My husband and I want to take our 8 yr ofd to europe this summer for about 18-20 days. She has been to Italy and loved it. Anyone have some suggestions for places that a child would like? We would be traveling in August so would like a combination of cultural sites and some relax/beach time?

Ever since we started traveling internationally we have always traveled with our kids. We have taken them throughout Europe, to SE Asia, Northern Africa and next month to Argentina. My point is that kids will like almost any place. Try to think about where you and your husband would like to go next, and then start researching specific things that kids may enjoy. There are always a few things in any country that will intrigue them, and you will be surprised at how much they will enjoy things that you didn't think they would.

Is there a place in Europe that your family is from? We went to a small town in Italy and found my husband's great grandfather's tombstone - memorable for the whole family. We all loved the Gaudi architecture in Barcelona, the kids loved the summer luges you can ride in Austria, a camel ride and night in a berber tent in the Sahara desert in Morocco has been a highlight of all our trips and playing with tigers and riding elephants in Thailand a hit!! Tons to see and do in London - my son wants to go back just to have more Chinese food at his favorite restaurant, and Paris has it's many parks.

With 18-20 days you have plenty of time to be busy and have some leisure time as you suggested. The only beach time we have done in Europe is on the Ligurian coast in Italy - and we LOVED it!!

I agree with what jgg has to say on this. Decide what is interesting to you and your husband. Then take into consideration that you will be travelling in August, which will normally veto a few of your choices. Some places will be very hot and/or crowded.

We always travel with our kids, and once we have our destination chosen, I start to scope out the different/fun stuff to do. We do still go to most of the cultural sites that we would alone, but we also do sites that we likely would not if we weren't travelling with them.

Once you have a destination idea, or you would like feedback on a specific place, then repost. No matter where you go there will be things for her to love!

How about a farm stay in a village in a region that offers enough options for day trips, both culture/towns/cities and nature/hiking/mountains/lakes... About most of Austria, Germany, Switzerland would meet these requirements.

Farms that offer apartments for tourists usually have animals and offer rural life with some activities kids (and parents) will enjoy.
From there you can set out and explore the surroundings. A car will be best for such a trip.

Our best holiday when my son was younger was in Crete. Great food, nice people who like children, good beaches, plenty to keep the adults occupied, mix of culture/archaelogical sites and touristy stuff. So some days we'd be exploring some ruins, visiting museums,walking in the country, etc and on other days we'd be messing about at a water park, having a banana boat ride on the sea or just chilling around the hotel while he played with the other kids. Great family location.

I would second Quokka's suggestions of Germany, Austria & Switzerland.

Adorable towns, mountains, lakes, boat rides, cable car rides, and alpine slides. Another thought would be some of the outdoor walk-thru museums.

Have fun!
h

Dear gia611,

8 is a wonderful time to travel with your daughter. I agree, most of Europe will be interesting to her on some level. August can be a time that is quite hot and crowded some places - avoid Italy and Spain...probably Greece and Turkey as well.

Look into the Nordic countries. Perhaps Sweden if you like boats. Stockholm holds a lot of interesting sights for your daughter and then you can spend time exploring the many islands just beyond. We were there in the winter but I remember thinking my 14-year-old daughter would love the Vasa and all the boating. Plus the shopping and such would appeal to your daughter - clogs and cool swedish pjs and sweaters and hats and such.

Switzerland or Austria would also be fun for your daughter esp if you like hiking and gondolas - if not, perhaps not the best choice. We live in Switzerland and I have to say my kids are never too excited about gorgeous scenery even if I am OTOH, if your daughter loves farm animals, she can see the cutest cows, sheep, and goats all with precious bells around their necks. In Austria, you can tie the mountains in with Salzburg which all kids (esp girls) seem to love.

Also, in Germany, Bavaria would be interesting if your daughter loves castles. There are a number of famous ones. Munich is a neat little city with a gorgeous palace of its own and the biergarten culture is really fun for any age. Just the outdoor market in Munich would be a pleasant few hours. The Neuschwanstain castle (and the other one in the same town whose name is escaping me) are an easy day trip from Munich.

Berlin is wonderful, but save that for a few years when she is a teen. 8 is a bit young for the Holocaust and Berlin Wall...

Have a wonderful time with your pre-teen... I remember those trips as being really great. Old enough to behave and young enough not to be hanging a face!

gruezi