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Please help me plan a family trip to Europe!!

Please help me plan a family trip to Europe!!

Old Aug 19th, 2001, 07:15 PM
  #1  
jill
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Please help me plan a family trip to Europe!!

We would like to take our sons to Europe when my oldest son graduates from high school. My other son will be 16 at the time. We will definitely go to London (I think about 4 days) but I''m unsure of where else to go. I'm planning 14-16 days. Also, what is the easiest way to get from country to country? Please, I'm counting on my fellow Fodorites for help!
 
Old Aug 19th, 2001, 08:10 PM
  #2  
elvira
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If the kids have never been on trains, travel by rail. Take the Eurostar to Brussels for 3 days, train to Bruges for 2 days, train to Paris for 5 days. You can take day trips from London (like Stonehenge or York) and from Paris (like Versailles, Chartres), all by train. Buy open jaw tickets, flying into London and out of Paris. You could do the Continent in reverse direction, Eurostar to Paris, train to Bruges, then to Brussels, flying into London and out of Brussels. Or start on the Continent and end in London.

You could also do the British Isles, again by rail: London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, then fly to Dublin.

If money is no object, you could fly to a variety of places: London to Rome to Madrid to Paris (not quite 4 days in each place, counting in flying time).

If you stick to cities, there's no need for a car, so rail or plane is the easiest way to get between the cities.
 
Old Aug 19th, 2001, 08:22 PM
  #3  
Tony
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Much as I normally respect Elvira's suggestions, I wonder what you would do in Brussels for 3 days.
My suggestion, after London, would be Paris and Switzerland so that you and the kids get to see one of the World's great cities, and possibly the most organised and beautiful country.
If that sounds too far, then maybe Paris, Bruges and Amsterdam instead.
I definitely agree with Elvira's suggestions re using the rail system, and an open jaw flight.
 
Old Aug 19th, 2001, 09:34 PM
  #4  
jill
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I think the train system seems like a great idea. Can I take it into Italy? I'm pretty interested in seeing Rome. So, so far I'm thinking London, Paris, Rome, Switzerland? Can I take the trains to all of these areas? And do you sleep on the train?
 
Old Aug 19th, 2001, 09:43 PM
  #5  
Surlok
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I think that traveling by train from Switzerland to Rome would be a little too ambitious, mostly because if you're taking a 14 and 16 years old boys with you. London, Amsterdam, Paris and somewhere in Switzerland seems more sensible to me. The boys will enjoy, believe me. Another possibility would be skipping Switzerland, and flying from Paris to Rome instead.

Surlok
 
Old Aug 20th, 2001, 07:15 AM
  #6  
John
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Before you decide on a train-based holiday, consider that you'd be paying for 4 train tickets everywhere versus one car rental charge. In our experience, family travel (anything over 2 persons really) is cheaper by car than by train, not to mention the greater flexibility of timing, the ability to detour into the countryside or see out-of-the-way places, all that, which is much more convenient with a car than on the rails.

My suggestion would be to spend 10 days in Britain, starting in London if you like, then getting a car and driving north by east, eschewing most of the thatchy-roofy scenery in the south (great stuff, but I've yet to meet a teenage boy who was enthralled) for the castles, moors and cliffs in the north and east, and on to Edinburgh. Drop the car in Scotland (no drop charges for most agencies in the UK) and hop a cheap flight (numerous) to the continent, either Paris or Amsterdam. Remain car-less in either of these cities, with day trips (by train) as needed, then fly home. (Use an "open-jaw" routing for this.)

I think this mix of big city and countryside, visual history, and the accessibility of Britain (language, food, media) combined with a blast of European culture and history (think Orsay Museum + Versaille or Van Gogh + Anne Frank House) will infect your boys but good. Happy planning!
 
Old Aug 20th, 2001, 07:35 AM
  #7  
wes fowler
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Jill,
John's comments immediately above are sensible and ideal. A word or two of advice to supplement what you've read up to now. Definitely get your boys actively involved in the planning process. If they feel they're active "partners" in the planning process, they'll be far more pleasant to travel with. Fourteen to sixteen days may seem like a generous time frame for introducing yourselves to Europe; it's not! Don't be overly ambitious in your planning. A week in London and a week in Paris, with one day side trips to Oxford or Cambridge, Salisbury or Stratford, Versailles or Chartres will leave you with far more lasting and meaningful memories than attempting to cover four or five countries in the same period of time. Plan wisely and well without being overly ambitious and you'll get more out of your trip and no doubt find yourselves planning your next trip as you wend your way home.
 
Old Aug 20th, 2001, 08:03 AM
  #8  
elvira
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Jill: You can take the train to all your choices. London to Paris is a 3 hr trip (timewise, 4 hrs because of the time change). Paris to Basel is about 5 hours. Basel to Rome is 12 hours, and you can take a sleeper train.

Selectpasses for 4 people (does not include Eurostar fares, but does offer a discount on the train) which includes 2 youths, will cost about $1200. The sleeper compartment would be extra, but you save on a hotel room.

If you're up for a kamakazi attack on Europe, go for it. Run this by the kids - if they aren't up for hours on trains, you all will be miserable.

I think train travel works well with kids; they can get up, walk around, go to the snack car and get something to eat, talk to other kids on the train. You can get seats that face each other with a table in the middle, to set up a game or a game of cards. A whole lot easier to separate warring siblings on a train than in a car "if you don't knock it off, I'm pulling this car over!"

A car big enough for teenage boys will cost you $700-800 for ten days, plus fuel and tolls, for driving on the Continent. Unless you drive it back to the country of origin, there'll probably be a hefty drop-off charge. If you want an automatic, you'll pay more, and you'll have to reserve early (few automatics are available, and they get snapped up fast).


 
Old Aug 20th, 2001, 08:35 AM
  #9  
Marsha
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Great suggestions! I also would suggest that your sons have a rudimentary knowledge of European history and art history, so that they understand some of the things that you will see. It doesn't have to be a detailed study course; just the basics will do. If they are involved in planning the trip, it may be easier for them to see the importance of knowing the history and culture of the countries.
 
Old Aug 20th, 2001, 10:11 AM
  #10  
Sharon P
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Considering the ages of your sons, I would suggest taking the train from London to Paris, tour Paris for a few days and then fly to Rome. Rome is incredible! Your sons will enjoy Piazza Navona at night. There is just so much to do and see. If Rome will not be on the agenda, you might consider Monaco and the Riviera for a change from the big cities of Europe.
 
Old Aug 20th, 2001, 08:03 PM
  #11  
Jill
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These are fantastic suggestions! I am starting to appreciate how much planning this will take. I definitely want to start in London. (Husband and I went on our Honeymoon there) After a few days there, (with side trips) I would like to take the boys to Normandy before heading into Paris. How would this best be accomplished?
 
Old Aug 20th, 2001, 09:46 PM
  #12  
commander sulu
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hi, im not exactly a fodorite, im a lonelyplanet type of person, i think you should post this message in lonelyplanet.com and go to thorn tree posts and go to western europe.

anyways, as for advice with teens, go to interlaken switzerland, youll enjoy it and your kids will too. trust me.
 
Old Aug 21st, 2001, 06:58 AM
  #13  
elvira
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If by Normandy, you mean the D-Day beaches, it can be done in a day (early start, late return) a couple of ways:
1) Organized bus tour from Paris (ParisVision, CityRama, etc.). Advantage is everything is done for you, no driving.
2) Train from Paris to Bayeux or Caen and pick up a guided tour from there. Advantage is you're on your own for any part of the day (i.e., arrive Bayeux early, go see the tapestry, then pick up a tour later)
3) Train from Paris to Bayeux or Caen, pick up a rental car and tour the area on your own. Advantage is you are on your own schedule.
4) Rent a car in Paris and do it all by car. Advantage is you have the whole day on your own for detours.
 
Old Aug 23rd, 2001, 12:38 PM
  #14  
Janda
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I suggest Venice. It is pure magic. It is a place you will cherish forever.
 

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