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FIirst Time Travelers to Europe

Hi
Im traveling to Europe (not for first time) but it is the first time for my husband. So we want to experience like is the first time for both of us...
I did not liked London that much... I already when to Paris but he will like that, so maybe we add it...Rome maybe, I went ,I like, but maybe I will switch it for a same vibe but better... more charming but as lively and easy to walk around...

The rest...I need recommendations, for 15 days...
we are not rich so please keep that in mind...
We are not drinkers...
we do love walkable places...
some beach...some city...
not party people, not staying late night...we are 50, more of the young spirit , but not like to stay out late...prefer day time...
I do not like places like Irland, as an example...
Looking for charming places to walk...we love markets... so we like to do a mix of cool big cities and some smaller places...
not big on more crowded places with long lines
(June and July is the only month we can do it - and to keep in mind we do live in a farm so we will like to not go to isolated places like maybe somebody that lives in a city will prefer ....)
Thank you so much
Vero

Posted by
2380 posts

Hi, welcome to the site.

About 2 years ago my husband and I were planning his first trip to Europe. We chose the Netherlands and Belgium and found it was a perfect first trip for him, and for us together. You mention "charming," and that just what I thought it was. It would also fit if you decide to add Paris. We saw Delft, Gouda, The Hague, Amsterdam, Ghent, Antwerp, Bruges, and Brussels.

Here's my trip report that you may find useful https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-the-netherlands-belgium-sept-2022

Posted by
2969 posts

How many nights is 15 days?
Most people don’t like Brussels but Amsterdam is charming and crowded especially during the summer months. Since you’ve been to Paris and Rome skip those two places and go somewhere you’ve never been. Spain (ES) and Portugal (PT) aren’t as costly as the rest of Europe so those two countries are worth researching.

Posted by
7685 posts

If you want a beach vacation, the Caribbean would beat anyplace in Europe.

However, if you insist on Europe here are some choices:
1) Apparently, your husband doesn't like large cities, that is a shame since places like Rome, Barcelona, Paris and London are great.

Avoiding those places, consider Greece and some Greek Islands like Crete, Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu or Rhodes.

2) Italy has some great cities that are not huge. Florence and Venice are special and smaller ones are Siena, Lucca, Verona, Perugia and Sorrento (Naples area).
3) If you like scenic places, Switzerland, Austria and Norway are super. Interlakken, Switzerland is small and special. Take a cruise of fjords in Norway up to the North Cape.

Posted by
18009 posts

Eastern Europe was created for not rich people who don't like crowds, but want to go to Europe. Montenegro and Bosnia and Budapest fit various parts of your requirements.