Family vacation to europe
Feb 5th, 2017, 12:52 PM
#1
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Family vacation to europe
Going for my mom's 65th.
Brother and his two kids (5 and 3) and his wife
Sister and her bf
Brother and his pregnant gf
Myself
Mom
Everyone is into hiking, biking, kayaking, mountains, lakes, etc.
We X'd off tuscany for being too flat and not grandeous enough a landscape. Crossed out Norway and Iceland for being too cold. Crossed off Switzerland because my brother thinks the food is bad and people are too bland.
So we are thinking of doing Lake como for 3-4 days and then 4 days in the Alps somewhere. Or Salzburg and the Austrian Alps.
What are some good Alpine towns near Como?
Anyone with any ideas for those regions, or a suggestion that would satisfy mountains, lakes, beautiful european villages and cities? I'd love to do Greece but too much ocean activity= crossed out for the kids. Thought about doing 4 days french riviera and 4 days somewhere nearby in the mountains.
I don't know Europe well enough to think this through, and there's just so damn much to do in every region, that doing internet research, just makes me want to go everywhere.
Help needed thinking this through.
P.S. half the crew will be staying on another 1-2 weeks.
Brother and his two kids (5 and 3) and his wife
Sister and her bf
Brother and his pregnant gf
Myself
Mom
Everyone is into hiking, biking, kayaking, mountains, lakes, etc.
We X'd off tuscany for being too flat and not grandeous enough a landscape. Crossed out Norway and Iceland for being too cold. Crossed off Switzerland because my brother thinks the food is bad and people are too bland.
So we are thinking of doing Lake como for 3-4 days and then 4 days in the Alps somewhere. Or Salzburg and the Austrian Alps.
What are some good Alpine towns near Como?
Anyone with any ideas for those regions, or a suggestion that would satisfy mountains, lakes, beautiful european villages and cities? I'd love to do Greece but too much ocean activity= crossed out for the kids. Thought about doing 4 days french riviera and 4 days somewhere nearby in the mountains.
I don't know Europe well enough to think this through, and there's just so damn much to do in every region, that doing internet research, just makes me want to go everywhere.
Help needed thinking this through.
P.S. half the crew will be staying on another 1-2 weeks.
Feb 5th, 2017, 01:22 PM
#2
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How are you all going to travel - a bus or separate cars or trains?
For train info check www.ricksteves.com; www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com - check the latter's online European Planning & Rail Guide for lots of rail itineraries and destinations.
From Como you could of course go east to the Dolomites and many nice Alpine resorts or west to Aosta for Europe's highest Alps - traveling in such a mega group seems daunting!
For train info check www.ricksteves.com; www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com - check the latter's online European Planning & Rail Guide for lots of rail itineraries and destinations.
From Como you could of course go east to the Dolomites and many nice Alpine resorts or west to Aosta for Europe's highest Alps - traveling in such a mega group seems daunting!
Feb 5th, 2017, 01:29 PM
#3
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So, 10 of you are traveling together in Italy? How do you plan to manage that? You are facing myriad obstacles in terms of every kind of logistic.
Forget about going everywhere, how are you going to go ANYWHERE with such a group? Transportation? Hotels? Just walking down the street together? Sounds like my worst nightmare (and I've been a tourguide for small groups - even 8 of us was unpleasant).
I don't know what to say except good luck and maybe re-think this idea.
Forget about going everywhere, how are you going to go ANYWHERE with such a group? Transportation? Hotels? Just walking down the street together? Sounds like my worst nightmare (and I've been a tourguide for small groups - even 8 of us was unpleasant).
I don't know what to say except good luck and maybe re-think this idea.
Feb 5th, 2017, 01:36 PM
#4
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When is this going to happen?
How fit is everybody when it comes to mountain activities?
Your brother is dead wrong about Switzerland, don't listen to him.
Lake Como is not typically a departure point for mountain activities, it is a pretty place for lazy lakeside vacations.
You write "Everyone is into hiking, biking, kayaking, mountains, lakes, etc." That just about screams "Berner Oberland" - google that.
The Swiss "Wanderwege" (hiking paths) system is as good as it gets, read more at http://wanderland.myswitzerland.com/en/wanderland.html
Then read in detail what the region around Salzburg has to offer for those same activities, it's definitely a candidate also.
France has a lot to offer in those activities - see for example http://www.activeazur.com/rafting-ka...rn-french-alps
That's just the tip of the iceberg. Go to your local library and get a few good guidebooks if the internet is too bewildering.
How fit is everybody when it comes to mountain activities?
Your brother is dead wrong about Switzerland, don't listen to him.
Lake Como is not typically a departure point for mountain activities, it is a pretty place for lazy lakeside vacations.
You write "Everyone is into hiking, biking, kayaking, mountains, lakes, etc." That just about screams "Berner Oberland" - google that.
The Swiss "Wanderwege" (hiking paths) system is as good as it gets, read more at http://wanderland.myswitzerland.com/en/wanderland.html
Then read in detail what the region around Salzburg has to offer for those same activities, it's definitely a candidate also.
France has a lot to offer in those activities - see for example http://www.activeazur.com/rafting-ka...rn-french-alps
That's just the tip of the iceberg. Go to your local library and get a few good guidebooks if the internet is too bewildering.
Feb 5th, 2017, 01:42 PM
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Hiking biking kayaking with the gf pregnant.
Why not. Bro doesn't want to come back with the kid ?
Food not good in Switzerland ? And you think it is going to be better in Austria ?
X'd off Tuscany not grandiose enough ?
Lake Como is flat. Never seen a lake which wasn't.
French Riviera is along water as much if not more than Greece. Cross it off for ocean activity (never mind it is a sea, not an ocean).
Guy, I can't help you. Your criteria are killers.
Why not. Bro doesn't want to come back with the kid ?
Food not good in Switzerland ? And you think it is going to be better in Austria ?
X'd off Tuscany not grandiose enough ?
Lake Como is flat. Never seen a lake which wasn't.
French Riviera is along water as much if not more than Greece. Cross it off for ocean activity (never mind it is a sea, not an ocean).
Guy, I can't help you. Your criteria are killers.
Feb 5th, 2017, 02:01 PM
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LOl all this stress for a one week holiday.. I sounds really stressful.
One week.. find one place as a homebase.. rent a villa sort of thing with a crew like this .. enjoy the week together.
French riveria affords lots of choices for activities..
Austrian food is similar to Switzerlands.
Switzerland is expensive.. more so than all the surrounding countries.
Time of year.. if going in shoulder season the trails in some areas of Swiss alps are still snow covered til mid june .
One week.. find one place as a homebase.. rent a villa sort of thing with a crew like this .. enjoy the week together.
French riveria affords lots of choices for activities..
Austrian food is similar to Switzerlands.
Switzerland is expensive.. more so than all the surrounding countries.
Time of year.. if going in shoulder season the trails in some areas of Swiss alps are still snow covered til mid june .
Feb 6th, 2017, 12:58 AM
#7
Depends on the time of year
Tuscany not grand enough! Ok, I think you need to backtrack a bit on this decision. Tuscany is very pretty, no big peaks but jaw-droppingly pretty.
Dolomites might do well, the food is good, the hiking splendid and you are not in Switzerland (which can be bland but not the landscape).
If you must have mountains I'd also look at The Jura (in France) with some epic walking, lush green meadows etc etc and Slovenia especially the Julian Alps
Greece nowhere near an Ocean.
Tuscany not grand enough! Ok, I think you need to backtrack a bit on this decision. Tuscany is very pretty, no big peaks but jaw-droppingly pretty.
Dolomites might do well, the food is good, the hiking splendid and you are not in Switzerland (which can be bland but not the landscape).
If you must have mountains I'd also look at The Jura (in France) with some epic walking, lush green meadows etc etc and Slovenia especially the Julian Alps
Greece nowhere near an Ocean.
Feb 6th, 2017, 01:48 PM
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Well, we plan to travel by train, and taxi. If we need to rent cars, two will do. It ain't that hard!
I agree on berner oberland, but my brother is stubborn.
On the sea, whatever. A massive body of water that reaches the Ocean.
Tuscany is pretty, but we would prefer something epic.
Of course the Lake is flat, but the mountains surrounding it aren't.
I agree on berner oberland, but my brother is stubborn.
On the sea, whatever. A massive body of water that reaches the Ocean.
Tuscany is pretty, but we would prefer something epic.
Of course the Lake is flat, but the mountains surrounding it aren't.
Feb 6th, 2017, 01:57 PM
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I agree on berner oberland, but my brother is stubborn.>
In that area you will be interacting mainly with foreign tourists and they say the Swiss wrote the book on hospitality!
If we need to rent cars, two will do>
ah maybe three cars with luggage!
In that area you will be interacting mainly with foreign tourists and they say the Swiss wrote the book on hospitality!
If we need to rent cars, two will do>
ah maybe three cars with luggage!
Feb 6th, 2017, 02:31 PM
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Your wish list sounds like Slovenia to me: hiking in Triglav National park, kayaking on the Sava and Soca rivers based somewhere near beautiful Lake Bled. For those staying on for extra time you could easily head up to Austria and the Salzkammergut, down to Croatia or over to Italy.
Feb 6th, 2017, 02:32 PM
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If it's for your mom's birthday, where does she want to go?
If you want to spend time in the mountains, then car rentals would work the best.
I've been to a bunch of places in Europe, including Lake Como, and my spouse and I found it boring. And I would agree that its more of a place for less - active people.
If you want to spend time in the mountains, then car rentals would work the best.
I've been to a bunch of places in Europe, including Lake Como, and my spouse and I found it boring. And I would agree that its more of a place for less - active people.
Feb 6th, 2017, 03:13 PM
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You say your brother is stubborn, but he has never been to the BO so he really cannot comment on this area. We spent 8 days in Lauterbrunnen on our first visit. We hiked nearly daily. Some of the most gorgeous scenery you will ever see in your life. You are a quick 20 minute train ride from Interlaken where you can access the lakes. No need to deal with rental cars at all in this area. I would really rethink this. With this large of a group you can have a wonderful week in the BO and cross off everything from your list.
Feb 7th, 2017, 05:15 AM
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I may have missed the time of year you plan to travel but I would look at the Val Gardena area of the Dolomites. Great food, friendly people, lots of hiking, beautiful scenery.
Here are our photos, we were there for the first week of Oct 2013.
https://flickr.com/photos/[email protected]
With 1 week and a group that big I would definitely limit yourself to one location.
With luggage you will also likely need three cars.
Here is more information on the area:
http://www.valgardena.it/en/hiking-b...king-trekking/
Just watch for when the lifts open/close because the seasons are quite short (start in late May/June and finish in Sept/early Oct)
Good luck!
Here are our photos, we were there for the first week of Oct 2013.
https://flickr.com/photos/[email protected]
With 1 week and a group that big I would definitely limit yourself to one location.
With luggage you will also likely need three cars.
Here is more information on the area:
http://www.valgardena.it/en/hiking-b...king-trekking/
Just watch for when the lifts open/close because the seasons are quite short (start in late May/June and finish in Sept/early Oct)
Good luck!
Feb 7th, 2017, 09:14 AM
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With this large of a group you can have a wonderful week in the BO and cross off everything from your list.>
Certainly IME is the easiest Alpine area to get around in and has more of a variety of things to do - boat rides on lakes book-ending Interlaken - day trips to say lovely Bern if foul weather sets in- always possible- and as awesome or more than most similar Alpine resorts.
Certainly IME is the easiest Alpine area to get around in and has more of a variety of things to do - boat rides on lakes book-ending Interlaken - day trips to say lovely Bern if foul weather sets in- always possible- and as awesome or more than most similar Alpine resorts.
Feb 11th, 2017, 01:18 PM
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Is the weather in switzerland in the summer just a bit too cold? It looks like Interlaken will be about 70 fahrenheit during the day>
Yes but Interlaken is at a low altitude compared to the sweet mountain villages many prefer to perch out in - average high at Jungfraujoch (11,300 ft) is 32 F -but you only take a train up there for a few hours - to see glaciers and perpetual snow.
Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen are much lower but higher than Interlaken so could be a bit chilly at night or when rain sets in.
Wengen and Murren are much higher so a bit cooler.
Lake Como I would think may be warmer than Interlaken.
Yes but Interlaken is at a low altitude compared to the sweet mountain villages many prefer to perch out in - average high at Jungfraujoch (11,300 ft) is 32 F -but you only take a train up there for a few hours - to see glaciers and perpetual snow.
Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen are much lower but higher than Interlaken so could be a bit chilly at night or when rain sets in.
Wengen and Murren are much higher so a bit cooler.
Lake Como I would think may be warmer than Interlaken.
Feb 11th, 2017, 08:33 PM
#20
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Seriously , this sounds a little princesses like I mean , for hiking why would anyone want it warm!! Temps between 60-70 are perfect for real hikers ! Working up a sweat in temps over 70 isn't that fun .
