dgarvin

Our family of four (2 adults, a 16 year old and a 6 year old) will be travelling in Europe next July & August 2013 for 5 weeks. We wish to experience Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg and France. We would like to see the main sights in each place at a comfortable pace and will be travelling via Eurail passes.

Is 5 weeks enough time for this itinerary, especially with a 6 year old?

Also, it is so confusing to book hotels that allow 4 people in one room. Is there a company or resource that can help in this area? Maybe we should choose one chain of hotels across all these countries that allows a family of four to share one room and that perhaps has a kitchenette?

I think hotels/inns are the way to go with families ... unless there is something else that is cost effective for a party of four?

Thank you in advance for your help

Diane

StCirq

I don't think there IS one chain of hotels across all of those countries, and rooms for 4 are tough to come by anyway.

I would look at renting apartments.

annhig

Hi Diane,

firstly that's a lot of places even in 5 weeks. the main sights of France or Germany alone could take that long.

I think that you will actually end up seeing more if you pick a few bases for week-long stays, with perhaps a few 2-3 night stays in between. you might also think about renting apartments as St. Cirq suggests and/or cottage-type accommodation in the countryside, preferably with swimming pool and bicycles, to give the kids a chance for some exercise and letting off steam.

for a chain that will offer bedrooms for 4 on a consistent basis, have a look at accorhotels.com - they cover Novotel, Accord, and Ibis hotels amongst others.

dgarvin

Thank you both for your prompt replies!

Is it possible to rent apartments for just 2 or 3 nights at a time in Europe?

I never thought of having bases in a few areas for a week long stay and then do day trips from the base. Is that what you mean? It would be a lot easier to not have to pack, unpack and change locations every other night. That's a great idea. Do you have an idea for a base in the larger countries like Germany and France?

Thank you so much for the link to the Accor Hotels. This will be very handy indeed

Diane

suze

I think it's too many place, especially with two kids in tow. I would cut it back to 5 max. To allow 1 week each country. Still you can see plenty, assuming a couple cities or towns or regions within each country.

illnative

We have rented apartments in both Rome and Paris for just 2-3 nights. We really prefer to stay in apartments when we go to Europe - and it is just the 2 of us (no kids). A bit more room and the kitchen facilities are nice....

nytraveler

Agree that this itinerary is way too much for 5 weeks. That sounds like a lot - but it isn't when you consider the number of cities and provinces to be seen in each of these countries.

You can see a lot of Paris in a week - and even include a day trip. But you can;t see France in a week - or even a month. Similarly - what part of Germany are you interested in. You could see quite a bit of Bavaria in 7 or 8 days - but that leaves most of Germany untouched.

Plus, traveling with a 6 year old will really be slower than just with adults/teens.

If you want you can see a place in each one of these countries - but it will be more rushed than relaxed. And you are nowhere near seeing all the major sights anywhere.

For hotels you might try search engines looking for family rooms - but make sure they understand it is for 3 adults and 1 child or your 16 year old might have to sleep on a rollaway cot. If you want a double double room - that is a room with 2 double beds you need to search for that specifically at a higher price point - and many european hotels don't offer that option.

adrienne

You have too many countries on your list, especially as you want to travel at a comfortable pace. You could hardly see the main sights in France in 5 weeks.

Get some guide books from the library and decide what you want to see in each country. Then choose 5 areas from your list - 1 week in each area. Combine outdoor activities (such as hiking, boating, etc.) with cultural activities (castles, churches, museums). You might decide to stay in a small town for a week - one that has access to other towns, small cities. Germany and Austria are good for this.

Outside of Prague, the Czech Republic is difficult with regard to language so you might only visit Prague and perhaps one day trip to another town.

Before you buy a rail pass consider checking prices on point to point tickets and check out individual country rail passes (not through Raileurope). In Bavaria (southern Germany) up to 5 people can travel cheaply on a day pass for E30. In France you'll need seat reservation on almost all trains and there are only a few reservations for pass holders. Unless you book your seat reservations when you buy the rail pass you may be out of luck and not be able to travel when you want to.

LeslieC

Of course you can visit those countries in 5 weeks. You will only have a sampling of each but I see nothing wrong with that approach if you prefer it for more in depth slow trav. The biggest factor in your speed and expanse is your six year old. We began European travel with our kids when our daughter was 9 and son 11. We found that at that age, the kids could share a sofa bed but as they got older, well, I shared a bed with our daughter and hubby shared with our son. Yes, 4 bedded rooms are harder to find since the standard American configuration of two double or two queen beds in a room is not typical in Europe, but not impossible, and yes, you can rent an apt for just a few days. You can even find apt options intermingled hotels on such sites as www.booking.com or www.venere.com. Here's an example of a Parisian apt in a great location near the Opera Garnier I just found with a quick search:
http://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/adag...d520ef5fc48X17
I would definitely book all rooms in advance once you've detailed your itinerary. Those 4 person rooms go fast. Whatever time you spend in each city, remember that the little one will probably tucker out mid-day so a hotel or apt that is centrally located is that much more important. We found a rest for a few hours back in the room helped the youngest ones continue on for the rest of the day.