Paris and Amsterdam with teens
Dec 2nd, 2008, 04:42 PM
#1
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Paris and Amsterdam with teens
Hi. We are family of five and are looking to spend 2 weeks in Europe this summer. Our last trip was to Italy and that was amazing. I was thinking of flying into Paris and out of Amsterdam. Any advice on this itinerary, and other places of interest, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Dec 2nd, 2008, 08:37 PM
#2
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Sounds fine, but what would you like to know? Have you rented all the DVDs and videos your library has? What are your interests? How old are the members of our family? Are you walkers, art lovers/museum goers, fashion mavens, history buffs, architecture fans, or???
Do you prefer hotels, or apartments, what is your budget, do you have preferences as to districts or suburbs or arrondissements to stay in?
Have you input the names of Paris and Amsterdam into the search field above? Lots of info previously given comes up.
Then when you have specifics, just ask.
Do you prefer hotels, or apartments, what is your budget, do you have preferences as to districts or suburbs or arrondissements to stay in?
Have you input the names of Paris and Amsterdam into the search field above? Lots of info previously given comes up.
Then when you have specifics, just ask.
Dec 2nd, 2008, 11:35 PM
#3
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Only simple recomendation get tickets for Versailles at
The Forfait Loisirs Château
de Versailles is a low price
pass that offers:
- one return rail ticket (+ metro
from Paris),
- one coupon for admission to
the Château via the Pavillon
Dufour, with access to:
- the King’s and Queen’s State
Apartments,
- the Dauphin’s Apartments,
the heir to the throne,
- the 17th century
galleries and the History of
France Galleries,
- Marie-Antoinette's Estate
- Grand and Petit Trianon,
- at weekends, the
Mesdames’ Apartments,
- the concerned days, at the
Grandes Eaux Musicales show.
and once in Versailles RENT bicycles!!
The Forfait Loisirs Château
de Versailles is a low price
pass that offers:
- one return rail ticket (+ metro
from Paris),
- one coupon for admission to
the Château via the Pavillon
Dufour, with access to:
- the King’s and Queen’s State
Apartments,
- the Dauphin’s Apartments,
the heir to the throne,
- the 17th century
galleries and the History of
France Galleries,
- Marie-Antoinette's Estate
- Grand and Petit Trianon,
- at weekends, the
Mesdames’ Apartments,
- the concerned days, at the
Grandes Eaux Musicales show.
and once in Versailles RENT bicycles!!
Dec 3rd, 2008, 09:39 AM
#4
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We've been to both places with teenagers. In Amsterdam they enjoyed a canal ride, Anne Frank house, Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh museum, the parks, and great food. In Paris, the Eiffel Tower (of course), Latin Quarter and all the shops, climbing Notre Dame and the Art de Triomphe, Invalides and the war museums, and their number one favorite thing: AMORINO ice cream or gelato. Also, the boys loved the amazing cars in the show rooms on Champs Elysees.
In both places after a couple of days of orientation, they rode the buses/metro and had a great time on their own. In Paris we stayed in an apartment by St. Michel and that was a great area for street food, shopping, enjoying the sights and walking to many attractions.
In both places after a couple of days of orientation, they rode the buses/metro and had a great time on their own. In Paris we stayed in an apartment by St. Michel and that was a great area for street food, shopping, enjoying the sights and walking to many attractions.
Dec 5th, 2008, 04:38 AM
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We were in Paris and Amsterdam with our then 15 year old daughter in the summer of 2007.
She decided she preferred Amsterdam as I think the scale of things there wasn't quite as overwhelming as was Paris.
Check out the thalys.com website for train tickets 90 days before you leave for fares. It's about a 4 ½ hour ride from Gare du Nord to Amsterdam Centraal.
With 5 of you I'd suggest looking for apartments for both cities rather than hotels.
And perhaps most important... involve the kids as much as possible in planning... they will enjoy things a lot more if they at least THINK they'd thought of them! LOL
Rob
She decided she preferred Amsterdam as I think the scale of things there wasn't quite as overwhelming as was Paris.
Check out the thalys.com website for train tickets 90 days before you leave for fares. It's about a 4 ½ hour ride from Gare du Nord to Amsterdam Centraal.
With 5 of you I'd suggest looking for apartments for both cities rather than hotels.
And perhaps most important... involve the kids as much as possible in planning... they will enjoy things a lot more if they at least THINK they'd thought of them! LOL
Rob
Dec 5th, 2008, 07:03 AM
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Plan out your museum visits ahead of time so that they enjoy their time. 2 hours should be enough. For the Louvre I recommend you visit the cat mummies in the basement (I loved them as a teenager, my teenage son enjoyed it) and the Italian hall by the Mona Lisa.
In Paris my kids liked the markets, the neighborhoods, even the monoprix. Loved visiting Notre Dame, climbing the tower and examining the carvings around the doors. We stayed in an apartment and loved it. Checking out the bikes from one of the Velo stations and riding around Paris on a Sunday would be very fun.
In Paris my kids liked the markets, the neighborhoods, even the monoprix. Loved visiting Notre Dame, climbing the tower and examining the carvings around the doors. We stayed in an apartment and loved it. Checking out the bikes from one of the Velo stations and riding around Paris on a Sunday would be very fun.
Dec 5th, 2008, 09:10 AM
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What is your inital itinerary? Is this is first visit for the family?
If so, I strongly suggest 4 nights in Amsterdam (staying in the canal ring area) and 7 nights in Paris. That leaves three leftover nights in the middle (assuming a 14 night stay).
If so, I strongly suggest 4 nights in Amsterdam (staying in the canal ring area) and 7 nights in Paris. That leaves three leftover nights in the middle (assuming a 14 night stay).
Dec 5th, 2008, 09:21 AM
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Have been to Paris - but not Amsterdam - with 2 teen girls. they loves the Louvre, Musee d'Orsay - but their favorite museum was the Cluny. Also liked all the other standards - and id a lot of shopping (teen stores they had heard abuot from some local kids they met).
Since they're used to a big city - and both have been studying French - they went shopping a couple of afternoons we did other things. And they did a "teen' club one evening - but we had them take a cab back to the hotel.
Younger one went to Amsterdam with friends last summer - and loved it.
Since they're used to a big city - and both have been studying French - they went shopping a couple of afternoons we did other things. And they did a "teen' club one evening - but we had them take a cab back to the hotel.
Younger one went to Amsterdam with friends last summer - and loved it.
Dec 8th, 2008, 05:57 PM
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We went to both with teens (Paris 3X) and agree with all the previous posts. We had apartments and/or a house and that gave space and flexibility. Besides what has been mentioned, the kids loved the markets and exploring neighborhoods. We had them list 5-7 places they wanted to go and made sure we rotated getting to each one's desired spots. At times, we would have them plan a day, half-day or evening for everyone. Consider visiting the Anne Frank House at 7 or 8 PM to avoid the long lines. On the way to Amsterdam, you may want to consider Bruges. The town is a delightful, well-preserved Gothic City. We rented bikes and took a 7km bike trip from there to the town of Damme, pedaling along the canal to get there, past windmills. Also, visiting the Anne Frank House at 7 or 8 PM avoids the long lines.
