indyhiker

On my first solo trip to Europe, I went to Edinburgh and London. I recall an excruciating taxi ride in Edinburgh with a Scottish driver. The only word I understood that he said was “California.” He night has well have been speaking Greek. In contast, the Italians we’ve rented apartments from in small Umbrian towns speak perfectly understandable English. Go figure.

In other words, I agree that the OP shouldn’t let language be a limiter.

Odin

<<we haven't traveled abroad before>>
If you've travelled to Mexico and Canada then that is abroad, isn't it?

Almost everyone in Scandinavia over the age of 6 speaks very good English, more so IMO than Germans or Austrians. Summer can be wonderful in beautiful Stockholm with lots of things for kids to do.

I would not be held back by lack of local language skills; none of us speak all the languages of Europe and we wouldn't have travelled half the places we have if we limited ourselves to English speaking countries. If you want to go to Rome, there is no reason why you should not go.

progol

Like others have said, the language challenges are minimal in the places that are being suggested - and maybe a good opportunity for your children to learn a few basic phrases in one or two languages!

I would involved the children in the planning - go to the library, look at books and see what appeals to them.

BUT! My own inclination is that Italy is the perfect "starter" country - and what I would do in your situation is to stay a week in Tuscany or Umbria, doing day trips, then stay in Venice and Rome. A rental with a swimming pool would be a perfect place to relax and unwind but can be such a wonderful experience in a beautiful setting. Venice and Rome are cities that have a lot to offer on so many levels for all ages. Rome is amazing to wander - seeing the ancient ruins in and around the city, even absorbed into the actual structure of the buildings! And there's no place like Venice - walking through the city is magical and I would think your kids would be enthralled.

Even though it will be crowded, I've always felt that you go when you can and make the best of it. If it's possible to go in May or June, of course, you're better off, but definitely go!

Gretchen

How long? Budget? That will make a difference. Maybe answered, but didn't see it in a skim.
Consider an open jaw for being able to maximize perhaps seeing more than one area--like flying into Rome, see Italy and end in Paris.

rs899

Figure out what you want to see.

Go there.

(You can handle it).

rachellynn99

Thanks. I'm beginning to see it's not as overwhelming as it seems.

rachellynn99

We actually like that itinerary very much and think that is the one we are going with. We are looking at late May 10-12 days. We can spend upwards of 10k or so but would like to keep it around 8k total for 5 people, 12 days. It looks like airfare will be a good hunk of it, and we found a few cooking classes in Italy we would like to all attend ( so a ticket x's 5). It looks like it is all coming together. Thanks for all your responses.

janisj

Sorry to rain on it a bit. But if you mean 10 to 12 days total - then you ca't do too awful much destination-wise. 10 days home to home nets you 7.5 days free on the ground. 12 days = 9.5 days. So not really enough for Rome, 'see Italy' (assuming you mean more than just Rome), and Paris. And I honestly think $8,000 is low for a multi country trip. Don't know where you are flying out of but let's say near a major US hub with lots of flight options - Airfare for 5 will probably run $4000 or more (very likely more). That would leave you about $100± per day per person. Now, the kids do get in to some things free and get cheaper fares etc. so some days that would be easy peasy. But with multiple train trips and a flight to Paris plus your cooking school, etc. many days would be absolute budget busters. If you stick to just Italy and stay in inexpensive airbnb's/hotels/hostels and avoid the travel to Paris it would be MUCH more doable with your time and budget.

PalenQ

And again you could take the overnight train between Venice, Milan and Paris. Thello ? Trains France-Italie - site officiel.

StCirq

I live in France, have discount cards for all sorts of hotels and transportation and museums and so forth, don't have fancy tastes in food or need to take cooking or other lessons, and have spent a lifetime researching ways to have lovely vacations in Europe on a pretty low budget, and I simply don't see how, especially if this really is 12 nights on the ground, you can manage this for 5 people with US$8,000. And at least as of right now, it's not looking as though the exchange rate is going to do you any favors.

Sassafrass

Language will not be a problem.
Good you are starting far ahead, gives you time to think things through and mull over itinerary.

Do not book plane tickets until itinerary is pretty much set.
When it comes time for that, book multi-city, not RT or two, one way tickets. It will save wasting time and money backtracking.

Spend as little time traveling from place to place as possible. Spend more time doing and sightseeing. With your limited time, very limited budget and group of five, stick with two cities or places with easy connections or several places close together with one or two bases and day trips.

Investigate now, a few hotels, apartments or Airbnbs to get an idea of costs.
Costs of things like cooking school can add up quickly. If it has been a dream to do one in Paris or Italy, then, of course, do it if you wish. There are so many other things to do though, that your few days will be quickly filled wonderful things without such a commitment of time and money.

IMHO and IME with kids, London and Paris make a great combo.
Any places in Italy are wonderful, but do go as early as possible to avoid the heat.
Southern Germany is also wonderful for kids and nice combined with a bit of Austria.
Go in May, before it is super hot, and Spain is also an incredibly beautiful and interesting country for the whole family

janisj

>>And again you could take the overnight train between Venice, Milan and Paris<<

That would cost at least $300 - IF berths are available . . . unless you propose they sit up all night. Some dates in May are already sold out.

ToujoursVoyager

Depending on where they fly from they could get a open jaw ticket for $500 or even under (usa to Rome and back from Paris for example). The trick for her will be to be flexible with her dates. If she scores good plane tickets, her $8000 is douable.

The last east three times we have flown to Europe from Florida and back has been around $400 a piece (roundtrip or open jaw).

5alive

I would have to echo that, particularly if you want Paris or London to be one of your two destinations. We went to both in 2016, and we are also a family of 5. Our Itinerary was London/York/Edinburgh/Paris. Way back in 2005 we all went to Rome at Christmas.

As another poster mentioned, one way to save money is to rent an apartment. They suggested airbnb. (Sidenote: also consider booking.com and homeaway.) But: since my own trip, Paris has cracked down on short-term rentals, and require each landlord to get a license. As I understand it--I don't live there--many have been shut down. I would be reluctant to rent an apartment unless it were verified to be legal. Finding a hotel room for 5 people is not going to happen. You will need two.

Regarding London, we went in June 2016 which was probably more expensive than your May dates. But I ended up getting a flat in Chelsea at about $300/night on booking.com. I spent a lot of time looking too. I might have done a little better had I started looking in January. Or, if I was willing to be in an outer suburb, but there are drawbacks to that.

It's great that you came here to brainstorm a year ahead of your trip. Check out the Rick Steves videos on Youtube to help pick your destination. If it were me... I would suggest either Rome and another Italian city, ie Florence or Venice. Rome was magical for kids, and May shouldn't be too hot. The huge churches and ruins, the great public spaces, the fountains lit up at night? I don't think you would regret it.

If you really want to go to London, then you could pair London with Edinburgh or other locations in England and Scotland, which will be less expensive. Some great castles and sights that would be very kid friendly.