I don't like organized tours, but a lot of people do.

Food borne illnesses aren't really a problem in Europe and you can always tell people you are Canadian.

There are some small ship cruises that might suit your needs. They have them in the Scandinavia, Mediterranean, Adriatic, Baltic and on the major rivers.

What would be your dream vacation in Europe?

Canadian idea is a good one

I'm a mountain biker, so it would probably involve that or regular biking for shortish distances. The only ones I am aware of are in the UK, but the weather there could be bad, right?

They are similar to the ones here.

You bike between small hotels, either with or without a guide, and they transport your stuff to the next hotel. The hotels are generally small pensions in rural settings. The routes are gentle and the distances not too long.

I haven't done it myself, but have heard from others that some of the best are in Denmark and the Baltics (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia).

If you want some referrals to these tours, I would be glad to provide you with them. Just PM me.

rivers, particularly in France.

There are bikes on the boats. They pull into small towns, then ride the bikes in to explore and eat (and eat and eat).

Does that sound like something that would suit you?

Still planning it.

this was just on facebook:

Peter Greenberg

The cruise industry has taken some high-profile negative hits this year, but one area of the cruise business continues to grow in popularity at an almost exponential pace: river cruising. Tomorrow I'm broadcasting my weekly radio show onboard the Viking River Cruises' Aegir departing from Amsterdam talking with Cruise Critic's Carolyn Spencer Brown, Travel Weekly's Arnie Weissmann and USA TODAY's Cruise Editor Gene Sloan about the entire state of cruising today.

Listen to the show streaming live tomorrow starting at 10am ET:

http://www.petergreenberg.com/pgw-radio-live-stream-page/

They have them all over Europe (not sure of other continents). I love Road Scholar. Their trips are uniformly well done, intelligent, and the company is the nicest I've ever experienced.

At my advanced age, I don't want to make all the boring arrangements myself and I really want to be picked up at the airport, rather than figuring out my transport to the hotel. I'll leave that to someone else and concentrate on the substance of my trip, which is usually art, but also architecture and history.

We used Discover France, which is decent. There are several areas that are popular for biking: Loire, Provence, The North coast, Burgundy.

'Is the Pope Polish!'

NO WORRY about Montezuma, really, and 'the whole world' does NOT hate American visitors, people recognize the difference between governments and people.

As to how to do it, I think tours are valuable for inexperienced travelers. IF you happen to be a Senior, check out Road Scholar, and if not, we've recently had a discussion about Rick Steves and his tours; will look for it. Come back here for more info. DUers are NEVER short of opinions, and there are lots of tour companies.

anti-Americanism are the ones who go around bragging about their country and otherwise antagonizing the locals. I even went to England during the Bush administration, and occasionally I ran into people ragging on Bush, but I'd just smile and say, "Don't worry. I agree with you."

Worries about Montezuma's revenge may have been valid in the 1950s and 1960s, when Europe was still recovering from World War II, but there are no such worries now.

After a couple of experiences, I've decided that I like to combine solo and group travel in unfamiliar places, either starting solo and joining a group later or starting with a group and then going solo.

I suggest watching Rick Steves' videos, especially his most recent European travel skills series, 3 programs of 1/2 hour each, available on Hulu. If those programs make you think, "I can do this," go for it. If the programs intimidate you, go for a tour.

Decide which countries you're most interested in, and don't try to do to much in too short a time.

during the actual election in 2004. Although I was adamantly and vocally anti-Bush, the Europeans were furious and made no distinction. Once I started identifying myself as Canadian, things got much better. I think it was very much related to the timing.

everyone wanted to know who I was voting for. When I said "Kerry," they smiled and nodded. Nobody had ever asked me any political questions before that trip.

When I was in England in 2006, I walked into the dining room of a B&B, and the owner and a couple from New Zealand were ragging on Bush. They stopped and looked embarrassed when they saw me, but I just said, "Oh go ahead. I probably like him even less than you do!"

At least when I was in Scandinavia in 2011, people seemed to like Obama, probably because, among other things, he doesn't sound like an idiot.

I don't know how things would be now.

I had the great fortune to visit Kenya in 2011. The people there adore Obama and they swell with pride when they speak of him. There are pictures from newspapers and magazines tacked up all over. As a consequence, Americans receive a very warm welcome.

It was such a contrast to France in 2004.

I really did have something to worry about). I went to Sicily, but I shouldn't have worried. Nobody said a word about Bush there. I had nearly two lovely weeks on that beautiful island. Great food,the history is fabulous, and a totally different experience from here in the U.S.

If you are a first time traveler and depending on where you want to go, I would recommend a well known travel company. I have used Overseas Adventure Travel, Smithsonian Adventure Travel, Go Ahead Travel and Road Scholar (and also arranged trips on my own). My favorite is Road Scholar, which is Elderhostel's travel arm. If you are over the age of 40 you should look at it.

hadn't sucked out of the world

Don't buy into the stereotypes. Most people in Western Europe like Americans, and are plenty smart enough to differentiate between the people and the leadership. Do learn at least some of the language in the country you're visiting.