I think every trip should start in Paris or, at the very least, include a few days to load up on crepes, macaron, chocolate and creme cafe. There is another, gentler city, however, that will be glad to be your first time in Europe.
Amsterdam doesn’t care about what you are wearing or where you are from.
It is old and young at the same time. The houses are right out of a fairy tale: tall, narrow, leaning forward, backward, each one reaching out to tell you it’s story. In some cases the story is right there in
the neon lit windows but that is for when we know each other a bit better.
This city was once the heart and backbone of European trade. It ruled England, North America, a great deal of the South Pacific and bankrolled any nation it didn’t own outright. It funded revolutions both political and religious. It gave the world Rip Van Winkle, Rembrandt and Van Gogh. In other words it reeks history from every seam and pore. You want museums? Every building, doorway, bridge 
and market has historical significance. Even the roads require a five year apprenticeship just to know how to put one brick next to another.
There are gorgeous canals for sitting beside or boating upon AND it’s flat. Seriously flat. The only elevation are the cute wee bridges that go over the previously noted canals. This is a city you can walk around for days and still be on good terms with your legs. Or join just about every other human in the world and go about 
on a bike. The Dutch manage to be practical and crazy at the same time. They seem to have come to an understanding that all the hard sciences are important but so is the ability to have fun along the way. They’re like engineers but human. And a totally class act.
Oh, and if you are looking for culinary adventures, there is way more to Amsterdam than kiosks selling salted herring (pause to gag). A word of advice, however: unless you are in need of glaucoma medicine, do not confuse ‘coffee shops’ 
with a place to purchase a cup of the justly famous Dutch coffee.
Near the top of the list of reasons for making Amsterdam the first leap into Europe is there is no language barrier. I know the UK offers the same convenience, what with being the mother ship of our language. And the UK has the added adventure of driving on the wrong side of the road. Even crossing the street requires a bit of thought as to from whence vehicular dangers approacheth. Employing the North American pedestrian pattern of looking left-right-left is a fine way to find out all about the great British two-tier public health care system.
In the Netherlands English is the unofficial second language and just about everyone is comfortable switching from Dutch to English seamlessly. Which is a good thing because Dutch is a damnably difficult language to learn. Unless you’re fully hydrated and able to gargle while you talk, even saying good morning can pose severe difficulties. Plus it is considered rude to drench strangers when asking directions to a pharmacy. A romantic language it is not.
While there are many excellent hotels in Amsterdam, please take the time to look for bed and breakfast accommodations. Breakfast is a sacred ritual here and hospitality is an art. Much like Portugal, in the Netherlands, everyone has family in Canada or Australia or the States or they’ve spent years traveling your country. Really. I don’t know where you are from but I promise the first Dutch person you talk to will have traveled through or worked in your city.
Take a canal tour. Walk through the flower market. Hang out with the Night Watch in the Rijks Museum. Get yourself comfortable and into the travel vibe then, after a week or so, take the fast train to Paris and fatten up for life on the road. Or grab a bike and go exploring the rest of the country: it’s flat, friendly and, well, it’s all good.
