We will be spending 4 nights in most of these places this June. This summer, mom and dad, 15 year old boy, 11 year old girl, and 7 year old boy will be traveling. Our preference would be for an apt. or B&B that could accomodate a family of five.

As to each of these places, if anyone has specific recommendations that I could look in to, that would be great. I would also appreciate any recommendations as to a particular area that would be well located.

Last time we were in London, we stayed in the Kensington area and it was fine. But I am not really familiar with London, so I am particularly interested in what areas fodorites seem to prefer.

In Venice we like to be fairly close to St. Marks - 10-15 min. on foot.

In Rome, the last time we were there we were on the Via Venetto a couple of blocks within from the American Embassy. This worked fine. Any recommendations for this area? What are people's suggestions? I have seen some differing comments as to the Spanish steps area vs. the Pantheon area.


I don't really know anything about Amsterdam. Can anyone recommend the areas we should be looking in, if not specific Apts or B&B's?

I know nothing about Paris.

Any guidance that anyone can give would be great. Many, many thanks!!

Amsterdam is rich in affordable and charming B&Bs, and if you can, I think it is loveliest to stay in the canals areas.

However, Amsterdam is also rich in child-friendly attractions, not all of which are in the canals area. So you might first look at a guidebook to see what appeals to you, and then look for accommodations accordingly.

Usually a google searhch of "Amsterdam bed breakfast" will turn up a good selection. I have found the Holland and Amsterdam tourist offices to be very well-organized, helpful and responsive, and I hope you have the same experience. You can find their websites with a google search.

I would also suggest that you think about staying just outside Amsterdam, in scenic places like Delft or Haarlem. Amsterdam is easily accessible, but these smaller places offer (perhaps) lower prices and opportunities for family bicycle outings, etc.

If you've been happy with Kensington, I don't see a great need to change it. I like the South Bank and Islington, as well as many parts of North London, but I'm not trying to herd a family through public transportation. I suggest you stick with what you know, especially since Kensington has so many nice open spaces.

As for Roma, if you like where you were, again stick with it for ease of planning. If not, you might investigate the family-friendly Trastavere, provided your family is willing to walk a few extra steps after a long day of touristing. The area of the Pantheon is superb for touristing, and if you can find and afford accommodations there, go for it. The Slow Travel website is one place to begin looking.

I'll let others advise you on Paris, which I think has a great many neighborhoods and attractions that are fantastic for children, but some locales may be better than others.

For Brugge, here are some apartment options--the largest one would give you plenty of space and extra bathrooms, but of course is also the most expensive:
http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/Bel...m?uni_id=14442

I don't have a specific B&B recommendation, but for your kids, and the kid in you, I recommend that you visit Madurodam http://www.madurodam.nl/ for a morning and Duinrell
http://www.duinrell.nl/duinrell_en/ for an afternoon and evening. You might want to stay near the Hague or Leiden for these activities, rather than Amsterdam. How are you traveling, car or public transport?

For Paris a good apartment rental agency is rentparis.com. They have tons of listings and several that will accomodate a family of 5. Just rented through them and they were very easy to deal with. However, if you know nothing about a city I always think it's best to stay in a hotel, just easier to find initially, you have someone at the desk to ask questins of,etc. On the other hand you sound fairly well traveled so it might not be a problem, and it would be the most economical. I stronly suggest the 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th as areas to look in for either apartments or hotels.

You should find ideas if you do text searches here. Many people ask about rooms/apts for 5. In Paris, the Montpensier has been mentioned as having large rooms.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...de_France.html It's near the Louvre. But you might prefer staying on the left bank.

In your place I'd definitely concentrate on an apt. maybe midway, in order to have a clothes washer/dryer. Also keep in mind you may want a/c and many apts. don't have it. (Not all b & bs do either).

In Venice, Pensione Accademia, where I stayed, has at least 1 large family room I know of, just off the Piano Nobile (a big sitting room off the 2nd floor-they call it the 1st ) of the main building with a lovely view. The hotel is a 10 minute walk to San Marco. It's in Dorsoduro near the Accademia bridge and museum. Good area for restaurants.

slowtrav.com has apt. listings and reviews.

Here is a large, 2-bedroom Rome apartment that I would recommend:

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/vr/review.asp?n=1530

It is very well located near Campo de Fiori. The rental agent, Maura, Will pick you up at the airport and bring you back - for free. He is also very helpful.

Campo de Fiori is a great area - not high brow like Via Venetto - but much more fun actually.

I just realized that review may not have the specific aprtment on it - it is 81 Via Pellegrino,

http://www.rome-apartments-for-rent....ellegrino2.asp

Also, here are our trip reports fro Paris and Rome with a 15 and 18 year old. Maybe they'll give you some ideas:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34644730

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34645892

For London, we (a family of four incl. 2 teenaged girls) liked this apt: http://www.aplacelikehome.co.uk/prop42.html

Having 2 baths was a big selling point. Younger daughter chose to sleep on one of the sofas in the large living room (there was a door, so it was pretty private), older daughter had a lovely double bedroom to herself. 5-10 min walk to Kensington High, lots of restaurants in walking distance.

I second BTilke's recommendation for the Drie Koningen apartments in Brugge. My parents rented Carmers for a week at Christmas while we stayed in a different flat a block away. Their apartment was gorgeous - every bit as nice as the pictures. Excellent location, about 5 minutes to the Markt. Great dining options close. And my favorite part -- order pastries from the shared lobby computer by 8:00 p.m. for fresh delivery first thing in the a.m. We had fantastic pastries and bread each morning, and most were only around 1Euro (and the final bakery bill was added to our lodging bill upon check-out).

Stayed at Residence Le Coin in Amsterdam in 2003, great place! Large enough rooms for family, great locatioin and price. http://www.lecoin.nl/indexEN.html

In Venice I have rented two different apartments from www.venicerentals.com and been very happy.

I also recently used www.sleepinitaly.com for Rome and was also pleased.

Try Coach House Rentals. They’ve been in business in London for 5 years and have a great reputation there - www.rentals.chslodon.com. They’ve just started up an operation in Paris see: www.rentals.chsparis.com.

In Brugge Hotel Cavalier which is a B&B has a nice quad room. Great location right off the Markt. http://www.hotels-belgium.com/hb-brugge-cavalier.htm

We too have stayed in Brugges at a wonderful apartment, three different times, www.kanthuisje.com/d3kon. De Drie Koningen. It is very close to everything yet quiet. We have stayed there just two people, taken two friends, and have looked at larger facilities which are wonderful. You will love this place.

I've had success with this company & they have apartments in London & Paris. Just enter the area you want for each city:

http://www.londonguestsuites.com/

In Rome, i agree that an aparment would be best and you've had some great ideas already. We rented through www.italy-accom.com and they were very helpful. Taxi transfer to apartment was E50 but for 5 people that seems ok to me and makes the beginning of the stay so much easier, especially with kids.
In amsterdam ,we stayed in a hotel I would not recommend - chosen because it had parking which is at a premium. Teh B&B idea sounds great. Our kids, then 14 & 17, liked the canals, the zoo [the aquarium is terrific] and the hands on science museum in the harbour. there is a great floating chinese restaurant nearby [you can't miss it] which was full of chinese people and we really loved. Amsterdam is quite small so it doesn't matter where you stay - you can still get everywhere on the trams and boats.
In Paris, we stayed outside at St. Germain en Laye, which is 30 minutes from L'etoile on the RER. Our kids loved the eiffel tower, the bateaux mouches, and best of all, Parc Asterix, to the north of Paris, which is a very french theme parc with its own hotel - not cheap , but fun for one night. Hope this helps.