For your day out near Gatwick have a look at the North Downs for pretty countryside and villages not too far away. The Cotswolds are lovely, but really too far for a day trip imho - and the North Downs are just as prettty, also imo.

I guess you're flying to Bordeaux and on to Rome so you can get a cheap return flight. Is it too late/expensive to change to an open jaw flight so you can go straight to Rome from London? Day 3 doesn't sound much fun.

Thank you again to all suggestions!! I will check the turtle fountain and the idea of giving my four year old a camera is genius!

I will avoid doing the bicycle tour in Rome.

We have a baby life jacket at home; we will park it but I am strongly considering having one of us sit out the boat ride along the cliffs of Capri.

Some days we will end up alternating who is watching the children at the villa and who is going on hikes. There are 6 adults and 2 children in Capri.

For the caves in France, I was told to make sure the baby is in a front carrier, dress her warmly and if she cries, get out so we don't disturb anyone.
Ok. I will write a honest trip report when I come back. We leave at the end of May.

I will definitely check out North Downs!! Thank you!!

Yes day 3 is my least favorite day. I could maybe change it, I will call Britush airway. But I am afraid I would have to forgo the business class mco-London-Bordeaux which I really don't want to do.

Another destination closer to Gatwick? maybe the countryside of Hampshire and the town of Winchester...

The South Downs are lovely, Hever is an interesting castle w/ magnificent grounds, and Winchester is a nice town w/ a gorgeous Cathedral. There will be places for tea in any of these -- and ALL would be 100000% better the driving to the Cotswolds.

“Renting a car and driving two hours to Bourton-on-the-water. Tea at Smiths.”

If there is <b>any</b> chance that you will have jet lag – and it sounds like you <b>will</b> have it -- then I would strongly encourage you to take public transportation for your first night or two. Although many people are not aware of it, there is mounting evidence that driving with jet lag is just as dangerous -- to yourself and others -- as driving drunk, and <b>nothing</b> you can do will prevent the microsleeps (which you might not even notice) that are the apparent culprit. And please note – microsleeps aren’t dependent on getting sleep or not, they result from shifting your waking / sleeping cycle away from the one to which you are accustomed. Seriously -- NOT a good idea, no matter your other constraints and no matter your prior experience!

Very good point kja. I will also add that many think they don't experience jet lag but just because you're not exhausted or even feel tired on arrival doesn't mean that you aren't suffering from even a mild form of jet lag. It's similar to having one drink and thinking you're perfectly okay to drive when experts say the evidence shows your reflexes have been adversely affected.

Ok. I am convinced! I will research North and South Downs. And look up Hever Castle and Winchester . Thank you!!

@ historytraveler: Exactly! Thanks for adding your voice to the argument. :-)

@ ToujoursVoyater: I'm so glad you've decided to reconsider! :-)

What are your plans for dealing with rain?

There are plenty of alternatives to St-Emilion between Sarlat and Bordeaux. . First, there is Monbazillac, with a lovely château, but the appellation Monbazillac is a sweetish white wine, kind of like a Sauterne, usually paired with foie gras. For good red wines, drive around the hilly areas north of Bergerac, especially Duras, which is home to the appellation Pecharmant. And you could stop in Bergerac itself and visit the Maison des Vins (the gabarre trip on the river is really interesting there, IMO, lots more so than the one in Beynac).

Regarding the canoeing, if your daughter is actually not yet 5 the day you go, I would be prepared to be turned away. It's been a long time, but when mine were little they checked ages scrupulously (liability issues, I imagine, though the French aren't quite as hung up those things as Americans).

It's also always fun to stop into one of Julien de Savignac's stores if you want to see and taste some amazing wines. There's one in Sarlat and one in Le Bugue (3 others elsewhere, but I forget where, probably one in Bergerac).

>>> catch the 8am train Napoli-Roma Termini, to catch a plane in CIA Rome at 1:20pm <<<

Are you taking a taxi from Termini to Ciampino?

I am very grateful to all the suggestions.
1) we will not drive to the Cotswold but stay very close to Gatwick.
2) I am calling British airway to see if I can clean up day3
3)I will go to Julien de Savignac's store in Sarlat; and hopefully reroute us to see Bergerac and not St Emilion. I love this new plan.
4)to answer a few other questions: yes, we will have at least a rain jacket/coat for everyone and rubber boots for the children.
5)Our train is actually Napoli-Roma Termini-Ciampino (8am-9:07am then 9:28am-9:43am(town). Then taxi into to the airport for a 1:20pm flight.
6) If my eldest daughter cannot do the canoe, she will stay with her younger sister. I was trying to find a playground in Sarlat proper but could not find one online. The nearest one I saw was next to a camping ground.

There are no playgrounds in Sarlat that I know of. Have never seen one.She might like the Jardin Public, though. And if you go to the official Sarlat Tourist Office website, check out the link to Visites Spéciales pour Enfants. Might be some ideas there.

For your day near Gatwick I second the suggestion earlier for Hever Castle. I was there last summer and it was crawling with kids, lots of kid friendly activities. Saw numerous 4 year olds in pink princess dresses, looked like they were loving it. Leeds Castle is also in the area and great for kids ( and adults). http://andiamo.zenfolio.com/p739723712

Still wondering what happens on Day 10 if the early ferry is cancelled...

I love your pictures Isabel. You are a talented photographer.

Jean: If the first ferry is cancelled, then would check if the flight from Ryan air Naples-Milan-Bordeaux at 12:35pm-->17:35 still has some seats. Actually maybe, I should just do that instead.

my mistake: the flight on June 6th from Naples to Bordeaux is at 21:40.