Let me first start out by saying wow, this forum is amazing! The knowledge from these posts is a bit intimidating and overwhelming. But here goes... newbie user and first time post.
We are planning a trip to Europe for next summer after our oldest graduates high school before heading off to college. Not sure exactly on dates but most likely late June through July. 14 nights is probably max as traveling with two teenagers (will be 15 and 18 at that time) that long in their mind is a whole lot of time with your parents, lol. We have traveled A LOT in the US (LOVE national parks and hiking, but also love cities for history, art, and of course good food) as well as some cruises. First time to Europe though (other than my study abroad experience, which, lets just say was more than a few years ago, lol.)
We wanted to start in Norway and then head to mostly western Europe areas but realized quickly that Norway will have to be it's own trip. It is actually working out to be the cheapest to fly from Midwest to NYC on direct flight, and then NYC to Europe direct flight. So, before I lay out the very rough idea of route, I realize this is a lot to do and for many, too much. However we have done many vacations where we fly in one city, lots of stops/driving and fly out another, so we are used to that. Not saying we always love it, but used to it. Don't want to rent a car/drive and want to use trains/public transit. While I say we love cities, I also don't want to only be in cities and would love to get off the beaten path for some places. However, I'm quickly realizing the cities are where all the high speed train connections are so...
General Thought/Layout (two ideas/versions) is to fly into northern Italy and out of Netherlands or vice versa. Reason being is it seems to be cheapest and direct flights from NYC to Milan/Amsterdam. Looking at a route of basically vertically traveling from northern Italy to Netherlands or vice versa.
Idea 1 - fly into Milan, stay 4 nights and do day trips to explore; then to Strasbourg area as next base for 4 nights with day trips to explore; then head to final base somewhere in Netherlands area for 4 nights with day trips to explore; fly out of Amsterdam. Leaves 1-2 nights for one night stopovers or to add a night on somewhere, or do a sleep train one leg...
Idea 2 - same flights as above (Milan/Amsterdam) but with more stops and only staying maybe 3 nights or maybe even 2 in some, or more sleeper trains?
I realize it is a bit vague, but that is because we are a bit flexible on what we want to do. I would say we love history more than art, but the kids do love Van Gogh. Want to see some cool walled cities/"castles" if you will, love trying new foods, and love nature/hiking.
Thanks in advance everyone! (If I don't respond right away, it's just because it is a crazy time of year with school year starting, kids sports, and work).