Life is pretty complicated lately and we have been to Europe a few times, but we picked a week that didn't interfere with our kids sports and found award flights. Land in FRA leave from AMS. We have never been to Amsterdam so 3 days there, but we need to pick a city for the first 4 days. Being at FRA means we can get anywhere. We like museums and walking around and eating. We have done Bavaria. Thinking about Brussels or Southern France or Northern Italy or Maybe Ireland or Scotland. This is the 3rd week in August if weather is a factor.

So really we are looking for 1 city that we haven't been too that we can spend a few days in with a day trip mixed in.

Don't do Brussels especially not for 4 days. Ok if you live in the area but it is pretty unremarkable. Even if you add the true gems in Belgium Ghent and Brugge to the trip, there's not 4 days worth of things to do in Belgium. Said it in another thread too but I found Amsterdam very meh as well. Any options to do Copenhagen or Prague? Either should be easy to get to from Frankfurt and easy connections to Amsterdam. I would think.

I'd strongly consider Switzerland with time in or around Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald. If beautiful mountains are not your thing, Prague is an uncomplicated train ride from Frankfurt. You could cut a day from Amsterdam and visit Vienna. It's 3 hours from Prague via train. Tough to go wrong with most of the options mentioned although I'd stay away from Ireland and Scotland this time.

Agree with don't do Brussels. Been there 2x in the last 2 years. The Grand Place in the middle is beautiful, but there just isn't a lot else to do in the city. Also agree with cutting a day off Amsterdam. Not a ton there either unless you are really into art museums.

I would probably look at taking a train from FRA to northern Italy through the Alps. Italy is a great country to visit.

I wouldn't do Ireland on only 4 days. Its only worth it if you can get out of Dublin which become an absolute ****hole. Its decline over the last 10 years has been rough to see.

Denmark could be a good option. Our kids loved going to the original Legoland. Copenhagen is a cool city to visit as well.

id do Vienna and Salzburg, also not sure how anyone finds Amsterdam meh, its beautiful city with lots to do.

I've been to none of these cities but would be looking at Prague and Copenhagen to combo with Amsterdam given your situation.

We did a few days in Prague during the winter during covid. So I am going to add that to the maybe list.

I am interested in Denmark too

We were recently in Annecy France and a day trip to Chamonix. The French Alps are very nice. Annecy is a great town for two-three days or so. Lots of outdoor stuff to do as well - biking, boating, etc.

Apollo79 said:

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id do Vienna and Salzburg, also not sure how anyone finds Amsterdam meh, its beautiful city with lots to do.

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Amsterdam is fine. I just think there's better for what it offers. I found it crowded, a little dirty, absurdly expensive for what it is and the architecture and food scene a bit overrated but certainly not bad. While Copenhagen is a bit more expensive, it offers a lot of what Amsterdam does but just offers up better options.

ATM9000 said:

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Apollo79 said:

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id do Vienna and Salzburg, also not sure how anyone finds Amsterdam meh, its beautiful city with lots to do.

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Amsterdam is fine. I just think there's better for what it offers. I found it crowded, a little dirty, absurdly expensive for what it is and the architecture and food scene a bit overrated but certainly not bad. While Copenhagen is a bit more expensive, it offers a lot of what Amsterdam does but just offers up better options.

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Ok, but Amsterdam is legendary European city I would definitely go there first over Copenhagen where you might die from secondary cigarette smoke.

Amesetdam has the following this was all I was able to do when I went for 3 days.

1. Canals must
2. Heineken Brewery tour was amazing
3. Tulips depending on the time of the year
4. Ajax soccer match
5. Anne Frank Museum.
6. Famous red-light district

I

ATM9000 said:

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Hopefully the irony is not lost on you that a third of your activity list centers around a second rate beer and a second rate soccer club relative to others in Europe.

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Hopefully its not lost on you that a of the culture in Europe is football, food, alcohol etc, etc, those are usually the things tourists participate in when travelling especially in Europe.

Weird never heard anyone in the states say I can't wait to go to Copenhagen or it ever being on someone's itinerary as a primary destination, don't even think it's a top 10 destination visitor wise in Europe.

Second rate soccer with four CL trophies tell me you don't' know much about soccer.

The wife is interested in Copenhagen now. I'll report back

Just got back from 2 weeks in Europe with 11 in Switzerland and 3 in AMS. I'd agree with AMS being just meh. It was our departure City so we had to go through there, but if we were to re-do the trip, we'd do just 2 days in AMS.

Switzerland is beautiful but if you are more beach types, I'd go to Croatia.

So weird never heard anyone outside of this board describe AMS as meh.

lol

I stayed in Brussels for 3 nights a couple of months ago. One of the days I used to go to Brugges.

It's got some nice things, but the 2.5 days (not counting the day in Brugge's) I spent there was more than enough. 1.5 days would have been good.

Well… clearly I struck a nerve since you are bringing up 30 year old soccer titles to make a point.

I can assure you since it is clear that you loved your time there that I don't think Amsterdam is a ****hole. In fact, I think it is pretty (though kinda dirty in some areas). All I'm saying is I like other cities in Europe a lot better. All of the European big towns and cities have large tourist crowds, but the 3 that stick out to me where it was so large relative to the size of the city that it just wasn't my bag I've been to are Venice, Dubrovnik and Amsterdam.

I mentioned Copenhagen because I think it offers a lot of what Amsterdam does and isn't near as packed.

copenhagen

gratitudeandacceptance said:

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Prague, Vienna, Budapest

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Bingo! These are three of the best cities in Europe, Prague being my favorite