Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a gorgeous city of canals and stunning architecture.  I think it is one of the most picturesque cities in Europe. 

Besides the natural beauty, it is a city chock full of great museums (the newly renovated Rijksmuseum with numerous Dutch Masters, the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House, to name a few), a burgeoning food scene and chic boutiques.

There are many sights to see as a half-day or day-trip from Amsterdam:  the Hague, gorgeous tulip gardens (in the spring), the largest flower auction in the world, historic windmills, and dairy farms where you can make your own cheese.

Amsterdam has numerous great hotel options, ranging from small boutique properties to luxury 5-star hotels, and all have a great sense of place. 

KLM is the national airline and thanks to its partnership with Delta, there are numerous direct flights to Amsterdam from many U.S. cities.

Barcelona

Barcelona is one of my favorite cities in Europe because of the amazing art and architecture.  It's right on the Mediterranean and has a mild, sunny climate for much of the year.

The art and architecture are very accessible in Barcelona, which makes it easy for both kids and adults to appreciate.  The city is full of Antoni Gaudi's whimsical, colorful creations, from his masterpiece Sagrada Familia to Park Guell to the facades of several apartment buildings. 

Gaudi may be Barcelona's most famous artist, but Barcelona is also home to a Picasso and a Miro Museum.  Salvador Dali's museum (his own creation) is an easy half-day trip from Barcelona and is a fascinating glimpse into this surrealist artist's mind.  It is wild!

Barcelona's food scene is a mixture of high and low:  Michelin starred restaurants as well as local bars with delicious, creative tapas. 

Given the popularity of soccer in Spain, seeing an FC Barcelona futbol game at Camp Nou Stadium is a great cultural experience.

Berlin

Of course one of the main reasons to visit Berlin is to get a better understanding of its difficult history.  For adults and teens, there are profoundly moving museums and memorials that address Berlin's turbulent 20th century history.

But the city contains much more to interest travelers than just a heavy history lesson.  There are amazing museums that cover almost every interest, from history to art to technology.  Highlights are the Pergamon and Neues Museums on Museum Island and the Boros Collection, a private collection of contemporary art housed in a WW2 bunker.

Like Amsterdam, the food scene is booming and there are great design stores and edgy boutiques.

There are numerous activities for children:  a wealth of green spaces, children's museums, zoos and playgrounds.

May to September are the best times to visit to take advantages of the parks, outdoor cafes and beer gardens.