janisj

Either option would be wonderful and you really can't choose wrong.

two considerations -

• Edinburgh is a wonderful base for a week- as long as you don't mean August. The city literally doubles in size in August due to all the festivals and the Tattoo. (These events are terrific but they do make the city extremely crowded and expensive so it is probably better to avoid Edinburgh in August)

• Rome will likely be VERY hot/humid. Even if you find an air conditioned apartment, many of the places you'll be visiting will be broiling.

I don't think you mentioned when in the summer. Exact timing can make a difference. Something like early or mid June is generally better for Rome than is later in the summer.

janisj

Meant to add - many off us can give you suggestions for accommodations in all those places and there are many threads already on here w/ TONS of recommendations. (I myself have rented in Edinburgh a few times, in London probably 20 times, in Paris 5or 6 times . . . And I'm a lightweight compared to some Fodorites.)

To make really useful suggestions, we need to know your budget

dreamon

I want to reiterate what a couple of others have said - I'd try to include one of your weeks, preferably in the middle, in a more rural location. London, Paris and Rome are all fantastic but I think they could start to blur for kids as they're all big cities. There are plenty of smaller towns which still have good transport options. How about London, Paris, Switzerland, Rome, with train between each location? A million options open to you - lucky things! You don't have to even cover that much ground - four stays in two neighbouring countries would work just as well without the longer journeys.

Dukey1

Here's a factor you really need to consider: mode of travel both between base locations and for day trips should there be any.

Rail?

Cheap budget flights?

You really do need to think about that aspect of things IMO since it will impact the overall costs.

Dukey1

Also rental car? public transport?

KingFam22

Great point. Thinking rail to Paris and then flight to rome?

StCirq

<< What do you think?>>

I think 4 weeks in big European cities in the summer is too much, maybe not for you, but for the kids. My kids, who are grown now, spent about a month in Europe every summer of their lives, and they would have mutinied if I'd limited it to cities (and they love cities). That's not to say your kids aren't entirely different, but you've got 4 whole weeks - mix it up a bit. Rural life in Europe is entirely different from the hustle and bustle of cities (full of tourists in summer), and there's still so much to see and do.

Barbara_in_FL

Another suggestion of getting outside of cities! I would suggest a week outside of Edinburgh rather than in Edinburgh. We've spent three weeks in different areas of Scotland, each time in a cottage (twice through an agency or property manager, once directly from the owner) and the kids always had a great time. Once we made a day trip to Edinburgh, another time we spent two nights there in between other stops. It is a great little city but IMO the countryside in Scotland is so very lovely that it makes more sense to spend time outside the town itself, when time is limited.

I have only been to Rome once, many years ago, at the end of July. I won't say "never again," because if someone offered me a trip I would take it, but I would not choose to go there in July. Depending on the timing of your trip you might start there, if your heart is set on it, and then move further north.

Judith_Hunter

My family has just had a great time doing a similar trip with kids aged 8 and 10. We LOVED London and enjoyed Paris but by the end of that 2 weeks (which followed a full on week with relatives in Lithuania) my kids needed a break in the country. We rented a house in the Dordogne and had a fantastic time visitng caves and castles, going canoeing, and just poking around a bit at a slower pace. (we hired a car)
We also had a great time in Barcelona as our last stop - the kids were completely reenergised by it after a couple of weeks in the French country.
We went in September and October so we didn't have to deal with the heat, which may make Barcelona and Paris less appealing.
I would recommend a maximum of two weeks straight in cities then have a break for a week at the beach or in the country somewhere interesting. Then finish off with another great city.
We rented apartments in each place and would have found the trip much more difficult otherwise. It was great to be able to make our own breakfast or dinner if we felt like it, and also fun to be part of a neighbourhood in each city.
I am envious - the planning was so much fun. Enjoy yourself!

jenninwv

Hi Kingfam. I'd be happy to give any apt recommendations that would suit you but some of the ones we used will not as it was just me and two kids so we've "roughed it" in studios that would not accommodate four. Also, with the length of our trip I tried to go as low budget as possible and still feel clean and safe. I'm not sure if budget is an issue for you so you may have more choices than I did. (I just re-read your post and see that it will be just you and the kids for some of the trip so depending when/where, our smaller rentals might work).

Of the possibilities you mentioned, I would personally not spend two weeks in London. My kids were thrilled to see it and are glad we went but in retrospect, its one of their least favorites. After a week, we'd seen everything we wanted - all the stuff you can just walk by (Big Ben, Trafalgar, Buckingham Palace, Picadilly, etc.) plus the British Museum, Science Museum, Tower of London (def fit that in and do the Yeomen's tour), nearly a whole day in Hamley's toy store, a musical, etc. Basically I guess I'm saying a week should be enough. We also had plenty of time to check out markets and for the kids to stop and play in some of the great parks.

We all loved Paris and spent 10 days there. It was nice to have the extra time but we spent a few days just lounging around as we'd already been traveling for 4 weeks and needed to veg a little. The apt we used was low budget but worked well as it had a washer, wifi, and balcony, and was away from the tourist areas but close to the bus and metro.

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p645479a

As I mentioned, we were so pleasantly surprised by Belgium even at this rainy cold time of the year. I think there would be even more to do in the summer so its worth considering. This is one rental I would highly recommend. If you do consider it, it is more rural and could easily fit between London and Paris giving you that city/country break.

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p716682

I'm super excited about one of our rentals in Italy (in the Abruzzo region) and though we haven't stayed yet I'll mention it because it could allow you to spend time in the 'country' and still experience Rome with a day trip or two. Its also positioned to go to the beach on the Adriatic.

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p804840

Based on what we've done so far if I had to choose 4 weeks I'd go London, Belgium, Paris, and Abruzzo. I haven't been to Edinburgh but it seems to have a lot of fans and as others have agreed, the Dordogne is worth considering though I've heard it can be a mad house in the summer.

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p626883a

Your itinerary and transportation might also depend on where you fly in/out of. We flew into London and are flying out of Rome so we've worked our way gradually south. However, from our part of the US, RT to Paris is usually a pretty good deal and I think its easy to use Paris as a hub since its so well connected.

Sorry to ramble - this has been a great experience for us and I'm thrilled to pass on any information that could help someone else.

Good luck!

KingFam22

I'm grateful for your suggestions!