Planning a trip to Europe, where do I even start?

[palmtreegirl]

We're planning on going in 2007 and I've never planned a trip out the country on my own. It will me myself, DH and our two kids who will be 11 & 7 at the time. So far we were thinking London and Paris. Maybe Ireland also.

We're planning on 2 full weeks, where would you go if you were in my place? Also what time of year would you suggest?

Any advice on where to stay, what cities to visit? Actually any advice would be wonderful, as I'm feeling rather clueless.

Thank you and Happy new year!

 

[Claire L]

I would rule out any winter months and also August as the kids are on holiday here then. So looking at your kids ages maybe June into early July may be a good time, warmer weather and longer daylight hours. Also to get to Paris maybe worth considering the Eurostar train from London which means you will go through the Channel Tunnel There are so many things to see and do in the UK what interests you most is it history or scenery or a mixture of the two?

Claire

 

[Claire L]

As for where to visit hmmmm London is a must for a few days, for such places as the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Sq, the Thames and also for shopping such as Harrods and Covent Garden. Oh and maybe a West End show to end a day, there are quite a few good ones on at the moment such as Mary Poppins or The Lion King.

Claire

 

[palmtreegirl]

Ooh great ideas so far! Definitely a mixture of the two, Claire.

Do you think we should just do a week in London and then a week in Paris? The train sounds like fun, DS loves trains.

Do you have any hotel recommendations, something reasonable but nice?

I'm so excited about coming over there, I've been to Denmark and Russia as a child but never England or France!

 

[Cyrano]

I'd make a pitch for Edinburgh. Castle much better than Queen's house

 

[stevie-wonder-boy!]

Ooh great ideas so far! Definitely a mixture of the two, Claire.

Do you think we should just do a week in London and then a week in Paris?

i think you should!
england is a very beautiful place and i hope you enjoy it as much as us uk dis'ers to living here!

have a great time!

 

[Pootle]

Do you have any hotel recommendations, something reasonable but nice? !

London isn't known for reasonable hotels but one national chain known for good value is Premier Travel Inn. There is one in London's County Hall, next to the London Eye and opposite the Houses of Parliament. http://www.premiertravelinn.com/pti/hotelInformation.do?hotelId=23881 This is very popular and requires early booking (however, it works like US chains so you can cancel without penalty with a few days' notice I believe).

Another link you might try is http://www.discountcityhotels.com/ - I have no experience of this site myself.

Good luck with the planning.

 

[alisonbestford]

Try www.laterooms.com for discounted hotel prices.
We use them a lot and have stayed in some lovely hotels at vastly reduced rates.
They tend to offer discounted rooms - especially in London, up to 3 months out.
Also check out http://www.daysoutuk.com/ for some ideas, and / or coupons off .

 

[disneyholic family]

with a 7 and 11 year old, you don't want to miss the Natural History Museum in London, where the famous dinosaur exhibit is....it's a must see for kids...

also highly recommended, and probably the first thing i would do, is the tour on the open topped double decker bus (i think it's called the Big Bus or something like that)....it's one of those hop on hop off things where you can get off at various tourist attractions, and then get back on later...all for one ticket (i think the ticket is for 48 hours)....the first time i rode it all the way around once and then i started getting on and off......on part of the route there is a live guide....all of the guides i had when i was there were excellent....

as for Paris....7 and 11 is probably a bit young to truly enjoy the feel of Paris....but there are things there that will interest them....I totally agree about the Eurostar....that would certainly be a big hit with kids (and adults)...
and of course a visit to Disneyland Paris will also be interesting, at least for the sake of comparison....you can make it a day trip from Paris, or else you can stay overnight at DLP so that you can visit both parks (disneyland and the studios)..

unfortunately, the City of Science is fantastic, but almost everything is written in french, so it makes it difficult....my son is a science nut, so we actually spent an entire day there with me reading him every single thing written (simultaneously translating it to him as i read)...we loved it, but if you don't speak french i wouldn't bother....

i'm trying to think what else would interest kids as young as yours.....maybe the Pompidou Center....a building with the insides on the outside, so to speak....but i'm not sure how much a 7 and 11 year old appreciate of things like this...

the big thing in paris is the city itself....the beauty of the city and buildings and museums....i'm trying to remember how old my kids were...i think they were about 12 and 14....they loved the Louvre, as much for the building itself as for the art....and they adored the garden of the Rodin museum which we went to 3 times during our 2 week stay...but my kids are a bit strange....

oh...what am i thinking....i'm an idiot....your kids will love visiting the Eiffel Tower.....and riding up on the elevator...

And they'll also love a boat ride on the seine....

and they'll probably love riding on the metro in paris and the tube in london...
be careful if you decide to ride the subways in both cities.....be sure you know where you're going as there are places you don't want to go (just like in any big city)....

 

[alisonbestford]

Don't forget the Museum of Childhood, in London.
DH's contribution is to bring an umbrella...............
Men! But a valid point I guess

 

[cstraub]

I'm subscribing to this thread! We are staying in Scotland for two weeks In JUly of 2006. We will then go on to France and Germany. I am so overwhelmed!! The flights and transporation are what have me most nervous. I don't know where to begin. I have all the books for Dummies but I still feel overwhelmed. Did I mention we are travelling with three younger children and my mother who is 72!!??
Thanks for posting this thread. I hope people will have good info out there!

 

[txkatherine]

I highly recommend any of the Rick Steves books. He is the blonde studious type man that has a show on PBS. His books are amazingly accurate and somewhat off the beaten path approach.

Husband and I spent 2 weeks in Europe in summer of 1998. We did not have any plans or reservations- we made it up as we went along. We landed in Frankfurt, took the train to Paris, spent a day there, then took the overnight train to Italy, etc. etc. We never had a problem getting a room with the suggestions of the Rick Steve's book and this was in June.

Get a Eurail Train Pass... the trains are amazing b/c once you get to the town you can walk everywhere and then get back on and go somewhere else. Make sure everyone wears a watch b/c you won't have a phone or pager to rely on as you do here.

My favorite place Salzburg, Austria and The Sound of Music bus tour. Very fun and an amazing city.
Another wow spot was Interlaken, Switzerland and take the tram up to the Alps. Then, on the way down, we got off where we could start walking and walked down to town. Words can not describe the natural beauty! We stayed in a youth hostel listed in his book for cheap.

We don't travel to eat or stay in a hotel, we get up in the early morning and go all day. We stayed in nice, cheap places. Try to do more than all the touristy things- muesems get very old after awhile and make you tired. Get off the beaten path and visit the people where you are visiting. We were in countries that we didn't speak the language and went to local mom and pop restaurants and had the best time. We just pointed to the menu and got surprised.

Take a lot less clothes than you think you need. You won't be seeing the same people the next day. I wore khakis and layered my shirts and wore very comfortable shoes. You can store luggage at the train stations and then take smaller packs with you for day trips. I packed all my clothes in zip lock bags and then put them in a small school backpack. I saw people in the heat in Florence lugging huge amounts of gear with them and they looked miserable.

Oh so much info to pass along. Feel free to contact me if I can help. I am not a pro by any means- just really had a great time! Hope you have a great time, too!
Katherine

 

[disneyholic family]

I highly recommend any of the Rick Steves books. He is the blonde studious type man that has a show on PBS. His books are amazingly accurate and somewhat off the beaten path approach.

Husband and I spent 2 weeks in Europe in summer of 1998. We did not have any plans or reservations- we made it up as we went along. We landed in Frankfurt, took the train to Paris, spent a day there, then took the overnight train to Italy, etc. etc. We never had a problem getting a room with the suggestions of the Rick Steve's book and this was in June.

Get a Eurail Train Pass... the trains are amazing b/c once you get to the town you can walk everywhere and then get back on and go somewhere else. Make sure everyone wears a watch b/c you won't have a phone or pager to rely on as you do here.

My favorite place Salzburg, Austria and The Sound of Music bus tour. Very fun and an amazing city.
Another wow spot was Interlaken, Switzerland and take the tram up to the Alps. Then, on the way down, we got off where we could start walking and walked down to town. Words can not describe the natural beauty! We stayed in a youth hostel listed in his book for cheap.

We don't travel to eat or stay in a hotel, we get up in the early morning and go all day. We stayed in nice, cheap places. Try to do more than all the touristy things- muesems get very old after awhile and make you tired. Get off the beaten path and visit the people where you are visiting. We were in countries that we didn't speak the language and went to local mom and pop restaurants and had the best time. We just pointed to the menu and got surprised.

Take a lot less clothes than you think you need. You won't be seeing the same people the next day. I wore khakis and layered my shirts and wore very comfortable shoes. You can store luggage at the train stations and then take smaller packs with you for day trips. I packed all my clothes in zip lock bags and then put them in a small school backpack. I saw people in the heat in Florence lugging huge amounts of gear with them and they looked miserable.

Oh so much info to pass along. Feel free to contact me if I can help. I am not a pro by any means- just really had a great time! Hope you have a great time, too!
Katherine

this is great advice for adults or for adults traveling with older teens...
but children of the ages yours are cannot "go all day" as the poster above did.....children need to rest or else you will have very cranky children on your hands....but kids do enjoy simple things, like a little picnic in the park.......a nice inexpensive way to have a good time....remember that your kids usually are just happy to be spending time with you, wherever you are.....

 

[stevie-wonder-boy!]

if your going to london and love shopping go to harrods in knightsbridge!!

 

[disneyholic family]

if your going to london and love shopping go to harrods in knightsbridge!!

even if you don't love shopping, it's worth a visit.....really an amazing store....

 

[alisonbestford]

Has anyone mentioned the 'Jorvik Museum' (Viking museum) in York?

Stratford on Avon and Shakespeare?
But not certain what there might be there for the kids

The Cadbury's chocolate factory in Birmingham?

Obviously you can't do everything but the list is endless

 

[palmtreegirl]

with a 7 and 11 year old, you don't want to miss the Natural History Museum in London, where the famous dinosaur exhibit is....it's a must see for kids...

Sounds like my kids would love that.

also highly recommended, and probably the first thing i would do, is the tour on the open topped double decker bus (i think it's called the Big Bus or something like that)....it's one of those hop on hop off things where you can get off at various tourist attractions, and then get back on later...all for one ticket (i think the ticket is for 48 hours)....the first time i rode it all the way around once and then i started getting on and off......on part of the route there is a live guide....all of the guides i had when i was there were excellent....

That sounds like a lot of fun, we'll definitely take a tour on one of those.

as for Paris....7 and 11 is probably a bit young to truly enjoy the feel of Paris....but there are things there that will interest them....I totally agree about the Eurostar....that would certainly be a big hit with kids (and adults)...
and of course a visit to Disneyland Paris will also be interesting, at least for the sake of comparison....you can make it a day trip from Paris, or else you can stay overnight at DLP so that you can visit both parks (disneyland and the studios)..

unfortunately, the City of Science is fantastic, but almost everything is written in french, so it makes it difficult....my son is a science nut, so we actually spent an entire day there with me reading him every single thing written (simultaneously translating it to him as i read)...we loved it, but if you don't speak french i wouldn't bother....

i'm trying to think what else would interest kids as young as yours.....maybe the Pompidou Center....a building with the insides on the outside, so to speak....but i'm not sure how much a 7 and 11 year old appreciate of things like this...

the big thing in paris is the city itself....the beauty of the city and buildings and museums....i'm trying to remember how old my kids were...i think they were about 12 and 14....they loved the Louvre, as much for the building itself as for the art....and they adored the garden of the Rodin museum which we went to 3 times during our 2 week stay...but my kids are a bit strange....

oh...what am i thinking....i'm an idiot....your kids will love visiting the Eiffel Tower.....and riding up on the elevator...

And they'll also love a boat ride on the seine....

and they'll probably love riding on the metro in paris and the tube in london...
be careful if you decide to ride the subways in both cities.....be sure you know where you're going as there are places you don't want to go (just like in any big city)....

My kids actually love a lot of things most other kids their age don't. They can spend hours wandering around World Showcase without even heading over to Kidcot areas, they just love new places and new experiences.

I'm going to be starting French with them both very soon, so they'll be able to enjoy the trip more. I also have to study up as my french is pretty rusty.

this is great advice for adults or for adults traveling with older teens...
but children of the ages yours are cannot "go all day" as the poster above did.....children need to rest or else you will have very cranky children on your hands....but kids do enjoy simple things, like a little picnic in the park.......a nice inexpensive way to have a good time....remember that your kids usually are just happy to be spending time with you, wherever you are.....

We're not "commando" type travelers, we prefer a more lesiurely pace even if it means skipping some things.

Thanks for all the great advice disneyholic family, I really appreciate it!

 

[palmtreegirl]

Thank you everyone!

 

[disneyholic family]

We're not "commando" type travelers, we prefer a more lesiurely pace even if it means skipping some things.

we did the picnic thing several times.....there are some amazingly beautiful parks in both London and Paris....we would pop into a little city grocery store (the ones in paris are somewhat hidden, so just ask someone and they'll point it out....in fact, it's interesting just going into those little grocery stores to see what there is...my kids found it fascinating)..

we would buy some stuff and then go have a kind of makeshift picnic....just sandwiches, drinks and some apples or something like that...but it was fun.....

in Paris, just walking down the champs elysees is nice....by the way, be careful when you cross the street....french drivers are totally wacko.....and even when you have a green crosswalk light, the cars can come through and they don't really believe in giving pedestrians the right of way.....we actually saw a little boy hit by a car.....hit hard....we were all crossing...a huge group crossing on a green pedestrian light.....there was a huge group at the front and a huge group at the back (we were in that one) and the boy was in the middle.....he was thrown quite a few feet....what a shock....and we saw many near misses during our two weeks....so be very careful about the drivers there...

at least in london, where the driving is "backwards", they have all the crosswalks marked ("look right" "look left") so that you don't have to think about which way to turn your head to look....it's a brilliant thing...it's painted on the ground and you can't make a mistake...

by the way, walking around london is also great fun..

that big bus tour i mentioned, also has several free walking tours included in the price of the ticket...one of them is the Changing of the Guard tour....it was great fun...we started from St. James Palace and followed the guard from there to Buckingham Palace.....the guide was tremendous....i think his name was Ricky....(about 60 years old...funny name for a 60 year old...but he was phenomenal)...

one thing to keep in mind in terms of picking accomodations - if you're going in the summer, remember that many hotels in paris are not air conditioned (possibly in london too, i don't know)...it can get very hot in paris in the summer and not having a/c is a good way to ruin a vacation (if you're not used to sleeping without it)...so when you make reservations, don't forget to ask if they have a/c....

 

[dreamflight99]

Do you think we should just do a week in London and then a week in Paris?

I wouldn't suggest it! I would spend "most" of my time in England, with perhaps a visit north to Edinburgh as someone suggested. A "two-night/three-day" visit to Paris would suffice. You could do a day-visit to DLP, and then tour the City on another.

Sorry, but during a recent visit to England (three+ weeks) I spent four nights in Paris, which was about three nights too many! I was never happier, than when the Eurostar pulled BACK into England!! Paris, can be enjoyed in one/two days (the City sights). I know your kids would love the hop-on, hop-off bus tours, providing the opportunity to take in the places they truly wanted to see (using this manner of transport). I agree...walking the "Champs" is a lot of fun, and a must do/see (up to the "L'arc de triumphe" at the top). The Eiffel tower is also a #1 tourist "to-do" attraction.

The french drivers are crazy, and the place not as welcome/warm as England. I do not wish to delve into this...but for us it proved true. We all speak some French, which helped a teeny bit (Nationals respond best to natives fluent in French, but can discern the American "inflection" immediately).

alisonbestford mentioned the 'Jorvik Museum' (Viking museum) in York. My daughter is currently attending the University of York, and the city is extremely RICH in both VIKING and ROMAN history! The city itself is completely "walled" in (ancient walls), and has one of the oldest churches in all of Europe (at least the stained glass is the oldest!). "The York Minster" (which took more than 250 years to complete) is a tremendous monument to see. It's also one of the most haunted cities in Europe.

The "Dungeons" of York, London, etc.--are also fun and fascinating.
http://www.thedungeons.com/

There are actually "castles" you can stay in all over Europe, (some real beauties in England). In Whitby, you can see the famous ruins of the "Abbey" where "Dracula" reportedly lived (the Abbey was featured in the filming of the movie). Braham Stoker lived in Whitby while writing this literary classic. My daughter recently visited at Halloween, for the annual "Carnival of souls" (where a strange "pilgrimmage" of sorts takes place, dominating the usually quiet City).
http://www.faculty.de.gcsu.edu/~dvess/ids/medieval/whitby/whitby.shtml

There are proper theme parks scattered all about England, with some truly enjoyable water parks as well. I agree with visiting Harrods, as the store is a modern-day marvel. Also, Hamley's toy store is one not to miss. It's the biggest toy store in the UK, and your kids would love the place.
http://www.hamleys.com/

Most places you are interested in seeing may be easily researched in advance using the web.

The "LONDON EYE" is a wonderful tourist attraction. We have taken a couple of flights, and enjoyed each tremendously.

The Famous London TOWER and the "CEREMONY OF THE KEYS" is also worth noting. The ceremony is FREE, but tickets must be obtained in advance by writing. The address and info can be found here: http://europeforvisitors.com/europe/countries/uk/tower-of-london-ceremony-of-the-keys.htm
Read on for info regarding the crown jewels, and the infamous RAVENS of the Tower (Legend dictates that, if the ravens ever leave, the Tower will fall and the Kingdom will fall, so Charles II decreed that there must always be at least six ravens at the Tower). That tradition has been honored for more than 300 years. To keep the Ravens from leaving, their wings are actually "clipped" (flying feathers).

I too...second the motion for investing in some "RICK STEVES" books from your local bookstore. England for dummies, or even Paris for Dummies is also a fun/good read.

Ireland is accessible too...easily from the coast of England (by ferry or plane). www.Ryanair.com is a great cite for inexpensive flights in/around the UK. Some of the fares are ridiculously LOW (like a couple of pounds!). It's worth checking into, and seemed to be a favorite with many of the people we chatted with about the towns/Cities.

There is truly so much to do/see in the UK and across Europe. Two weeks is sufficient time to just scrape the surface. You will need to plan well, to insure your time is well-used.

Enjoy your planning!