Family vacation to europe
Feb 17th, 2017, 08:13 AM
#42
I would not try to move 10 people around to various destinations with only a one week trip.
Pick one place, rent a house, go there, stay there, do what you can by public transportation to see the area.
Pick one place, rent a house, go there, stay there, do what you can by public transportation to see the area.
Feb 18th, 2017, 10:26 AM
#45
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The reason it is a nightmare, takes a lot of organization and is like herding cats, etc. is because you try to organize everything and you try to move around.
The only thing that has to be organized is the destination and date. No one needs to organize anything after that.
If any 8 people here agreed to meet in X on Y date, where's the problem? We all know where and when, we all make our own way there, we all do what we want to do each and every day we are there.
The only thing you have to do to make it a group trip is join each other most nights (not all) for dinner. If during dinner conversation someone says they plan to do something tomorrow, anyone can say, 'oh, that sounds good, I'll join you.'
Obviously, if you don't want company, you don't say what you plan to do. LOL
People always want to plan and organize and control things. They actually make their own lives difficult. Simple is better.
The only thing that has to be organized is the destination and date. No one needs to organize anything after that.
If any 8 people here agreed to meet in X on Y date, where's the problem? We all know where and when, we all make our own way there, we all do what we want to do each and every day we are there.
The only thing you have to do to make it a group trip is join each other most nights (not all) for dinner. If during dinner conversation someone says they plan to do something tomorrow, anyone can say, 'oh, that sounds good, I'll join you.'
Obviously, if you don't want company, you don't say what you plan to do. LOL
People always want to plan and organize and control things. They actually make their own lives difficult. Simple is better.
Feb 18th, 2017, 05:08 PM
#46
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HAHAHAHA, I didn't even see your username, JustineParis, you are from france! Ahahah, I nailed it on the head. Continuing a long line of unlikable french people. Never ceases to amaze me the french attitude.
Feb 18th, 2017, 05:09 PM
#47
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"Same for me. You are the kind of hair splitter tourist every French hates.
Can I have the menu but not the peas but instead onions.
Oh and not too warm. Oh and how do you cook the meat ? Because at home we do it this way ...
Since the beginning you are being fussy and every time someone tries to help you throw in other constraints.
Now you are insulting everybody ?
Btw I feel like a French ... Call me pompous, little princess."
Hair splitter? Looking for warm weather and somewhere child friendly with good food. Only flying with 10 people 5k miles away, I mean really, I should just be happy if I can get a cot to sleep on and a loaf of bread! Ahahaha.
Can I have the menu but not the peas but instead onions.
Oh and not too warm. Oh and how do you cook the meat ? Because at home we do it this way ...
Since the beginning you are being fussy and every time someone tries to help you throw in other constraints.
Now you are insulting everybody ?
Btw I feel like a French ... Call me pompous, little princess."
Hair splitter? Looking for warm weather and somewhere child friendly with good food. Only flying with 10 people 5k miles away, I mean really, I should just be happy if I can get a cot to sleep on and a loaf of bread! Ahahaha.
Feb 18th, 2017, 05:13 PM
#48
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It is not insulting to insinuate my 65 year old mother can't hike at the level of my army ranger brother, or my other brother and sister who both have done ultra-marathons and run 30-40 miles a week.
There's just a whole bunch of trolls on this thread, probably angry about who knows what, and wanting to dump on someone they perceive to be a picky american. Classic keyboard warriors.
There's just a whole bunch of trolls on this thread, probably angry about who knows what, and wanting to dump on someone they perceive to be a picky american. Classic keyboard warriors.
Feb 18th, 2017, 11:44 PM
#49
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Yes, as for myself I'm a dirty European.
So you want to make a marathon in some moutains in Europe, but not above 60F and you mother will not be able to follow but the pregant one will.
LOL !
For your info, I'm not French and neither is Justine.
But go on : you're the one asking here, telling us we're all a bunch of trolls will improve the quality of answers you'll get.
Please stay I'm having a lot of fun reading your posts.
So you want to make a marathon in some moutains in Europe, but not above 60F and you mother will not be able to follow but the pregant one will.
LOL !
For your info, I'm not French and neither is Justine.
But go on : you're the one asking here, telling us we're all a bunch of trolls will improve the quality of answers you'll get.
Please stay I'm having a lot of fun reading your posts.
Feb 19th, 2017, 12:47 AM
#50
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<<The reason it is a nightmare, takes a lot of organization and is like herding cats, etc. is because you try to organize everything and you try to move around.>>
Well, that's what you do when people are paying you to take them on European trips they don't want to organize themselves. And being paid for it doesn't mean it's not a nightmare.
Neither WoinParis or Justine is French --- hahahahahaha! They do know a heck of a lot about travel in Europe though.
Well, that's what you do when people are paying you to take them on European trips they don't want to organize themselves. And being paid for it doesn't mean it's not a nightmare.
Neither WoinParis or Justine is French --- hahahahahaha! They do know a heck of a lot about travel in Europe though.
Feb 19th, 2017, 04:12 AM
#51
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StCirq, a paid tour is one thing, a family group thinking of going on vacation together is entirely different isn't it.
With a paid for tour, the tour is fixed and you choose to join it or not join it. You do not get to individually have a say in where you will or will not go, what you will or will not do, etc.
You may be looking at it from the perspective of a paid tour but that is not the topic of this thread. It is a family group, all of whom want to have their say in where they go and what they do. Not comparable.
If you are going to talk about a paid tour, then any comments made on that basis are irrelevant here.
Afj123, what do you think of my suggestion as to how to reach a decision? Spending your time in a slinging match because you didn't like some comments is not going to help you resolve your problem. Focus on what matters, how to get your family to agree on a destination.
With a paid for tour, the tour is fixed and you choose to join it or not join it. You do not get to individually have a say in where you will or will not go, what you will or will not do, etc.
You may be looking at it from the perspective of a paid tour but that is not the topic of this thread. It is a family group, all of whom want to have their say in where they go and what they do. Not comparable.
If you are going to talk about a paid tour, then any comments made on that basis are irrelevant here.
Afj123, what do you think of my suggestion as to how to reach a decision? Spending your time in a slinging match because you didn't like some comments is not going to help you resolve your problem. Focus on what matters, how to get your family to agree on a destination.
Feb 19th, 2017, 09:22 AM
#52
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Btw I feel like a French ... Call me pompous, little princess.">
don't judge a person's nationality by their screen name or stereotypical deeds.
Few French write in perfect English!
he/she/it may be French and can do so but would be rare.
don't judge a person's nationality by their screen name or stereotypical deeds.
Few French write in perfect English!
he/she/it may be French and can do so but would be rare.
Feb 19th, 2017, 09:56 AM
#54
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Adf123 I think Dogeared is right , focus on your trip planning , instead of whining " the other kids aren't nice to me " and your obsession with pigeonholing other nationalities . You ARE acting like the stereotypical ugly American right now .
BYW I WAS born in France and I am damm proud of it ! However I was raised in Canada , where apparently we are all so nice and passive .
Canadians are NOT all nice and passive , just like all French won't tell you to go to h8ll . However I will . Bye .
BYW I WAS born in France and I am damm proud of it ! However I was raised in Canada , where apparently we are all so nice and passive .
Canadians are NOT all nice and passive , just like all French won't tell you to go to h8ll . However I will . Bye .
Feb 19th, 2017, 10:05 AM
#56
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I like Dogeared's suggestions.
But here's another way to do this; I do a similar thing when planning our vacations - but I've never had more than 3 other people (and their opinions) to deal with.
It sounds like you kind of know the preferences of the other people in the group, so you can try to fit in some of their likes and avoid their dislikes.
Based on that, come up with 3 possible itineraries. For example, 3-4 night at Lake Como, 3-4 nights in the Alps would be one option; maybe 3-4 nights in Venice, then 3-4 nights in the Dolomites would be option #2. Figure out enough of the details so everyone knows what would happen; i.e., fly into _____, then take train so __ hours to Lake Como. On day __, take train (or whatever) on a ____ hour ride to new destination. In each place, list a couple of things that some or all members of the group would enjoy. Also, in each location, make sure there a couple of hotels / B&Bs / whatever that look like good possibilities.
Then send out those 3 options, have a group meeting and a vote. No more than 3 options, to make life easier for everyone.
I did something similar recently for a trip I'm planning with my parents. That way, if there are any difficulties, such as train schedules or car rentals, you know that BEFORE you propose something to the group.
But here's another way to do this; I do a similar thing when planning our vacations - but I've never had more than 3 other people (and their opinions) to deal with.
It sounds like you kind of know the preferences of the other people in the group, so you can try to fit in some of their likes and avoid their dislikes.
Based on that, come up with 3 possible itineraries. For example, 3-4 night at Lake Como, 3-4 nights in the Alps would be one option; maybe 3-4 nights in Venice, then 3-4 nights in the Dolomites would be option #2. Figure out enough of the details so everyone knows what would happen; i.e., fly into _____, then take train so __ hours to Lake Como. On day __, take train (or whatever) on a ____ hour ride to new destination. In each place, list a couple of things that some or all members of the group would enjoy. Also, in each location, make sure there a couple of hotels / B&Bs / whatever that look like good possibilities.
Then send out those 3 options, have a group meeting and a vote. No more than 3 options, to make life easier for everyone.
I did something similar recently for a trip I'm planning with my parents. That way, if there are any difficulties, such as train schedules or car rentals, you know that BEFORE you propose something to the group.
Feb 19th, 2017, 10:08 AM
#57
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school ground fight- even for Fodors this is a classic food fight only it's more like dodge ball with one vs the whole school - yup right up in Fodor's Hall of Shame with the blame on both sides!
Feb 21st, 2017, 07:12 AM
#58
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Yes Dogeard, you have been very helpful, thank you. Your suggestions are well taken and appreciated.
Yours as well LexMa.
So it looks like we are going to do Rome, Florence and maybe Venice.
I am going to take my mom early and do 8 days in Switzerland, meet up with my brother and pregnant GF, and do 5-6 days in Como and maybe the coast, then down to Rome to meet the rest of the family.
Anyone have any suggestions on cities and villages in Switzerland? I really want to get to Interlaken, and do lauterbrunnen, wengen, murren, etc., but it looks like there are a lot of cool cities and midevil villages. Obviously I'm familiar with the St. Mortiz's and Gstaad's, but I'd love to see some really unique towns and villages/cities.
Would love to fit in Austria or Germany, but don't think I will.
Yours as well LexMa.
So it looks like we are going to do Rome, Florence and maybe Venice.
I am going to take my mom early and do 8 days in Switzerland, meet up with my brother and pregnant GF, and do 5-6 days in Como and maybe the coast, then down to Rome to meet the rest of the family.
Anyone have any suggestions on cities and villages in Switzerland? I really want to get to Interlaken, and do lauterbrunnen, wengen, murren, etc., but it looks like there are a lot of cool cities and midevil villages. Obviously I'm familiar with the St. Mortiz's and Gstaad's, but I'd love to see some really unique towns and villages/cities.
Would love to fit in Austria or Germany, but don't think I will.
Feb 22nd, 2017, 04:03 AM
#59
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Interlaken and the Bernese Oberland area are the usual first place people go to when visiting Switzlerland. There's no denying that. Few would also deny that Interlaken is the height of tourist kitsch for the most part. The scenery is unbeatable though.
However, having spent a lot of time on multiple visits to the country, I can tell you that there are countless other places well worth seeing. I don't think anyone can definitively say, 'here is the best part of Switzerland'. It all depends on what you and your Mother want to do with your time.
When my wife and I visit Switzerland, it is always a hiking vacation. Places like St. Moritz are simply a 'tick it off' day trip destination like Niagara Falls for example. Been there, seen it, then go somewhere more interesting to spend time in. Zermatt is the same. But both are more than that if you want to hike. Gstaad is a small village which we really like but with more limited hiking and a main street that takes no more than an hour to say you've seen it. It is a good place to go skiing but not a place to spend a week in summer.
Our current favourite place in Switzerland is the Davos-Klosters area. Great hiking and a Guest Card that simply cannot be beaten. Read here for what this card gets you.
http://www.davos.ch/en/davos-kloster...al/guest-card/
The primary advantage is for transportation. It gets you free use of the local train/bus/cable cars. That can easily save you hundreds of dollars in a week if you are taking say a cable car up the mountain, hiking across and then taking another cable car back down to the valley and a bus back to your starting point/hotel. Most hotels in the area include this card in your room cost.
It really isn't possible for someone who is not familiar with Switzerland and bus/train/cable car prices to understand just how valuable that card is. On a 10 day stay there last September, I can tell you that I would estimate it saved us between $500-1000. We used it every single day.
Similar cards are also available for other areas of Switzerland but none that I know of provide as much real value for the average visitor.
We also have a favourite hotel in the area which has very reasonable prices. http://bellevuewiesen.com/ They have a spring offer for example that gets you a basic room for two with breakfast for $60 US per night. Yet it is a 3 star boutique hotel with an award winning restaurant. Most people do not believe that such prices can be found in Switzerland.
Another place we really like is Ascona in the south of Switzerland. Did you know there are palm trees in Switzerland?
https://www.google.ca/search?q=Ascon...HVSqC7EQsAQIGQ
The hotel we like is: http://www.hoteltamaroascona.com/en
Lake Como may be better known but I would take Ascona and Lake Maggiore over it any time.
Those are just 2 of many parts of Switzerland worth visiting. It is far more difficult to say where is not worth visiting in Switzerland than where is worth visiting.
However, having spent a lot of time on multiple visits to the country, I can tell you that there are countless other places well worth seeing. I don't think anyone can definitively say, 'here is the best part of Switzerland'. It all depends on what you and your Mother want to do with your time.
When my wife and I visit Switzerland, it is always a hiking vacation. Places like St. Moritz are simply a 'tick it off' day trip destination like Niagara Falls for example. Been there, seen it, then go somewhere more interesting to spend time in. Zermatt is the same. But both are more than that if you want to hike. Gstaad is a small village which we really like but with more limited hiking and a main street that takes no more than an hour to say you've seen it. It is a good place to go skiing but not a place to spend a week in summer.
Our current favourite place in Switzerland is the Davos-Klosters area. Great hiking and a Guest Card that simply cannot be beaten. Read here for what this card gets you.
http://www.davos.ch/en/davos-kloster...al/guest-card/
The primary advantage is for transportation. It gets you free use of the local train/bus/cable cars. That can easily save you hundreds of dollars in a week if you are taking say a cable car up the mountain, hiking across and then taking another cable car back down to the valley and a bus back to your starting point/hotel. Most hotels in the area include this card in your room cost.
It really isn't possible for someone who is not familiar with Switzerland and bus/train/cable car prices to understand just how valuable that card is. On a 10 day stay there last September, I can tell you that I would estimate it saved us between $500-1000. We used it every single day.
Similar cards are also available for other areas of Switzerland but none that I know of provide as much real value for the average visitor.
We also have a favourite hotel in the area which has very reasonable prices. http://bellevuewiesen.com/ They have a spring offer for example that gets you a basic room for two with breakfast for $60 US per night. Yet it is a 3 star boutique hotel with an award winning restaurant. Most people do not believe that such prices can be found in Switzerland.
Another place we really like is Ascona in the south of Switzerland. Did you know there are palm trees in Switzerland?
https://www.google.ca/search?q=Ascon...HVSqC7EQsAQIGQ
The hotel we like is: http://www.hoteltamaroascona.com/en
Lake Como may be better known but I would take Ascona and Lake Maggiore over it any time.
Those are just 2 of many parts of Switzerland worth visiting. It is far more difficult to say where is not worth visiting in Switzerland than where is worth visiting.
Feb 22nd, 2017, 09:48 AM
#60
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Thanks. Sounds good.
Yes, it is such a vast country in terms of sights, despite being so small comparatively. I think I could drive the whole thing and never get bored.
I think the people who stay on will go to Croatia after. Any suggestions there? We will take the ferry from Venice to Istria.
Everyone says Dubrovnik is so incredible, but it's also so far south, which makes it maybe out of reach.
We will only be there maybe 6 days, and don't want to spend all our time driving and on buses.
Yes, it is such a vast country in terms of sights, despite being so small comparatively. I think I could drive the whole thing and never get bored.
I think the people who stay on will go to Croatia after. Any suggestions there? We will take the ferry from Venice to Istria.
Everyone says Dubrovnik is so incredible, but it's also so far south, which makes it maybe out of reach.
We will only be there maybe 6 days, and don't want to spend all our time driving and on buses.
