mdlcruz

Hello, planining our family (me my husband and 3 kids 10, 14, 18yrs old) trip to Europe for 2 weeks or 17 days in June. We are planning to visit the following;

London - staying with friend's house. Plan to stay 3 days

Belgium - staying with friends house. From London, we will take train to Paris, but not sure what station because we will be renting a car then drive to Krotijk. Stay there for 3 days then go back to Paris.

France - will be staying at Airbnb ( still looking for place). We just want to see the Tower, Louvre, the arc, and Norte dame then drive outside of Paris. Any suggestion? We like outdoor, ruins, beaches. Staying 3 days also in France.

Italy or Barcelona - still debating on this two. Any suggestion? Italy we want to see Rome and Venice. In Barcelona my told me so much too see in this place plus cheaper?

Any suggestion is much appreciated

Thanks

WoinParis

17 days. With travel ? In that case 15 days in the ground.
3 in London
3 in Kortrijk (spelling)
3-4 days in Paris.
Note you must deduct half days when traveling.
3 more days in france. Nice ?
You have 4 days left.
Rome 3 days. Venice 3 days. Choose.
Perfect.

London - Bruxelles is best to go to Kortrijk. Then Bxl Paris.

Then Paris wherever - Nice ?
Then Nice - Rome.
Back to USA from Rome to avoid backtracking.

Btw. The tower is in London not in Paris.
It is Notre Dame not naughty lady.

janisj

>>for 2 weeks or 17 days <<

You are trying to cover too much territory in too little time -- especially if you end up w/ 2 weeks, which nets you only 11.5 days on the ground.

Where in London does your friend live - greater London is ENORMOUS . If your 3 days includes your arrival day -- you will have 2.5 days on the ground and some or all of you will be jet lagged. I would add at least 2 or 3 days to London.

>>we will take train to Paris, but not sure what station because we will be renting a car then drive to Krotijk. Stay there for 3 days then go back to Paris.<<

That makes no sense -- why not take the train from London to Brussels and rent your car there? It is much closer to Krotijk. Then when you are done in Belgium take the train to Paris

>>France - will be staying at Airbnb ( still looking for place).<<

The vast majority of short term airbnb rentals in Paris are illegal.

London, Belgium and Paris would be a perfect 14-17 days - leave it at that.

janisj

didn't see WoinParis' post >>Btw. The tower is in London not in Paris. <<

My guess is she means the Eiffel Tower.

WoinParis

Could be !
Shallow research I would venture to say.
Who tells her to buy the green Michelin guide and to look at a map ?

And it is Kortrijk ! (Courtrai in French).
Relatively nice town.

StCirq

I would forget airbnb in Paris. They are likely to be illegal, and you won't have time to learn how to work appliances, take out the garbage, use the buidling codes, etc. Find a hotel where you have desk staff to help you out.

The train between London and Paris is the Eurostar. The cheapest tickets are available 120 days out from your day of travel. You don't get to choose the stations. they run between St-Pancras and Gare du Nord

Where is Krotijk? Doesn't sound like France or England. The Netherlands maybe? Then you do NOT take the Eurostar, you take the Thalys.

You do not, even with 17 days, have enough time for London, Paris, Belgium, and Italy or Barcelona.

Sounds like you need to get hold of and read a few guidebooks and study maps. Doesn't sound like you really have a grasp on what you're doing yet.

janisj

>>Where is Krotijk? <<

It is in western Belgium . . . thus taking the train to Brussels makes more sense than to Paris.

StCirq

Thanks, janis. Then yes, taking the train to Brussels is what makes sense.

WoinParis

Kortrijk !
You all making fun of me ?
Grrr.

bilboburgler