My husband and I are in the early stages of planning a trip to Europe in September. I want to visit pretty much every city that I read about, so please help me with recommendations of where we should go!
The facts:
- We'll have 10-12 days.
- I'd like to spend time in two or three cities, plus day trips.
- Important: I'd like at least one of these cities to be a smaller or mid-size city with a more laid back and quieter pace that the big cities.
- We're most interested in immersing ourselves in history. We want to see historic towns, castles, and churches.
- Other things we enjoy but aren't requirements for this trip: good food/drink, outdoor activities, walkable cities, scenic drives.
- We're "busy" travelers and like to see and experience as much as we can on vacation. We're also used to multi-stop vacations.
- We would prefer destinations that won't 't be too much of a logistical headache to get around.
- The major cities that we're most interested in are London, Paris, Munich, and Rome. Obviously, we won't be able to visit all of these on this trip -- we need to narrow it down to one or maybe two of these hubs.
What do you think? Where should we go?
Thanks in advance for your input!
Re: 10-12 days in Europe for a first timer -- Where to go?
I'd do London and Paris
Or London, Edinburgh, and Dublin
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My first trip to Europe was Italy for 10 days and I fell in love with it. I think it fits everything you're looking for -- history, great food, churches, views, etc. With 10-12 days you could do Rome and Florence with day trips. Or Rome, Florence, and another town. There are so many great cities to choose from.
This is good to know. Thanks.
And thank you everyone for the suggestions so far!
Everyone has given excellent pairing ideas.
Personally, I'd probably do the London/Paris combo-- w/ day trips to Bath, Reims/Versailles. Second choice Rome/Florence with side trips to Tuscany (Chianti, Montepulciano, Lucca, would be my top picks) and Umbria (Orvieto and Assisi).
I personally don't like Munich very much, IMO, it primarily feels big and modern with less individual charm. That said, if you're keen on castles, Munich and the surrounding countryside is your best bet. I'd pair it with Salzburg, Austria, small but charming city. The other bonus about visiting in September-- if you like beer-- Munich will be in the throws of Oktoberfest-ivities.
We would be there just after the Paralympics conclude. I've wondered if this would be cutting to too close and there would still be gobs of extra tourists there.
Interesting. Munich is on the list because my husband has an interest in German culture.
I think we would be there just before the beginning of Oktoberfest.
I recommend sticking to two cities. Don't waste too much time travelling.
1. Munich/Berlin (good for flying into one city and out the other)
2. Rome/Florence
3. Paris/Amsterdam (also good for flying into one city and out the other)
4. London/Edinburgh
5. Vienna/Salzburg (there are lots of cute little towns in Austria and Vienna is great for history)
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