London-Stockholm-Copenhagen-London: tips?
Jul 27th, 2007, 01:53 AM
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London-Stockholm-Copenhagen-London: tips?
I'm planning the above itinerary for late August, with wife and 3 kids (6-9-11). Would appreciate any tips, e.g.:
1. Do US citizens need visas?
2. Is it smart to fly London to Stockholm, then train from Stockholm to Copenhagen? (or is the reverse better, or should we fly all legs)?
3. If we do London and Copenhagen, is there a better idea for a 3rd city than Stockholm? Somewhere closer maybe? malmo?
4. Are there specific kids activities in any of those places, e.g. amusement parks? (I saw some refs to Legoland, but not sure where it is.)
5. I'm planning 3 full days in each city (not counting travel days). Is that the right balance?
6. Any kid friendly hotels/other accommodations in London? (I saw some posts about Stockholm and Copenhagen, but am still investigating those so if anyone can drop a name or two of hotels or a company that rents apartments it would be appreciated).
Thanks in advance for any tips you can give me.
1. Do US citizens need visas?
2. Is it smart to fly London to Stockholm, then train from Stockholm to Copenhagen? (or is the reverse better, or should we fly all legs)?
3. If we do London and Copenhagen, is there a better idea for a 3rd city than Stockholm? Somewhere closer maybe? malmo?
4. Are there specific kids activities in any of those places, e.g. amusement parks? (I saw some refs to Legoland, but not sure where it is.)
5. I'm planning 3 full days in each city (not counting travel days). Is that the right balance?
6. Any kid friendly hotels/other accommodations in London? (I saw some posts about Stockholm and Copenhagen, but am still investigating those so if anyone can drop a name or two of hotels or a company that rents apartments it would be appreciated).
Thanks in advance for any tips you can give me.
Jul 27th, 2007, 02:15 AM
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US citizens do not need visas for UK, Denmark or Sweden. The train from Stockholm to Copenhagen takes about 5 hours. Not sure if there is any advantage to taking the train.
There is a festival at the end of August in Malmö, you can visit from Copenhagen. I wouldn't swap out Stockholm for Malmö. Stockholm and Copenhagen are great cities for the summer, if we ever get one this year.
Legoland is in Billund, Jutland, quite a way from Copenhagen. Tivoli Gardens is an amusement park in Copenhagen itself.
There is a festival at the end of August in Malmö, you can visit from Copenhagen. I wouldn't swap out Stockholm for Malmö. Stockholm and Copenhagen are great cities for the summer, if we ever get one this year.
Legoland is in Billund, Jutland, quite a way from Copenhagen. Tivoli Gardens is an amusement park in Copenhagen itself.
Jul 27th, 2007, 02:26 AM
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Bermuda
Don't give up Stockholm for any other place. It's a great place for the kids as well as adults. It's magic in summer time in Stockholm.
I like Copenhagen too but I love Stockholm.
You might able to check into take a boat from Stockholm to Copenhagen. This would be wonderful to see the beautiful Baltic.
In Stockholm, do not miss the Wasa ship. Your kids will love this ship and it's history. Skansen is near the museum for the Wasa. The Royal Castle is in Stockholm in the Gamla Stan part of the city.
I hope your trip will be fun.
Blackduff
Don't give up Stockholm for any other place. It's a great place for the kids as well as adults. It's magic in summer time in Stockholm.
I like Copenhagen too but I love Stockholm.
You might able to check into take a boat from Stockholm to Copenhagen. This would be wonderful to see the beautiful Baltic.
In Stockholm, do not miss the Wasa ship. Your kids will love this ship and it's history. Skansen is near the museum for the Wasa. The Royal Castle is in Stockholm in the Gamla Stan part of the city.
I hope your trip will be fun.
Blackduff
Jul 27th, 2007, 02:47 AM
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I agree with what blackduff said about Stockholm. It's great and the Vasa museum is definitly something kids would love.
There is way more to do in London than you can do in three days but the Tower of London would have to be at the top of the list, especially with kids. A boat trip on the Thames is also good. Covent Garden to watch the street performers. If it's raining (the comment about if they ever get a summer - worse rains/flooding in the UK in 60 years) there are great museums and they are free! I would think the two best for kids would be the V&A and the British Museum. With such a short amount of time I would not bother with the time involved (waiting on lines, etc) to go into Westminster Abbey or St Pauls or the London Eye.
In Copenhagen the obvious thing for kids (or adults) is Tivoli Gardens. A real old fashioned amusement park/garden. Wonderful. A hotel right next to Tivoli (and close to the train station too, which you'll use even if you fly since it's the best way to get to the airport) is the CabInn. It's also the cheapest decent hotel in a very expensive city and kids should like it as the rooms are designed on the idea of a ships cabin - everything tucks into things, bunk beds, etc. The beds are narrow is the only thing. Three days is not much time, but maybe you could squeeze in a half day trip to one of the castles.
Re the weather - you better be prepared for anything. I was in Stockholm and Copenhagen last summer and it was delightful - highs in the low 80s and in over a week only one day of rain. But as I said, the UK and Scandinavia are having a truly shitty summer. I just got back from Edinburgh and it was freezing (locals were wearing winter jackets, tourists looked miserable) and rained much of every day (with a few hours of sun about every other day - although the day I left it looked beautiful).
There is way more to do in London than you can do in three days but the Tower of London would have to be at the top of the list, especially with kids. A boat trip on the Thames is also good. Covent Garden to watch the street performers. If it's raining (the comment about if they ever get a summer - worse rains/flooding in the UK in 60 years) there are great museums and they are free! I would think the two best for kids would be the V&A and the British Museum. With such a short amount of time I would not bother with the time involved (waiting on lines, etc) to go into Westminster Abbey or St Pauls or the London Eye.
In Copenhagen the obvious thing for kids (or adults) is Tivoli Gardens. A real old fashioned amusement park/garden. Wonderful. A hotel right next to Tivoli (and close to the train station too, which you'll use even if you fly since it's the best way to get to the airport) is the CabInn. It's also the cheapest decent hotel in a very expensive city and kids should like it as the rooms are designed on the idea of a ships cabin - everything tucks into things, bunk beds, etc. The beds are narrow is the only thing. Three days is not much time, but maybe you could squeeze in a half day trip to one of the castles.
Re the weather - you better be prepared for anything. I was in Stockholm and Copenhagen last summer and it was delightful - highs in the low 80s and in over a week only one day of rain. But as I said, the UK and Scandinavia are having a truly shitty summer. I just got back from Edinburgh and it was freezing (locals were wearing winter jackets, tourists looked miserable) and rained much of every day (with a few hours of sun about every other day - although the day I left it looked beautiful).
Jul 27th, 2007, 03:01 AM
#9
Another vote for Stockholm and esp the Wasa ship. Beautiful city. Not as discovered as some others in Europe, but fantastic.
The kids will definitely love Wasa. It's amazing - and in kind of an eerie, dim setting. Totally cool.
The kids will definitely love Wasa. It's amazing - and in kind of an eerie, dim setting. Totally cool.
Jul 27th, 2007, 03:10 AM
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Hi Bermuda
Just a friendly request. For some reason, Fodors will only wrap if there are breaks in the words. By posting a title without breaks it throws the formatting out and we can't see the entire titles for posts.
Cheers
Sarvo
Just a friendly request. For some reason, Fodors will only wrap if there are breaks in the words. By posting a title without breaks it throws the formatting out and we can't see the entire titles for posts.
Cheers
Sarvo
Jul 27th, 2007, 03:21 AM
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To all, you are amazing! Great ideas! We are just starting to digest them and may have more questions. the idea of boating from Stockholm to Copenhagen is tantalizing. We'll definitely look into that. thanks again. I've got to get to work, then back here later. ciao.
Jul 27th, 2007, 03:30 AM
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If you have 9 days, I would suggest 5 in London and 4 in one Scandinavian region (whichever you choose). With three children, that will be more than enough, in my opinion, as there is so much to see in both places, and it allows you to be a bit more settled.
Jul 27th, 2007, 04:48 AM
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On our trip which included a week in France and a week in the Baltic ending on 22 July we had exactly one half day of rain the entire time.
temps in the Baltic region were in the 70's and much more comfortable than i expected.
Also low humidity everywhere.
temps in the Baltic region were in the 70's and much more comfortable than i expected.
Also low humidity everywhere.
Jul 27th, 2007, 05:17 AM
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Fine weather is hinted at for August. Honest. From August 3rd....However, bits of Scanadavia have had a really nice summer, as has most of France - all to do with the jet stream (the air current not the Gulf stream the ocean current) being too far south this year, causing a clash between high and low pressure areas over the UK/Northern France/Benelux area, and keeping the warm air from dissipating up from the south. It has been warm but wet. More rain this weekend, then hopefully it will start to dry out.
Jul 28th, 2007, 02:38 AM
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Blackduff: I love the idea of boating from Stockholm to Copenhagen. Any tips on ferries that make the trip?
Hetsimii/Dukey: thanks for the weather insights and optimism. I think we're going whatever the weather.
Isabel/Willtravel: Loved your ideas. My wife and I lived in London a while back (with only 1 child), and I agree with your ideas for there. This is our 1st time to Scandanavia. Can't resist fitting in 2 great cities there. I know it's not really enough for any of the cities, but our kids are young enough that they get bored so changing venue every 3-4 days keeps them on their toes. I'm weighing CabInn vs renting an Apartment. More research to be done this weekend.
(Sarvo, I appreciate your formatting tip. I'll do better in future.)
Thanks again, everyone. I'll be back after I read a few books and do more investigation.
Hetsimii/Dukey: thanks for the weather insights and optimism. I think we're going whatever the weather.
Isabel/Willtravel: Loved your ideas. My wife and I lived in London a while back (with only 1 child), and I agree with your ideas for there. This is our 1st time to Scandanavia. Can't resist fitting in 2 great cities there. I know it's not really enough for any of the cities, but our kids are young enough that they get bored so changing venue every 3-4 days keeps them on their toes. I'm weighing CabInn vs renting an Apartment. More research to be done this weekend.
(Sarvo, I appreciate your formatting tip. I'll do better in future.)
Thanks again, everyone. I'll be back after I read a few books and do more investigation.
Jul 28th, 2007, 08:00 AM
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Bermuda
I didn't find any results for boats to Copehagen but look at this forum.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...Stockholm.html
If this is chopped up, piece all the parts and send it off to the web. Basically the people on this forum agree it's possible from Stockholm to Copenhagen with train, car, or airplane. The car takes about 8 hours but it's a beautiful drive. The train has a fast line and will arrive in Copenhagen for 5 hours. The plane is fast but most expensive.
I've driven from Stockholm to Copenhagen from time to time and this is a great drive in the summertime. Certainly it's the best method with three kids. The train ride might keep them amused too. Lots of things to see along the ride.
Anyway you decide, you're going to enjoy Sweden. The people are great to meet and many will speak English too. The pastries are deadly-be careful.
Have fun.
Blackduff
I didn't find any results for boats to Copehagen but look at this forum.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...Stockholm.html
If this is chopped up, piece all the parts and send it off to the web. Basically the people on this forum agree it's possible from Stockholm to Copenhagen with train, car, or airplane. The car takes about 8 hours but it's a beautiful drive. The train has a fast line and will arrive in Copenhagen for 5 hours. The plane is fast but most expensive.
I've driven from Stockholm to Copenhagen from time to time and this is a great drive in the summertime. Certainly it's the best method with three kids. The train ride might keep them amused too. Lots of things to see along the ride.
Anyway you decide, you're going to enjoy Sweden. The people are great to meet and many will speak English too. The pastries are deadly-be careful.
Have fun.
Blackduff
Jul 28th, 2007, 09:38 AM
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Last year when I was doing Copenhagen and Stockholm I looked into taking a boat and was not able to find one that went between those two cities. Doesn't mean it doesn't exist but I sure couldn't find anything about it, and I'm pretty good with my travel internet research skills. I did find cheap airfare on Sterling.com and that turned out to be easier and faster than the train. If my kids were still that age I think I'd opt for that.
And I agree that even with only 3 days in each city it is still worth doing. I added Stockholm to my itinerary at the last minute and so only got two days there but am still glad I went. It was wonderful and I can't wait to go back, but if I hadn't gone in the first place for those two days I wouldn't know that.
And I agree that even with only 3 days in each city it is still worth doing. I added Stockholm to my itinerary at the last minute and so only got two days there but am still glad I went. It was wonderful and I can't wait to go back, but if I hadn't gone in the first place for those two days I wouldn't know that.
