re: Planning a my first Europe trip next year

Lots of good suggestions here. You can't go wrong with any of them.

My advice:

1. Have the mindset you can't do it all.
2. Believe this is the first part of your journey and you'll be going back to Europe over and over for many years.
3. Don't do the "if it's Tuesday it must be Vienna" routine where you try to squeeze in multiple countries just because "you're in Europe".

Agree time of year and budget are essential to getting valuable input.

Off the top of my head, you'd love your first trip going to Florence, basing there, and doing day trips.

Bonus tip:

LifeStyle Hal is our favorite YouTuber. Watch his videos and get immersed in the wonder that can be European Travel. Guarantee you'll find a "I want to go there" location!




EDIT: I just thought about this..Take a cruise. We did the Viking Homeland cruise 2 years ago. One of the best trips we ever took. You get picked up at the airport. They take you to the ship. You unpack. And that's it for 15 days! Stopped at some amazing ports along the way. Great way to see some of the most beautiful scenery in the World and get a taste for where you might want to return one day. HIGHLY recommend looking into it.