Looking at going to Europe with the family over spring break. Right now, there is availability for ff tix for all of us for three locations (all direct flights).

There are 5 of us... kids would be 8, 7, 5. Would require the kids to miss 2 or 3 days of school, but I don't care about that (other than the fact that 10 days would get expensive). Would be the first week or April (break around Easter) or the first week of March (the kids have a few days with no school for P/T conferences, so could go then for less ff miles, and cheaper accommodations).

As background, we took the two older ones to Paris 2 years ago - they were 7 and 5 at the time. They did great and we had a lot of fun! (We rented an apartment near Palais Royal and would stop there on the way home every night - it was like our home base to play there!)

So... where do we go ? Or are we crazy for even contemplating ?

If we did London or Paris, we wouldn't rent a car, but would be based in the city and maybe do a day trip or two ? If we did Italy, we would probably rent a car and drive to Venice, Cinque Terre, and ???

My pro/cons:
Paris:
+ language (I speak passable French)
+ had fun 2 years ago, know areas
+ 'recognizable' monuments (Eiffer Tower, Louvre, etc.)
+ apartments in areas I'm comfortable with

- was there 2 years ago with girls

London
+ kid-friendly
+ apartment
+ language

- expensive
- haven't been there in 10 years, don't know city as well as Paris
- don't know neighborhoods for apartments
- are parks/playgrounds readily available ?
- weather

Italy
+ weather
+ food

- language
- car rental (need car seats)
- more moving around, less opportunity for apartment ?
- parks/playgrounds availability ? kid-friendly ?
- haven't been there for 12 years and don't know how fun for kids?
- itinerary (include Tuscany? Florence?)

thoughts ?

wow. is this a fodor's look-alike ? Is it truly possible that no one has an opinion?

say it ain't so.

Hi surfmom,

here's my vote - Italy.

with kids that age I'm not not sure that I'd go to Rome [perhaps better to leave that til they're older], but you could fly into Venice, then go to lake garda for a few days.

that way you would only a need a car for the 2nd half of the holiday.

hope this helps,

regards, ann

Come to London! Ok, I live there so I'm biased but I know you'l enjoy it!

In answer to your pros & cons:
+ kid-friendly - Yes, there's loads for them to do.
+ apartment - absolutely. You'll have more flexibility than a hotel so it'll be better for both you & the kids. Cheaper too.
+ language - yep, you'll have no problem with that.

- expensive - true, but maybe no more than your other options. I'm not an exchange rate expert, but continental Europe will be expensive too. As a Londoner who has travelled to Paris & Italy in recent years, I thought they were expensive too.
- haven't been there in 10 years, don't know city as well as Paris - all the more reason to go! Discover new places and your kids will have a new experience.
- don't know neighborhoods for apartments - most reputable websites with apartment rentals will only have properties in good areas for sightseeing/safety. This forum is great for advice too.
- are parks/playgrounds readily available ? Yes! We have children here too!
- weather - ermmmmm. Ok. You got me on that one......

I wouldn't spend all that money just to go to Paris again, if you've been there with the kids already. I think London would be great, I bet they'd really enjoy it. I wouldn't not go places just because you don't already know it.

The main expensive thing in London is hotels IMO but I've seen recommendations of reasonable rental apts in London, so that would solve that. In fact, it seemed their vacation rental apt. situation was better than in Paris for some reason.

London has some of the best parks of any major city in Europe.

The only thing is the weather -- April sounds okay (and I don't think London and Paris are that different), but first week in March may not be that appealing in either one of those two cities. It sure isn't where I live.

Personally I would go to Italy - difinately better food varieties and cheaper public transportation.
Venice is an experience on its own.Been there twice and going again in October.
Weather wise you should keep in mind that normally England is much colder than Italy but than again the weather now is so unpredicatable that you might find London warmer than Italy. Anyway I would still choose Italy anyday been there 6 times England tops for shopping thats why I've been there 9 times .... than again that is my opinion

Just my 2cents.

London: there are definitely lots of good parks and playgrounds. Princess Di memorial playground, Regent's Park, not to mention many more "neighbourhood playareas" (most of which are well-equipped).

Also good day-trip opportunities like Hampton Court Palace, or Heaver castle. Also transport galore with locomotive trains and river boats.

Italy: I think your kids may be a tad on a young side to appreciate Venice. Don't rent a car if you're considering Rome or Venice. You'll need one only if you'll be in Tuscany. Tuscany is totally a different experience from large cities. You can usually rent child seats with a retal car. The tricky bit would be to find a car large enough to accomodate all of you PLUS luggage.

Weather: London would be slightly colder, but Paris can be as wet as London around that time of the year. The weather can be rather unpredictable in March--in like a lion, out like a lamb (or vice versa).

thanks all!

We've decided.... London.

After thinking through everything, we just decided that the kids are still a little young for Italy. And making a decision hoping for better weather in April is, well, foolish. I'd rather be mentally prepared for bad weather and deal with it.

We've actually changed and are looking at the first week of March. We are now thinking about flying into Paris and spending 2 nights there and then taking the train to London. My little guy didn't go with us to Paris last time and we thought we could do the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Tuileries in 2 days. Not much else, but he could feel like he 'saw Paris'.

I'll be starting another thread soon asking about London neighborhoods

thanks!