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Message
2 Weeks in Europe (with kids)
Posted on 7/21/23 at 9:24 am
Posted on 7/21/23 at 9:24 am
In the early planning stages of a 2 week June 2024 family (me, wife, 2 girls (4 and 10 next year)) to Europe. Throwing around options, but currently leaning to London, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam - as I feel we can see the most in the shortest amount of time and do so largely with points. Short list also includes 1-Spain / Portgual and 2-Prague, Budapast, Vienna, etc.
Does this sound like a reasonable/good family trip? Would also consider Italy, but wife and I did that a few years ago and thats our only European trip - so we want to see more before we duplicate.
Does this sound like a reasonable/good family trip? Would also consider Italy, but wife and I did that a few years ago and thats our only European trip - so we want to see more before we duplicate.
8
Posted on 7/21/23 at 9:57 am to CidCock
In the Netherlands:
Kinderdijk windmill UNESCO windmill site is awesome. Markets in Amsterdam are neat with good local food and cheeses. 4 yo may not be too fascinated but the Van Gogh museum is really nice. Public transportation is clean, reliable, and fun. I did not do a canal tour but it would be on my list if I go back.
Kinderdijk windmill UNESCO windmill site is awesome. Markets in Amsterdam are neat with good local food and cheeses. 4 yo may not be too fascinated but the Van Gogh museum is really nice. Public transportation is clean, reliable, and fun. I did not do a canal tour but it would be on my list if I go back.
Posted on 7/21/23 at 10:06 am to Sparty3131
quote:
In the Netherlands:
Kinderdijk windmill UNESCO windmill site is awesome. Markets in Amsterdam are neat with good local food and cheeses. 4 yo may not be too fascinated but the Van Gogh museum is really nice. Public transportation is clean, reliable, and fun. I did not do a canal tour but it would be on my list if I go back.
Thanks for input!
Posted on 7/21/23 at 10:07 am to CidCock
Sounds like a good plan. Those 4 cities make sense logistically in that period of time.
ETA
I agree that 3 cities would be better than 4 in 14 days. I would be tempted to skip Brussles and spend more time in Paris, with the second most time in London.
ETA
I agree that 3 cities would be better than 4 in 14 days. I would be tempted to skip Brussles and spend more time in Paris, with the second most time in London.
This post was edited on 7/21/23 at 11:14 am
Posted on 7/21/23 at 10:20 am to CidCock
Would cut one city but very doable. London is great for kids. Kids to see/do, great public transportation, and great parks.
Can get a little exhausting packing up and moving every 3-4 days and with a 4 year old it may be wise to just do 2-3 cities. But you know your kids best.
Can get a little exhausting packing up and moving every 3-4 days and with a 4 year old it may be wise to just do 2-3 cities. But you know your kids best.
Posted on 7/21/23 at 11:27 am to CidCock
Brussels is good for about 1/2 day, I would go to Antwerp before Brussels. I was just in both cities and Antwerp blew us away, such a beautiful, vibrant city that isn't overwhelmed by tourists. I did Beer stuff (Cantillion and 3 Fonteinen breweries) which is the only reason we went to Brussels.
Posted on 7/21/23 at 12:56 pm to geauxpurple
I was thinking 3, but I also like the idea of hitting 4 countries. Thought about stopping off in Rotterdam otw to Brussels, also. But maybe just a half day in Brussels - leave Paris early, Brussels then in Amsterdam for dinner?
Posted on 7/21/23 at 1:19 pm to CidCock
just understand that the 4-year-old (and possibly the 10-year-old) won't remember any details of this trip in 15 years. Except maybe something trivial like a cool playground you stopped at or a good ice cream.
Posted on 7/21/23 at 2:12 pm to MAROON
quote:
just understand that the 4-year-old (and possibly the 10-year-old) won't remember any details of this trip in 15 years. Except maybe something trivial like a cool playground you stopped at or a good ice cream.
Yeah, that's a fair point. I just have so many places I want to go, and its easier than finding childcare.
Posted on 7/21/23 at 5:05 pm to CidCock
that was my main point. Do the things you want to do, don't book a bunch of things specifically for the kids.
Although my wife made a genius move when our kids were young and she and the kids and her Mom had rented an apartment in Paris for a week. She took one day and took the kids to EuroDisney. Got that trip out of their system and we never had to go to Disney in Florida.
Although my wife made a genius move when our kids were young and she and the kids and her Mom had rented an apartment in Paris for a week. She took one day and took the kids to EuroDisney. Got that trip out of their system and we never had to go to Disney in Florida.
Posted on 7/21/23 at 5:28 pm to CidCock
quote:
Thought about stopping off in Rotterdam
Rotterdam is a cool city if you are into very contemporary architecture. Most of the city was destroyed in WWII so not much old stuff is left.
Posted on 7/21/23 at 7:11 pm to MAROON
Been taking my kids to Europe since they were 4 and 2. They remember all sorts of things. And even if they didn’t I remember.
Posted on 7/22/23 at 6:51 am to CidCock
I wouldn’t do paris and london with kids on the same trip. Big cities are exhausting with kids. Lots of walking, stairs, and subways are hard/ dangerous with all the people and trains and doors.
I’d consider saving London for another trip and doing a Paris, france, belgium, and Holland trip.
I really prefer the countryside and smaller cities with kids. Driving around from place to place is really nice, and if you get a rental car you can have a home base for naps, snacks, etc.
I did 16 nights in Paris last fall with 3 kids under 10. Fantastic trip. We had a blast. It was fun to stay in the big cities the entire time, but my preference before and now is still not to do the big city that long.
I’d consider saving London for another trip and doing a Paris, france, belgium, and Holland trip.
I really prefer the countryside and smaller cities with kids. Driving around from place to place is really nice, and if you get a rental car you can have a home base for naps, snacks, etc.
I did 16 nights in Paris last fall with 3 kids under 10. Fantastic trip. We had a blast. It was fun to stay in the big cities the entire time, but my preference before and now is still not to do the big city that long.
Posted on 7/22/23 at 7:15 am to CidCock
Found some good articles on the subject!
LINK
LINK
LINK
First, with kids that age, I'd avoid the "country hopping" routine. Pick 1 or 2 and just stay and immerse. Nothing worse than rushing kids around, meeting schedules, packing/unpacking, constant whining. Been there.
Second, not a fan of huge cities with kids like London or Paris. That's just me. Too much "hustle and bustle".
I read all those. And of the places I've visited, my vote is do the Scandinavian Countries. Norway, Denmark, Sweden. Why? Clean. Friendly. They pretty much all speak English if needed. Easy to "country hop".
Second vote is Austria. Nothing better than doing a "Sound of Music" recreation in Salzburg. Plenty of museums in Vienna. Among the most beautiful countries in the world.
Third vote is Germany. And it's close to Austria. Amazing scenery. Great rail systems. You could rent a car and drive around. Visit cool towns like Bamberg, a UNESCO world heritage site. Go to Neuschwanstein, an inspiration for the castle at Disney World.
Germany!
LINK
LINK
LINK
First, with kids that age, I'd avoid the "country hopping" routine. Pick 1 or 2 and just stay and immerse. Nothing worse than rushing kids around, meeting schedules, packing/unpacking, constant whining. Been there.
Second, not a fan of huge cities with kids like London or Paris. That's just me. Too much "hustle and bustle".
I read all those. And of the places I've visited, my vote is do the Scandinavian Countries. Norway, Denmark, Sweden. Why? Clean. Friendly. They pretty much all speak English if needed. Easy to "country hop".
Second vote is Austria. Nothing better than doing a "Sound of Music" recreation in Salzburg. Plenty of museums in Vienna. Among the most beautiful countries in the world.
Third vote is Germany. And it's close to Austria. Amazing scenery. Great rail systems. You could rent a car and drive around. Visit cool towns like Bamberg, a UNESCO world heritage site. Go to Neuschwanstein, an inspiration for the castle at Disney World.
Germany!
Posted on 7/24/23 at 11:32 am to TheDude854
My oldest is really into HP, this is definitely going on the list. Thanks!
Posted on 7/24/23 at 1:59 pm to CidCock
I would do Paris, Bruges and Amsterdam.
Not sure what specific you want to see in London but I would spend more time in each of the above. The kids will love Bruges, it's like being inside of story book town. Amsterdam is great as well, make sure to book Anne Frank.
Not sure what specific you want to see in London but I would spend more time in each of the above. The kids will love Bruges, it's like being inside of story book town. Amsterdam is great as well, make sure to book Anne Frank.
Posted on 7/24/23 at 7:26 pm to baldona
quote:
I wouldn’t do paris and london with kids on the same trip. Big cities are exhausting with kids. Lots of walking, stairs, and subways are hard/ dangerous with all the people and trains and doors.
Agreed. My kids are similar age as the OP's and I think my older would do OK on a trip like this, but it sounds like a bit much for a 4 year old.
Posted on 7/24/23 at 8:02 pm to 632627
Just did 2 weeks in France with a 7,5, and 1 year old. Ask me anything
Spent 5 days in VilleFranche, 3 days in Provence, and 4 days in Paris. Hotel Crillon-le-Brave where we stayed in Provence just won French hotel of the year by travel and leisure magazine. They were FANTASTIC with kids.
Was a great time and not that stressful to be honest. But it was expensive as frick. Don’t let anyone tell you differently
That picture was at 11pm. 7 and 5 year old still going strong. 1 year old passed out at the dinner table.
Spent 5 days in VilleFranche, 3 days in Provence, and 4 days in Paris. Hotel Crillon-le-Brave where we stayed in Provence just won French hotel of the year by travel and leisure magazine. They were FANTASTIC with kids.
Was a great time and not that stressful to be honest. But it was expensive as frick. Don’t let anyone tell you differently
That picture was at 11pm. 7 and 5 year old still going strong. 1 year old passed out at the dinner table.
This post was edited on 7/24/23 at 8:09 pm
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