[Sundae]

I can heartily recommend Italy. If your SO doesn't want to see the tourist spots then my suggestions of Rome & Venice won't help – but honestly they would be ideal on a multi location trip as they both have so much to see in such small spaces, are relatively uncrowded at that time of year and give such a flavour of Italy. And of course have cheap internal flights as they are tourist destinations.

Other than that I would offer up Siena, although it's about 2 hours from the nearest airport. It's a walled medieval city – incredibly picturesque and full of surprising and interesting details. You'd be able to take in Pisa and Florence in the same area, and although there's a drive of a train ride involed to get there, it is through beautiful Tuscan countryside. (Pictures of Siena attached & to follow)

Of course I'm bound to suggest England, being a hop, skip and jump away from Amsterdam. If you want off-the-beaten-track there's Wales next door – though you'd really need a car to do it on a short break. Take a walking tour in London to see the city's ripped backside – or hidden gems of course! Or a boat trip like Maggie L, or on open topped bus trip. IMO the capital is far better shown to you by those that know it than done yourself with a guidebook.

Once you start narrowing down where you'd like to go I'll probably post again. Among my circle of friends are plenty of well travelled Europeans & my best friend has French & German housemates. He's also travelled in Finland, so I'm sure I can get some details if you're interested in going there.