits.

marwaesmail

thanks all for your advise
i will go for one of the 2 options proposed by Sassafrass

Train from Frankfurt to Paris (no need to fly with waits security, etc.) just as fast and more comfortable to take the train.
Paris, 4 nights, 3 &1/2 days minimum
Train to Bruges, 2 nights, 1 &1/2 days
Train to Amsterdam, 3 nights, 2 &1/2 days
Train to Düsseldorf

OR FLY to Italy and stay there for about 6 or 7 days visit Venice , Florence , Rome and I want also to visit Milan
and then fly again to Düsseldorf

Could u please vote for one of these options ?

marvelousmouse

I'm inclined to say the first option seems less rushed. 6 days and 4 cities in Italy seems like too much, but I suppose it depends on what you want to do in each place. Think about how much time you'll spend packing and unpacking and toting your luggage for a start...

Sassafrass

What is your special interest in Milan? Fashion? The Cathedral?
There isn't time to add Milan without giving up some place that is really IMHO much more wonderful. Too much time eaten up in travel. If Milan is, for some reason, truly important to you, and you choose Italy, you will have to cut one of the other places.

You asked earlier about cities not to miss. In Italy, Venice, Florence and Rome are sometimes called the big three because they are so beautiful, so rich in art, architecture, history, etc. Those three are already pushing it time wise.

However, some people do go to Italy and, for one reason or another, skip over one of those cities, deciding it just isn't their interest. Personal choice and absolutely nothing wrong with that.

If time is running short on the other itinerary, cut Bruges.

PalenQ

Could u please vote for one of these options ?>

what do you want not what others think you want is important - your call Italy or Paris and a bit of Germany and Benelux?

Or just flip the coin.

Whathello

Play darts on a map, roll a dice or flip the coin.

StCirq

Nobody can "vote" without knowing you.

colduphere

Option 2

catherinehaas

This is a really hard question to answer. While I love Germany (southern region), I would not say FOR ME that is where I would have to go and see before I died. It will depend on what you want to see. What interests you?

For me, Rome was a MUST. Paris was a MUST. For others, maybe London is a must. Or Barcelona.

Here is what I will tell you though from my experiences... Pick a country and then pick a few places in that country that you are dying to see for specific reasons, like you love museums or you are a history buff. If you don't pick a place that has interests that you like, you might be disappointed.

Take for instance Italy... I went to Italy because I LOVE history.

If you attempt to cram too much into your trip, you will regret it. I think about those people that do 21 countries in 10 days and I think to myself HOW? Good for them but that is not how I like to travel. I like to take my time, immerse myself in the country. The people, the culture, the language, the sights, the food, etc.

Just don't take the little time you have there traveling from location to location just to say you were in 21 countries in 10 days... Because when asked what you saw, all you might be able to say is train stations.

ashwinb

If just 6 days in Italy, I would visit Rome, florence and venice for 2 days each, then 4 days in and around paris. Do have a look at my trip on Italy: https://ashwinbahulkar.wordpress.com...rence-tuscany/