Flying_Mom

Hi to you all,
My family 2 adults and 2 kids (ages 11 and 9) are planning a Thanksgiving week trip to either London, Paris or Dublin. We will leave on Wed. Nov 16 and return on Thursday Nov 24th.

What are any of your views on pros and cons to the above cities (weather, things to do, sights that will be open at that time..)?

We are also not set on the above 3 cities, just some ideas that we had... We did travel to Rome and Venice last Thanksgiving. We loved everything about Italy but want to try another country this year.

Any suggestions or ideas of other countries that would be nice this time of year... We are not into really cold temps.

Thanks for your advice.

bardo1

All three cities will be open around Thanksgiving week and will offer plenty to do. Paris or London will offer much more than Dublin (epecially for an 8 day trip).

If your are really weather driven, then consider Buenos Aires. It will be high spring and the flowers in the city will be in full bloom.

If your set on Europe, you might consider Lisbon, Sevilla, or Athens (warmer than your first three choices but it will still be winter).

Surfergirl

With kids, my vote would be London. The weather is not horrible. It's considered a "mild" climate, relatively speaking, meaning it probably won't be snowing and certainly not as cold as Minnesota. But it's such a great place for kids, just get some jackets and you'll be fine. I would take them to the theatre for sure (lots of good theatre for kids, although still too early in the year for pantos). Tower of London is great fun at that time of year, London Eye, parks, and, of course, Hamley's.

Flyboy

I can never fault anyone for wanting to go to Paris and we had a wonderful time there last Thanksgiving. It is also measurably less costly than London, but if that's not an issue, then London is a great place to spend some time.

With the time you have available, however, I wonder if you have considered anything in Asia? Hong Kong, for example, is very easy to get around because of its heritage as a British colony. If you are into holiday shopping, you would be hard-pressed to find a better place to do it. The currency situation is better for those who operate with U.S. dollars and there are some very competitive airfares available. It's worth a serious look.

julie_Colorado

I'd consider Spain or Greece.... esp. if you want the best chance at decent weather.

missypie

The daylight hours will be pretty short, so I'd choose London to be able to see shows at night time.

flygirl

London last Thanksgiving was rather brisk. Still, it's London. Not sure Paris would be all that much warmer, if at all.

it's a tossup between those two.. (my opinion)

Flying_Mom

Thanks for your input...

We have narrowed our plans down to possibly either of the following 2:
1) Fly into Paris where we will spend three days and then take a train into Germany to see some of the beautiful castles. We would then spend 2-3 days in Germany and take the train back to Paris to fly home.

2) Fly into Paris and spend 3 days then take the Chunnel to London for 3 days and fly home from London.

We are concerned about some of the castles being closed for the winter. Do any of you have knowledge of this? Also, where would the biggest concentration of castles be along the Rhine River?

Thanks again for your assistance.

walkinaround

not sure where you are flying from but one week is too short to visit paris and germany (esp the countryside and by train). 2-3 days in germany is far too short...even if you wanted to just have a quick look at one city, but for the countryside, forget it.

a split between london and paris is more practical...esp with an open jaw ticket as you mention. personally, i think you are much better off choosing one of the two and concentrating on the city and perhaps one or two day trips out to surrounding areas. again, one week is a short period of time. i would favour paris over london as london seems more drearier in late november. i live in london and love the city but paris is a bit less gloomy...actually, the weather is much the same but london just feels gloomier this time of year, in my opinion. i don't mind but as a tourist with just a week to spend here, i would choose paris...all else being equal.

Sarah

with kids I would consider Italy. The average high is 63 average low 49. I have gone to Italy twice in November and loved it. Its cheaper and friendlier than Paris in my opinion. The art and history will move you in the same way as Paris offerings will.

This Thanksgiving I am going to Paris so I am not down on Paris. I do know what I am up against in terms of hospitality and Weather though. You take the good with the bad anywhere but with kids I think you are more careful on short stays. Its colder than NYC in weather according to averages. I can remember freezing in December.

In terms of hospitality, Italy just has a country hospitality even in the big cities. I don't see that kind of warm inviting quality in other big cities around the world. That goes for home NYC.

Lived in London and I certainly like it but I don't find it as enchanting (if that does not sound too la-ti-da, LOL)as Paris. Same goes for Dublin and I have strong Irish roots.

Think about getting those tickets soon there were spring sales on Thanksgiving flight I am not sure that fares will come down much further.

American seems to drop fares Thursday morning and pop them back up around 11 est...

Not sure what the 24th looks like in terms of traffic I would suspect its a breeze. I have flown on 4 July and Christmas to Hawaii and have found incredible breaks.

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU DECIDE!!!

Sarah

You can see beautiful castles right outside of Paris.

click on destinations tab up above this thread and see side trips for Paris on the fodor destinations.

Brugge or Brussels is also a closer side trip but I don't have a strong attraction to Germany so I don't know the possibilities.

Less is always more when you are traveling flying mom and certainly when traveling with kids. Remember there will be jet lag in those first few days. Your kids may feel out of sorts with this.

PS just saw your post on Italy last year LOL. Sorry to waste your time.

Athens has direct flights from NYC too. What about Spain or Portugal? Just for the weather. www.yahoo.com and then yahoo weather for list of averages.

flygirl

it's also a 3 hour train ride to Provence...

Flying_Mom

Hello to you all,
Ok... I think Germany is out for this trip. We are back to our original plans of Paris and London (maybe, if time permits) and take a side trip to a French Castle. I just know that my kids would love to see a castle. Which castle in France is the most beautiful?? Are any of the castles used as hotels? I know some of the German ones are... just a thought.

About Greece... Is this a good city to visit in late November? I understand that many of the islands hotels and such are closed. But not sure about Athens... We would really like a warmer city to visit but concerned about hotel, restaurants, sights closing for the season.

We did Rome and Venice last Thanksgiving and loved every minute of our time in Italy. So with that you can guess that my kiddos do well with long distance travel and time zone changes. After we landed in Rome we started our journey around town and then returned to our hotel early evening for bed. The next day all was well with all of our body clocks...

We are airline employees so no tickets to purchase but then again we have to be very flexible with our travel plans up until the day we depart... I usually make our hotel reservations the day of departure and thankfully around this time of year most hotels have room. I also gather up information on at least 2 cities so that if we have to change destinations last minute we are prepared for any adventure.

Thanks again for your help... you guys are very helpful.

annesherrod

London....

We took our children here a couple of years back - the same ages as your children.
If you like Christmas decorations - you will love how it is decorated. My hildren were mesmerized by the windows at harrod's. They must have spent 20 min to take in each window.
The pubs are cozy and they can have a hot chocolate.
We did the double decker red bus tour -outside and it was chilly but fine. My DH stayed in the heated part underneath.
A side trip to York may be nice which also starts several Holiday Festivals that time of year.
Bath is also a good trip.
Also, Many restaurants will serve an "American" Thanksgiving meal if you so choose.
We ate an old Inn (500 years old) which served A wonerful Yorkshire pudding - turkey , roast, etc... this was outside York for our Thanksgiving meal.
Have a ball!

flygirl

I don't think late November would be the best time to visit the Loire Valley, but, even Chinon isn't more than 4 hours from Paris (driving). Plenty of castles there! Chambord will knock their socks off just for size. Chenonceau is built over the river. and so on...

Versailles is 12 miles from Paris. That's definitely something. Chateau Gaillard, in Les Andelys, is now in ruins (it's from the 1200s) but is maybe 60 miles from Paris. It's high up on a hill, and quite pleasant (I've visited there twice). Might be nicer in good weather though! It's also near Giverny, which again would be prettier during the flowering season but I'm sure they must do something in the late fall to keep it interesting. (a guess).

Villandry is a pretty stop if you are touring the Loire Valley. I understand their gardens are changed by season.

I found this site, it's helpful:

http://www.jack-travel.com/Loire/htm...ley_droite.htm

Sarah

Italy IN MY MIND IS GOING TO BE TOUGH TO TOP!...PERIOD!
Italy WILL BE TOUGH TO TOP! PERIOD!!!

So remember that and you won't set yourself up in expectation to meet that Italian Thanksgiving experience. I do love Paris more than London for the beauty but reading the above post, it sounds like a good idea too. It won't be as cold as Paris. Your kids won't have a language block and they will be able to absorb more (that might be fun to watch, as a parent), Buckingham Palace does tours now, you have that castle? ...Complete with soldiers on horses. I will get slammed for saying this (so I will duck) Paris does have Eurodisney too. (Run for the door!).

I have been to Greece in December, late. This was 20 years ago though so consider your source. I don't recall ever having a problem with anything being closed certainly in Athens. I spent 2 weeks on Crete (1 week in Athens), I remember restaurants being open but no summer crowds (crete)and it was not as warm as I anticipated. Still warmer than anything in central or northern Europe. I loved Athens though and 20 years ago I found it FELT much safer than Italy. I was a young girl in those days though and felt very harassed in Italy. In Athens, I was walking home at 2 AM alone and no one was bothering me.

I think your kids would get bored on the Greek islands so that would work for a 2 day stay on lets say Santorini. Your 9 year old if she is a girl will love that (sisterhood of the traveling pants). I also think it would be PRETTY INCREDIBLE to take your kids to the Acropolis. Also so many colorful sights just in Athens. I loved it but again I was a starry-eyed backpacker 20 years ago.

rubbercoop

Hi Flying Mom: We are also going to take a trip like yours in November - we are going to take our 6 and 8 year old girls. We are going to Strasbourg's Christmas Market from Paris as a side trip. Additionally we found an apartment - instead of a hotel in Paris - much less expensive - full kitchen - lots of extras - books, CDs, satellite TV (gotta have Sponge-Bob!) and 2 rooms. We will also go to Brugges - we are keeping the apartment as a home base and traveling around. We loved the open markets near Republique last time - the kids love that. Also all the windows are dressed so nicely for Christmas - really nice What are your final plans???Love to hear about it after the fact as well!

julie_Colorado

If you will be dissappointed with cold weather, Paris and London are a problem. I'm not sure from your posts how important weather really is.

The Greek islands care very slow off season. The Greek mainland still has alot to do - esp. in Athens. We spent 10 days in Athens, Delphi, and Santorini. My kids loved Greece. Of the 20 European countries my daughter has visited, Greece is her favorite.

We prefered mainland Greece to the islands - but lots would disagree with me. A big island like Crete would have some number of things to do (and antiquity never really closes!).

That time of year you have a choice - the traditional old cities of Europe where the Christmas markets will be opening, etc... Or somewhere where weather could be better but without that Christmas atmosphere. (Turkey, Morocco, Greece, Spain)...

wondering

I would have to second London due to the sun setting so early. Evenings and nights in Paris would be harder to fill. The theater is a marvelous family activity. YOur children will love it and always remember the London theater. Dublin has a great night scene for the older teens and twenties, but not that much for the younger set.

marymarra

I'll add a vote for London; just came back and it is perfect for kids; we went to Hampton Court as a day trip and it is a great castle (as is, of course, Windsor, if you haven't been). Won't go on and on, but if you pick London and want child-friendly activities and restaurants, please let me know.

Mary in D.C.