Where in Europe should mom and I go?

Italy. You can craft a trip that includes both city and rural sites. There is nothing that says you can’t spend part of the day following some of each your individual interests and then meeting up to have a meal or compare notes.

How long is the trip going to be?

The Irish drink a lot of wine nowadays. There's still a lot of tradition in Dublin but a lot of classy joints too.

Weirdly, I think Vienna kind of splits Dublin and Paris. It has the high culture and spectacular monumental buildings of Paris, but also the homey folk culture of Dublin. You can go to the Opera and beer garden in the same day no problem.

I’m asking this sincerely…since you have such opposite types of vacations that you like, do you think you will both enjoy traveling together? It tends to bring out people’s personalities which can be very good or begin grating on each other. Since it’s a year of milestone birthdays, is this your best option?

Now for some ideas as you requested:

Nice & the Riviera would appeal to both of your preferences. There’s the shopping & sun for her and a lot of interesting scenery and history for you. I think you both would enjoy the Villa Rothschild & gardens, for instance, and you could follow it with a hike while she’s back at a beach.

The Amalfi Coast & generally Italy.

I’m also thinking Austria & Budapest. You would love Austria with the gorgeous scenery, and Vienna is elegant. Salzburg would probably appeal to both of you. I would do that one in September.

One more that maybe neither of you have considered is Spain. There’s a lot of history for you, shopping & beaches for her, outdoors for you. Hmm, I’m going to say Spain is my #1 suggestion for you. October would be a good month for this trip. I’ll look for my trip report for Spain and send you the link in another reply.

Here’s the trip report for Spain. You could definitely add some more beach locations, too.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/1st-time-to-spain-trip-report

There is a very scenic and handy train between Munich, Germany and Italy. It sounds like a half Italy and half Germany trip might suit you.

Germany might be good. Good beer and wine. She could do her shopping and you don't have to. You could do an amazing circuit of the country with urban and rural spaces and lots of history!

Switzerland never disappoints!

Munich, Salzburg and Vienna would be great spending 4 days, 2 days and 4 days respectively.

Venice, Florence and Rome are also very, very popular for an itinerary.

London, Paris and Barcelona are easily reached by trains, and they've got it all.

But whatever you do, spend enough time in each city to properly visit the most popular attractions.

You have many great options. I am 74, but in excellent health haven't slowed down much. Still, we did Machu Picchu in Peru, on a mountain at 8000 or more feet above sea level. Climbing around on those hills at that altitude tired me out.

You like beer, go to Bavaria. Do Munich, Garmisch/Fussen, Salzburg/Berchtesgaden and The Romantic Road (loaded with medieval walled towns).
https://www.romanticroadgermany.com

Switzerland is wonderful, but more expensive than Germany.

You didn't mention Italy, which is loaded with wonderful places, Rome, Florence, Venice, the Naples Area, Amalfi Coast, the Dolomites, etc. If you like history, art and great food, Italy is wonderful.

First, try asking her. You say she's been to Europe before and is "well traveled" and you want to go somewhere she's never been (seems you might want to share that detail with her to ensure she's OK with that...maybe she has her heart set on going someplace specific that she had been to long ago, no?). Assuming you and she can get agreement on that, then start with the list of places she's been, cross those off your list (and post them here so people stop suggesting obvious places that she has already been to) and work from there.

There's no shortage of good options. In September/October...the Mediterranean should be cooling off and getting both more comfortable and less crowded by mid- to late-September. Assuming it's not already on her "been there, done that, don't need to go back" list, I'd look at: Spain, Southern Italy, Greek islands, Turkey. Plenty of things in all those places to keep you both happy.

Go to Austria, specifically Vienna. There's plenty of beer, and plenty of wine. It's a wonderful town to wander around in.

What time of year? Here are a few personal preferences I've gleaned over the years.

April is a great time to visit Spain. Easter week (Valladolid, Zaragosa) and April Faire (Seville) are highlights. Summer for the north coast of Spain.

May is the driest month in Ireland. My last trip, in 2019, could've been done without an umbrella or rain shell.

Midsummer (July/August) is best for Scandinavia. The crowds never get massive, and summer has the most reliable weather. Same time for Scotland, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Poland.

England is four seasons in one day. Summer is probably best but bring a coat anyway and always keep your umbrella close.

September is a great time for Germany/Austria.

Mid October is great for Northern Italy, after November 1st for south of Rome. I'd guess the same for Dalmatian Coast but that's still on my list.

France depends on where? Provence is hot in summer and can be massively windy (Le Mistral) in spring. Visit in fall (Sept/Oct). Northern France regions of Alsace, Burgundy and Champagne are great in September to avoid the biggest tourist crowds. Brittany and Normandy are better in summer. Brittany has small town festivals (Pardons) running all summer.

Be careful with the day drinking. It gives you a little bit of a high and then a sugar crash. Save the drinking for later in the evening.

I concur with Vienna.

Took my mom in 2014 and she absolutely loved Amalfi Coast/Italy - we also did Rome and Venice, but AC was her fav. So much so, we are hoping to take her back next year for another visit, then flying up to Paris and going to Loire Valley. She's only even been to the UK.

As we have all experienced, a lot could happen between now and 2025. Your carefully planned trip could derail due to issues with health or world politics or who knows. I’d actually plan this trip for as soon as you can pull it together. You can always do a smaller trip, perhaps a weekend in some US city, for your birthdays.

Agreed with the Vienna/Austria suggestions. You could also add in Budapest. Plenty of sun, shopping, culture, beer and wine for you both, and the weather in Sept/Oct should be nice and not hot.

Ecollins3805, any reply to answer some of the questions and also let us know if what we’re sharing is helping you?

Thanks so much for all the great ideas. Mom and I have discussed. We both want Italy but her husband and my husband and daughter want to go to Italy too, so to avoid any "issues" with them, we've decided to go to France. LOL
We are of french descent so feels right. I'll be creating a new post on the France forum for ideas on where in France we should go. Thanks again!

You can add these places to your checklist
Prague (A vacation in Prague will leave you feeling as if you've stepped into a fairy tale)
Amsterdam (There's more to Amsterdam than its notorious “coffee shops” and Red-Light District)

France is a great choice. Lots of everything .... mountains, beaches, sun and beer & wine. I'd say Nice could be the perfect choice and the airport is very easy. But Italy could work if you change your minds. :) But let me add another based on the month(s) you want to travel .... how about Greece?