Best countries to visit in Europe at springtime?

Question

I was thinking the Ireland, Scotland, France, Italy... Any suggestions on where to go and what to see? My husband and I are 30 yrs old...

Answer 1

What about Belgium? Many people overlook Belgium because it's such a small country surrounded by the more popular England, Holland, France and Germany. Brussels is absolutely gorgeous, the food is great and it's perfect for North Americans because English is almost a third language there (French and Flemish being the offical national languages). It's "the capital of Europe," very cosmopolitan and sophisticated without being stuffy. There are always festivals going on, plenty of museums if you're into history, and smack dab in the middle of all those other countries I mentioned above.

From Brussels, you could visit the picturesque towns of Brugge and Ghent. Antwerp is another place to visit. It's a smaller city but just as beautiful as Brussels and less touristic.

From Belgium, it's so easy to get to the surrounding countries. It's only 2.5 hours to London on the Eurostar, 2 hours (or so) to Paris on Thalys, 3 hours to Amsterdam, and (give or take) 1.5 to Koln in Germany. Belgium is also much cheaper than going to England (London), France (Paris) or the major cities in Spain.

I took a trip around Europe 2 years ago with a friend of mine. Belgium was my favourite place, and I moved to Brussels from Canada 4 months ago.

Have a nice time, wherever you decide to go. ^^

Answer 2

How long are you going for??? That may determine how many places you can visit and not get overwhelmed and tired!!
I also really liked Belgium and Bruges too (I also felt it was under solde by people I knew...mainly the British)....anyway another great place to go would be Croatia..I loved the scenery there, places like Dubrovnik rank way up there on beautiful cities for me.
Prague is also stunningly lovely and could be worth a look..these latter 2 places are cheaper than other places in Europe too.

Ireland is lovely but not espeically large. I hired a car for 5 days and saw quite a bit (but I will comment that I was exhauseted after it..but it was only me!)
France and Italy I can easily recommend ( I never made it to Scotland so can't comment on that..but would maybe wait until summer to get the most out of the weather there!)
There are so many places in both France and Italy worth seeing...I spent 5 days in Paris and felt I had done it justice and spent a rapid 11 days in northern Italy and wanted MUCH more!!! So many cities and places to visit.
I would try maybe less places but see them better rather than spending time on the road travelling..this can really tire you out and you miss out on some things.
I would look into a few places that you would REALLY like to see and see what things you can do in and around a city/stopover.....I felt like a kid in a candy shop not knowing where to go first when I arrived (I worked in the UK for a while so I could travel) so I know you want to see as many places as you can. but it can get overwhelming and its nice to have a day here and there put aside to do little or just people watch!

Once you have sorted that out, aske another question here as to a possible itinery to specific places with possible times spent there and ask for opinions...
Good luck!

Answer 3

I agree with the Belgium part, but also go to The Netherlands while you're there.

The tulip gardens in Keukenhof should not be missed and spring is the best time to see them.

Rent a bike - the countryside is incredibly flat in most places - and take a ride past windmill after windmill.

See cheese, wooden shoes, and Delft pottery being made.

Go to the Anne Frank museum in Amsterdam, take a canal ride, visit a museum of the masters - Rembrandt, van Gogh, et al.

Answer 4

I would think of going south in springtime, like Italy or Spain, because those places can be too hot in the summer. I've also heard good things about Paris in the springtime...

Answer 5

I sugest Belgium with Brussels, Antwerp(en) and Bugge, this will be a good vacation for both of you!
Believe me you gonna enjoy it!
Best food in the world - Chocolate - Fries - Beer ( more than 700 different) - Mosselen/ Moules met fritten/avec frittes!!!!!!!-
Witloof - Spek met Eiren - Mannekepis - Atomium - The 5ft
biggest harbor in the world (Antwerp) 250km long!- and so many more........