Try describing what your interests are, and what historical or cultural sights you would like to see. My wife and I travel mostly to see great art, so we would be less interested in places that have none. If you want to see mountains or beaches, that would argue for some countries that have them.

If you are going to the large cities, three days each may not be enough to see much of them. Air fare is the biggest component of your costs, so it would be efficient to stay longer if you have the time, and there is plenty to see.

2 to 3 days a city will be fine — just don’t try all 2 nights. It’s surprising how tiring getting up, getting checked out, getting to the train station,riding the train, figuring out how to get to your new hostel, getting to your next hostel, getting checked in and getting oriented to a new city can be when you’re doing it EVERY OTHER DAY.

Don’t worry too much about being a novice. Traveling Europe is pretty easy and you’ll be an expert in about a week. For 10 or so days, you could try London, Paris and Amsterdam. All are connected by fast and frequent trains, all are Urban, each has a different “feel” and all are VERY ( perhaps too) tourist friendly and navigable “in English.” if you want to spend a bit of time “less urban” you could do a day trip from any of them.

Thanks for the replies!

My ideal vacation would include a few must-sees in each city with plenty of built in time for relaxing over a leisurely cup of coffee or glass of wine. I’m very active, so the idea of combining sightseeing with something physical like walking or biking appeals to me quite a bit. I especially enjoy ogling at gorgeous architecture and taking in breathtaking views. Just walking around a new city, window-shopping, people-watching, eating at local restaurants, and figuring out the public transit system is also the kind of thing I enjoy.

London and Paris were cities that I immediately thought of — glad to hear that both would be suitable for a first-timer. Having never been there, I wasn’t sure how easy it was to travel between various cities and countries and if trying to squeeze in a third was too ambitious. Two weeks is probably the absolute max I can spend traveling next spring/summer. Doubt I can talk my ex-husband into taking the kids for any longer than that.

London and Paris are good choices. Each is close to other attractive places, so you might consider a week in each, and a couple of day trips from each. It is easier to visit on a day trip, because you don’t have to go through the hassles of carrying luggage, and finding and checking in and out of lodgings.

To make the most of your time, consider getting a multi destination flight, where you arrive in London, for example, but fly home from Paris. Virtually all booking sites offer this option.