jamikins

Count on schedules being reduced. Lots of places will run a reduced service on national holidays. You may have to google what those days are for each place you visit. You won't know what the schedules are until they are released. I can help with London but don't know for other places.

Most sites will have the holiday hours listed so google each site you want to visit and see how you can work them into your schedule.

I find guidebooks also list this sort of thing so you could try checkingbthere too.

StCirq

<<Sleep while travel wake up and we are in the next destination is how I was thinking of it.>>

Yes, well thinking of it and doing it are two entirely different animals. Unless you are really, really sound sleepers or drug yourselves, this will get very old after night number one on overnight transportation. I can't imagine trying it with a 6-year-old, and I have years of experience traveling in Europe with kids, my own and other people's.

But you seem bound and determined to follow through with this wild plan despite the seasoned and reasoned advice of many highly experienced travelers, so one wonders why you even came here to ask our opinions.

Safety with a young child is not an issue if you know how to keep her safe at home. What I will say is, though, dragging a 6-year-old on a trek like this is likely to make her tired and cranky, in which case making train connections and so forth can be a huge pain, and distract you from your surroundings...which coud put all of you at risk. So that's your saftety issue, if there is one.

quitagg

@Luxury travel that is the sort of stuff I want to hear, how is it traveling on a train overnight.. I've read lots of blogs that makes it look breezy that's why I come here to learn.. About how things really are.. Teach me those things so I can then adjust..

quitagg

My goodness it's never going to stop i guess. @stcirq in all of those paragraphs how have u helped me?? Did u take the time to ask me am I willing to change my locations.. No didn't! So please leave these types of comments to yourself. I have stated why I am here..

quitagg

@jamikins I didn't find it easy finding those times on holidays.. I read in blogs that it is limited so I have been trying to figure that out.. How far in advance are schedules released? I read somewhere that oct 18th there will be some schedules released..

nochblad

quitagg - I understand what you are trying to achieve. A 6 year old will crash at the end of the day wherever they are so overnight trains is not a problem IMO so long as the trip does not involve a middle of the night interruption.

I am impressed with your kid's desire to see certain sights. If you stimulate this trait you and your child will be immensely rewarded. At that age they are like sponges and are able to absorb so much.

jamikins

I would start with where you want to visit. It sounds like you are flying in and out of copenhagen? So I would would add Paris and one other location. For arguments sake because I live here I would add London. Easy connection on the Eurostar and a fun trip under the channel for your daughter.

I would fly immediately to Paris on arrival and stay there until 27 Dec giving you 22 - 25 Dec there. I would then catch the train to London on the morning of 26 Dec and spend 27-30 Dec there. I would then fly back to Copenhagen and spend NYE there and fly out 2 Jan.

London has NO public transit on Xmas day, but runs a Sunday/holiday schedule on Boxing Day so it's no problem getting around and the city opens back up after the Xmas break.

This is just an idea.

jamikins

Sorry that should read stay in Paris until 26 Dec.

jamikins

Just a note on NYE celebrations in large European cities...a lot of places have fireworks but a lot are in scenarios like Times Square at NYE. I don't have kids so not sure how safe I would feel with a six year old but I avoid crowds like that like the plague myself haha!

I did a google search and found this

http://newyearseveblog.com/copenhagen-denmark-nye/

Perhaps Tivoli in Copenhagen would be a better idea for a young child...can anyone else comment?

Envierges

Tivoli!!!! An excellent idea. And I'm going to continue to lobby for a visit to Rome. I think a 6 year old would be fascinated by the presepios and the twinkly Italian lights everywhere. Fairy land!!! And if you decide on Rome for New Year's Eve you'll get to hear the Romans throwing all their old stuff out the windows. Better than fireworks although Rome has lots of those. I second the idea of avoiding crowds.

quitagg

So I am flying into London actually.. 9am 21st. Leaving from Copenhagen on the 2nd at 630pm.
I chose those places because they were the Cheapest. I don't know much about Copenhagen and that would have not been a place on my list to go honestly.. It just worked out for our schedule back and cost wise. I will look at Tivoli tonight, haven't heard of that one. Italy is where we had our cruise originally scheduled but once I saw how cheap it was for flights between European countries and cities.. I decided to scrap the cruise next month and go to places I've heard of.. So Italy would be awesome to keep on list of possible..

Envierges

You could also think about Barcelona and Park Güell for the 6 year old. I'm trying to get you out of damp grey dark northern Europe with boots and parka into the sun . . . . Paris, Barcelona, Roma, Copenhagen.

jamikins

So London and Copenhagen seem like logical choices given your flights. And you want to add Paris. I would leave it at those three cities and work out a doable itinerary. You will want to book your Eurostar tickets asap to get the best price if you decide to do this itinerary. Www.eurostar.com

jamikins

I disagree that London and Paris aren't fabulous at Xmas! Check out my pics here and you can see how they are very colourful and fun at Xmas...

London
https://flickr.com/photos/[email protected]

Paris
https://flickr.com/photos/[email protected]

marvelousmouse

I'm not questioning your parenting. Kids can sleep just about anywhere. Kids can be happy or miserable anywhere. I'm looking at it from the viewpoint of the caretaker. Do you know FOR SURE you can sleep on long haul trains? Because I cannot. I can do it rarely. And when traveling solo I can be sleep deprived, but when being the person who packs and plans and makes sure the other people are fed and happy, lack of sleep is killer. And Christmas travel, with the crowds, irregular schedules, weather- it always takes up more time and energy than you think it will. And the trip you are talking about will involve a lot of walking- unless your daughter is accustomed to walking for miles and miles a day (I am, most of my younger relatives not) then you've simply got to build in downtime.

Totally willing to help you plan or figure out logistics if you give us a better idea of what your priorities are.

I don't think anyone has mentioned this but Uggs are not a good choice. I love uggs. However, they are not great for walking, terrible support/stability/grip and when they get wet (and they will- you have better chances of rain than snow) they take FOREVER to dry. Look into insulated waterproof boots for your daughter. I've had the best experience heat and comfort wise with bogs. And buy her some wool socks- like smart wools- they don't get soggy like Cotton, and dry easily and act as further insulation.

One way to get around the limited holiday schedules is to stay somewhere really central. Then you walk to what you want to see on the holidays. I frequently do that in the US. It is worth the extra money. Travel the day before and after the holiday- spend the two nights around the holiday in that hotel.

Something that I've noticed a lot when playing with the train timetables: long haul train rides are "slow". The high speed ones generally go during the day. So you could still stay in a hotel and also leave really early in the morning, be there before too long. Nothing is open very early anyway.

Maybe Look into Hostelling international's. They usually have family rooms because they are very family oriented (I actually see more kids there than backpackers). The Nuremberg one is in old stables of a castle, I think, and something like that would really make an impression on a kid.

I think you should definitely consider spending more time in the UK. There's so much to see, and language makes it an easier destination. The Christmas lights look beautiful as well. I found out that there is a New Years Day parade in London that appeals to my inner kid, and I'm sorry to be missing it!

I know you said you didn't want to spend much time in NYC- but consider seeing the Rockettes or going to see the miniature train village at the botanical gardens or the window displays. Lots of cool pre Christmas stuff for kids there.


And of course (probably in almost every city) there is the option of seeing the Nutcracker ballet. That was a Christmas tradition I really enjoyed at your daughter's age. Take a pretty dress for her and warm tights so she can dress up for special dinners or events. Consider doing an afternoon of ice skating or something like that. Nothing better than ice skating and hot chocolate as a kid!

If you plan it right- I really think this will be a trip she remembers for the rest of her life

janisj

Since we are off on the wrong foot - I'll stop . . . but just to let you know, the folks who were 'rudest' to you are not European -- just so our Continental friends don't get painted w/ that brush

The 'mean ones' (me included) are all Americans. But every single person posting knows their stuff, and EVERY single one (especially me and the 'mean ones') are really REALLY trying to help you.

Now carry on . . .

quitagg

Thank you so much @jamikins I will look at all the links you sent to tonight!!

@marv thank you I will research the stuff you suggested tonight.. I actually never thought about the nutcracker, I've seen stuff like that on the tv but it never even crossed my mind!!
Also I went into the ugg store and told them the situation and the plans for Europe and they recommending some boots similar to this http://m.shop.nordstrom.com/s/ugg-bu...or=DIVA%20PINK they told me these are good for snow and rain and walking long distances so I bought them..

quitagg

Did u really have to comment again lol @janis someone made a comment to me saying that mostly everyone that was commenting was from Europe so that is where the statement I made came from.. You are not helping anyone by insulting them FYI.. I never questioned anyone's credibility either so I'm not sure why u would imply I don't think you guys know what you are talking about.. Spend less time assuming and insulting and more time asking questions if u genuinely want to help is all I've been saying after all of the Nasty comments I've received.. But whatever.. there have been some very helpful comments that I am grateful for and some very nasty and useless comments that would have been better if kept in one's head...

buferson

Just a thought, packing two weeks worth of winter clothes in a backpack may be difficult, especially one small enough for your daughter. Light-weight roller bags (small size) might be easier. Then you can add a small backpack for hats, gloves, snacks, etc.

Heimdall

When in London try to go to a pantomime, which are traditional at Christmastime and great fun for kids. They are loosely based on fairy tales and have lots of audience participation. Here is a list of pantomimes in London this year:
http://www.bigpantoguide.co.uk/london.php