We're planning our 1st trip to Europe for Christmas 2006. I know this isn't a great time to visit, but we're going to England to spend the holidays with friends. We plan to arrive on Dec. 22nd or 23rd & go home on Jan. 6th or 7th. We will be in England from arrival to at least the 30th. We are undecided on where to spend NYE. All of this time will be spent with our friends. They return to work on the 2nd & we'll be on our own. At 1st, we considered splitting that time between Paris & Venice or Rome, but now we're thinking we'd be spending too much time & money in transit. So, now we need help deciding which city to visit. It will be my DH, son (14) & me. Our son's really into music. I'm afraid going from one museum to another will bore him quickly. We need suggestions for fun, active things to do as well. I'm not healthy so we can't do things that require a lot of strenuous activity. We'd like a mixture of culture & fun. Which of these cities should we visit & what should we do? FYI, we plan to return to England for 1 or 2 nights, before returning home, to say bye to our friends. Thanks

ttt

Where will you be in England? What about London?

I loved both Paris and Venice and really like rome, but found rome more difficult to navigate than the other two. just my opinion though.

You really have from the 2nd to the 5th or 6th in the other city?

Venice is easy to navigate, but i don't know if it would be good for a 14 year old-i don't have children.

Paris was easy to get around in and beautiful. I'm sure your son would be able to find things he liked.

I suggested London because you are already in the country and aheva fairly short amount of time to travel. Also with the music interest, of your son, he would probably like london. when I was 15 I went to England, Ireland and Scotland with my school and found it very easy to get around and very fun.

I don't know if this helps.

Need some more imput from people with children!

So you've got 4 or 5 days. I'd go to one of Paris or Rome. Probably Paris via the Eurostar train. That would be quicker and easier than flying to Rome. Lots of jazz in Paris. Does your son like jazz?

Stay on the Left Bank in the 5th or 6th arrondissement. Lots of young people around, lots of activity. With the Eiffel Tower, the boats on the river, a few museums, you should keep busy. And
you could take an excursion from Paris, maybe to Versailles or Chartres.

Thanks for the suggestions. We will definitely be visiting London. Our friends live about an hour from there. One of them works in the city 3 days out of 5. They're very familar with London & already have lots of things planned to show us. We will also be going to Liverpool. Our son has this on his "must see" list. Warwick & Stratford on Avon are also on our list for England. Our son enjoys any type of live music, & would really enjoy the jazz musicians. All your input is much appreciated.

Hi T,

Paris, Paris, toujours Paris.

We always stay at the Hotel Bonaparte, 61 Rue Bonaparte in the 6th. They have triples at about 150E w/bkfst.

Hotel Bonaparte
Tel 33 1 43 26 97 37
FAX 33 1 46 33 57 67

For more info, enter "Hotel Bonaparte" in the "search this forum" box.

Photos are at http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&y=-l95uyr

On the whole you have two weeks, so I think that you could afford a quick visit to Venice (two-three days), especially early January, it's terribly romantic off season, even your son would love it. The trick would be to use Venice as a way to go from Paris to London. Let me explain: there are low cost carriers that link both capitals to Venice, so you would fly MyAir Paris to Venice, and Ryanair Venice to London, it's easy since both airlines operate on one way flights. But of course London and Paris should be the beef of your stay. As far as as NYE is concerned, both cities have big outdoor, rather drunken, celebrations, even though I would say that Paris's is rather less drunken and more spectacular, since you'll have the Champs Elysées to yourselves - well and another million revelers!

I love Paris but would vote for Rome this time. Bet your 14 yo would enjoy ruins and Colosseum and mummies in Vatican museum (oh yes, British Museum in London has some good ones also!). Weather might be better marginally in Rome-I've never travelled there in winter. Agree with Gree-see London as well. What say, Fodorites?

More great advice. I'm enjoying reading your responses. Gives me a lot to consider. I'm really excited that it may be possible to see more than London & just one of the other cities. If I were being honest, I would probably prefer to see Venice over the other cities. Every picture I've seen of the city is absolutely beautiful. It looks like a very romantic place to visit. I'm just not sure our son would enjoy it as much. Any more suggestions for things he would enjoy in any of the cities we're interested in? I'm sure my DH & I would love any of them. Thanks again

We don't have kids so I'd bow to the experiences of those who do, but for me Venice is for couples! The dreamy buildings seemingly arising from misty foundations, getting lost on the winding streets, and the museums and churches. Your son might enjoy the glass-blowing on Murano and the Campanile on St. Mark's Square has awesome views. I still vote London and Rome.

Please forgive my ignorance but what does "ttt" stand for. I didn't think anything about it, when I saw it as a reply to my question, but I've seen it come up again on other threads. Is this a supposed to be a mean spirited reponse? Just curious. Thanks


P.S. donco, I will definitely spend more time researching Rome.

ttt means to the top. It is a way of getting your post to the top of the list so more people will see it. Not mean spirited at all.

I would recommend the secret itineraries tour at the Doges' Palace in Venice as something that would interest your son and you too. You see torture chambers, Casanova's jail cell, the attic with the huge beams that hold up the palace underneath.

Hi I would suggest barcelona. Lots going on and a beautiful city. try to stay close to Las ramblas
best wishes
anne

Thanks again for all the great suggestions. It's a good thing I've got a while to research this trip. I wish we could see it all.

BTW, thanks for explaining what "ttt" means.