Netherlands, Belgium or Switzerland with a toddler?
 

We are going to Frankfurt in July with our two-year-old. We have decided to tack on a few days and go somewhere else ?? also. I have in mind about 3 days in another location, but we are pretty flexible. I don't want to do multiple locations, we have the most success traveling with our little one at a very relaxed pace. If we can't change our flight (just made our rez, pretty refundable/changeable at this point) It may be only two days. Nevertheless, any suggestions? We are doing Frankfurt on the cheap (we know people there) so we can splurge quite a bit on this leg of the trip. (I would categorize a splurge as $250-500 a night) We are always happy to spend less and we don't need it to be luxurious, but would appreciate, convenient, roomy and safe. Any thoughts or recommendations? I would love to do Paris with our toddler, but I think I want to wait until next year and maybe rent an apartment for a longer stay. We don't mind driving...my kiddo doesn't really mind time in the car. I will take any and all thoughts and suggestions!!

Were it me, I would want a pedestrian-friendly area or even car free.

That would eliminate Amsterdam and most Belgian destinations other than Brugge (which I'm a naysayer about for being too touristy and twee.)

Proved you can make easy transport connections, I would think Switzerland would be very pleasant, both in terms of weather, unforgettable scenery and car-free towns. You might not want to attempt vigourous hikes with your child, but there are plenty of pleasant flat walks and cable car and train rides that will give you staggering views. Or boat trips around lakes.

Your thinking about doing Paris when you have more time and an apartment seems right to me.

Thank you zeppole! Any specific city you recommend? A quick search turns up the Wilden Mann in Lucerne...possibly geared to couples rather than families, although the suite mentions a "babycot" which I assume is a crib? In the past I was a relentless researcher, but now I will settle for "good enough" and not spend hours I don't have researching :)

There are some real Switzerland mavens who post on Fodor's and some who have traveled with small chidlren. They can tell you what would be an easy trip from Frankfurt. If they don't pop by to answer your general thread, try posting a new one.

But just as a general note, the Swiss train system is so good, you can easily get out to a small car-free countryside town I would think, unless you prefer a city.

PS: I was thinking of some place like Lauterbrunnen or Wengen, but perhaps since you are staring in Frankfurt, someone who knows a lot of options in Switzerland would recommend someplace else.

Thanks, I will post in the Switzerland forum :)

You know, the first thing that came to mind were these lovely playgrounds in Switzerland. Tons of them everywhere--even on mountaintops. I really do like Amsterdam, and I certainly enjoyed Brussels and Brugges, but I don't recall the plethora of kiddie "pit stops" in those, with so many of them with those "spring" animals to ride.

As far as towns, I just don't know what place you can get to cheaply from Frankfurt. For some odd reason (I mean, this is over ten years ago), I remember a playground in Bern. But then again, even though we only spent a day there, Bern has remained one of our favorite cities. Youngest (now 19) told me yesterday she remembered the bears there because they seemed to be happy (unlike Czesky Krumlov).

I don't think this is helpful! Sorry!

Well instead of Amsterdam you could try The Hague. You have Madurodam there which your two year old would love, and the beach at Scheveningen is close by. Plus the Mauritshuis for the adults and the Panorama Mesdag, royal palaces, government buildings dating back to the 13th century.

Amsterdam has Artis zoo, Vondelpark, boat trips, seaside fairly easy to reach too.