Europe with kids guides
Dec 16th, 2002, 07:44 AM
#2
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Rather than look for a guidebook that is aimed specifically at travel with kids (I have never seen one for Europe and I have a lot of guidebooks), I would suggest that you look at the Eyewitness / DK guides regarding attractions. As they are full of pictures and explain the sites very well, they will give you an idea of what you want to see.<BR>Also, common sense goes a long way.<BR>I find that giving the children something to look forward to, allowing time for them to play and choosing sites that they find interesting helps.<BR>London: <BR>1. The Tower of London - great for kids (and adults)<BR>2. The London Eye<BR>3. The British Museum _ not too long a visit. Mine like the Egyptian rooms in particular.<BR>3. Natural History and Science Museum - a useful back up if it's raining and great for kids<BR>4. Covent Garden - street performers which children tend to like but not much else<BR>5. Great parks in London - it's easy to see the sites for a while and then visit a park where they can run around<BR>Italy<BR>We stayed in Rome and Pompei this year.<BR>The Colloseum was a hit.<BR>The children also liked walking round squares with fountains etc.<BR>The key to Italy is don't try to see too much becaues there is too much to see from a child's point of view.<BR>Hope this helps a little.
Dec 16th, 2002, 08:50 AM
#6
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You can do a really nice trip in 15 days. We've done 2 Europe with kids trips, both 9 days. One was paris and amsterdam, the other Italy. My kids (in age range of yours), preferred Italy but enjoyed both. It's very kid-friendly. The Italians really seem to enjoy having the kids around. Also the food tends to be very kid-friendly, especially if your kids aren't adventurous eaters. One bit of advice in general is, whatever your itinery is, plan downtime for the kids just to hang out or play in a park. Bring along a ball to kick around (or throw around). Let your kids look through the books so they can help plan out the site-seeing. Any of those places you mentioned has plenty to entertain both kids and adults.
Dec 16th, 2002, 09:21 AM
#7
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"Take Your Kids to Europe" by Cynthia W. Harriman, published by The Globe Pequot Press is excellent. It contains very practical suggestions for what to see and how to live while touring Europe with the kids. My kids like to stay in one or two places and take day trips, and take off a day or two in each place just to kick back! We try not to spend too much time driving. We also prefer cottages or a house to staying in hotels - we all feel like we live in the community. Many times a vacation house or cottage is less expensive than a hotel.
Dec 16th, 2002, 09:25 AM
#8
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I have taken several trips to Europe with my kids. If this is a first trip for yours, think about the point of entry. Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands are small-scale, very kid-friendly, have an abundance of English-speakers and enough beaches, boats, trains and parks for any kid. I would recommend Amsterdam, some Dutch countryside, and a big finish in Paris.
Dec 16th, 2002, 10:04 AM
#9
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Cadogan Guides has a small series of books which might be useful for you called "Take The Kids..." The books cover London, Paris, England, Ireland, Amsterdam and Southern Spain. I have used the London and England books and found them to be extremely useful for children ages 5 to 10 or 11.
Dec 16th, 2002, 12:17 PM
#10
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<BR>CHILDREN IN LONDON<BR><BR>INTRODUCTION<BR><BR>This is a note for families with children aged 5 to 10. It draws from correspondences on Fodors forum about London for pre-teen children, written from 1999 to 2002, in which people remembered family successes to suggest visits. <BR><BR><BR>Books,<BR>"London for Families" by Larry Pain, published by Interlink Books in 1998. "Kidding Around in London". <BR>"Take the Kids to London" by Joseph Fullman, Cadogan Guides).<BR><BR>Web Sites. <BR>The site http://www.KidsToLondon has some useful opening notes and parts of chapters from a book on London for children that came out in 2000. <BR>A personal account of London with children aged 11<BR>and 9 is on http://www.woodman.org/trip_advice.htm. <BR>Figures for weather<BR>are on http://www.worldclimate.com/, under London. <BR>An unexpected selection of sites for families is on<BR>http://www.uktravel.com/londoncontent.asp?attID=91&cat=5&catName=F amily&offset=0<BR>Other relevant sites are:<BR>http://gouk.miningco.com/travel/gouk/msublonkids.htm<BR>London4kids (http://www.london4kids.com)<BR>http://www.thisislondon.com/dynamic/index.html: link to Children's London in panel on left.<BR>http://travel.discovery.com/ideas/famtrv/london/london.html<BR>http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/graffiti117.html<BR><BR>I also have on disc notes by forum parents on what went well for children in London and Paris. Please e-mail me if you would like a copy.<BR><BR>Welcome to Europe<BR><BR>Ben Haines,. London<BR>
Dec 16th, 2002, 02:13 PM
#11
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I travelled with family and friends with 1 child each time. Nephew lucas loved the tour of the sewers of Paris (think Les Miserables) and my bro. allowed for "kid time" and played in the Parisian parks w/ him, took rests, etc. I noticed that down time was an issue w/ my friend's dtr., too and I had to be sensitive to that. But what a great opportunity for US kids to be exposed to Europe!
Dec 16th, 2002, 02:35 PM
#12
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Actually, Fodor's puts out some wonderful guides which we've used with great success in trips to London, Paris, and Venice. The books are titled, Around London With Kids, 68 great things to do Together, Around Paris With Kids, etc. We really used the info in these books last summer and found them well put together. Good luck in your planning!
