Is Rennes, France safe to visit alone?

Should I visit France, Spain, Austria, or Czech Republic & Slovakia for a 2 week vacation this summer?

• I'll be taking a 2-week vacation in July and am debating whether to visit 1) Just France, 2) Just Spain, 3) Just Austria, 4) Czech Republic and Slovakia, or 5) Austria, Czech Republic and Slovakia. My first choice is France but I know that 2 weeks isn't enough to truly experience any place. Should I use these 2 weeks to visit just Austria alone or should I go for France. Or should I wait until next year when I can probably take 3 weeks off in the summer and visit France at that point instead? So, think about my question this way: Given only 2-weeks, which country should I visit that will let me see the greatest percentage of the sights that are must-see sights? (not just nice-to-see, but must-see)?

• Answer:

  I would recommend this option: 5) Austria, Czech Republic and Slovakia. Here's why. First, travel time by rail will be reduced significantly. You can spend more time focusing on sightseeing than travelling between points of interest. Travel across the continent in summer can be unpleasant due to crowds and climate. Second, food and accommodations will likely be less costly in central and eastern Europe. Though city-stays, especially Vienna, will come at a premium. Use your savings to dine out at an upscale restaurant, or get a better seat at one of the many cultural offerings. Finally, the imperial past of this region is still evident in the capital cities. If you're committed to seeing and experiencing the biggest sights, then stay in the urban parts. But if you want to realize true provincial charm, head out to the many valleys or lake areas. There, you'll be more likely to find a gem, like salt mines, geothermal baths, gorgeous mountain views, and small rural valleys. In sum, confront the obvious tradeoffs. You can probably see all three capital cities in three days apiece (Prague, Bratislava, and Vienna). Depending on your travel plans, you can likely take day trips to cover more area, or cross one or more borders to get a sense of neighboring countries.