30 days in Europe (France, Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, Spain and Portugal)
Mar 15th, 2017, 01:32 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
30 days in Europe (France, Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, Spain and Portugal)
Hi,
I'm planning a 30 days trip with our 2 kids (12 and 6) between June and July. The idea is to arrive to Paris from NY arriving then take a train to Switzerland (either Geneva or Zurich) and continue to Italy. In Italy, we want to visit Tome, Pisa, Florence and Venice but the real deal is to find a beach town and stay there a few days. Then head to Croatia (Split, + one other city). Proceed to either French Riviera or simply go straight to Barcelona then Madrid perhaps Seville. All this before heading to Portugal (probably only Lisbon). Now the question for all world travelers out there: is it feasible to do all these in 30 days with 2 kids? My husband and I've been in Europe many times actually we've done all these destinations (with the exception of Croatia and Portugal) but never with kids. The other question is which segments of this trip should we fly rather than ride the train? For example in and out of Croatia? Third question: could anyone suggest a different order of countries to visit or routes? Any ideas which Italian town to visit with beautiful beaches and some nightlife (my mother is coming to babysit!!). Which cities/towns should we do while in Croatia. Any help is greatly appreciated. The reason I chose NY-Paris-Lisbon-NY was purely due to cheaper airfare but I'm open to other suggestions.
I'm planning a 30 days trip with our 2 kids (12 and 6) between June and July. The idea is to arrive to Paris from NY arriving then take a train to Switzerland (either Geneva or Zurich) and continue to Italy. In Italy, we want to visit Tome, Pisa, Florence and Venice but the real deal is to find a beach town and stay there a few days. Then head to Croatia (Split, + one other city). Proceed to either French Riviera or simply go straight to Barcelona then Madrid perhaps Seville. All this before heading to Portugal (probably only Lisbon). Now the question for all world travelers out there: is it feasible to do all these in 30 days with 2 kids? My husband and I've been in Europe many times actually we've done all these destinations (with the exception of Croatia and Portugal) but never with kids. The other question is which segments of this trip should we fly rather than ride the train? For example in and out of Croatia? Third question: could anyone suggest a different order of countries to visit or routes? Any ideas which Italian town to visit with beautiful beaches and some nightlife (my mother is coming to babysit!!). Which cities/towns should we do while in Croatia. Any help is greatly appreciated. The reason I chose NY-Paris-Lisbon-NY was purely due to cheaper airfare but I'm open to other suggestions.
Mar 15th, 2017, 01:53 PM
#2
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Paris
Switzerland (either Geneva or Zurich)
Rome
Florence (Pisa day trip)
Venice
Italian Beach Town
Split
Other city in Croatia
French Riviera
Barcelona
Madrid
Seville
Lisbon
. . . is 13 different locations in 30 days. If your 30 days includes your arrival and departure days, then you really have 28 days.
13 different locations in 28 days means changing hotel locations virtually every other day. For me, this would not be much of a vacation. Would your family enjoy that pace for four weeks?
Ideas to consider:
- Which of these locations is not a priority? Delete them.
- If you are not interested in visiting Paris and/or Lisbon, then flying to and from them may be a false economy, since you will spend money and valuable vacation time to get between them and the locations you really want to visit.
- 30 days of travel can be exhausting. Alternate shorter stays of 2 or 3 nights with a few longer stays of 4 or 5 nights to give you time to relax, discover the gelato shop where you will become "regulars," and perhaps be able to rent an apartment (laundry time!) which often requires longer stays.
Switzerland (either Geneva or Zurich)
Rome
Florence (Pisa day trip)
Venice
Italian Beach Town
Split
Other city in Croatia
French Riviera
Barcelona
Madrid
Seville
Lisbon
. . . is 13 different locations in 30 days. If your 30 days includes your arrival and departure days, then you really have 28 days.
13 different locations in 28 days means changing hotel locations virtually every other day. For me, this would not be much of a vacation. Would your family enjoy that pace for four weeks?
Ideas to consider:
- Which of these locations is not a priority? Delete them.
- If you are not interested in visiting Paris and/or Lisbon, then flying to and from them may be a false economy, since you will spend money and valuable vacation time to get between them and the locations you really want to visit.
- 30 days of travel can be exhausting. Alternate shorter stays of 2 or 3 nights with a few longer stays of 4 or 5 nights to give you time to relax, discover the gelato shop where you will become "regulars," and perhaps be able to rent an apartment (laundry time!) which often requires longer stays.
Mar 15th, 2017, 01:55 PM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well just some general info about trains and how to get discounted train fares or consider railpasses if warranted and learn the ins and outs of rail travel- check these IMO superb sites: www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
Yes fly Rome to Croatia or to Barcelona -any really long distance but try to arrange your itinerary that can use trains as much as possible. Overnight trains connect Madrid and Lisbon - save cost of a hotel and daytime travel time.
Yes fly Rome to Croatia or to Barcelona -any really long distance but try to arrange your itinerary that can use trains as much as possible. Overnight trains connect Madrid and Lisbon - save cost of a hotel and daytime travel time.
Mar 15th, 2017, 02:16 PM
#4
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 22,986
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Instead of staying in Venice, consider staying on the Lido and taking the ferry to Venice when you want to visit the city.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lido_di_Venezia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lido_di_Venezia
Mar 15th, 2017, 04:02 PM
#6
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 12,017
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The time used and extra travel money spent to get from Paris to Switzerland, then the money spent and time used up getting to Lisbon, may negate whatever savings you got on airfare.
Have you run this by your Mom who is coming along to babysit? I am a Grandmother and have traveled some with my Granddaughter, now age 7. There is absolutely no way on earth I would even consider the trip you have planned. Do you mean you are doing no sightseeing in Paris? My kids loved Paris. What about your Mom? Does she want to see anything of Paris?
On really short trips (5 - 7 days), you can go at a whirlwind pace, but the longer the trip, the more you will need down time and the slower you will have to go. Kids need play time and down time, especially a six year old. Consider staying in some places long enough to rent an apartment. So much easier not to be crowded and for the kids to get sleep.
Think more about what you want to see and do in each place. Lay your trip out by nights or by day (but include all travel days). Don't count travel days as sightseeing days. Do not count any days in two places. With the kids and Mom, allow for jet lag in the beginning.
This is not in a thought-out order, or set number of days, or even cities in some countries. It is just an example of a working itinerary.
Day 1, depart home
Day 2, arrive Paris, relax, walk, perhaps Notre Dame
Day 3, Paris, museum?, park, some landmark sights, evening cruise
Day 4, Paris, day trip or other major sights
Day 5, fly to city in Croatia - ? Rent car?
Day 6, Croatia?
Day 7, Croatia
Day 8, Croatia
Day 9, fly to Rome
Day 10, Rome
Day 11, Rome
Day 12, Beach day from Rome
Day 13, travel to Florence by train
Day 14, Florence
Day 15, day trip to Pisa and Luca
Day 16, travel to Venice by train
Day 17, Venice
Day 18, beach day on the Lido
Day 19, travel to Switzerland - where?
Day 20, Switzerland ?
Etc., etc.
Have you run this by your Mom who is coming along to babysit? I am a Grandmother and have traveled some with my Granddaughter, now age 7. There is absolutely no way on earth I would even consider the trip you have planned. Do you mean you are doing no sightseeing in Paris? My kids loved Paris. What about your Mom? Does she want to see anything of Paris?
On really short trips (5 - 7 days), you can go at a whirlwind pace, but the longer the trip, the more you will need down time and the slower you will have to go. Kids need play time and down time, especially a six year old. Consider staying in some places long enough to rent an apartment. So much easier not to be crowded and for the kids to get sleep.
Think more about what you want to see and do in each place. Lay your trip out by nights or by day (but include all travel days). Don't count travel days as sightseeing days. Do not count any days in two places. With the kids and Mom, allow for jet lag in the beginning.
This is not in a thought-out order, or set number of days, or even cities in some countries. It is just an example of a working itinerary.
Day 1, depart home
Day 2, arrive Paris, relax, walk, perhaps Notre Dame
Day 3, Paris, museum?, park, some landmark sights, evening cruise
Day 4, Paris, day trip or other major sights
Day 5, fly to city in Croatia - ? Rent car?
Day 6, Croatia?
Day 7, Croatia
Day 8, Croatia
Day 9, fly to Rome
Day 10, Rome
Day 11, Rome
Day 12, Beach day from Rome
Day 13, travel to Florence by train
Day 14, Florence
Day 15, day trip to Pisa and Luca
Day 16, travel to Venice by train
Day 17, Venice
Day 18, beach day on the Lido
Day 19, travel to Switzerland - where?
Day 20, Switzerland ?
Etc., etc.
Mar 15th, 2017, 04:09 PM
#7
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I must admit that I would find this trip unpleasantly rushed, and you would be spending a LOT of time in transit for relatively little time on the ground. I recommend that get some good guidebooks (or spend some time with a few in your local library), identify the things you most want to see in each location, check their opening/closing times on the internet, and mark them on a calendar. Then pencil in your transportation, add some time on either side (for getting to/from your lodging, checking in/out, packing/unpacking, getting oriented, etc.). Then see how things fit together.
For your transportation options, consult rome2rio.com and then follow up on anything you learn there, as it does not capture seasonal variation.
Good luck!
For your transportation options, consult rome2rio.com and then follow up on anything you learn there, as it does not capture seasonal variation.
Good luck!
Mar 16th, 2017, 03:49 AM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you all for your comments. We'll definitely scale it down to less destinations more days one place at a time. The one who was upset the most was my mom, who has done extensive travel with us in the past (Latin America, Europe). However, I pointed out the fact that we did it before without kids...big difference!
Mar 17th, 2017, 11:10 AM
#11
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We did Italy and France last June with our twins who were 9 at the time, and what worked best for us were longer stays. We did:
Venice 3 nights
Tuscany 7 nights
Lucca 2 nights
Nice 2 nights
Antibes 7 nights
We found that the 2 night stays were not great. If I had to do it again, I would visit Nice from Antibes, and I would stay an extra night in Lucca. Just so we wouldn't have to make the kids move in and out of another location. I think it works well with kids to have a base from which you can visit many things, if you want, or just relax where you are. It is nice to have the option. That worked really well for us in Tuscany and Antibes. We are going to Spain next summer and spending the entire 3 weeks there. We won't stay anywhere less than 3 or 4 nights.
My kids LOVED the entire Italy/France trip btw, especially Venice, Tuscany and Antibes. I can tell you more about what they liked, and didn't, if you are interested.
Have fun!
Venice 3 nights
Tuscany 7 nights
Lucca 2 nights
Nice 2 nights
Antibes 7 nights
We found that the 2 night stays were not great. If I had to do it again, I would visit Nice from Antibes, and I would stay an extra night in Lucca. Just so we wouldn't have to make the kids move in and out of another location. I think it works well with kids to have a base from which you can visit many things, if you want, or just relax where you are. It is nice to have the option. That worked really well for us in Tuscany and Antibes. We are going to Spain next summer and spending the entire 3 weeks there. We won't stay anywhere less than 3 or 4 nights.
My kids LOVED the entire Italy/France trip btw, especially Venice, Tuscany and Antibes. I can tell you more about what they liked, and didn't, if you are interested.
Have fun!
