Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Family Accomodations

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Family Accomodations

We are in the early stages of planning a family trip to Europe. We are a family of two adults and four kids (ages 13, 11, 4.5, and 4.5 [twins]). What types of accomodations are available for a family of our size? We would prefer not to have to split between two hotel rooms, but could if necessary [if adjoining]. Our mode of transportation will probably be rail, so location is also of some consideration, with accomodations being located fairly close to city centers and rail stations. Our trip will center around Germany, but we'd like to include Austria, Switzerland, and possibly France. Any suggestions? My dh and myself have both traveled Europe on other trips, but this will be our first trip as a family.

WOW! You are brave souls. While in Austria I would recomend the Altstadt in Vienna.This hotel offers spacious suites (apartments)for a very resonable rate.There Address is A-1070 Vienna.Kirchengasse 41 or check it out on the web [email protected] HTTP://WWW>ALSTADT.AT TEL:43-1526 33 99 The Innkeeper Otto will make sure your stay is wonderful.Breakfast is included in the price and you will not be dissapointed. You might want to plan on a rental vehicle to give you more freedom and less of a time limit. My wife and I just did it with our 14 yr.old and we are all still alive. Good Luck, Scott

Many European families stay in privately-owned vacation rentals. These are big in Germany, especially in resort-like areas such as Lake Constance and the Harz mountains, but there are also many apartments and houses you can rent in areas of interest to tourists, both in more rural places like the Rhine River Gorge and in towns such as Rothenburg. They're nearly everywhere. The local tourist offices have lists of these, often with pictures on their internet sites. There are also a number of sites like www.touristhome.de (it has an English option) with rental and contact info, often with photos, for places all over the country. There are a number of detached homes ("Ferienhaus"), but most of these places are an upstairs or a downstairs area of a private home that has been fully converted into a self-contained apartment ("Ferienwohnung"), often with two or more bedrooms and a sleeper sofa in the living area, so that it can accommodate as many as eight. They are usually fully equipped with everything you need. If you stay in smaller towns, you'll never be too far from the train station, and you can day-trip into the bigger places. Most owners want you to stay 3 days min., some a week. I've done this a number of times with my family and am doing so again this summer. Let me know if you're interested via e-mail and I can pass on a number of other websites I'm aware of and answer more specific questions if you like.

Just re-activating our original post. In addition to accomodations recommendations, we'd like opinions on mode of transportation. Train travel, or vehical rental (mini-van?) for us as a family of two adults and four kids traveling? Thanks for your help!

I assume that "early stages" means that your trip is 4 months or more away? If not, I agree that this task may be daunting. But with enough lead time and good planning, this trip can and should be fantastic. I have a fair amount of experience traveling with kids (though no pre-schoolers), and I strongly recommend the mini-van and at least one stay of 5 or more days in one place. As has already been mentioned, you will find a rich supply of rental houses and apartments for your extended stay. The rentals will generally be for a week, but the price will often be reasonable enough to use it for only 5 of the 7 days (if you wish). I'm not sure I want to tell you where to go, but I am more negative on Switzerland than on Germany, Austria and France. I base this on price/value more than anything else. You can make an excellent trip by "circling Switzerland" - - either full circle or three-quarters. There are plenty of other CH defenders here, and they can speak eloquently in favor of their favroite destinations (see www.twenj.com in particular). Since you want to see more Germany than any other country, your "three quarter circle" might begin and end in Venice and Milan. I realize that you didn't list Italy, but Venice is so great, and your final segment from Nice to Milan can be as little as half a day, if Italy doesn't interest you. I suppose I am contradicting myself to downgrade CH for being expensive if I don't say the dsame thing about Venice. Still, I think Venice is tremendously appealing to families and kids. I might advise leaving it to last. Depending on the maturity of your kids, you may feel comfortable letting them do some (LIMITED) exploring on their own in some (smaller) towns. A destination like Rothenburg ob der Tauber could make a good "test" - - they will be safe there, and can likely find their way back to your hotel in a sequestered environment like that. If they have proved themselves capable of getting away from you, Venice can really be fun "on your own" (though not something to consider lightly for your 11 and 13 yr olds). It's a better deal to return a rental car (van) to the same country as your origination. On the other hand, Italy car rentals are usually a good deal more expensive than French or German rentals. The French Alps are a fantastic part of Europe's mountain detinations, and they seem to make it on to fewer Americans' lists of places to go than CH or A. Please feel free to write me directly. I also plan and lead for small groups (of which your family would be more or less half already!) Traveling in a group of 10-12 can be surprisingly fun, and can save as much as 10-20% per person. Best wishes, Rex

Train travel is great fun; it provides space for the kids to move around; no "daddy I gotta goooo"; room to spread out; eating while moving; EVERYBODY can see the scenery; no "you said RIGHT at the light!"; no parking, gas stations, flat tires. A van means a chance to see more things (if something looks interesting, you can pull over); your schedule is yours; no worries about missing a train (especially important when 4 kids are involved); you can leave luggage in the van if you want. General rule of thumb about cost: more than 2 people, a car is cheaper than a train.