Hello everyone,

I was wondering if everyone thought this trip was doable for a family of 3 for our first family trip to Europe in June. I realize this MAY be a bit much, but we're typically pretty efficient (i.e. leaving hotel early and not going back until late while finding time to relax at parks for hours as well as seeing the sights). We also typically wait until the last minute, hence why I'm asking now. Unfortunately, I'm locked into Iceland and Brussels at this point (busy with work, so I sort of purchased on impulse as we usually do). We were originally going to fly from Iceland to Scotland before heading down to London, but I think Prague is more interesting for us on this trip, and the train time to London has just switched to airport / flying time to Prague. Travel time from Prague to Paris is really the main addition from our original plan. Interests include nature (hence why we added Iceland since I knew we wold mainly be visiting cities in the continent), history, architecture, walking around and enjoying different cities/cultures.

Thanks!


Day 1 --> Fly to Iceland
Day 2 --> Arrive in Iceland early AM
Day 3--> Iceland
Day 4 --> Arrive in London AM
Days 5 - 7 London
Day 8 --> Fly to Prague Late afternoon
Days 9-10 -> Prague
Day 11 -> Fly to Paris
Day 12-15 -> Paris
Day 16 Train to Brussels AM
Day 17 Day trip to Bruges or Ghent
Day 18 Fly Home AM from Brussels

Gives us pretty much 2 full days in Iceland (one jet-lagged day, but it won't get dark so we can do stuff in the late afternoon/evening if we want)
4 full days in London (adding in half partial arrival and departure dates, even though we will be in town for most of those days)
2 Days in Prague (could add a day here and just lose the day trip to Bruges/Ghent)
4 non travel days in paris
A travel day in Brussels (arriving AM from Paris, short train ride) and a day for a day trip in Belgium (unless I add a day in Prague)

Seems fine to me all in all.

Just a note about Thalys train Paris-Brussels - book early at www.thalys.com - check how far in advance booking are taken and for cheapest fares of sat 29-39 euros book ASAP. And check on ABS fare - All-BelgianStations which lets you take any train within either 24 or 48 hours of Thalys arrival in Brussels to any other Belgian station for about 5 euros - meaning you could go to Bruges or Gent one-way on any train within that time frame. www.seat61.com has loads of info on booking own discounted tickets; general info trains BETS-European Rail Experts and www.ricksteves.com.

Looks OK to me.

Just one thing: >>4 full days in London (adding in half partial arrival and departure dates, even though we will be in town for most of those days)<<. should say 3 full days . . . <<


For reference, the original ideas were discussed on a long thread here: Seeking Europe Itinerary Suggestions.

Bruges or Gent?

You'll find divided opinion on that but IMO Gent is nice town but Bruges is exceptional. Don't try both in one day. Rap on Bruges is that it is too crowded with day trippers.