10 days to Italy and Spain with young adult kids (17 and 20)
 

Looking to plan a trip to Europe for Christmas vacation time (Dec 26 - January ?) Never been to Europe and not sure if it's the right decision with our kids. They are not into museums but would enjoy the sights. Where should we go and should we do both countries? I feel like 10 days in one country may get old. Help?

Old ? Definitely not. 10 days in Italy or 10 days in Spain would be great.

No 10 days in Italy would be great -do Venice, Florence and Rome-places where museums -though neat - make little difference in enjoying these places.

Rome- Colosseum - Roman Forum- Vatican -St Peter's - and gelato everywhere.

You may even want to do a day trip to Pompeii - though about 3 hrs on train each way but could be a highlight.

Rome during Christmas is special.

Anyway take trains between the three - spending say 3 nights in Venice and Florence and 6 in Rome - doing some day trips.

For lots on trains and tickets in Italy or Spain check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Main towns in Spain are a lot farther apart and I think your 'kids' would appreciate Italy and its world-famous sights more but that is of course subjective.

If you are traveling around Italy and feel obliged to see the famous sight in late December there is no guarantee you'll get nice weather for outdoor sightseeing. Both Venice and Florence can be quite cold & wet, even snowy. Your best shots are Rome & Naples and most of Sicily (and Rome is a lot more expensive at Christmas than other times of year).

Spain is a bit more favorable in certain areas -- but again, lots of blustery rain is not completely ruled out.

What kinds of "sights" do you think your kids would enjoy in Europe -- and just in general, what do your kids like to do?

I can't imagine 10 days in a country getting old! Both countries have so much to offer.

Yes, the weather can work against you at that time of year! We have spent the week of New Years Eve in Italy 4 times and have really been lucky. Most days we were able to sit outside with jackets for lunch. A lot of places have heated terraces. But you could have rain and even snow.

We have done the following and here are our pictures:

Rome https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...57637218569466

Venice https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...57674400954854

And two separate weeks in Tuscany in Val d'Orcia
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...57639164500734

We are heading back to Tuscany for a week this year for New Years we love it so much!

Happy planning!

I should say we did Rome 2011/2012 NYE, Venice 2016/2017 NYE, and Tuscany 2013/2014 and 2015/2016 NYE.

Jamikins- Thank you so much for your time and advice. I don't really know what our kids would like about this type of trip. They would like the food and the beauty. As far as really appreciating the history and art, probably not. My husband wants to go and feels we should take them before the younger one goes off to college. We haven't researched together in order to make a decision. It isn't a great time to visit these countries, and this is what bothers me most. I think we should save it for a summer time when he is able to travel. HMMMM

I love our winter weeks actually. You get a glimps of how they celebrate the holidays and there are a lot more locals holidaying rather than North Americans. At least in Tuscany. Most sites are open so I have never felt that I am missing out on seeing something. The occasional restaurant maybe be closed or museum but we find it easy to work around. NYE is usually celebrated as well which is fun.

Why don't you get your kids some guidebooks and see what interests them...they may surprise you! Rome would give you lots of options for sites and indoor activities in inclement weather.

Happy planning!

We live in Vienna; our children are presently 15 and 20. As a family we have taken post-Christmas holiday trips to Prague, Budapest and Berlin (celebrating NYE) and of them Berlin was the favorite. They both felt the city had a great vibe and a good mix of things to see and do, and a wider range of cuisines to enjoy.

One of our half-term breaks (February) was spent in Florence, which rates above Berlin to them, primarily because we turned them loose on two of the days to do their own thing.

Add me to those who suggest getting the children involved in the planning. You might be surprised at what they find interesting. I also suggest considering a rental apartment over a hotel; that we can all retreat to our own spaces after a day of sightseeing is essential to everyone's travel happiness. :)

Is your husband going on this trip or not ? In one place you say he wants to go and in another you say maybe summer would be better because he can travel then. I would never, ever recommend a summer trip. Two words - crowds and heat. If you can't go in spring or fall because there wouldn't be enough time, then the Christmas break is best.

Most of Italy such as Rome and Florence and Spain such as Madrid and Seville also boil in summer.