cmsteer

We're thinking of taking our 7yr old and 5 yr old to Europe at the end of June/early July. The comments received on my last post suggested we do not attempt a river cruise but perhaps finding a central location to settle down at and then take day trips from there. So we are thinking either France, Switzerland or Germany. We will be starting off in the Netherlands where we will be visiting family and then go off on our own.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to a nice "home base" in any of these countries where we can do fun and interesting day trips to other locations and back?
Thanks!

dreamon

How long do you have and do you want the emphasis to be on towns or countryside. There is such a lot to choose from. However, a couple of suggestions would be Meersburg on Bodensee (cycling, lots of sightseeing as Bodensee shares borders with three countries e.g. Konstanz, Rheinfalls, Schaffhausen, Stein am Rhein, Freidrichschafen, Lindau). You could stop in Heidelberg or Bad Wimpfen enroute. Or perhaps Bernese Oberland (e.g. Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald) for it's beautiful natural environment. Both locations have local websites where you could find apartments.

Michael

The Dordogne has caves, castles and kayaking on its river. A week's rental in the area might be just the thing.

bilboburgler

Mosel or Bodensee would both be wonderful. You might also look at Alsace along the Rhine with the opportunity to travel in both France and Germany with even a trip down to Basil.

http://www.mybikeguide.co.uk/Lake_Constance_Guide.php might interest you

Gretchen

I'll comment that sometimes cities can be more fun for young children than just scenic views of mountains and valleys. Children can get caught up quickly on scenery and might enjoy a science museum and a castle.

Russ

"...we are thinking either France, Switzerland or Germany."

It's unclear how much time you have. But it would be possible to position yourselves in the Black Forest region and do daytrips to other BF towns (and Freiburg,) to Switzerland (Basel,) and to Strasbourg and/or Colmar in France.

Train and bus transport around the Black Forest is free for all members of your family during your BF stay if you stay in certain towns where the KONUS card is offered to all guests (there are about 140 participating small Black Forest towns.)

http://www.dreisamtal.de/en/service/konus.php?lang=en

cmsteer

All great ideas! Thank you so much! We are looking at possibly 2 weeks maybe 3. Time to do some more research on the areas you have all suggested. Much appreciated!

NorCal_Jo

I will say that we have taken our kids to many places in Europe while living over here and above all, my kids (now age 4 and 6) LOVE LOVE LOVE the Berner Oberland area most of all so if your kids like to be outdoors it is a paradise for adults and kids as they get to ride trains, gondola's, tons of playgrounds in the mountain villages around Murren, Wengen, access to beautiful and easy hikes/walks, etc etc. My kids have grins ear to ear the whole time we are in the Alps. With 2-3 weeks you could easily spend 4-6 days in the Berner Oberland area and then go see something else in Germany or France to combine with a city.. We've rented apartments/villas in both Interlaken and Wengen and also there are nice family hotels in Wengen.

My kids also love Paris as there is a ton for kids to do and great parks and Amsterdam they thought was hilarious riding in those "box" bikes we rented (we mostly stayed within the Vondelpark as I was nervous on the regular roads).