help with itinerary
 

Thinking of going to Europe for the last two weeks in June with our family, and been there many times, so I always look for adventures with the kids. Thinking of flying into Amsterdam 2 days there(not our first time there, then visit Brugge and Ghent. Then head out to Switzerland, Gruyere area, go down to Lake Como area, back through Lyon, France. On my bucket list are Annecy, Anjou, Strasbourg in France.Never been to Croatia. Just trying to map out a easy travel route working my way down. Any ideas? Have already been to Germany (many cities), Prague, Paris (lived there), Austria, Hungary in that region, but wanted to make sure I maximize our trip with cool places to visit. Travel with two adventurous kids, that are up for all the new places to explore. Thanks.

Surely you aren't thinking of visiting all those places in two weeks?

Holy Moley! For me, that would be waaaaay too many places in 2 weeks.

I can't imagine this being a pleasant trip. And are you still trying to visit Spain and Lisbon in that same time frame?

I hope you plant some trees after this break. :-)

@ bilboburgler -- Seriously! LOTS of them. :-)

Are you going by train - hopefully as trains are much faster than cars these days and to cover all that ground you may even have to take overnight trains - anyway for loads of great ideas on train travel check these fine sources: www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com - download the latter's free online European Planning & Rail Guide for lots of rail itineraries in those countries.

and yes it is virtually impossible to do all that in two weeks and not be on the train most of the time - pare about half and that is still an energetic trip!

Cut this trip into two separate trips to make it work - one in western Europe and one in central Europe/Blakans.

No guys,I was asking for another point of interest to visit, other than Amsterdam and Brugge and Ghent.

I was thinking of where to go for the following week, since our trip is only 2 weeks. I was asking for points of interest, so I could map out a week around that city.

Thanks for all the feedback.

Trying to get my head round this trip,

Idea is Amsterdam, Brugge, Ghent Gruyere area, Lake Como area, back through Lyon, France.

Wants;Annecy, Anjou, Strasbourg ?Croatia?
Have already been to Germany (many cities), Prague, Paris (lived there), Austria, Hungary.

So, I'd suggest Reims after Brugge (see the film first) then Trier before Strasbourg. From Strasbourg I'd go over the Black Forest to Lake Constance, then down the valley by Lichenstein and maybe over the pass by Davos before the Dolomites in Italy and Lake Como.

Coming back, wander past Genoa (a little gem) but you've probably seen Florence, Siena or Lucca and then Lyon followed by Auxerre.

Not sure where you are ending.

You mention kids... is it fair to do this journey by car unless the kids are over 45? Just a bit dull IMHO. Good luck :-)

So, I'd suggest Reims after Brugge (see the film first) then>

what film? Could not see reference to it above. ???

thanks

hi
Amsterdam, Brugge and Ghent are quite easy by trains. May be you can extend with 1 day in Brussels which is a nice city and take on way flight to Milan and rent a car to Como and other italian lakes) - you have the low cost Easyjet which makes the trip and no penality for 1 way trip - but rates just include 1 cabin luggage.
After there is a train between Milan and Lyon. You can rent a car and visit Alps , Switzerland (ask if allowed to go there), go Annecy, Jura is nice on the way to Alsace, back Reims and Paris - then Amsterdam (also find a low cost for 1 way ticket because on regular companies it's very expensive ). In France, you can rent a car in a city and return in another one but there is a fee. So you can also take the trains : www.voyages-sncf.com - tickets opened 2 or 3 months in advance so rush to have the best deals). Anjou or Loire castles are a bit far from the other itinerary but everything is possible.
If you want to go to Croatia , there is also "low cost" flights to Dubrovnik (my favourite) or Split - but you have already an heavy agenda. One way flights are available at fair price (compared to other companies) between Switzerland and Croatia and between Croatia and Italy. So you might be able to insert Croatia between Switzerland and Italy. There is also ships to cross Adriatic but you will probably loose time.
have a good trip

P See the film first "in Brugges" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Bruges