Second trip to europe, what do we see now?

Why not Tuscany? Plant yourselves for 6 days in an agriturismo, then day trip to Florence, Siena, Lucca, Montalcino, Volterra, etc. Read the Rick Steve's guide for Florence and Tuscany and select some hill towns that appeal to you.You will find a pleasant mix of art and nature with such a plan. There's some nice hiking in Tuscany if that is of interest (many books available), and every church is a museum of in situ art.

How 'bout Paris for 4 days and then sneak off to the Burgundy or Loire Valley regions for two more days? Although as the other poster mentioned - there's no reason you can't go back to Italy. It seems as if you've got the Europe bug now like the rest of us, and you'll probably be back a third time. So, if you want to do more Italy again, go for it! Enjoy!

"I'm into art, my husband likes nature" Provence comes to mind, has lots of both and you can see a lot in 6 days.

Here's a suggestion: Take a pair of dice. With one, name six cities or countries that you want to see in your lifetime and assign a number to each. Then roll the die. Then go there. If you chose countries, pick cities or regions in the winning country, and roll the second die. Repeat if you have time and funds to visit more than one country or city. No, that's not the way I do it, but I might in your circumstances. Or you could just go with your heart and pick a place or places that rise to the top of your bucket list. That is the way I do it. I have not been disappointed yet.

I would most definitely choose a new area... as you said you feel nothing can top that trip.... and you're probably right. So why not change your expectations and don't hope to top it... maybe just come close. I would either do France, 3 days Paris, and 3 days countryside , possibly Normandy.... or if Italy is really calling you back, then I would stay in Tuscany and do a few days in Venice. Enjoy that same sense of wonder in a new place that you felt in Rome and Florence.

I would consider London....there you can enjoy the art then go out to the Cotswolds for the beauty and nature. There is so much to see and do in London, I know you would love it....you would even love the beauty of the Cotswolds. The other posts had good ideas also, you have a lot to think about.

Given your interests I'm surprised no one has suggested Spain. Visit Madrid then tour the surrounding countryside.
With the AVE train you could even include Barcelona and points in between depending on your travel days.

I'm writing this from Florence. My suggestion would be to fly into Pisa and take more time in Florence, with a day trip to Siena. Then move over to Venice for the rest of your time. If at all possible, come up with more than 6 days. That's a pretty short time to travel so far. It'll take you a couple of days to shake the time change.

Do what you love, and you probably won't regret it. Once we went to
France & Paris, we really weren't interested in going anywhere else. While we have been to a few other places, we would have been happy staying in France. It all depends on how many trips you think you will be able to take in your future.

I am really into art too. I would spend 3-4 days in Paris. Get the three day unlimited sights pass and see the Louvre, Musee de Orsay and Pompidou Center. Then take the train down to Arles, where Van Gogh painted his most famous pieces. From there, day trip to Avignon by train where you can catch a wine tour that takes you around the countryside and to Pont du Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct. Rick recommends an amazing wine tour in his France 2009 GB (avingnon-wine-tour.com). There are also bike tours you can do to the other nearby Provence towns so your husband can get his fill of nature. That being said. I am a complete Italophile and had to go twice before I started exploring other European countries.

SIX days,, is there anyway on you can do more then that,, don't you get at least 2 weeks holiday a year in America!!!

Paris and the beaches of Normandy!!!

"I'm into art, my husband likes nature" Vienna. Tons of art, architecture and music. ...and the Vienna Woods are at your doorstep!

Dana, over the years I've booked flights to every major city in Western Europe, with the intention of seeing something besides Italy. Almost every time I've taken the train or bus from the airport to the train station and headed for Milan! I finally started making hotel reservations in my arrival cities. If you love Italy, try a different region. Umbria has, in addition to Assisi, beautiful hill towns. Tuscany as well. The area along the Amalfi Coast is stunning. Why not Sicily? I love the rest of Europe, too, just can never have too much Italy.