Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Can't decide between Belgium, Netherlands, Ireland or Portugal

Can't decide between Belgium, Netherlands, Ireland or Portugal

Old Mar 23rd, 2012, 11:00 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Can't decide between Belgium, Netherlands, Ireland or Portugal

so i am trying to plan a 1 week trip this November 2012 with another family. all together we will have 4 adults and 4 kids (16, 10, 9 and 5 yo). need to figure out something really family friendly. i am leaning towards Lisbon, Portugal for not so cold and wet weather but the others want Amsterdam and Belgium or perhaps even Scotland or Ireland. we will be packing light, thinking public transportation instead of a van rental. may family has been to Belgium and Netherlands a few times since we were stationed in Germany a couple of times. never been to Portugal or Scotland or Ireland. what would you all suggest??
apples21 is offline  
Old Mar 23rd, 2012, 11:46 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 22,947
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Why not a week in Marrakech with a trip to the desert? The weather would be safer than in any of the places you mention. We were there end of November, and while it was cold up in the mountains, the plains weather was very comfortable--similar to southern California's.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7622870770847/
Michael is offline  
Old Mar 23rd, 2012, 12:30 PM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
thanks so much, michael!! i am so game for Morocco but the other's are not as game. i will sure try to add this to our list of options.
apples21 is offline  
Old Mar 23rd, 2012, 01:25 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 57,091
Received 5 Likes on 3 Posts
personally, i can't imagine actually choosing to take kids on holiday to Ireland, or Belgium in November. Amsterdam might have enough to occupy them if it's cold and wet, so Holland might work, but otherwise not.

we went to Granada in November a few years ago - it rained a bit but was nicely warm when the sun came out. So it would definitely be Lisbon /Portugal for me.

but Edinburgh is an all-year city that has plenty to do so that might work too.
annhig is offline  
Old Mar 23rd, 2012, 01:34 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The average lo/hi in Lisbon is 52 to 63, whereas in Amsterdam it is 37 to 48, but both places the days are getting pretty short that time of year. If it were me I would rather go places where there are bright lights and a variety of cozy places to enjoy than Lisbon, which is not exactly happyville, even if it is a bit warmer. Maybe others have better experience with Lisbon, but it can be kind of scruffy and hard - - even at far warmer times. I think the kids will find more enchantment in the northern cities with their convivial allures in the darkening days, and their easier delights.
dfourh is offline  
Old Mar 24th, 2012, 04:57 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Living in the Algarve of Portugal and having been to all the places you are thinking about to go to, you should make a decision about what is most important to you.
Weather, kids having fun, budget and more.

To decide on the weather in November, well, who can predict how the weather will be in November would make a lot of money. North cold and rainy, south warm and perhaps rainy, but it can be the other way around.

If budget is playing a role, go to Portugal. Spending 2 days in Lisbon, then going down towards the Algarve where you will have some of the most beautiful beaches, good food and lots of culture.
Having a bunch of kids with you, take a cheap van to rent. Costs you the same or even less than public transport and you are your own traveler, can stop and go where you want.
algarvissimo is offline  
Old Mar 24th, 2012, 07:03 AM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
thanks for everyone's input! it truly helped me figure things out....i believe weather and the kids having fun (because if they have fun, the adults will have fun, too!) are the most important to me. SO with all that said, now we are looking into the Canary Islands or Crete.

the other challenge is finding a place the other family hasn't been to either. we are both retired military families who love to adventure wherever we've been stationed.

i guess going to Portugal and Ireland will have to be another time...perhaps without the kids!
apples21 is offline  
Old Mar 24th, 2012, 09:45 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 57,091
Received 5 Likes on 3 Posts
crete could be good.

lovely beaches long the north coast and wonderful ancient sites to explore.

if the days are a bit short, the sea should at least be warm.
annhig is offline  
Old Mar 24th, 2012, 01:32 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 25,496
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Novemeber with your choice go to Portugal, Lisbon, Evira, Alentejo, Faro, Tavira. the Cape. 17 to 20C should be good
bilboburgler is online now  
Old Mar 29th, 2012, 12:45 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you are going in November I wouldn't go to the Canary Islands. in these specific touristic places there is usually not much to do if you are not going in spring or summer. How about Barcelona? There is always something to do in Barcelona...
Sharon_vanManen is offline  
Old Mar 29th, 2012, 03:17 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 541
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Forget Edinburgh - its dark by the end of the afternoon in November - as well as cold and miserable.
zippo is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
nycgal73
Europe
9
Sep 30th, 2011 01:39 PM
minnesotacouple
Europe
3
Sep 21st, 2010 06:47 PM
richardab
Europe
13
Oct 23rd, 2007 01:30 AM
simplinas
Europe
8
Aug 19th, 2006 11:42 AM
carolj
Europe
4
Sep 6th, 2004 04:21 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -