Family 1st Trip To Europe
 

We have 2 weeks over Christmas and New Years and have decided to take our 4year old across the pond to visit Europe for the first time. Just trying to get a little feedback on cities to go and places to see. We are not big on the countryside unless it is in route to a destination. We do have a few relatives in London so that will be a couple day destination.

Should we start or end in London?
Great place with a child for New Years?
Any terrific Christmas displays that should be on the list?
Must see for children?
Should we keep to the basics the 1st time with London, Paris & a 3rd stop?

Any help, feedback, advice, ect... will be welcomed. Thanks in advance

Europe may be colder and wetter than you expect in your travel time frame. Since you are committed to London, a week there means lots of indoor activities. I would not plan a second destination that requires air travel. Paris sounds great.

"Must sees" for children shouldn't occupy too much of your thinking. Your child is likely to more fascinated by tube turnstiles than certified children's tourist attractions. My bigger concerns would be finding good apartments with adequate heat, elevators and things to do indoors other than museums, where smalll children understandably are bored and not welcome.

Thanks! Unfortunately our business does not allow us to take significant time any other time of the year. So cold and wet it is. I also understand what you are saying about my little one as Walmarts Toy, Videos and Pet department can provide hours of entertainment.

I would like to try three destinations, especially as neither my wife or I are big museum types. We love to try new foods and will probably sit down for full meals 3 times daily. We like to take in the architecture and culture without really having to spend significant time. Markets, shopping, unusual activities, food and fun would describe us best.

Any further advice or destinations with this additional info?

Three full meals a day in Europe with a 4-year-old? I'm having a hard time imagining that. Full meals in Europe can go on for hours. And there really isn't such a thing as a full-meal breakfast in France, unless you seek out a place that caters to American tourists, and there aren't all that many of them.

Depending on the actual dates, you might be able to see some of the wonderful Christmas markets in France (probably London as well). Strasbourg has a great one, and it's only a couple of hours' train ride from Paris. It's also a completely different vibe from Paris.

Ok Maybe full meals was the wrong verbage. My wife and I are chefs and food is our thing, so what I was trying to get across was that we will be taking in cuisine as much as possible.

As for dates we will be leaving the states on Dec 18, 19, 20 area and returning Jan 2, 3, 4 area.

We were in Paris this past December & really enjoyed it. Here is a post that occurred after we returned.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-was-paris.cfm

Look for the "reply" with some pictures that my wife took.

Stu Dudley

It sounds like you are planning lots of outdoor walking. I can't emphasize to you too strongly that you need a back up plan that is child-friendly. It's reassuring that you and your wife are not museum types, because most 4 year olds just like to make noise in them once they discover the acoustics.

I urge you to get an apartment so you can discover just how fabulous Parisian take out food, bakeries, and markets can be -- and I'm not kidding.

Paris and London are full of child-friendly indoor venues, including indoor markets. I also urge to read up on the "covered passages" of Paris -- great for inclement weather.

If you are lucky with weather, get out and pound the pavements. But you need a back up plan.

Come to think of it, if you are dead set on a 3rd destination, consider a destination in Belgium, especially since you are foodies. I would pick Antwerpen or Gent for myself, but maybe with a 4 year old, Brugge makes sense (no cars, but boy is it touristy). Brussels might have more in the way of activities (but is is an abrasive city, by and large).

Food and drink in Belgium is just fantastic. I'm not into holidays (I avoid Christmas markets), so if you are looking for that, I can't remember what's on offer in Belgium in your time frame. But I've been there in December-January, and while days are short and often wet, the constant delights of out-of this-world chocolates, waffles, beer and frites help dispel the chill. And it's a convenient destination from both London and Paris by high-speed rail.

If you end up visiting Brugge or basing there, this article might interest you:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/201...d-tour-belgium

But if food is really your thing, you might prefer Antwerpen or Brussels.

I wouldn;t do too much traveling around - since you will lose several days to holidays when practically noting is open (christmas eve and day and boxing day, then new years even and day). Not sure where you're from - if it's mid or northern US London and Paris will probably not be as cold (snow is rare).

You could do London (with relatives over Xmas?), then Paris with perhaps a few days in Amsterdam.

But with a 4 year old renting an apartment for a week at a time is probably a better choice than a hotel (more room and the ability to do snacks at any time and breakfast on your own versus big $ and not very good at many hotels).

Food in Amsterdam is a challenge!

When my kids were four year old, they loved taking trains. I think it's the novelty of moving and not being in a carseat. I'd go to London and start with the relatives. They will hopefully be sympathetic to jet lag and getting your little on on a European time schedule. After London, take the chunnel train to Paris.

A couple thoughts here-we are pretty big foodies as well and like zeppole thought Belgium was great-I read there are more Michelin starred restaurant per capita in Belgium than in France and I believe it. My husband is French and we keep complaining the food in Paris is sinking over the past 30 years and getting better and better in London! So be sure to read up on the latest foodie places in London. Another thing we have found when we have dined with friend's kids in nicer restaurants is to go at lunch. That usually works out better-just a bit more casusal and easier for the parents to take them out to run around between courses if need be. :)

Even though it was touristy we did really like Brugges and it would be great for a child that age-horse drawn carriage rides, the canal trips and lots of chocolate. I also think the size of the city itself is a bit easier than Antwerp and Brussels.

Another idea if you decide you want a third destination without too much hassle would be to do either a day trip or short one night stay near either Paris or London to a smaller town or village. We have spent time with family in their villages on Xmas eves and it was magical watching Pere Noel come into the village square with real animals pulling the sleds, then watching the festivities on the square. You may be spending Christmas itself with family but if not, Chartres and Oxford I would think would both be amazing places to be.

I'd start in London, take a trip on the London eye, go to the science museum as it has lots of hands on stuff for kids, visit Camden market. In terms of New Years Eve teh best place for a 4 year old is bed! If you're still in London there is always a great firework display by the river, so lots of places to see the display from.

I live in Bristol and it is a great city, SS great Britain, Clifton Suspension Bridge, great shopping, Bristol docks, Explore (seriously hands on fun for kids) and the brand new aquarium are but a few of the local attractions. Add to that wonerful Victorian and Edwardian buildings and its proximity to Bath (15 miles), Bristol is well worth a visit.

I hope you have a great time.

Why not make the third destination South and warmer ?

Malta, Cyprus, Rome, Barcelona, even Marakesh or Montpellier are very cheap destinations with low cost (book it right and the parking costs more than the flight !) airlines.

Peter

But the problem is that it snows at that time of year in Italy -- or at least it did this winter. And even if it isn't snowing in southern destinations, trying to fly to them from northern airports can mean cancelled flights due to bad weather there.

Also there is expense -- flying during the holidays to vacation tourist spots in the sunbelts can mean fewer discounts.

My thoughts:

If you're close enough with your relatives, spend Christmas with them. Everything is closed in London and there won't be much for you to do on your own.

You have to go very south if you're looking for warmth. Rome isn't really that much warmer than London in December. Msn weather says the highs and lows are 47 and 42 for London and 57 and 42 for Rome. We were in Rome for a week in December 2007. We were FREEZING! But, our gelato never melted before we finished eating it so there are trade offs!

Over the holidays in London there are several children's theatre productions. The Gruffalo is a popular one. There will also be pantos. They are comedic, musical theatre usually based on a children's story, like Cinderella or Alladin. Lots on innuendo, double entendre, audience participation, cross dressing, etc.

Good on you for taking your child! There are some people that see that as best an inconvenience and at worst, a waste of time and money. However -- our son is 5 next month and we've been traveling with him since he was a baby. We love it!

Good luck!