frank_Rogier

My wife and I will be in london for new year with our 1 year old daughter. Our itinerary isBR>7 nights in london in a serviced apartment in mayfair.<BR>7 nights in Paris (with a day trip to disneyland paris)<BR>7 nights in....<BR><BR>We like the idea of Rome, cannes or Belguim but do not want to tire our daughter. Since we leave from Heathrow should we go back there the last week?

Jen

Rather than adding a third city, why not stay in the countryside near one of the places already on your itinerary? Sussex or the Cotswolds, any area not too far from Heathrow would be good. Perhaps the housekeeping cottages at Sudeley Castle?

StCirq

Or the countryside in France - Normandy or Brittany or the Champagne region. Rent a g&icirc;te for a week and relax and explore.

Rex

I think back to having our first child, and I cannot really fathom being able to take three straight weeks off - - obviously not in the same point in your career as I was - - or something VERY seasonal!<BR><BR>And I do not have personal experience in winter Europe travel, but what about Ireland? otherwise Rome is not a bad choice. New cheap flights on ryanair (to Bergamo, from Paris BVA) and on airlibexpress.com - - unless their financial troubles take them under).<BR><BR>Happy new year!<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

up

topping, for frank<BR>

John

If you have seven days I would recommend spending them either in the English countryside - look for a cozy hotel in East Anglia, for example (better chance of dry conditions in January) where you could snuggle by a fire while the winter carries on outside, maybe take a day trip to Cambridge or Lincoln, that sort of thing, OR the south of France, around 6-7 hours by TGV from Paris. Four or five nights in Menton (not Cannes or Nice IMO) wouldn't be hard to take in January. <BR><BR>I would not rely on flights, but use the train/Eurostar as much as possible.

shawn

I'd head someplace warm and sunny. Spain isn't far away. Or why not just head to Southern France?

kk

The south of France is now only about 2.5 to 3 hrs. on TGV train.

Andy

&lt;&lt;I would not rely on flights, but use the train/Eurostar as much as possible.&gt;&gt;<BR><BR>Why is this, when flights are so much cheaper and faster to lots of destinations?<BR>

jen

Because the train can be less taxing when travelling with a toddler. Not always, but consider...<BR>-the extra time you need for check-in &amp; security<BR>-the time that the child will need to stay in her airplane seat or on your lap<BR>-possible ear pain<BR>-the lack of things to see compared to watching the countryside at eye level<BR>I wouldn't try to take the train as far as Rome with a toddler, though, if I had the choice.

Thomas

&lt;&lt;the south of France, around 6-7 hours by TGV from Paris. Four or five nights in Menton (not Cannes or Nice IMO) wouldn't be hard to take in January.&gt;&gt;<BR><BR>&lt;&lt;The south of France is now only about 2.5 to 3 hrs. on TGV train.&gt;&gt;<BR><BR>These two statrements are comparing apples and oranges.<BR><BR>You can't get to Nice in 3 hours by train. Flying really would be a better idea.<BR><BR>But you can get to Provence ni 2-3 hours by TGV.<BR><BR>Valence in 2:11<BR>Avignon in 2:37<BR>Aix en Provence in 3:00<BR><BR>Each is a different non-stop train.<BR>

John

I guess my recommendations about the train and Menton have to do with (a) the usual hassle of traveling with babies, and, mostly, (b) it will be early January. Menton statistically has a higher probability of comfortable weather (I won't say warm) than any other town in France. Provence can be wonderful, but I've been in Aix in January when it froze my lavender off. <BR><BR>For travel, though, maybe train south from Paris then fly back to LHR, depending on how they're getting to Paris from London in the first place (I assumed Eurostar both ways.)