Any recommendations of a good European tour?

Question

I'd like to take my 59 year old father to visit Europe next May and July. He has never been to Europe before and I would like to take him on a grand tour. One that covers Spain, France, Italy ect. He's in great shape so I'm sure he could handle a 3 to 4 week tour. Can anybody recommend a company? Or share some expeiences? Thanks!

I'm a law student and have finals in late April and early May. The tour would have to begin no earlier than mid May. I'm hopeing to plan this for 2008

Answer 1

I'm afraid 3 to 4 weeks is not sufficient time to cover some of the major sites and places of interest in Europe, even with a limited itinerary.
One other factor is what things will both interest you.
Assuming you come from the States, Spain or France can be your starting points.
Respectively, two days in Madrid will just about cover Prado Museum (a must) and a tour of the city.
Two days in Barcelona (visit Los Carracoles-memorable) city tour and rest, then one day more in Granada (Alhambra), one day in Seville.Spent a night by the river and the bars and restaurants there.Spain, with the between traveling is just about a week and a half.
France is the city most admired by Americans and they are quite right. A full week is enough to savor the colour and beauty of it and any other city you care to visit. Problem with English though, few people will decide to speak it.
A journey memorable, especially if the weather is good, is from Paris to Milan by train through Switzerland. Arrange for day passage on the Swiss segment. I did it three times and each one was better than the previous. A couple of days in MIlan are more than enough, then on to Rome and Naples.On to Venice for a day or two and the ferry from there to Patras Greece. Two day journey and about three hours drive to Athens. Two to three days will cover enough sightseeing and possibly a small cruise to nearby islands. The next place of visit is Vienna Austria, also of two to three days stay and then Praque in Czech Republic. May is the perfect time for it. Two to three days. If you have Jewish interests then Poland is a must and is a couple days stay. Last but no least, is Amsterdam in the Netherlands , two more days?
I left England out since you did not suggested it, but certainly a must in a European visit. Main places of interest at least three days. If you have some Irish in you, then the green island of St Patric waits for you.
I wish I was going with you, but although I am your fathers age, health problems are a major drawback. I hope you enjoy your trip which ever wat you plan it and that it can be memorable to you and your father.

Answer 2

All mayor travel companies will have Europe tours, but as they are made for highlights and all countries in a hurry, better to make a tailor made tour for the both of you.

Europe has an excellent train network, you can just hop on the train in every town and many villages.
Once you are on the continent there are not even passport checks.
Traveling with the two of you, would you be comfortable to share a twin room you can use all hotels. (I assume you are female calling yourself mom.)
If you prefer to have separate rooms, contemplate using hostels. (You would share rooms with same sex if you ask for that.)
Using a tour you would have to share a room or pay two single traveler surcharges.

Buy a good guidebook, read travel blogs and enjoy a year of travel planning.
I like the Lonely Planet series, they have a lot of info on places to stay, travel in and to the town, and the sights in town. They do not do much in photos, but you can have an other guidebook for that or look at the pictures on internet.

When you travel with just the two of you you can spend your time as you want, stay a whole day at one museum or just see the highlight of a town and get the next train out again.

Select three countries that have personal meaning to you, like where the family roots are, or what you have always read about and now want to see.
Look them up at a good map and see what countries are between or just around them, so you can combine them into one train journey.

If you want places that are far apart, like Scandinavia and Italy, think about getting a flight between them. With your intercontinental ticket you can often get a free or cheap European flight.

Also think about train passes, Eurail has a very good system:
http://www.raileurope.com/us/rail/passes/eurail_index.htm