lbrown44

I am traveling to Europe this July for 3 weeks with my husband and 3 children (9 year old daughter and 5 year old twin boys). We will be exploring France, Switzerland and maybe Italy mostly by car, although we may also use the rails. I would like to find out a child-friendly resort in the alps where the children may be able to participate in activities such as games, sports or hiking, with other kids. We would stay for maybe 3-4 days. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks!!

elaine

Hi
You want some very specific info, I suggest reposting your question with a title like Family Resort--Summertime in the Alps, to catch the eye of someone who might know.

hopscotch

For kid fun and encounters with other kids consider the languages. Do your children speak French, German, or Italian? If not, they will have little opportunity to interract with other kids at that age.

OTOH, if you want to experience these things but are not excluding Holland, go to Duinrell. This is a water amusement park and camp ground outside Wassenaar, just north of The Hague. My daughter loved it, and so did I.

The 9 year old will probably be able to speak with Dutch kids who are trained in English from an early age, but the 5 year olds are probably too young to find English speaking companions.

In The Hague is Madurodam, Holland in miniature and a pleasure for children of all ages. Dutch beaches are also great when the weather is good. Walking through the dunes is another favorite Dutch pasttime, though I prefer to bicycle.

NJgirl626

I have travelled many a time in Europe with my 3 kids (now 14,12, and 10). Our best situation we have found (and are doing again this summer) is renting a house and a car and planning out various daytrips. We also use the busses and trains a lot(kids love trains)

WillTravel

I think there's a good chance 5-year-olds will communicate even not knowing the same language. It's amazing how that works. So I wouldn't give up due to that.

SalB

Three weeks in a playground anyplace in Europe and your five year olds will probably be speaking fluently at a five year old level. It's much easier for them to pick up language than you (or me!).

Germany has plenty of child oriented resorts and I'm sure other countries do to. In your position, I would do a Google search and also keep checking back here as I'm sure you'll get some excellent advice.

Have a wonderful time.

ekellyga

Rick Steves writes of the town of Ruette (or something like that), actually in Austria, but on the border of Germany. We stayed there for a night a few years ago, and it seemed that there were a good number of things for families with kids to do. It can also be used for a base to take short trips to Garmish, The Neuwanschwanstien castle (I know I murdered that one). Might want to read up on his writings about that.

lbrown44

Thanks for all the messages. I would still welcome additional feedback. In response to WillTravel, I agree, and I am not at all worried about a language barrier. I am not sure how to change my topic to make it more specific.

wills

Everything you have asked for sounds like Club Med. They have several resorts in the alps that are open in the summer and winter. Try clubmed.com and click on the parameters, ex. kids club, pool etc. Otherwise, in France they have what I believe are called Centrepark, hotel resorts especially for families with lots of activities with kids. Try About.com, Travel with Kids, they had a write up about Centreparks (I think that is the name.) We stayed at a Club Med resort for skiing this past winter and we loved it. The food was wonderful, the staff was super friendly and the kids club was great. Whatever you do, have fun!