dainty23

We are flying to LHR on May 17 returning to US on June 4. We are family of 5 (8yr, 5yr and 1yr). We will be staying at a friends house in LHR until May 23 and then going to EDI and staying there until May 27 staying at a friend's house as well.

From EDI we want to go to Rome (for 4 days) and Paris (for 2 days).

What's the cheaper way to visit these places? EDI-FCO-CDG-LHR or EDI-CDG-FCO-LHR?

Also, I've checked Ryanair.com and so far, is the cheapest airfare I could find online. however, they do not have a route to FCO nor CDG but goes into CIA (Rome) and BVA (Paris). Is it worth it?

I appreciate any help you can extend.

yk

Why are you going to Paris if you're just gonna be there for 2 days? And with 3 kids in tow???

When you add in the time you spend going to/from airport, you'd end up with 2 half days in Paris. Hardly worth it.

And I wouldn't even begin the nightmare of having 3 kids plus luggage in tow flying Ryanair.

Do you have to fly out from LHR? If I were you, I'd just fly from Edinburgh to Rome, stay there for 6 days (rent an apt), then fly DIRECTLY from Rome back to the US.

dainty23

Oh - well, the only reason why we even decided to go to Paris is because my 8 yr old wanted to see eiffel tower. I dont wanna go to Paris, honestly... but since my 8yr old requested it, i figured, we might as well just see it.

we'd rather stay in rome if you'd ask me, besides it's cheaper to stay there than paris. however, i can't refuse to give in.

yk

< because my 8 yr old wanted to see eiffel tower >

Can you tell your 8 yr old that Eiffel Tower will still be there for years to come, and that you guys would go to Paris on your NEXT trip???

If Paris is an absolute must, then I'd just forget about Rome altogether. Just go from Edinburgh to Paris, and fly DIRECTLY from Paris back to the US.

Having to return to London heathrow is a waste of time and energy.

dainty23

lol!!!

ok - if we're going to drop paris, will this equation work you think?

LHR: 6 days
EDI: 5 days
FCO: 5 days

thanks for your help.

yk

There's only one airline that flies nonstop from Edinburgh to Rome, and that's FlyGlobespan.

Looks like they only fly twice a week, and the closest date they fly is on May 28th.
Price for 2 adults, 2 children, 1 infant is £311 (inclu tax/fees).

Checked luggage is £5 per piece.

You have more airline choice if you go to Paris.

Your new itin makes more sense. 5 days in Edinburgh seems a bit much, but if you're visiting friends, I guess that'll be okay.

As I've said earlier, it'll be better if you rent an apt (either Paris or Rome). You'll have more space for the price you pay than staying at a hotel, and more flexibility when it comes to feeding the children.

dainty23

thanks.

would you suggest that we spend more days in LHR than in EDI then? I presonally would love to see the stonehedge. im sure my kids wont like it, but im sure my husband and i would as we're both into history and architecture.

i also thought about taking the kids to Gardaland in Italy, but not sure how far that would be from rome. any idea?

yk

I'd suggest:

London 6 days
Edinburgh 4 days
Rome 6 days

What's with everyone wanting to see Stonehenge??? I've lived in London for 1year and have visited London/UK over a dozen times, and I still haven't been to Stonehenge yet!

I don't think it's a good idea to go there with your 3 children (8, 5, and 1).

Just stay in London and enjoy the city. There's plenty of history and architecture in London itself.

BTW, where do your friends live in London?

NaxosTravels

I love Edinburgh through and through, but I would probably alot it 4 nights with your limited time. Personally, I would spend

4 Edinburgh
6 London
6 Rome

Since your going all the way to Rome, you might as well make it count - there is lots to do in the city and surround.

Just my two cents,

Naxos

ellenem

Gardaland is almost in Switzerland, 5-6 hours from Rome.

As others have said, with three kids of such young ages, less is more. Changing countries will use up most of those days with airports and travel--you'd end up with 3 days in Rome and 1 in Paris.

<<however, i can't refuse to give in.>>
What will happen when the 8-year-old is 15?
In all seriousness, you are the parent so you can explain to the child that you've decided on Rome only--it's best for the family. Then give the child a Rome guidebook or travel video and ask for the child's choice of what to do or see there.

StCirq

Rome, in my experience, is definitely not cheaper than Paris.

That said, the 2 days in Paris part of the plan should really be scrapped.

dainty23

yk - i really dont know where my friends live in london - but hoping they're not too far from where we want to go. BTW, thanks for your advice. really helped me.

ellenem: thanks for the Gardaland info. i guess that too will be dropped, huh?

OH BY THE WAY.... i have one more question to ask is you guys dont mind.... how much $ do you think i should bring? a ball park would be good. im just scared everything there is expensive and i really dont want to use credit cards if i can.


thanks again!

ellenem

You should not "bring" any money. You should use your ATM card to access you home bank account for the most economical and easy way to get pocket money.

And your credit card is usually the best way to get the best exchange rate for purchases and expenses. Use it to pay for daily expenses you need, like food, transportation, and lodging, instead of taking out cash to pay for them. (DO NOT use your credit card to get cash from machines--interest is charged immediately. Credit cards for charging only.)

To give an estimate, we need to know how many are in your party--one adult? two adults? You've mentioned the three kids . . .

yk

Echo what ellenem said. What you want to bring is your ATM card and your CC. Do a search here on ATM card (type ATM on the search box on the top of the screen), and you'll get lots of threads about this topic.

Also, you'd really want to know where your friends live in London, so at least you have an idea of how to get into the city. Unless your friends will be escorting you to London and show your around everyday.

Perhaps you have very rich friends, otherwise I doubt they can afford to inside the city and have a place large enough to accomodate your family of FIVE!

dainty23

Ellenem:

We're a family of 5. 2 adults, 8yr, 5 yr and 1yr. we're going to be staying in europe for a total of 17 days. visiting london (not too much of the museums coz that takes too much time, except the british musuem, maybe), edinburgh and rome.

dainty23

yk:

our friends actually took a weeks off from work so that they can escort us around for the entire time we're in london.

that goes the same with our friends in edinburgh.

i guess we're lucky to have good friends, huh?

but, i will try to get a hold of them and ask where they're located.

thank you

Jean

OP read "family of 5."

Wherever you decide to go after EDI, you'd best find your lodging and book it ASAP. Presumably, you'll be looking for a quad room (not easy to find) or an apartment. The clock is ticking (28 days 'til you leave), and if your budget is tight it's ticking faster.

dainty23

Jean - actually, i already booked a place in rome, but not in paris ( they're all expensive!).

i actually got a cheap one in rome - just 85 euro a night. maybe not a lot of people would go there, but i think i'd give it a try. it's a convent - not really a "hotel" or "apartment"

janisj

You may have no idea how "schleppy" it is traveling w/ such young kids on the budget airlines.

You must have <i>some</i> idea where your friends live. We know it isn't &quot;LHR&quot; since that an airport. What town/neighborhood? Where they live could make a significant difference in how you get to Edinburgh.

If your daughter truly dreams of seeing the Eiffel tower, another option is just her and Mom taking a day trip to Paris from London. Dad and the other kids can stay behind w/ the friends and visit the Princes Diana Playground or something else more age appropriate for the little ones. You'd take the train and be back in London by her bed time. I would NIT recommend a day trip to Paris for the whole family - just too hectic.

A 2 day trip to Paris w/ the whole family from Rome is not a great idea and it is good you are dropping that one.

Do the other friends live IN Edinburgh or a nearby city/town?

dainty23

im not sure. you guys have a good point there. that's another assignment for me. i'll have to ask these people and figure out where they are. all i thought about was that we're visiting these places - hotel free!

thanks you guys