3 summer months in Europe with 3 year old- OPEN ITENERARY

We are embarking on a round the world trip with our 3 year old. June 1st we start our journey from Hawaii and land in London and do not fly on to our next destination of Africa until September 1st. This trip has literally come together in the past month and as a result we have no itenerary.

At first I thought we would spend June in Italy travelling south to north and then onto France in July. August had not been planned yet. Hoping to see Turkey or go to an Eastern Europe destination.
Part of our reason for this trip is to have cultural experiences and immersion that will be relevant for our entire family.

When I suggested the rough itenerary to my husband he asked me. "What are going to be the stand out moments? The things and moments that we will talk about years from now?"
Although I know that this is an impossible question to answer because any experience might become that memory, I want to set ourselves in the right places at the righ times to have opportunity for great expereices.

On other parts of our trip during the upcoming year we are selecting destinations based on a cultural event (Navratri in India, Songkaran in Thailnad, etc.) or unique encounter (safari in Kenya, Galapagos, etc)

We come from one of the most beautiful tropical destinations in the world. Beaches are not high priority on our travels :)

With a 3 year old not all sights, expecially those of historical importance, are really our focus. Again, we are looking for great cultural exposure.

I would welcome any suggestions to help us kick of our year.

note also posted this message on Western Europe thread to get as much feedback as possible

Lovely trip ahead. Just one thing..Europe in high summer will be busy busy and expensive. as for moments to remember..they will not be the big sites, but lovely family moments, in playgrounds, walks, cycling, an expression on your childs face when he sees new things or trys new foods etc etc.

Some ideas, Plitvic lakes croatia, Lake bled Slovenia, Maybe a cycling trip along a canal in france (http://travellogireland.com/Rohan_to_Pontivy.html) for example, can be done in a few hours, or a multiday trip, walks in the Blackforest in Germany http://www.touchingnature.co.uk/germany-walking-blackforest.htm, by a map as germany is full of trails, a cable car ride up a mountain at Feiburg germany(beautifl place, with a restaurant and playgroud at the top and loads of walks also (http://www.tourism-bw.com/salesguide/index.php?lang=en&sg24=tourism-partners-detail&entryID=16248)

Do book accomodation in advance.

Please post the link so we can see what they've answered over there and don't have to repeat.

Be aware that French schools get out early July, German and British schools late July so August is crunch time. I recommend heading north at that point and staying away from anywhere in the Med. It's just hot and crowded and you won't have many "moments". I've been to Turkey in August and it's packed like sardines!

Only Scandinavian schools get out in June so you're scot-free for the first 3 weeks. That's when to go to the busy places.

You do have to book in advance, as un-spontaneous as it sounds but some places can actually have NO room or only super-expensive ones.