Lexma90

In September, we're (at long last) taking our son on his first trip to Europe. We're spending 4 days/nights in London, 3 nights in the Loire Valley (staying outside of Amboise), and finishing with 4 days/nights in Paris. We've been to all those places before (and enjoyed them all, of course). (I know it's not much time, but the plan is that he'll be back to all those places.)

I'd love ideas and suggestions for extra things we can experience with him to show him these places, and give him a feel for the place, the culture and the people. While of course we're going to do touristy things, I'd like to include some normal, everyday, people-who-live-there activities.

He's not a Niketown/Disneyland kind of guy, more of a National Gallery/Louvre kind of kid, and he loves cities. He's quite adventurous with food, and was quite excited to hear that there are dim sum places in London. We're planning on a mixture of bistro-type places as well as more formal (he's up for it), with a concentration on Indian food in London.

Bottom line is, I'm so excited about this trip that I'd love to gather as many ideas for special things as possible from the good folks at Fodor's. (And husband and son have limited me to no more than 5 minutes per day of trip discussion...)

AnthonyGA

You must be very excited indeed, as you forgot to mention how _old_ your son is, which is a critical piece of information.

SharonNRayMc

I was going to ask the same "age" question. And, I'll add a comment.

Sometimes it is fun to have some down time with other kids his same age.

Here's a real life example: After our son's high-school graduation we took a family trip to Paris and he packed a frisbee and he started some pick-up games in the parks.

Sharon

Travelnut

Let him make some choices of places/things to see from a good guide book (love Eyewitness due to the illustrations).

Put him in charge, at least sometimes, of figuring out the routes for the Tube and the Metro.

BTilke

Based on your previous posts, your son is 9 or 10 years old, right? So I wouldn't let him go off on his own, or at least, without being VERY careful about it.
Travelnut makes a good suggestion...put him in charge of some activities, let him plan how to get to your hotels from the airport, etc. Also put him in charge of some of the trip photos and in collecting mementos for an after-trip scrapbook.

oberost

We took our 13 (just) year old granddaughter to Paris in October. She loved it but one of her best experiences was SHOPPING! Make sure you leave some time for at least a few hours on blvd St Germain for him!

Marsha

Three suggestions: 1) playgrounds (in London, the Princess Diana playground in Kensington Gardens - it is built around a Peter Pan theme, including a pirate ship - and in Paris, Luxembourg Gardens - lots of English speaking kids). He may think he is too old, but he will enjoy himself. He will meet and talk to kids his own age.
2) Don't wear him out. Despite the "down" time that I plan, my kids get worn out traveling (and they are very athletic and in shape).
3) the British Museum and the Natural History Museum in London. The Egyptian antiquities at the Louvre and the Musee D'Orsay in Paris. Big hits with the kids!

Lexma90

Oops - yes, as BTilke correctly figured out, he just turned 10.

On our recent trip to New Orleans, he had a great time directing us on the streetcar, and he's already been introduced to the London Tube map. And despite lots of walking, he didn't complain about that part at all.

We've made an initial walk through the Eyewitness guides, and his current "must-see" list includes the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, anything having to do with James Bond (I got him a book called "James Bond's London," which looks very informative, and complete directions to all sorts of places), Imperial War Museum, Cabinet War rooms, the Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, Eiffel Tower, etc. My must-see list for him (and us) includes things like the puppet shows at the Luxembourg Gardens, buying crepes from a street stand in Paris, a restaurant in a cave in the Loire Valley, etc. And playgrounds - even at 10, he likes playgrounds.

He loves the Asterix books (in English). Are there any other books/comic books that kids in England or France are reading these days? Or any other current fads that he might pick up on while he's there?

NorthShore

"(And husband and son have limited me to no more than 5 minutes per day of trip discussion...)"

Does this apply to you being on the fodor's forum or talking to your family about the trip? What is the reason for this restriction?

IMHO, Pre-trip discussions are essential to getting everyone on the same wave length and managing expectations.

Lexma90

The 5 minutes (luckily they don't actually time me) is the amount of time my family can bear to hear - 3+ months before the trip - "I heard about this fun conveyor-belt sushi place in Covent Garden - I'm adding it to the list." Or "London's Design Museum really looks interesting - honey, you can stop at a pub while son and I visit this one." Or "I found out that kids under 15 can get into many museums free." It's the same restriction I give my son after hearing hours of monologue from him about his Star Wars PS2 game...

My husband and I have nicely worked out the travel planning part of our relationship. I do the obsessive planning and research, because I love to do it, and I know pretty well what he likes - it conforms pretty well to what I like, and I know where we differ (he pretty much goes with the flow on vacation). So it's down to stuff like, "Amboise is a good central location, it worked well for us last time, but I found another wonderful chateau hotel for the same price, help me choose between them." Then he looks at the info and pictures on the websites, and says "they both look good to me." He makes fun of me, but he knows I'm a travel goddess, because I've come up with some great places to visit and eat at on our trips (and the occasional clunker makes for good family stories). My son, having 1/2 of my genes, and being more internet-oriented than hubby, has been more involved in the trip research.

Really, 5 minutes each day for almost 4 months is enough to work out with all involved which things are must-sees, which are "want-to-sees," what we actually have time for, manage expectations, and very importantly to us foodies, decide where we want to eat!

NorthShore

Okay, understand now - have fun planning. Its nice that they trust you to develop a great trip.

Guess I'm a little sensitive on this subject. I had a bad experience once with family members that decided at the last minute to try to inject new and complex requirements and almost ruined our vacation.

Travelnut

In Paris, the Musee de l'Armee has a roomfull of suits of armor, for men, children and horses... and a 'stuffed' horse in the Napoleon rooms...

http://www.invalides.org/pages/anglais/menu_ang.html

and what about the Catacombs, where millions of bones were moved and stacked, to make more room in the city cemetery? (this site has been closed for a few months, was scheduled to reopen in May, don't know the current status..)

triggur.org/cata/
http://www.paris.fr/musees/musee_carnavalet/

KidsToLondon

From what you indicate about your son's personality, the trip sounds like a sure sucess.

I'd suggest London's Science Museum as a possibility--it is one of the best of its kind anywhere. On a return visit to London, at age 14, my son spent the entire day there (we were comfortable leaving him in the museum since we had two mobile phones and he is "city-saavy&quot.

The Tower of London, while an obvious choice, still warrants mention. Many pre-teen and teens are fascinated by the site. The Yeoman Warders provide wonderful tours and they usually pay special attention to kids in the group. Also, if you can arrange tickets to the Cermony of the Keys at the Tower, that would qualify as special activity.

Also, at age 6, my son discovered Hamley's toy store. On subsequent visits, at least through early teen years, Hamley's has been a "must-visit". Warning: your credit card is in danger at this site ;-)

For a people-who-live-there activity, I think London's parks are perfect. If you have enough time--and 4 days may be pushing it--consider going to Hampstead and hiking through the parkland (the "Heath&quot. Great views over London, kids playing, kites flying, etc. Of course you don't have to venture that far to visit a park: Regent's Park and Hyde Park are in central London, along with many others.

Feel free to email me if you have questions ([email protected]). Enjoy your trip.

Cassandra

Your son may be too sophisticated for this, but I myself have a sort of "collection," regarding artworks, etc., and he might want to consider making a such a collection too:

I "collect" images of dogs (and sometimes cats) in paintings, sculptures, and in passing on streets and parks. Although I have a fair amount of formal training in art history (or perhaps because of that), I still find it entertaining to spot dogs in ancient or Renaissance paintings, park sculptures, etc. -- and I evaluate them as to whether they are "good" or "silly" or "weird-lookin'" dogs. I notice cats as well, although there are usually fewer of them. To date, I'd say the Spanish paintings in the Prado have the best collection of incidental dogs, in case you were wondering. A major ancient classic is the "cave canem" floor mosaic in Pompeii. I sometimes photograph them, sometimes write them down, most often just notice them.

Your son might enjoy being a detective, spotting something like that... or choosing favorite fountains, images of stars and planets, best horse in a sculpture, etc. etc.
... and don't forget how much kids can accomplish with cameras. They love to capture things themselves, and sometimes their perspective is truly unique. Make sure he has his own camera -- just to make a record or to "collect" something along the way.

adamhornets

Those nice folks at original london walks (www.walks.com) do a very interesting spy walk at 2.30 every Saturday starting from Piccadilly Circus. James Bond is mentioned! I would have thought your son is old enough to enjoy it.
A few hours at The Sceince and Natural History Museums followed by some fun in Hyde Park would make for a great day.
Another useful website run by the tourist board is www.kidslovelondon.com
Good luck and have a great trip!