kasuel

We are thinking about taking our first family trip to Europe in summer of 2014. Dh and myself (early 40s) and twin dds (will be 8.5). We would be able to take up to two weeks in summer (sounds like June might be preferable). We are interested in historic sites (castles and such) and outdoor activities. Less interested in art museums, and no interest in shopping. I have been to London and Paris (about 20 years ago), dh and dds have not left the US. I loved London, but was less enamored of Paris. We are choosing between some combination of UK and France for this trip.

Which of these ideas sounds like the best use of our time?

Stay in UK - London one week and then split week two probably either York/Edinburgh, or Bath/Wales (?)

Stay in France - Paris a few days, somewhere ?, then a week in Dordogne

Split - 5 or so days in London, a couple of days in Paris, a week in Dordogne

I know many will disagree, but I have no desire to spend a full week in Paris with my kids.

Interested in suggestions of places that might be a better choice, or suggestions of which trip would be the best use of our time. I have read guide books, but they aren't the same as having been somewhere!

Thanks!

adrienne

If you're interested in castles then some time in the Loire with all the beautiful chateaux would be perfect. The girls would love these.

A few days in Paris to see some of the popular sights then rent a car and visit the Loire. D Day beaches are historic and Bayeux is a lovely town. You can also see the Bayeux tapestry. Then Mont St Michel and on to the Dordogne.

With all the stops you won't have a week in the Dordogne but will have some time to explore.

Fly into Paris and home from some place in the south.

Are you interested in any museums or just want to limit the art museums? I ask because many people can't imagine that there are very interesting museums devoted to other than paintings.

ira

Hi k,

> I have no desire to spend a full week in Paris with my kids.<

Is this because you will have grown tired of them after your week in London, or because you have a problem with Paris?

May I suggest that Paris has changed somewhat in the last 20 years? It is much more tourist friendly.

You might be keeping your DH and kids from enjoying a wonderful vacation.

StCirq

I like the last idea - 5 days in London, a couple in Paris, and a week in the Dordogne. The Dordogne is a LOT more interesting - and beautiful - than the Loire, and castles are everywhere (though they are the fortified type, not just ornamental). There is a LOT more to do there than in the Loire, as well: canoeing and kayaking, festivals, great markets, caves and prehistoric sites, gardens, all kinds of outdoor activities.

janisj

Can you put your finger on why Paris wasn't a favorite?

Any option would be great, but w/ that little bit of info I'd personally stay in the UK.

6-7 days in London and a week in Scotland (TONS of castles and historic sites), or London and Kent (TONS of castles and historic sites), London and Wales (TONS of castles and historic sites) . . . See a trend here

Or London and 3 or 4 days Yorkshire and 3 days Edinburgh. Lots and LOTS of options.

kasuel

Thank you for the ideas!

Thoughts on Paris - it may have been any number of factors but for me Paris was more stressful, felt less safe, felt harder to get around (and at the time my high school French was a lot more recent!) I was only there a few days though. It also seems that it might be easier and more enjoyable when the girls are older. So I am okay with a few days there to see if I was wrong and then plan to return when the girls are older.

Re museums - I am not against them! We just aren't a family to spend hours looking at paintings! Science museums, natural history, more hands on things are more what we are interested in. I also think a mix of city time and more rural would be good for us.

Loire v dordogne - with kids, it seemed that the dordogne had more that appealed to us. Medieval castles, caves (the girls are budding scientists /engineers ), canoes, etc. I am sure the Loire is lovely though. I had considered heading the other way to Strasbourg or Annecy...

UK - I loved London and can think of several things I would like to do there. And while other parts appeal, I am also being lured by the dordogne. But then traveling between countries will take up time.

I know you can't decide for me, I was just looking for perspectives I hadn't considered!

Thanks!

indy_dad

We loved Scotland and North Wales. Have a look:

http://ukfrey.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06...highlands.html

http://ukfrey.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08...s-round-2.html

http://ukfrey.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/north-wales.html

annhig

I'd do London, Paris, Dordogne.

5 - 3 - 6.

adrienne

Your girls might be interested in the doll museum.

http://www.museedelapoupeeparis.com/?lang=fr

Or the Cluny - there's lots to see that does not involve paintings.

http://www.musee-moyenage.fr/

Or the Rodin Museum garden (includes some sculptures so you can see some artwork in a short time for little cost).

jent103

As someone who doesn't adore Paris herself, I'm with you! I do love London, though, so for me that would rule out your option #2. Several days in London, a few in Paris and a week in the Dordogne sound lovely to me (the trip between London and Paris is only about three hours), but if you want to keep it a bit easier, the whole trip in the UK would give you everything you've mentioned. For outdoor activities, there are tons of places to hike (it's often just called "walking"), Cornwall for the coast, or any of the combinations janisj mentioned.

I also found Paris stressful, FWIW. I never felt unsafe, and I found it pretty easy to get around, but it did stress me out much more than London or Rome or New York for reasons I can't quite pinpoint. I was there for about nine days last year and never felt like I meshed with it.

If you do go to Paris, check out the Pompidou - it's art, but if the girls are into engineering or architecture, the building is very cool.

Gretchen

Well, I think you should not miss a chance to start to introduce "museums" to your daughters. Science and hands on things are wonderful, but sometimes you have to lead your kids to a huge painting in all its glory. Or as is true in modern art, things don't HAVE to look like what they are. Please consider it.
I think searching out some fun things for children that young will be important or the whine zone may be in effect!! Picnics in between sightseeing could be an idea.

nytraveler

I wouldn;t turn off museums -

many MANY are not art museums - but museums of everythng else yuo can think of.

I can't imagine taking kids to London and not taking them to Natural Histor, the V&A, the British Museum, the Museum of London and especially the Tower and Hampton Court Palace. Yuo don;t have to do the National Gallery or the Tates if you don;t want to.

Gretchen

OR you can go for an hour--to "something". Who knows what will speak to these children.
I think if you just say "they are too young for museums" why are you taking them to Europe.
Maybe parents don't like museums. Do you think it is in the genes that kids don't!!

kasuel

Don't worry - I am not anti-Museums (I tried to clarify in a later post)! We will definitely check out the science or natural history museums. We would most likely visit the Louvre and the British Museum (and a couple others) for a greatest hits sort of thing. I just meant that this wouldn't be an entire trip rushing from museum to museum.
(I wasn't considering Tower of London a "museum" - that would be a definite activity.)

Indy_dad - thanks, I have actually browsed some of your blog already. It looks like you are having a great time.

annhig - that is what I am leaning toward, but I start to doubt myself about going between countries. I understand that London - Paris is fairly painless. But the rest of it starts to seem overwhelming.

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

StCirq

The Cité de Science in Paris is a fabulous hands-on museum. Then there's Deyrolles, the Music Museum, the typewriter museum, and loads of others that are not just "looking at paintngs." But of course there are lots of other attractions in Paris that aren't museums, too, so you don't need to feel compelled to go to museums.

pavot

One option you might not have considered: have your week in London ... and head straight for the Dordogne. I believe you can fly to Brive from London City airport on CityJet, and I know you can fly from London Gatwick to Bergerac, because that's what we did.

Just another thought. I happen to love Paris, but if you don't, and wouldn't look forward to your time there, skip it.

Whatever you decide, I hope you have a wonderful trip!

menachem

Why not use London as a base and visit Paris for a few days, then head back? Travel between London and Paris is super easy and fast with Eurostar, so you could go for a couple of days and then be back in London again. And if it's the Britisch countryside you want to visit, try the Westcountry, Fowey in south Cornwall, or Padstow, Newquay in north Cornwall, or Devon.

cferrb

I recommend keeping it simple here. I would stick with the British Isles. There is so much in London, Conway and Caernarvon castles in Wales are wonderful, York is lovely, Edinburgh would be a treat, and the girls are just going to want to chill, enjoy and hang out. Enjoy!

jent103

Oh, I forgot to mention the V&A - I'm glad someone else did. It's fantastic - not so much hands on, but not many paintings either. Lots of sculpture, jewelry, textiles, furniture, entertainment. And I think a lot of girls your daughters' age would like it. They might prefer Natural History, but the museums in London are generally free, so it wouldn't hurt to stop in and see.

kasuel

Thanks again! This is a tough decision.

I feel like the Museum thing kind of went a weird direction. I was simply trying to list our interests in my OP and said that an art museum was of less interest than certain other activities. We do go to Museums, and of course we will visit some. Similarly, I don't hate Paris. I just liked London better!

I do appreciate all of the suggestions. But I still haven't decided

Thanks!