Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Europe Tour in a Group with Senior & Kids

Europe Tour in a Group with Senior & Kids

Old Oct 29th, 2011, 02:51 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Europe Tour in a Group with Senior & Kids

Dear all. I planned to visit Europe starting 31st Jan - 15th Feb 2012. Our group consists of 4 adults, 1 senior (my mom 63) and 2 boys (4yo). We'd like to wander and sleep by renting a campervan. The optimistic itinerary will be: Paris - Lucerne - Rome - Venice - Munich - Amsterdam - Brussels - Luxembourg - Paris. Is that possible? Is there any suggestion or other better alternative? Thanks before hand.
ummIshaq is offline  
Old Oct 29th, 2011, 03:07 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Possible but not practical - you do not factor in driving time perhaps because if you do you have practically no time in any of the places if seeing them all in that time frame. And a camper van is expensive and guzzles gas - you cannot drive in many of those cities as their centres are often largely off limits to private vehicles and parking for such a camping car can be really hard to find and again expensive.

I'd take the train between those cities - and winter driving has its perils as well north of the Alps

OK great sites for planning a rail trip - www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com. also investigate the 15-consecutive-day Eurailpass - Saver pass for more than one name on one pass - 4 year olds pay half price.
PalenQ is offline  
Old Oct 29th, 2011, 04:21 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 22,939
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What I wrote on another thread suggesting traveling by motorhome to reduce cost:

No one has given hard numbers. A quick Google search indicates that a three week rental starting and ending in Milan for a motorhome with only 2 beds will cost $4700 with a 150 km. daily limit--perhaps something cheaper can be found. I think that train travel and and low cost accommodations would be more sensible, given that the OPs "don't want to travel extensively".

I would not consider a motorhome to be ideal for winter travel over the Alps (Venice to Munich), to be comfortable for sleeping in that season, and not convenient in terms of seeing the central parts of the listed cities.

Finally, with nine destinations in two weeks, it will be impossible to visit the cities. Many of the distances given (Lucerne-Rome for example) will probably take a day and a half of driving.

For two weeks, choose two or three locations and rent an apartment in each.
Michael is offline  
Old Oct 29th, 2011, 04:56 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 439
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Where are you going to park that campervan in Paris, Venice and Rome and to tell you the truth all the other cities. Here is a place you can park it in Paris and they say it is open all year. http://www.campingparis.fr/index.php

For that time of year I would seriously recommend you come up with another plan.

You say campervan not motorhome and to me a campervan is not much more than a tent on wheels compared to a mororhome.
Randy is offline  
Old Oct 29th, 2011, 04:56 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You are going to sleep in a camper in the alps in the middle of winter? Do you even know if camping parks will be open then? (I recall reading in one post that many close for the year in late fall.) How do you plan to keep it heated?

Don;t know the costs involved - but can;t imagine that this won;t be considerably more than a modest B&B - when you consider rental, fuels, road tolls, cost of camping sights and cost of traveling from outskirts into major cities..

And agree that you are trying to cover way too much territory, especially given the size and ages of your group. You just don;t have time to get to that many places and actually see anything.
nytraveler is offline  
Old Oct 29th, 2011, 05:19 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 22,939
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Randy,

Google "motorhome rental in Europe" and you will see pictures of campers.
Michael is offline  
Old Oct 29th, 2011, 05:28 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,204
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 1 Post
Hey!!!!

Since when is 63 senior?
Myer is offline  
Old Oct 29th, 2011, 07:11 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,548
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
Not AT ALL practical. Not enough time to cover that much territory, not enough space for all of you in a campervan, and you are talking about February.

It would be really difficult in June -- just about impossible in winter. Even in summer that would be a month long itinerary.

"Is there any suggestion or other better alternative? Thanks before hand. "

Almost any alternative would be better.
janisj is online now  
Old Oct 29th, 2011, 11:56 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Out of your 2 weeks in Europe you have 6 days of driving (not counting finding camping places/parking areas, shopping for food, rest stops along the road, etc.) and then 8 days to see 8 cities.

How do 2 four year olds feel about spending this much time in the car?

How do you feel about doing this much driving in a camper in winter weather with possible snow and ice?

I can't believe you consider this to be an optimistic itinerary.

Choose 2 locations (or 3 at the most). Stay in hotels and take trains between locations. Rome/Venice or Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam.
adrienne is offline  
Old Oct 30th, 2011, 03:36 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 12,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Winter in the north will be very chilly at night in

a camper van...mileage fees and camgtound petrol and

parking will be sky high a VERY BAD idea.

far cheaperbetter seat61.com group family rates

like a local andeurocheapo.com cheap hotels with a map

For me Paris Geneva Stresa Portofino Rome

Florence Venice-tourism.com Munich Paris

Doable if a bit rushed in time you have.

Dress warm and bring raingear... weather2travel.com
qwovadis is offline  
Old Oct 30th, 2011, 03:41 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 12,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
www.eurocheapo.com

www.slowtrav.com

great sites for you

personally your time is quite limited

so less would be more

That time of year south would be better.

Instead of so much time in the north

might train down to Sorrento hoteldelfino.com

Awesome and warm that time of year...
qwovadis is offline  
Old Oct 30th, 2011, 09:43 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
might train down to Sorrento hoteldelfino.com

there are no overnight trains to or from Sorrento.
PalenQ is offline  
Old Oct 30th, 2011, 09:55 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
And Sorrento, while awesome part of the year is definitely not warm in January or February.
mamcalice is offline  
Old Oct 30th, 2011, 09:59 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,137
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
I guess anything's possible. But I don't believe driving a campervan around to major European cities in winter is practical or makes much sense. Or that you can make it to 8 places that far apart in such a short time.

I would plan your route using the train instead. And cut back your proposed itinerary to perhaps 3-4 cities in your 2 week timeframe.
suze is online now  
Old Oct 30th, 2011, 10:32 AM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Not sure how much research the OP has done but I did a quick look and couldn't find a "campervan" that held 7 people - 6 was the most. And the price for that - in Germany where the prices are the lowest was about 170 euros per night. The campervan does have heat (nice to know) but that seems to mean running the engine the entire time - at what cost in fuel I have no idea. But it seems in winter that B&Bs would not cost more than the van fuel, van sites with hook ups (if open) and transit in and out of cities.

And agree there is no way to cover all that territory in so few days - esp in midwinter. And this is from someone who has done - and loved - numerous road trips in europe. But in a car that could be taken anywhere, got about 5 times as much mileage per gallon, and not in the middle of winter. (Has the OP ever driven this kind of vehicle in show or ice?)
nytraveler is offline  
Old Oct 30th, 2011, 01:34 PM
  #16  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks to all of your prompt and precious responses.. will see how much I can do to rearrange the whole plan.. thanks..
ummIshaq is offline  
Old Oct 30th, 2011, 02:36 PM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 25,422
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
you'all know it will be short days, cold and wet?
bilboburgler is offline  
Old Oct 30th, 2011, 02:40 PM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,548
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
" . . . cold and wet" . . . and possibly frozen.
janisj is online now  
Old Oct 30th, 2011, 11:42 PM
  #19  
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,007
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The advice you've been given sounds accurate to me.

On a more positive note, if your interest in hiring a campervan is to minimise costs (an endeavour close to many of our hearts) there are other ways to achieve this, especially with a group.

Although many apartments only lease by the week, it is easy to find apartments for shorter periods (e.g. 3 days plus). Particularly in less touristed towns they can be quite inexpensive. Apartments also give you the advantage of being able to cater for yourselves (even it that just means toast and scrambled eggs if you're feeling lazy) which is both relaxing and saves money. Shopping for a meal at the local market is a great experience.

Your next expense is transport. Reducing the number and length of journeys can save you heaps of money, as can pre-booking tickets in some countries. For more information about this, I suggest a new thread. So perhaps you could consider staying at least three nights in each place and making the places you visit a maximum of, say, four hours apart. Local trains are generally less expensive than regional trains as well. My experience of travelling on trains with kids is that they much prefer it to being in a car. They are not strapped in their seats and can move around the carriage if they wish. A pack of cards or a game makes for a relaxing journey. Minimising your luggage and using small bags will also add to a stress free journey. A small bag in one hand and a day pack on your back is much easier to deal with than a large suitcase.

So don't give up. Be realistic about the weather, do lots of research on the internet, don't try to see it all and you'll have a lovely time.

And of course, if budget is not a problem for you, ignore most of the above!
dreamon is online now  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MirellaY
Europe
6
Aug 22nd, 2016 12:16 PM
Gardenbirds
Road Trips
9
Sep 10th, 2014 11:42 AM
bucjen
United States
9
May 22nd, 2011 11:19 PM
christiana_ako
Europe
42
Jul 5th, 2010 05:40 AM
Bob2010
Europe
26
Nov 3rd, 2009 06:40 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -