My wife and I, in our mid 50s, are wanting to go to Europe next year. We did Italy and Switzerland this year for about 3 weeks. I really like the Amalfi Coast, thought Rome was good, and Switzerland so-so. (It reminded me too much of Alaska.) We want to spend around 3 weeks there in early September of 2012. We loved the food in Italy but not so much in Switzerland. I really don't want to start the bus or cruise thing. We enjoy going on our own. We are always attracted to water. We've thought about starting in Paris and heading south along the French coast and ending up in Venice or Greece. Maybe starting in Madrid and cutting across the south of Europe and ending up in Amalfi. Maybe hitting Paris, Brussels, going through Germany into Italy or Greece. We're so fouled up with all the possibilities. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Why would you want to go to Greece? Have you been reading the news?

You can't let a little thing like anarchy slow you down! Remember, buy low, sell high. What a better time to go when demand has to be low.

Ever thought of starting in Northern Ireland? I'm from there and i'm currently travelling the world and everyone i talk to has visited the UK and Rep. of Ireland but always skip the North because they think its dangerous when its actually one of the safest places to visit in europe. So come and 'enjoy the craic' cause we are way more fun than the french.

How about hitting Venice (must see once in life i guess), then travelling along the eastern Adriatic coast (Slovenia -> Croatia -> Montenegro -> Macedonia -> Greece). Loads of coastline (Croatian Dalmatian coast is awsome) , loads of history, landscape, usually friendly people...

haha Greece. My friend's parents live there and he wants me to go with him next time but even he says "it's a ****hole". I loved Switzerland. Germany is awesome.

Just saw that you're from STL, me too!

****hole because of their financial situation? I could agree that Athens is not the greatest destination. But Greece is one of the most beautiful countries. Their islands and beaches are fantastic. Why wouldn't somebody want to go to Greece? They will not ask you to cover their debt if you visit them.

Just google images: Greece or Greece nature or something like that

Idk, he says they suck at driving. beaches have trash on them because they just don't give a ****. etc etc. He says it's awesome though. I'll have to go see for myself. Idk if I agree with one of the most beautiful countries but I'm sure it's not that bad

Ok. We booked Paris for September 14 next year. Now we are looking at doing Normandy and heading south from there. Maybe we'll leave out of Barcelona, Zurich, or Milan. I know that sounds ridiculous but we are slowly getting it narrowed down. Bought some France books today, read a little on Normandy, checking out the chateaus. Trying to figure out why you'd want to rent a car when their train system is so good. Kind of thinking about finishing in the south. The Croatia, Montenegro, sounds beautiful. Will most def consider that. Maybe a ferry trip to Greece? Thanks for the inputs. Keep them coming. Thx! And, the reason I mentioned the above departure cities is because we use frequent flyer miles and those are the cities American flies out of.

I can't imagine that the Greek Islands would ever be a ****hole.

Kotor in Montenegro is pretty amazing. Dubrovnik also very cool but expensive and crowded. Skip Budva imo.

Going straight through to Greece isn't particularly easy though. You have to go through either Kosovo, Albania, or Serbia--none of these are mainstream travel destinations.

I would look into a boat from Montenegro to Greece. I think there are some lines that go up and down the coast.

if you come here in Montenegro don't forget to visit our mountains too and not just the coast, some views are breathtaking and the prices are usually a lot cheaper

You should look at Prague, Riga and Tallin, beautiful places and cheap.

this is a mistake.