A week in Graz, then where?
 

We (2 adults, 4 kids ages 2-11) are planning on spending a week in Graz in July (for a conference). We want to stay an extra week in Europe and are trying to plan our itinerary. I'm thinking Vienna, but is 7 days too long there? What about Salzburg? Or do we head to Venice or Munich? My kids are great travelers and quite adventurous, but they are young. Think kid friendly.

I just got back from a trip focused on Slovenia, but I started in Salzburg and stopped for a night in Graz on the way to Maribor, Slovenia. I know everyone goes to Vienna and Salzburg - but Slovenia is super nice and untouristed especially by Americans (especially the eastern part of the country). So if you want an idea to do something a bit different - I highly recommend at least a detour down to Slovenia.

Frequent direct trains connect Graz to Maribor, which is a surprisingly nice town. Even if you do only a day trip there, I say go check it out. Many people also visit the nice old town of Ptuj, which is another 1/2 hour train ride from Maribor. Ljubljana, the capitol, is a few hours more west by train but is a beautiful little city.

You cant go wrong with Vienna.You could easily spend a week there and ,not be bored.Paul

www.travelforkids.com Venicetourism.com AWESOME best for kids

magical no car walking canal city amazing to see for them.


bauervenezia.com otel.com for me last or

www.hotelpausania.it #211 from 59 euro for me last

for budget...

Beats the pants off of stodgy Vienna for me although

Meridien is nice there from $80 in the past bidding priceline

Old town is nice way too euroindustrial and blocky otherwise

Happy Hunting!

Hallstatt, St. Wolfgang, Salzburg... all worth checking out!

I would be afraid that in your time frame, you are just going to face a crush of tourists in the cities you mentioned. Plus, I don't necessarily think of them as places where kids 2 to 11 will find a whole lot of interest, apart from your taking them to the urban parks and gardens.

Were it me in July, I would absolutely want to get out of the heat. I would head to the Alps, probably the Alta Badia area of the Dolomiti only because I know it, but I bet there are plenty of destinations in Austria quite near Graz, or head to Switzerland if the kids want a different culture. In all those places you could find places to stay thare are super-kid friendly with farm animals and activities. Plus cable car rides into the sky.

Or I might head to a coastline. I'm Italy-centric, so I would probably pick a kid-friendly resort in Grado, with some lazy sightseeing excursions to Aquilieia, Trieste, maybe Palmanova and a nearby castle. But perhaps there are places along the Sloveina or Croatian coast that are not swarmed with tourists in July. (I don't know.)

Here's info on Grado

http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/friuliv...lia/grado.html

Thank you for all your help, everybody! I'm going to check out Slovenia for sure. I'm also Italy-centric, but I've been there so much and lived there as well, so I was trying to branch out. BUT, I know my kids would love it. Thanks again.