Where to go what to do?

Hello Craig. The month March is early in the year for being a tourist in northern Europe (north of the Alps). Amsterdam is likely to have rain in March. Italy can have a pleasant climate during those dates. And the island Crete of Greece. You said your travel style is "budget". In Greece traveling, for tourists, begins to be more expensive at Easter, and some places in Greece are crowded with Greek travelers at Easter weekend, and probably the week thereafter. Tell us what kinds of places you like to go to, and what you like to do, and we might be able to recommend something in Europe. And read Rick Steves' travel guide books on ITALY, and SPAIN. And the Lonely Planet book on GREECE. If you want to sleep at hostels in Europe, get reservations for that very soon ! Information for communicating to the hostels is in Rick Steves' travel guide books.

I think being a tourist in Salzburg and Vienna (in Austria) can be pleasant during those dates. But any place in Europe could have rain. But a budget traveler may not want to go to Vienna.

Craig,

It would help to know what places you're interested in seeing, other than Amsterdam? Also, have you bought air tickets yet, or will you have the option of using open-jaw flights?

With such a short trip, you might want to concentrate on a more limited geographical area, so you don't spend too much time travelling between locations.

Good luck!

Greetings

Remember that your first weekend will be Easter, which is a long holiday weekend in much of Europe. Museums and tourist sites are often open, but restaurants and shops are likely to be closed for much of the weekend.

So, you should probably make sure you book accommodation ahead for that weekend since many Europeans travel that weekend. Also, if you are self-catering, make sure to food shop before the weekend as many places will likely have very restricted hours or be shut Saturday through Monday. It's also a good idea to check train/bus schedules since they may change for the holiday, and to be flexible as public transport may be crowded.

Have fun!

Kate

It's a bit of a trek but the Czech Republic (Prague), Hungary (Budapest), Slovenia (Ljubljana) and Croatia (Dubrovnik) would be less expensive than other parts of Europe. Dubrovnik especially is a bit warmer in March and early April. You might find budget airlines that fly to one of these cities and plan train trips to surrounding areas that you want to visit.

I don't know how adventureous it is but you arriving in Amsterdam on the start of the tulip season. Lots of tulip tours and activities in Holland from late March to mid-May.

I agree with Sharon. Slovenia is a very small country, but it has a variety of the elements that travelers to Europe want to see : Alps mountains, Mediteranean Sea beach (Adriatic Sea), a scenic lake, a small castle, and an art gallery (in Lubljana). I know about Slovenia, because I have a Slovenian friend. The speech of some Slovenian young women, in their language, has a very pleasant sound.
If you already bought an airline ticket for flying to Amsterdam, you might find an affordable flight from Amsterdam to Munich (Germany) or to Salzburg (Austria), and you could ride in a train from Munich or Salzburg to Lubljana. The airlines that have the lowest prices for tickets can not advertise at the internet websites that have flight information of various airlines.

And, in Slovenia, and other countries in eastern Europe, you might meet German people, and Austrian people, and Italian people, and French people. When I was in a train traveling from Munich to Salzburg, all of the other people in that train car were traveling to Lubljana (in Slovenia). (The train went from Munich to Lubljana, with a quick stop at Salzburg). Most of those people going to Lubljana were beautiful German young women (age 19).

...and, Slovenia is located at the sunny side of the Alps.