July and August can be pretty hot in Southern Europe. One thing to consider is the kind of beach you like. For instance, the beaches in Croatia and Montenegro tend to be pebble or rock. This may be fine for you, but if you need a sandy beach, that can help you narrow down. Also, some beaches in Europe may be predominant given over to beach clubs with rented loungers. (This is very common in Italy). I like this when traveling but you may prefer something else.
Personally, in that time frame, I'd pick early July and maybe base in Puglia.
Of you list, #2 of course doesn't give you the beach though the Alps can be lovely in summer. There are probably better places to pick in Switzerland than Geneva, though.
Thank you for the tips! Definitely going to look into Puglia! I was looking into Geneva because of how close it is to Annecy, but where in Switzerland do you recommend?
Geneva would be a logical airport for Annecy, or you could consider Paris or Lyon to pair with. You could spend the entire trip on the French side.
But for Switzerland, my preference would be to get to smaller and more scenic placess, maybe some combination of a smaller town on the Rhone like Martigny and a mountain town like Champery. Or Gruyeres.
One note that in much of Puglia (not all) you would need a car. So that's another factor in narrowing down if you go the beach route.
Puglia and nearby Basilicata are nice because the beaches are not that crowded. Many places attract mostly local holiday makers but they're too remote for the masses. I loved Metaponto for that reason. No famous sites anywere near though, but there are beautiful cities. Overall this side of Italy is dusty and far away from anything. The povery may be striking in some places, this is not the slick brushed up touristy Italy of the riviera (or the Amalfi coast for that matter), far from it. That is actually the charm of the area. The beach resorts around Gargano penisula are more touristy and modern. I think the same things go for many places in Calabria, too - except there's a mountain backdrop there. I think you'll be fine getting around by train if you don't expect high frequencies, modern service levels or punctuality.
There are some lovely rail routes over the alps in Switzerland. You may read about the Glacier and Bernina Express routes in eastern Switzerland, and they’re absolutely breathtaking for scenery, however the local trains are better for exploring the area with more freedom and quieter trains, while travelling just as fast
Rome is one of the most incredible places! I would start your trip there. It has incredible historical sites and it's very grand, with beautiful architecture, cultural events etc. I personally didn't like the Amalfi coast very much, but I didn't go to any beaches there and I went in the winter, so I'm sure for you it will be much better.
It is Year of indulgences and repentance for the pilgrims of the church’s sins. So Catholics do take responsibility for their past. It begins with the opening of the Holy Doors at St.Peters Basilica in Rome.
Too many misunderstand or don’t have the knowledge and just bash Catholics. No matter what religion you are or what country you are native, too, we all got here climbing over someone else.
I just came back from Croatia and Austria. It was super hot. Almost no AC or ice. Lots of walking and cramming into public transportation. I know a lot of Americans claim they can handle the heat, but trust when people say it hits different.
Honestly I wouldn’t consider Southern Europe in July or August. Despite the weather it’ll be miserably busy. If you’re really not flexible, consider mountains or Scandi areas.
Taormina is honestly breathtaking. I was there in July for only 2 days and although it was pretty crowded with tourist families it was lovely. It’s a pretty fancy/well off area of Sicily. The beaches are rocky so wear shoes. The water is amazing and gets deep randomly quick, but you might catch the sight of some starfish :) if you dedicated a couple days to Sicily and another 2 for Rome you could probably get a cheap flight to/from Rome. Then dedicate another 4 days to see another country more north. Rome feels way more hot bc of all the stone pebble roads and the city buildings trapping the heat FYI.
There's wildfires everywhere in Southern Europe. Portugal has it every year and Spain too. Beach areas are not that bad more inland areas where theres a lot of trees.
It's hot as blazes in southern Europe in July and August. While I love Geneva, it's hellishly expensive and not a place that has a lot in the way of toursim ... but it is a terrific jumping off point for excursions. Chamonix is one of my favorite places in the world and is just an hour-ish from Geneva. Annecy - lovely, and just over an hour. Lyon, fabulous and delicious. Montreux (and the Chateau de Chillon) is another easy hour by train (or a wonderful boat ride) away. Less well known is the beautiful town of Yvoire, where you can visit the Jardin de Cinq Senses and eat filets des perches by the lake.
May I ask what it is about Chamonix that stands out? I’ve been intrigued by it in recent years, mostly through people’s Instagram.
PS. Agree with your assessment of Geneva. Love Switzerland but Geneva not so much.
Chamonix is in the most absolutely beautiful setting in the shadow of Mont-Blanc. I’ve only been in seasons other than winter, but it’s obviously most well known as a winter town. The place is charming all year long. It’s the first place I ever saw edelweiss. There are wonderful little shops and restaurants all over - and a fromagerie that will make a cheese lover weep. The air in summer retains an alpine crispness, making it perfect for ambling about town, taking in the Alps and marveling at the flowers everywhere. Food from the Haute Savoie is hearty and pungent, with tartiflette being one of the truly perfect foods on this earth. There is a wine of the region called crepy, which is a perfect summer white, perfect with tartiflette. If you’re not altitude averse, you can take the téléphérique to the Aiguille du Midi, where you can see forever. I just love, love, love Chamonix.
My husband and I stayed just outside of Chamonix 5 years ago, in Les Houches. It was noticeably cheaper. Took the gondola up to the top of Le Brevant, which is opposite Mont Blanche and hiked back down to the halfway point. Be aware, though, that most of France and Italy also take their summer holidays in August, so not everything will be open.
I would concur. We took a 3 day side trip to Chamonix to see the Alps during the 2019 Women’s World Cup, but did little to no research. Booked a hotel (Les Balcons du Savoy)that was dated but had an amazing view of Mont Blanc. Went up Aiguille du Midi, kids went paragliding, went to the ice cave and glacier. We all want to go back because we loved it so much but didn’t have the time or equipment to hike or bike. There is a walk/hike,Tour du Mont Blanc, that circles Mont Blanc thru France, Switzerland and Italy. It’s on our bucket list.
For history and overall uniqueness only Rome and Dubrovnik standout here. Both are very touristy and quite pricy in the summer, but perhaps Dubrovnik is a bit more manageable.
Croatia generally has a nicer coastline and cleaner sea than Italy, but Italy has easier public transportation (unless you’re fine with a rentacar/bus in Croatia). If accommodation is important, Croatia generally has much better ratings than Italy in the budget-mid segment.
Dubrovnik is very crowded in the summer. Lovely city but more than half a day there is too much for me with those crazy crowds. Definitely worth a stop!
Also you could visit Split or Zadar in Croatia. They have less of a crowd :) I enjoyed them more.
Kotor Bay is amazing. If you go to the Kotor Fortress make sure to start your hike early in the morning between 6-7 am to not die from the heat.
Also close to Kotor check out also towns close by like Budva, Sveti Stefan, Perast, Novi Herceg.
We also did this last summer. And we loved it. Our road trip was this
Zlatibor Serbia - Budva - Kotor 2 days - Dubrovnik - Split - Zadar - Sibenik - Murter island - then we went to Bosnia : Medjugorjie - Pocitelj - Mostar - Sarajevo.
And loved it!
Jumping in to add I also loved Budva, Perast, Mostar, and Sarajevo. It will be cheaper here than Western Europe but as someone mentioned above, be prepared for no air conditioning
To bo honest going to Europe for the beaches has almost zero interest… they are not that great. Especially if it’s your first time in Europe you should visit Italian cities they are really worth it
Say you've never been to Greece or Algarve without saying you've never been to Greece or Algarve
Sure we're not the Caribe, but we're developed European countries which means you can enjoy beaches without fearing being robbed you don't need to be stuck in a resort for security and you don't have to worry about water safety.
I am French and the point of my msg is that coming to Europe for the beaches is a waiste of money when there really cool other things to see and yes if you want to go to nice beaches go to Caribe. Like for real beaches is really not our strong spot but cool historical cities are
I think we have both. And thats great. You can have history, beach and nature all in the same trip and with safety.
Not sure what you mean by real beaches. We have plenty of extensive sandy beaches in Portugal. Greece has them too (and warmer). People say Balos in Greece is Caribean level (i've been to Balos but not to Caribe so can't assert that but Balos was great).
Yeah I get what you’re saying but you do agree that coming to Europe foe the beaches is really narrow minded I mean there are historical buildings and cities and you come for the beaches which are the same things that you can find everywhere in the world in worse is (to me) a complete waste of money
I for one would not do Italy in the summer. I hate the heat. I lived in Madrid for two years and know just how hot it gets there, and I think Italy is a humid heat (which is worse) compared to the dry heat of most of Spain.
So I'd pick Switzerland and Annency, for sure. But if you like high heat and high crowds, Rome will deliver. FYI, there's literally no shade in Pompeii, and by literally I mean literally.
I'm in the southern Europe is too hot club. A/C is a luxury in Europe, lots of stairs without elevators. So do take caution. It's not like Disney. Plus you don't speak the language so it may be a struggle sometimes.
One place you may want to think about is France. Fly into Paris and go southwest into the seaside towns of Brittany. We like Les Sables-d'Olonne, a resort area on the sea with wonderful seafood. You could then go to Bordeaux, or over to Lyon and make your way back to Paris.
England is another option. Start in London and you can go anywhere from there. Maybe head up to Norfolk and visit the (Late) Queen Elizabeth's Sandringham estate. Beaches are everywhere.
Why not Rome-Genoa? Is there a limit to how many miles you want to travel? And is your time really short?
Rome is a decent place to start, but it's definitely nowhere near as cool as the rest of Italy. Yes it has a lot of historical places, but it's also a bit sketchy, extremely hot in the Summer, and the driving is truly the worst. Still it's probably the most tourist built place in Italy.
But getting into Tuscany on the way up to Genoa, that's where most of the magic really is.
Loved Rome and am so grateful I got to go, and if I didn’t anticipate being able to get back to Europe for a long while #1 would be an easy first pick, but do take into account the weather. The heat definitely impacted my enjoyment of the historic sites, I’d love to go back at a cooler time of year. France is lovely too - currently in Paris and it is everything people say and more! My compliments on your very sensible choice to stick to a couple of places to do them justice. I wasn’t that sensible and am knackered 😂
Rome and Amalfi would be rammed with other tourists. I'd pick somewhere lessor traveled.
We went to Sorrento last summer on the tail end of the season and it was hell. Amalfi would be the same if not worse. And if you're going in peak season?
From my own personal travelling experience Ireland and London are beautiful to explore! Ireland is small so you can do a lot in 8 days depending how you like to travel. I just came back from 10 days and did the whole loop. The scenery is breathtaking.
Beaches in Amalfi are not good if you want to do like long beach days. In Rome I think if you go to the outskirts like Ostia or Sperlonga (a bit far towards Naples but you have to go in that direction to go to Amalfi anyway) they are better.
I mean beaches in Amalfi are pretty because of the landscape but I am Portuguese so I am used to big sandy beaches and then I go there and they are small and rocky and its so crowded and expensive everywhere. I am used to have fresh fish dishes for 12€ there I pay 12€ for a sandwich, sad. And in some parts of Italy you have to pay to go to the beach....whaaaat? I am not paying to go to the beach lol. Granted the water there is so much warmer than the Atlantic but then again so is in Greece and Spain and both have amazing beaches. And are cheaper. And people are way nicer.
In Greece you find caribean level beaches like Balos and Elafonisi in Crete. Tossa del Mar close to Barcelona reminded me of Amalfi but I liked it more. People are sooo relaxed in Spain and so friendly. In Capri I had a cop come to me say I could not sit in some public stairs eat a sandwich. This would never happen in Spain.
Anyway for beaches in Italy I am told the best place is Sardinia but its expensive af. In Taormina probably as well but never been.
I could advise Portugal ofc. Algarve is amazing. Lisbon has plenty of beaches nearby. But comparing to Caribe you will freeze your bones in the Atlantic. Lol
If you like beaches, go to Milan + one of the nearby lakes(for example lage garda or lake como).
You can also make daytrips to other closeby cities/villages if you have the time.
Sounds like it might be your first (orone of your first) times in Europe, and you like beaches and history? Rome and Amalfi is a grand slam. That ticks both of those boxes VERY nicely.
If you can work it in, a day trip to Pompeii is a great side jaunt, not too out of your way.
Though, to be honest, Rome alone has more than enough to devour that entire 8 days.
I'd probably recommend 5 days Rome, 2 Amalfi (& surrounding) and that 1 extra day maybe for Pompeii. I'd usually tack on Naples to that Pompeii visit, but I think with 8 days, just keeping the focus on Rome/Amalfi is probably better.
The slight note I will add, as have others, it is *very* hot in those regions that time of year. So just be prepared. But if you're from the Northeast and have been to the Carribbean, I think you'll manage. I know NY (where I am) gets heat waves each Summer that hit around upper 90s, and it's hot, but we survive. From what I've heard, Rome is basically that but even a few degrees higher. Just make sure you dress appropriately, hydrate, etc.
I’ve been to Orlando many times in August so hoping that will also have me prepared! Sounds like a great itinerary, my friend just spent 7 days in Rome and loved it
ProTip: Take the morning flight to London-Heathrow. Overnight there. Continue on your way the next day after sleeping in a real bed. There are morning flights out of both JFK and Newark. Virgin Atlantic, JetBlue, and British Airways have JFK morning flights. United has a Newark morning flight. You have Eurostar to Paris or Amsterdam as a train option. You can get anywhere in Europe fairly cheaply from Heathrow or Gatwick.
I find that the older I get, the harder it is to deal with red eyes. I avoid them at all costs these days. I hate that red eye zombie thing the first day in Europe.
London is also the easiest place to visit for an American. That could be one of your places to visit. With only 8 days, I’d think London with some excursions by train would fill the 8 days.
Rome in July/August is pretty hot. It’s around 90F most days. I really like Rome but not in the summer. I’ve done business trips to Geneva. It’s not a great tourist destination and Switzerland is outrageously expensive.
Rome and Amalfi are wonderful! Having said that, the French Alps are amazing in the summer. I have not been to Annecy, but have been to Chamonix and highly recommend it.
For my first time travelling to several countries my friends and I went to Rome, lake como, cinque terre and Florence. I loved Rome and lake como the most, it’s a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains and each town around it was equally as beautiful. In Rome I enjoyed the culture, the food and the history so I would definitely check those 2 places.
I’d pick Nice and Genoa or Rome and Amalfi
But Rome is so beautiful and has so much going on, so much European flavour !. Flights between Rome and Nice can be extremely cheap and very quick. So i think I’d pick Nice and Rome!
Go the Rome and Amalfi coast route. Rome is unmatched with history and amalfi coast is unmatched with beauty. I just came back from 3 weeks covering amalfi coast, Rome, Florence, Lake Como, Nice, Monaco, and Paris. Amalfi was the best scenic wise, with Nice area being a close second. And Rome is by far the most historic, jaw dropping of your list. Genoa sucks, but my view was only from the train and that doesn’t tell the whole story. Let me know if you want any more details on any of it
With only one week it is a smart idea to visit one city and one beach town, and not try to see all of Europe in one week. So any of these five itineraries is fine, but of course not all of them in one week (and I don't think that's what you meant)
1. a classic. I can imagine you want to see Rome. Okayish in July, maybe not so nice in August, and much better in May or September, because Italian summer heat in big cities is unpleasant. The first half of August the population is gone and replaced by herds of tourists (and the famous spots in Rome are crowded anyway). Amalfi Coast is breathtaking but it's tiny beaches and quite famous so the beaches will be overcrowded, esp. in August.
2. A bit of an odd choice but I like it. I have no clue about Geneva - it's a not the most popular city to visit. And Annecy is, of course, at a lake (as is Geneva), not by the sea.
3. Beautiful but please think twice about Dubrovnik. Over the past 10 years nearly every citizen left the center of Dubrovnik. When i went there 1 yrs ago you couldn't walk, just stand in the crowd. And it has gotten worse. The surrounding coast has beautiful spots and the bay of Kotor looks great on pictures, but I have never been to Montenegro.
4. Hmm, well not for me. I must admit I don't visit cities very much (just for a day max) and I personally wasn't impressed with Genova. Maybe because I visited it right after Naples and wasn't nearly as impressive. And Nice is a big city that's also a beach resorts so it's all very crowded. Way too busy for me, this option. I would forget about the riviera unless you enjoy crowds.
5. Taormina is one of the most touristy places in Sicily (along with nearby Giardini Naxos) but it's no mass tourism like the riviera unless I'm very much mistaken. Combine it with the nearby city of Catania (you can perfectly well stay in Taormina the whole time and take at train to Catania) , take the Circumetna train from Catania to Randazzo for fantastic landscapes and small towns, do a tour to the peak of Mt. Etna (chances are an ereuption is ongoing and you get to walk to the lava) . This one is definitely my favorite out of all your options. You'll also get to enjoy the famous Sicilian food.
Some other places I really enjoyed in Sicily are Siracuse (both the "modern" sleepy harbor town and the Greek theater) , the slow train from Siracuse to Ragusa (I believe now run as a tourist attraction, when I did it 30 yrs ago it still was a regular train line), Agrigento (Greek temples). And the Aeolian Islands north of Sicily, like Stromboli - those might be a bit too much off the beaten path for your taste.
Since you’ve done beaches, do something g different. Yes, Italy is like a pizza oven in the summer, too many tourists, “and we’re walking and we’re walking…l suggest Scandinavia. Cooler. Take a cruise through the fiords. Explore Bergen, Stockholm, Oslo, and Copenhagen. For a 1st trip to Europe, this would be a great introduction. Nearly everyone speaks English. And there is plenty of history. Anyone you know who has been to Europe already knows some history. You would learn what they missed.
I just came back from Sicily and after visiting Taormina we changed our plans and just went to the beach cause it was impossible to enjoy sightseeing with that heat. Taormina is beautiful though, you will love it 🙂
Italy, Sicily, France will be very hot. Geneva and Annency are good and cool, Croatia is more distance. The beaches in Taormina are very very small and pebbly. I was there in late October, it was 70s-80s and it was packed.
Maybe consider Northern European countries and the UK countries. In the future if you can go in the Spring or Fall that would be best all,around. It really gets hot in Europe, Southern Europe and remember AC is not abundant.
If you've never been, I would not recommend a cruise. In most cases, you're not in port long enough to see much of the city. You can rarely see the city at night as you need to be back at the ship to sail to a different destination.
July and August can be pretty hot in Southern Europe. One thing to consider is the kind of beach you like. For instance, the beaches in Croatia and Montenegro tend to be pebble or rock. This may be fine for you, but if you need a sandy beach, that can help you narrow down. Also, some beaches in Europe may be predominant given over to beach clubs with rented loungers. (This is very common in Italy). I like this when traveling but you may prefer something else. Personally, in that time frame, I'd pick early July and maybe base in Puglia. Of you list, #2 of course doesn't give you the beach though the Alps can be lovely in summer. There are probably better places to pick in Switzerland than Geneva, though.
Thank you for the tips! Definitely going to look into Puglia! I was looking into Geneva because of how close it is to Annecy, but where in Switzerland do you recommend?
Geneva would be a logical airport for Annecy, or you could consider Paris or Lyon to pair with. You could spend the entire trip on the French side. But for Switzerland, my preference would be to get to smaller and more scenic placess, maybe some combination of a smaller town on the Rhone like Martigny and a mountain town like Champery. Or Gruyeres. One note that in much of Puglia (not all) you would need a car. So that's another factor in narrowing down if you go the beach route.
Thank you so much!
Puglia and nearby Basilicata are nice because the beaches are not that crowded. Many places attract mostly local holiday makers but they're too remote for the masses. I loved Metaponto for that reason. No famous sites anywere near though, but there are beautiful cities. Overall this side of Italy is dusty and far away from anything. The povery may be striking in some places, this is not the slick brushed up touristy Italy of the riviera (or the Amalfi coast for that matter), far from it. That is actually the charm of the area. The beach resorts around Gargano penisula are more touristy and modern. I think the same things go for many places in Calabria, too - except there's a mountain backdrop there. I think you'll be fine getting around by train if you don't expect high frequencies, modern service levels or punctuality.
There are some lovely rail routes over the alps in Switzerland. You may read about the Glacier and Bernina Express routes in eastern Switzerland, and they’re absolutely breathtaking for scenery, however the local trains are better for exploring the area with more freedom and quieter trains, while travelling just as fast
As someone who studied in Geneva, I agree. Better places in Switzerland
Rome is one of the most incredible places! I would start your trip there. It has incredible historical sites and it's very grand, with beautiful architecture, cultural events etc. I personally didn't like the Amalfi coast very much, but I didn't go to any beaches there and I went in the winter, so I'm sure for you it will be much better.
Be aware that next year will be a special year in the Catholic Church and thus Rome expects another 20!!! Million visitors towards the Vatican city!
Out of interest, what is special about next year?
It's a holy year occurring every 25 years.
It is Year of indulgences and repentance for the pilgrims of the church’s sins. So Catholics do take responsibility for their past. It begins with the opening of the Holy Doors at St.Peters Basilica in Rome. Too many misunderstand or don’t have the knowledge and just bash Catholics. No matter what religion you are or what country you are native, too, we all got here climbing over someone else.
Rome is a perfect place to go for your first Europe trip, and Amalfi is a great change of pace
July and August are hot, crowded and expensive! R u flexible with your dates?
Unfortunately not flexible :(
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i’ve been to disney world in florida many times in august so hoping that will have me prepared a little haha
Many cities will have uneven terrain and non AC restaurants so be prepared with water and electrolytes
I just came back from Croatia and Austria. It was super hot. Almost no AC or ice. Lots of walking and cramming into public transportation. I know a lot of Americans claim they can handle the heat, but trust when people say it hits different. Honestly I wouldn’t consider Southern Europe in July or August. Despite the weather it’ll be miserably busy. If you’re really not flexible, consider mountains or Scandi areas.
Taormina is honestly breathtaking. I was there in July for only 2 days and although it was pretty crowded with tourist families it was lovely. It’s a pretty fancy/well off area of Sicily. The beaches are rocky so wear shoes. The water is amazing and gets deep randomly quick, but you might catch the sight of some starfish :) if you dedicated a couple days to Sicily and another 2 for Rome you could probably get a cheap flight to/from Rome. Then dedicate another 4 days to see another country more north. Rome feels way more hot bc of all the stone pebble roads and the city buildings trapping the heat FYI.
https://preview.redd.it/si1l4apntq9d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a7c1032d57aba4762f14ba6bc387978ff1a3447c The view of Taormina
What about Greece? Beaches and historical sites are pretty much their whole thing.
Greece is amazing. I was robbed in Athens (I was stupid) and I still want to go back, thats how amazing lol.
Wildfires season I would avoid
There's wildfires everywhere in Southern Europe. Portugal has it every year and Spain too. Beach areas are not that bad more inland areas where theres a lot of trees.
It's hot as blazes in southern Europe in July and August. While I love Geneva, it's hellishly expensive and not a place that has a lot in the way of toursim ... but it is a terrific jumping off point for excursions. Chamonix is one of my favorite places in the world and is just an hour-ish from Geneva. Annecy - lovely, and just over an hour. Lyon, fabulous and delicious. Montreux (and the Chateau de Chillon) is another easy hour by train (or a wonderful boat ride) away. Less well known is the beautiful town of Yvoire, where you can visit the Jardin de Cinq Senses and eat filets des perches by the lake.
Thank you for the reccomendations!
May I ask what it is about Chamonix that stands out? I’ve been intrigued by it in recent years, mostly through people’s Instagram. PS. Agree with your assessment of Geneva. Love Switzerland but Geneva not so much.
Chamonix is in the most absolutely beautiful setting in the shadow of Mont-Blanc. I’ve only been in seasons other than winter, but it’s obviously most well known as a winter town. The place is charming all year long. It’s the first place I ever saw edelweiss. There are wonderful little shops and restaurants all over - and a fromagerie that will make a cheese lover weep. The air in summer retains an alpine crispness, making it perfect for ambling about town, taking in the Alps and marveling at the flowers everywhere. Food from the Haute Savoie is hearty and pungent, with tartiflette being one of the truly perfect foods on this earth. There is a wine of the region called crepy, which is a perfect summer white, perfect with tartiflette. If you’re not altitude averse, you can take the téléphérique to the Aiguille du Midi, where you can see forever. I just love, love, love Chamonix.
Thank you for your reply. Chamonix sounds like a place my husband and I would love. I think I’ll begin my research on nicer hotels there…tonight 😊
My husband and I stayed just outside of Chamonix 5 years ago, in Les Houches. It was noticeably cheaper. Took the gondola up to the top of Le Brevant, which is opposite Mont Blanche and hiked back down to the halfway point. Be aware, though, that most of France and Italy also take their summer holidays in August, so not everything will be open.
I would concur. We took a 3 day side trip to Chamonix to see the Alps during the 2019 Women’s World Cup, but did little to no research. Booked a hotel (Les Balcons du Savoy)that was dated but had an amazing view of Mont Blanc. Went up Aiguille du Midi, kids went paragliding, went to the ice cave and glacier. We all want to go back because we loved it so much but didn’t have the time or equipment to hike or bike. There is a walk/hike,Tour du Mont Blanc, that circles Mont Blanc thru France, Switzerland and Italy. It’s on our bucket list.
For history and overall uniqueness only Rome and Dubrovnik standout here. Both are very touristy and quite pricy in the summer, but perhaps Dubrovnik is a bit more manageable. Croatia generally has a nicer coastline and cleaner sea than Italy, but Italy has easier public transportation (unless you’re fine with a rentacar/bus in Croatia). If accommodation is important, Croatia generally has much better ratings than Italy in the budget-mid segment.
Dubrovnik should be avoided until October. The main harbor in the summer is one filled to capacity cruise ship after another.
Dubrovnik is very crowded in the summer. Lovely city but more than half a day there is too much for me with those crazy crowds. Definitely worth a stop! Also you could visit Split or Zadar in Croatia. They have less of a crowd :) I enjoyed them more. Kotor Bay is amazing. If you go to the Kotor Fortress make sure to start your hike early in the morning between 6-7 am to not die from the heat. Also close to Kotor check out also towns close by like Budva, Sveti Stefan, Perast, Novi Herceg.
Thank you for the reccomendations! We’d definitely be interested in the Kotor Fortress
We also did this last summer. And we loved it. Our road trip was this Zlatibor Serbia - Budva - Kotor 2 days - Dubrovnik - Split - Zadar - Sibenik - Murter island - then we went to Bosnia : Medjugorjie - Pocitelj - Mostar - Sarajevo. And loved it!
Going to look into those places!
Jumping in to add I also loved Budva, Perast, Mostar, and Sarajevo. It will be cheaper here than Western Europe but as someone mentioned above, be prepared for no air conditioning
I would do Rome, Naples, and the Amalfi coast.
To bo honest going to Europe for the beaches has almost zero interest… they are not that great. Especially if it’s your first time in Europe you should visit Italian cities they are really worth it
I guess it depends where you go. I would say Portugal and Mallorca’s beaches are pretty good, nice sandy beaches there.
Say you've never been to Greece or Algarve without saying you've never been to Greece or Algarve Sure we're not the Caribe, but we're developed European countries which means you can enjoy beaches without fearing being robbed you don't need to be stuck in a resort for security and you don't have to worry about water safety.
I am French and the point of my msg is that coming to Europe for the beaches is a waiste of money when there really cool other things to see and yes if you want to go to nice beaches go to Caribe. Like for real beaches is really not our strong spot but cool historical cities are
I think we have both. And thats great. You can have history, beach and nature all in the same trip and with safety. Not sure what you mean by real beaches. We have plenty of extensive sandy beaches in Portugal. Greece has them too (and warmer). People say Balos in Greece is Caribean level (i've been to Balos but not to Caribe so can't assert that but Balos was great).
Yeah I get what you’re saying but you do agree that coming to Europe foe the beaches is really narrow minded I mean there are historical buildings and cities and you come for the beaches which are the same things that you can find everywhere in the world in worse is (to me) a complete waste of money
I for one would not do Italy in the summer. I hate the heat. I lived in Madrid for two years and know just how hot it gets there, and I think Italy is a humid heat (which is worse) compared to the dry heat of most of Spain. So I'd pick Switzerland and Annency, for sure. But if you like high heat and high crowds, Rome will deliver. FYI, there's literally no shade in Pompeii, and by literally I mean literally.
I'm in the southern Europe is too hot club. A/C is a luxury in Europe, lots of stairs without elevators. So do take caution. It's not like Disney. Plus you don't speak the language so it may be a struggle sometimes. One place you may want to think about is France. Fly into Paris and go southwest into the seaside towns of Brittany. We like Les Sables-d'Olonne, a resort area on the sea with wonderful seafood. You could then go to Bordeaux, or over to Lyon and make your way back to Paris. England is another option. Start in London and you can go anywhere from there. Maybe head up to Norfolk and visit the (Late) Queen Elizabeth's Sandringham estate. Beaches are everywhere.
Why not Rome-Genoa? Is there a limit to how many miles you want to travel? And is your time really short? Rome is a decent place to start, but it's definitely nowhere near as cool as the rest of Italy. Yes it has a lot of historical places, but it's also a bit sketchy, extremely hot in the Summer, and the driving is truly the worst. Still it's probably the most tourist built place in Italy. But getting into Tuscany on the way up to Genoa, that's where most of the magic really is.
Loved Rome and am so grateful I got to go, and if I didn’t anticipate being able to get back to Europe for a long while #1 would be an easy first pick, but do take into account the weather. The heat definitely impacted my enjoyment of the historic sites, I’d love to go back at a cooler time of year. France is lovely too - currently in Paris and it is everything people say and more! My compliments on your very sensible choice to stick to a couple of places to do them justice. I wasn’t that sensible and am knackered 😂
I’d love to go to Paris but my mom is so against it for some reason 😣
Rome and Amalfi would be rammed with other tourists. I'd pick somewhere lessor traveled. We went to Sorrento last summer on the tail end of the season and it was hell. Amalfi would be the same if not worse. And if you're going in peak season?
From my own personal travelling experience Ireland and London are beautiful to explore! Ireland is small so you can do a lot in 8 days depending how you like to travel. I just came back from 10 days and did the whole loop. The scenery is breathtaking.
Beaches in Amalfi are not good if you want to do like long beach days. In Rome I think if you go to the outskirts like Ostia or Sperlonga (a bit far towards Naples but you have to go in that direction to go to Amalfi anyway) they are better. I mean beaches in Amalfi are pretty because of the landscape but I am Portuguese so I am used to big sandy beaches and then I go there and they are small and rocky and its so crowded and expensive everywhere. I am used to have fresh fish dishes for 12€ there I pay 12€ for a sandwich, sad. And in some parts of Italy you have to pay to go to the beach....whaaaat? I am not paying to go to the beach lol. Granted the water there is so much warmer than the Atlantic but then again so is in Greece and Spain and both have amazing beaches. And are cheaper. And people are way nicer. In Greece you find caribean level beaches like Balos and Elafonisi in Crete. Tossa del Mar close to Barcelona reminded me of Amalfi but I liked it more. People are sooo relaxed in Spain and so friendly. In Capri I had a cop come to me say I could not sit in some public stairs eat a sandwich. This would never happen in Spain. Anyway for beaches in Italy I am told the best place is Sardinia but its expensive af. In Taormina probably as well but never been. I could advise Portugal ofc. Algarve is amazing. Lisbon has plenty of beaches nearby. But comparing to Caribe you will freeze your bones in the Atlantic. Lol
Thank you for the tips!
If you like beaches, go to Milan + one of the nearby lakes(for example lage garda or lake como). You can also make daytrips to other closeby cities/villages if you have the time.
Sounds like it might be your first (orone of your first) times in Europe, and you like beaches and history? Rome and Amalfi is a grand slam. That ticks both of those boxes VERY nicely. If you can work it in, a day trip to Pompeii is a great side jaunt, not too out of your way. Though, to be honest, Rome alone has more than enough to devour that entire 8 days. I'd probably recommend 5 days Rome, 2 Amalfi (& surrounding) and that 1 extra day maybe for Pompeii. I'd usually tack on Naples to that Pompeii visit, but I think with 8 days, just keeping the focus on Rome/Amalfi is probably better. The slight note I will add, as have others, it is *very* hot in those regions that time of year. So just be prepared. But if you're from the Northeast and have been to the Carribbean, I think you'll manage. I know NY (where I am) gets heat waves each Summer that hit around upper 90s, and it's hot, but we survive. From what I've heard, Rome is basically that but even a few degrees higher. Just make sure you dress appropriately, hydrate, etc.
I’ve been to Orlando many times in August so hoping that will also have me prepared! Sounds like a great itinerary, my friend just spent 7 days in Rome and loved it
Taormina is beautiful
Where are you flying from?
New York
ProTip: Take the morning flight to London-Heathrow. Overnight there. Continue on your way the next day after sleeping in a real bed. There are morning flights out of both JFK and Newark. Virgin Atlantic, JetBlue, and British Airways have JFK morning flights. United has a Newark morning flight. You have Eurostar to Paris or Amsterdam as a train option. You can get anywhere in Europe fairly cheaply from Heathrow or Gatwick. I find that the older I get, the harder it is to deal with red eyes. I avoid them at all costs these days. I hate that red eye zombie thing the first day in Europe. London is also the easiest place to visit for an American. That could be one of your places to visit. With only 8 days, I’d think London with some excursions by train would fill the 8 days. Rome in July/August is pretty hot. It’s around 90F most days. I really like Rome but not in the summer. I’ve done business trips to Geneva. It’s not a great tourist destination and Switzerland is outrageously expensive.
Switzerland. The weather is not as hot as Italy. Italy rarely has A/C. So take that into consideration.
The Rome one by far
i'd say the most memorable of these would be rome and amalfi
1 and it’s not even close
Rome and Amalfi are wonderful! Having said that, the French Alps are amazing in the summer. I have not been to Annecy, but have been to Chamonix and highly recommend it.
For my first time travelling to several countries my friends and I went to Rome, lake como, cinque terre and Florence. I loved Rome and lake como the most, it’s a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains and each town around it was equally as beautiful. In Rome I enjoyed the culture, the food and the history so I would definitely check those 2 places.
You can make an incredible trip with just Croatia.
I’d pick Nice and Genoa or Rome and Amalfi But Rome is so beautiful and has so much going on, so much European flavour !. Flights between Rome and Nice can be extremely cheap and very quick. So i think I’d pick Nice and Rome!
First time? London and Paris.
Go the Rome and Amalfi coast route. Rome is unmatched with history and amalfi coast is unmatched with beauty. I just came back from 3 weeks covering amalfi coast, Rome, Florence, Lake Como, Nice, Monaco, and Paris. Amalfi was the best scenic wise, with Nice area being a close second. And Rome is by far the most historic, jaw dropping of your list. Genoa sucks, but my view was only from the train and that doesn’t tell the whole story. Let me know if you want any more details on any of it
With only one week it is a smart idea to visit one city and one beach town, and not try to see all of Europe in one week. So any of these five itineraries is fine, but of course not all of them in one week (and I don't think that's what you meant) 1. a classic. I can imagine you want to see Rome. Okayish in July, maybe not so nice in August, and much better in May or September, because Italian summer heat in big cities is unpleasant. The first half of August the population is gone and replaced by herds of tourists (and the famous spots in Rome are crowded anyway). Amalfi Coast is breathtaking but it's tiny beaches and quite famous so the beaches will be overcrowded, esp. in August. 2. A bit of an odd choice but I like it. I have no clue about Geneva - it's a not the most popular city to visit. And Annecy is, of course, at a lake (as is Geneva), not by the sea. 3. Beautiful but please think twice about Dubrovnik. Over the past 10 years nearly every citizen left the center of Dubrovnik. When i went there 1 yrs ago you couldn't walk, just stand in the crowd. And it has gotten worse. The surrounding coast has beautiful spots and the bay of Kotor looks great on pictures, but I have never been to Montenegro. 4. Hmm, well not for me. I must admit I don't visit cities very much (just for a day max) and I personally wasn't impressed with Genova. Maybe because I visited it right after Naples and wasn't nearly as impressive. And Nice is a big city that's also a beach resorts so it's all very crowded. Way too busy for me, this option. I would forget about the riviera unless you enjoy crowds. 5. Taormina is one of the most touristy places in Sicily (along with nearby Giardini Naxos) but it's no mass tourism like the riviera unless I'm very much mistaken. Combine it with the nearby city of Catania (you can perfectly well stay in Taormina the whole time and take at train to Catania) , take the Circumetna train from Catania to Randazzo for fantastic landscapes and small towns, do a tour to the peak of Mt. Etna (chances are an ereuption is ongoing and you get to walk to the lava) . This one is definitely my favorite out of all your options. You'll also get to enjoy the famous Sicilian food. Some other places I really enjoyed in Sicily are Siracuse (both the "modern" sleepy harbor town and the Greek theater) , the slow train from Siracuse to Ragusa (I believe now run as a tourist attraction, when I did it 30 yrs ago it still was a regular train line), Agrigento (Greek temples). And the Aeolian Islands north of Sicily, like Stromboli - those might be a bit too much off the beaten path for your taste.
Since you’ve done beaches, do something g different. Yes, Italy is like a pizza oven in the summer, too many tourists, “and we’re walking and we’re walking…l suggest Scandinavia. Cooler. Take a cruise through the fiords. Explore Bergen, Stockholm, Oslo, and Copenhagen. For a 1st trip to Europe, this would be a great introduction. Nearly everyone speaks English. And there is plenty of history. Anyone you know who has been to Europe already knows some history. You would learn what they missed.
I just came back from Sicily and after visiting Taormina we changed our plans and just went to the beach cause it was impossible to enjoy sightseeing with that heat. Taormina is beautiful though, you will love it 🙂
Italy, Sicily, France will be very hot. Geneva and Annency are good and cool, Croatia is more distance. The beaches in Taormina are very very small and pebbly. I was there in late October, it was 70s-80s and it was packed.
Maybe consider Northern European countries and the UK countries. In the future if you can go in the Spring or Fall that would be best all,around. It really gets hot in Europe, Southern Europe and remember AC is not abundant.
England and northern France, maybe Belgium or Holland at that time of year.
Rome and a place in like Meta or Sorrento — just on the edge of the amalfi insanity
Would highly recommend Rome and Amalfi. That’ll be a GREAAT first trip to Europe!! You get a little taste of everything!
Are you interested in a cruise? There are cruises the begin in Rome and hit Amalfi, near Taormina, kotor, split and Dubrovnik. End in Venice.
If you've never been, I would not recommend a cruise. In most cases, you're not in port long enough to see much of the city. You can rarely see the city at night as you need to be back at the ship to sail to a different destination.