Eastern Europe Trip with 10 month old
Dec 9th, 2014, 06:16 AM
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Eastern Europe Trip with 10 month old
Hi,
My husband and I are planning a 2 week eastern Europe trip. This will be our first trip with our 10 month old. We are planning the trip for the second half of May. Is the weather good by that time for visiting and sight-seeing? We are planning on visiting Prague, Budapest, Vienna and the Hallstat Lake area. Are those places good for visiting with a 10 month old? Any suggestions on splitting time between these places and also any side trips that would be good with a child would be appreciated? Also, is the Lake Hallstat area enjoyable and how much time would you recommend for there? Thank You!
My husband and I are planning a 2 week eastern Europe trip. This will be our first trip with our 10 month old. We are planning the trip for the second half of May. Is the weather good by that time for visiting and sight-seeing? We are planning on visiting Prague, Budapest, Vienna and the Hallstat Lake area. Are those places good for visiting with a 10 month old? Any suggestions on splitting time between these places and also any side trips that would be good with a child would be appreciated? Also, is the Lake Hallstat area enjoyable and how much time would you recommend for there? Thank You!
Dec 9th, 2014, 06:50 AM
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<<Is the weather good by that time for visiting and sight-seeing?>>
Generally, yes.
<<We are planning on visiting Prague, Budapest, Vienna and the Hallstat Lake area.>>
Good luck with that. Children slow travel - you can't hop around like childless twentysomethings and knock out 4+ destinations (not including side trips like Bratislava or Terezin or Karlstejn) in two weeks with an incontinent halfling in tow. Dial back.
Generally, yes.
<<We are planning on visiting Prague, Budapest, Vienna and the Hallstat Lake area.>>
Good luck with that. Children slow travel - you can't hop around like childless twentysomethings and knock out 4+ destinations (not including side trips like Bratislava or Terezin or Karlstejn) in two weeks with an incontinent halfling in tow. Dial back.
Dec 9th, 2014, 07:07 AM
#3
Hallstat; sister went to finishing school there, felt it was over rated
I might stay on in Hungary and get to try out the local spas a bit more with the kid (cheap as chips and in some lovely areas.
I might stay on in Hungary and get to try out the local spas a bit more with the kid (cheap as chips and in some lovely areas.
Dec 9th, 2014, 07:13 AM
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Well I loved Hallstatt - one of the most awesomely gorgeous Alpine wonderlands I have ever seen - are you going by car or by train - if going mainly to cities consider taking the train as cars in cities are more and more useless - wide swaths of towns being off-limits to private vehicles, public transport so great, etc.
If going by train I'd make some suggestions - with such a young kid however cars can be nice - and you can see the back roads like when going to Hallstatt - don't miss driving or taking a bus from Hallstatt thru the fabled Lake District (aka Sound of Music Country as much of the film was shot here) to Salzburg - actually could be as enjoyable as Hallstatt.
If going by train I'd make some suggestions - with such a young kid however cars can be nice - and you can see the back roads like when going to Hallstatt - don't miss driving or taking a bus from Hallstatt thru the fabled Lake District (aka Sound of Music Country as much of the film was shot here) to Salzburg - actually could be as enjoyable as Hallstatt.
Dec 9th, 2014, 08:54 AM
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@PalenQ, We're leaning towards taking the train so that it is easy to get in and out of cities and we don't have to worry about parking. Thanks for the tips for Hallstat. If it's possible, we might look into renting for one portion of the journey such as the Lake Hallstat area.
Dec 9th, 2014, 09:34 AM
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Just be aware that train may be difficult given how much stuff you usually have to take for a baby. And given that one person will have to hold/mind the baby that leaves only one person to deal (quickly - trains don;t stop for long) with all the luggage for 3 people plus whatever baby stuff you are bringing (diapers, food, toys and MANY cages of clothes at that age). I would be sure you have both a stroller - for areas with even sidewalks and a baby carrier for when you are off sidewalks or on cobblestones.
Also, please not you are going to Central Europe - Eastern europe would be russia and the ukraine.
I think doing those 3 places will be plenty for 2 weeks - but at 10 months your baby should be fairly manageable - unlike toddlers who want to get out/down and run all over the place. You just need to be sure that you have enough rooms for 3 (hotels rooms in europe are typically quite small) and that you arrange activities so baby can get in the necessary sleep/naps.
Also, please not you are going to Central Europe - Eastern europe would be russia and the ukraine.
I think doing those 3 places will be plenty for 2 weeks - but at 10 months your baby should be fairly manageable - unlike toddlers who want to get out/down and run all over the place. You just need to be sure that you have enough rooms for 3 (hotels rooms in europe are typically quite small) and that you arrange activities so baby can get in the necessary sleep/naps.
Dec 9th, 2014, 11:31 AM
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Yes on trains you must pack very light, especially with such a young child who has to be carried around too. I'd say pay extra for first class - some trains like in Austria even have family rooms and kids play areas aboard. If traveling much on trains check out the Eastern European Railpass (alas even if its coverage is technically Central Europe) - valid in Austria, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Dec 9th, 2014, 08:31 PM
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Having friends here in Vienna with stroller-aged children, you would do well not to bring the typical flimsy umbrella stroller; the cobblestones will eat it alive. You'll need an "off-road" capable buggy.
Also keep in mind that not all public transportation is "low-floor," meaning that you'll have to physically lift the stroller onto/off of the bus/tram/train (even ÖBB, the Austrian federal train system).
Finally, while Vienna's U-Bahn (underground) transportation is fairly well equipped with lifts, that may not be the case everywhere; be prepared to carry the buggy up and down stairs.
Also keep in mind that not all public transportation is "low-floor," meaning that you'll have to physically lift the stroller onto/off of the bus/tram/train (even ÖBB, the Austrian federal train system).
Finally, while Vienna's U-Bahn (underground) transportation is fairly well equipped with lifts, that may not be the case everywhere; be prepared to carry the buggy up and down stairs.
