We'll be in Paris for most of the month of July, as my old friend has offered her flat while she is travelling. Where should we take the kids for a quick adventure?
I'd like to hop on a train and end up in another country- thinking about Belgium, of course- maybe as far as Amsterdam? I'd love some recommendations- be detailed regarding hotels, sights and restaurants please! also travel details- best trains? travel times?
thanks in advance-
Sara P

I guess I should have titled this one "2-day trip" since going and returning on the same day is not what I had in mind- thanks-
sara p

You are right and I encourage you to actually repost with that title. It should get you far more replies.

You could train to Orleans and see a castle or two in the Loire on an overnight. See some of Normanyd by going to Deauville, Trouville and Honfleur. You could also go to many places that are really day trips, but go overnight and get a better feel for the place, e.g. Chartres, Reims (and Epernay) to see Champagne country, Rouen.

Hi sb,

If it has to be in another country, I suggest Bruges.

How old are the kids?

Hands down winner is The Somme. An hour from Paris, incredibly interesting and a great lesson for kids. I would recommend it strongly. However, pack a lunch because there is nowhere to eat but the "Tommy Cafe". Take them to Vimy, the Newfoundland Memorial, the South Africa Memorial. Amazing place.

Another option is London via Eurostar.

Seconding Bruges, Belgium (you can look it up).

You could:

Take the 17:55 Thalys to Köln, arriving 21:45. Overnight at the Best Western Premier Hotel Park Consul.

Next day, take a K-D steamer up the Rhine. Visit Siebengibirge and Königswinter, or cruise all the way up to Linz.

Return to Köln by train from one of the towns along the route in time to make the 18:16, arriving Paris 22:05.

thanks folks-
kids are boys- 10 and 15.
My friend also has a place in Normandy so we will be able to spend time there- have plnned Bayeux and the D-Day beaches- also probably Mont-St-Michel. I like the idea of Koln- thanks for the details. Bruges is a good idea as well.
Any more thoughts?
thanks-
Sara p

My kids loved London. We took the fast train there and back. Just the fact that everyone spoke english was great for them. The travel was easy and there are a million places to stay (look in Fodor's)and eat. The countryside of France is beautiful, but my kids found it boring (there are only so many castles you can look at).

Amsterdam is one of my favorite cities on this continent. You could rent bikes to visit the city and there is so much to see... like the Anne Frank house, the Ryskmuseum, maritime museum, the Van Gogh museum, the Tropenmuseum (tropics, from the colonial days). The canal tours are great, and you could even do it on your own with paddle boats.
The Jordaan neighborhood is a great place to stay. I don't know your budget, we last stayed at the Sheration Pulitzer, which is a luxury boutique hotel, despite being part of a chain, but there are plenty of other options. We like this area because it is full of artisans and locals. It feels like a neighborhood, but is still walking distance to the tourist areas.
For restaurants, you will want to have dutch pancakes at least once and I resomend the up and coming de Pijp neighborhood for dinner, although the kids may prefer the more touristy Leidesplein area.
It is an easy Thalys ride from the Gare du Nord to Amsterdan Central Station.