What European cities to spend a full week?

• Berlin (extremely rich in museums and historical sites)
• Barcelona (if the political situation stabilizes)
• Madrid if you're OK with making multiple day-trips to places like Toledo and Segovia (but can be very hot in June)
• Rome (ditto about the weather)

Berlin - Prague - Vienna. Dresden is good destination along this route, with no detour. It's also easy to continue to Budapest. For instance, see the description of Rick's tour in that area, but add in the extra city time you want.

Berlin, fabulous city.

Bologna, great transportation hub plus the city itself.

Vienna. Easy to take your time.

If you've already been to Rome, then I would highly recommend Berlin.

Berlin, Budapest, Vienna - all three are wonderful and will fill a week and then some. All three have great history, architecture, museums (Berlin and Vienna more than Budapest), theater, concerts, and eating out. All three have wonderful parks and outdoor spaces, great markets, good day trip possibilities, and are great for just hanging out. All three are wonderfully safe for wandering around late in the evening and June will give you very late evenings of daylight.

My favorite city Budapest can keep you busy for a week, with easy day trips to nearby towns like Szentendre and just a 2 1/2 hour train ride to Vienna, where I have also spent a pleasant week with day trips to Salzburg and along the Wachau Valley to Melk.

Another good-for-a-week city is Paris--so much to do and see in town and there's always Versailles or Giverny for day trips.

I have also spent a wonderful week in Tallinn, used the wonderful EstAdventures tour guide to take 2 day trips to nearby cities and a national park, and then also took the ferry for a long day trip to Helsinki.

Are you wanting to stay in one country or spend a week in one and then fly or train to another?

What great ideas. Berlin, Vienna, Budapest, Prague. It might be hard to choose between them. We're open to different countries - just want to stay put for awhile before traveling on. To answer questions, yes, we've been to Rome - last month! We want to go back to Italy (including Rome, Florence, and Venice) someday, just not next year. Same with France and and Paris - been there, loved it, want to go back just not next year.

How about London, even if you've been before? There are layers to be revealed in subsequent visits. We've had 3 week-long trips to London in the past couple of years and just completed another stay of two weeks. Always something new and English-language theatre to boot! Lovely day trips to the countryside are possible, too, if you can tear yourself away.

"We enjoy museums, walking, visiting historical sites, attending theatre and concerts, and eating out. We would like to take day excursions out of the city occasionally."

Based on your above quoted criteria I would vote for Vienna. We spent a week there a couple of years ago. Plenty of things to see and do (and eat). You can do your own research for what interests you but we had loads of things on our list and did not see everything we wanted. Museums are great and varied. Lots of music choices every night. Really good public transportation. We bought a week pass - you just walk on and off. There are no ticket gates - all honor system (with occasional random checks).

I would suggest that you get an apartment as we did through VRBO or Homeaway. Select for access to the subway. You do not need to be in the heart of the historic center. Visit the local grocery and local restaurants out of the central tourist area. We found people friendly and helpful. All in all a lovely experience.

I spent 10 days in Amsterdam and loved it! Day trips to Haarlem, Delft and the Hague, Utrecht, and north on the Waterlands bus to Edam and Marken.

Congratulations on your 40th anniversary!!

Rome, Paris, London and Berlin. I think that's my whole list. Maybe Vienna just below those. There are other places that get close but these four would have more than enough to fill a full week.

Belgium was a revelation for us; we didn't expect to enjoy it as much as we did! It may not be as "major" a city as you might be looking for but you might look at basing in Ghent as it's only about an hour by train from there to Antwerp, a 1/2 hour or so to Bruges, and 1/2 an hour or so to Brussels so there are umpty options for nice day trips that don't involve long hours on transit.

We flew into Brussels (1 night) based in Bruges for 4 nights (day-tripped to Ghent), and spent 3 nights in Antwerp. Saw some wonderful museums and churches, marveled over the architecture and Flemish painters, ate much too well, and enjoyed the excellent craft beers VERY much. Lovely people, too. We can't wait to go back and do some more exploring! Train travel was inexpensive and easy. We didn't take in any concerts or theatre but I'm sure there's some of that to be had.

We spent 9 days in Amsterdam 2 summers ago and had no problem having enough to see and do. In fact, there were a few things on our list we missed. We did 3 day trips to Haarlem, Delft both by train, and Brugges with a private tour guide. We also used the local bus and did Edam (Wednesday is cheese market day, loads of fun), Markem and Volomdam on one ticket in one day. We were 2 couples. I had been there in 1976 and always wanted to return. Even in July the weather was cool, we needed a light jacket.

Amsterdam is a great place to spend 7-10 days at a slower pace. Just pick accommodation in a quieter area (Jordaan, 2de Grachtrondel, Plantage, Oud Pijp, Zeebrug, Westpark, Oud Zuid etc) as to avoid the very busy and very small first core of medieval canals, and you will be set. Besides the main hits, Amsterdam has many secondary museums well worth a visit. You also have a huge option of easy (with public transportation) day trips if you fancy a change of air (Rotterdam, Den Haag, the Kroller-Muller Museum/Hoge Veluwe, Utrecht, Waterland, Kinderdijk, Zaanse Schans, the coastal dunes etc etc)

Vienna, Budapest, Prague is pretty much the classic Empire tour. Vienna and Budapest are just 2.5 hours by train apart. Prague takes another 4 from Vienna (if I remember correctly). With two weeks and your description of what you want to see i would do Budapest and Vienna

For me at least, on a 1 to 5 scale (5 being great)

museums, (of course this depends on your interests, so in general),
Budapest 4
Vienna 5
Prague 3.5

walking,
Budapest 5 (few places more interesting or more beautiful to walk)
Vienna 3 (not bad, but just not what you go to Vienna for)
Prague 2 (just way to crowded with tourists to enjoy)

visiting historical sites (of course this depends on your interests, so in general),
Budapest 4
Vienna 4
Prague 4

attending theater and concerts, (be aware that in most cities the theaters close for the summer. what is left is generally tourist concerts)
Budapest 5 (technically no better than Vienna, but a bit more authentic)
Vienna 4 (only a 4 because too many tourists in the venues)
Prague 3.5 (not quite the caliber of Vienna, but very good)

and eating out.
Budapest 5 (few places in the world with more good food. pretty amazing)
Vienna 3.5
Prague 3

Friday depart US
Saturday arrive Vienna
Sunday Vienna
Monday Vienna / Melk / Vienna
Tuesday Vienna
Wednesday Vienna to Gyor / Pannonhalma Archabbey
Thursday Gyor to Budapest
Friday Budapest
Saturday Budapest
Sunday Budapest
Monday Budapest
Tuesday Budapest
Wednesday Budapest to Eger
Thursday Eger to Budapest
Friday Budapest
Saturday Budapest
Sunday home to the US

These cities can easily fill a week...
London
Paris
Rome
Florence
Barcelona
Madrid
Berlin
Amsterdam

For you I’d choose 3 out of the last four.
Barcelona / Madrid / Berlin / Amsterdam

Hi,

On cities in which to spend an entire week I suggest: London and Paris, the second city "before heading another city." , Paris and Berlin, Berlin and Vienna, or London and Berlin.

Copenhagen - with day trips to Roskilde (viking ships, Cathedral), Helsingør/Elsinor (Kronborg, Maritime museum), Dragør (quaint little village 5 km from Copenhagen), Malmø/Malmö (to visit Sweden).

After that I would suggest taking the ferry to Oslo, but you have already been to Norway, so maybe just take a discount plane to somewhere else. E.g. Dublin.

Berlin - wonderful museums, lots of history, day trip to Potsdam, and overnight in Dresden.

Vienna - in June, the gardens !!, the roses in bloom, good art museums, beautiful architecture inlcuding the cathedral and the best palace in Europe after Versailles, day trips to Melk and Bratislava.

Budapest - my newest love affair, museums, history, wide streets, architecture, gardens, a castle, and an overnight in either Szeged or Pecs (or both), great food and even better wine.

Both Vienna and Budapest have good opera and concerts - but you have to check the schedules for June.

Barcelona - only a week????

How about Mallorca? Base yourself in Palma, one of the hidden gems of the Meditterranean and my favourite Spanish city. The rest of the island can be explored by car (far more relaxed driving than the mainland) and nowhere is more than 1 1/2 hours drive. Visit spectacular mountain villages, hidden beaches, amazing caves and eat some incredible food. June would be a perfect time to visit, warm but not hot and guaranteed sunshine.

From there it's an easy transfer to Barcelona or another part of the Spanish mainland or perhaps Nice, Marseille etc.

In Germany, Munich is also worth considering. It's a great city with lots to do and see, and day triping to places such as Salzburg, Neuschwanstein, Nuremberg and Dachau is easy. It's also an easy city to fly in and out of, with non-stops to some American cities.

As others have said, Berlin takes time to unfold. On my first trip there, I hated it for the first two days. After a week, I was hooked and knew I'd be back again and again.

I've pondered this question, but to me any major city in Europe would easily entertain me for a week. Hey, I spent 10 days in Nancy, Fr and was happy as could be, and would go back. It is all what you like, really, and even then I can't imagine being in any major city and being bored. But that's just me, I guess. Stockholm is wonderful in June...not sure why no one has added that. But really...Any city. Read the books and see what jumps out at you.

Hi,

If you go the capitals, pick Paris, Berlin, Rome, etc. I was fascinated once I got to Berlin after settling my accommodation problems, I went in the dead of summer, had to adjust to the heat a bit.

If you prefer not going to capitals, not to be in cities swamped with international tourists, ie, cities distinctly off the American tourist radar, then I suggest towns here in pairs, logistically doable for a full week or more.

1. Amiens and Arras...Between the Somme and Pas-de-Calais you have numerous places to go outside of these two cities, which are themselves interesting, well worth your time. I've spent numerous days here and in the surrounding area.

2, Nancy and the Lorraine area...as suggested above.

1. Dresden and Leipzig...for music, the history, German cultural history, including going to Meißen, Schloss Pilnitz, Halle,

2. Hamburg and Kiel....Go to North Germany to the lower Elbe and Holstein area. Aside from seeing Hamburg, visit Kiel, and the towns nearby, Lübeck, Lüneburg, Eutin/Holstein, Elbe River cruise and Kieler Förde, which I took in June.

The responses remind me of overly eager elementary students vying for attention of the patient teacher. If the original poster has yet to decide and needs yet one more answer to the question, well Berlin it is.

London, Vienna, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Munich -- all great bases and you can take all kinds of day trips as well. I've stayed a week at each of those cities.

Prague has been mentioned a few times on this thread and I will also say it is a great place to spend a week or more. I have been travelling to the Czech republic for over 25 years now and never tire of it. In June when you hope to travel the weather is usually very good without the oppressive heat that full summer can bring . There is loads to keep you busy not just the historical stuff but fantastic places you can go for a walk short or long. loads of parks and gardens to relax in and of course numerous outdoor places to enjoy a beer , glass of wine and some food . The public transport system is superb and very cheap . Day trips to many place are easily done by train or bus and again the costs are pretty cheap.
I am back in Prague for the New year period meeting up with friends in the city and am organising a trip for late June/July with a walking group to spend a week or more in the city and do walks in the general area , walks always end at a good micro-brewery or bar close to public transport.

First off, congratulations on your 40th anniversary!

Another vote for Barcelona as one of your three. The political situation should have stabilized by next June (our daughter lives there now, and that is the unofficial consensus), and it is a fascinating and beautiful city. Its history spans Roman times through medieval and modern eras, as parts of the city reflect. The city itself has more than a weeks'-worth of museums and attractions, and its architecture is legendary. It's a highly walkable city, and the public transportation system is extensive. In June, the weather in Barcelona should be lovely, warm but not too hot. There are numerous day trips that also could be very enjoyable, like the mountain monestary of Monserrat. It might be a bit of a stretch but with the comfortable high speed AVE trains, Madrid is less than 3 hrs away if you wanted to spend a day there, perhaps visiting its fantastic museums, e.g. the Prado or Reina Sofia, before returning to Barcelona. The idyllic Mediterranean Costa Brava is a day trip, as are beautiful medieval towns like Girona. Barcelona neighborhoods have a very local feel to them, yet it is a very cosmopolitan European city. The music scene is especially rich with classical concerts, opera and ballet, blues, and jazz, classical guitar and flamenco performances. A final factor is that the prices in Spain are considerably less than in many parts of Europe., particularly the more northern countries. Food in particular is very fresh and inexpensive. Wine is great and at bargain prices. If you like to eat out, anywhere in Spain is a good place to be. And of course, there are tapas bars and cafes everywhere.

I'm afraid my response isn't terribly unique, as I see it is simply repeat of some previous posters, but I just want to echo their sentiments in case you are on the fence.

In this order, I would spend a week in:

1. Paris
2. London
3. Tuscany (Florence)
4. Rome
5. Greek Islands

I love smaller cities and will throw out Utrecht in the Netherlands. It's a central rail hub about 35 minutes from Amsterdam and beautiful and lively. Also, I'll second Ghent in Belgium.

June? Summer Heat?
Let us consider Copenhagen, Stockholm and Helsinki.
Love that Scandinavian vibe.
I'd add Oslo, but you've probably been there.

Amsterdam-interesting Indonesian food

Have you decided? We just spent a week in Amsterdam and loved it. Great museums, beautiful walks and very hospitable locals. After Amsterdam we headed to Leiden, The Hague, Gouda and the interior countryside. Enjoyed them all.

Addressing your question through my experience I would suggest Madrid or Vienna. Both offer a number of interesting daytrip opportunities, museums, dining etc. Possibly Budapest as well.

There are a few worth but not listed above, mainly:
1. Cracow, Poland, with its area including Wieliczka Salt Mine and Tatra Mountains
2. Warsaw, Poland, with Żelazowa Wola
3. Tricity: Gdańsk, Sopot, Gdynia, Poland, with Malbork Castle in the area
and also
4. Szczecin with Stargard, Police, Świnoujście, Międzyzdroje and Ueckermünde, Poland / Germany
5. Wrocław, Poland, with a train trip to Świdnica and Wałbrzych (Książ Castle)
6. Poznań, Poland, with trips to Rogalin, Lednogóra, Gniezno, Toruń and Bydgoszcz
7. Vilnius, Lithuania
8. Bratislava, Slovakia, with Trnava and Carpathian Mountains
9. Greifswald, Stralsund and Rügen Island, Germany

Some very good choices, from a cultural and historical perspective, contained in that list. If it's only in Poland, my choices are # 4 and #5 if one wants to see the former eastern Pomerania. If it's only Germany, I choose # 9. It all boils down to so many good and interesting towns/cities in Poland as revealed in the list.