Three week summer adventure with three kids: any ideas?
Jan 12th, 2018, 08:51 AM
#21
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The routes I mentioned in the Parco del Ticino are fine even for children. If you follow the canal towpath, there is no auto traffic to contend with. The paths are sufficiently wide, and the only risk would be falling into a canal. However, that happened to one of my daughters when we lived in the Netherlands!
In fact, I was going to mention the Netherlands myself, but you requested warm weather, and that isn't guaranteed there. And rainy weather is a possibility even in summer.
In fact, I was going to mention the Netherlands myself, but you requested warm weather, and that isn't guaranteed there. And rainy weather is a possibility even in summer.
Jan 12th, 2018, 09:23 AM
#23
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My link posting seems to be accepted now. Here is the Castle of Monterado, which I mentioned in my previous post:
Castello di Monterado
Here is the link to the photo album of our bike trip in the area of the Ticino park.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/JksrumqzwtJ9gyLe2
The first three photos are on the Ticino river, with the bridge of boats I mentioned.
The next five photos are of the 12th century abbey of Morimondo.
The next eight were taken in and around the town of Casinetta di Lugagnano, where there are several aristocratic villas, including the Casa Negri, where we were shown around the grounds by the owner. (It turned out she was good friend of a cousin of my husband. When she heard where we were from, she said, "Small world, I have a friend from that town." We asked his name, and then said, "The world is even smaller!") In the photo of the canal, you can see the road on one side, and the bike path on the other side.
The following three photos are of our agriturismo in the town of Abbiategrasso, where we also rented the bikes.
The rest of the photos are taken in the town of Vigevano, which has a very beautiful piazza, in which our merry crew (minus two people) posed for a photo.
I'm sorry I don't have labels on these photos. I originally had them in Picasa albums, with every photo labeled, but in the migration to the new Google albums, my labels got lost. Every time I think of redoing them, I get discouraged thinking of the effort lost the first time.
Castello di Monterado
Here is the link to the photo album of our bike trip in the area of the Ticino park.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/JksrumqzwtJ9gyLe2
The first three photos are on the Ticino river, with the bridge of boats I mentioned.
The next five photos are of the 12th century abbey of Morimondo.
The next eight were taken in and around the town of Casinetta di Lugagnano, where there are several aristocratic villas, including the Casa Negri, where we were shown around the grounds by the owner. (It turned out she was good friend of a cousin of my husband. When she heard where we were from, she said, "Small world, I have a friend from that town." We asked his name, and then said, "The world is even smaller!") In the photo of the canal, you can see the road on one side, and the bike path on the other side.
The following three photos are of our agriturismo in the town of Abbiategrasso, where we also rented the bikes.
The rest of the photos are taken in the town of Vigevano, which has a very beautiful piazza, in which our merry crew (minus two people) posed for a photo.
I'm sorry I don't have labels on these photos. I originally had them in Picasa albums, with every photo labeled, but in the migration to the new Google albums, my labels got lost. Every time I think of redoing them, I get discouraged thinking of the effort lost the first time.
Jan 12th, 2018, 12:32 PM
#24
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Switzerland for hiking and awesome Alps - great infrastructure for getting around via trains, aerial gondolas, postal buses, lake boats, etc. Biking in hot Spain seems a challenge for kids - go to Netherlands and Belgium or Denmark for great flat easy biking - countries where bikes are everywhere - families, grannies, everyone on the nation's superb bike path network. anyway taking trains would be great - especially in Switzerland - the Jungfrau Region up from Interlaken would be a great venue for hiking and taking thrilling gondlas and trains. Don't miss the easy-pesy Ridge Walk between Mannlichen and Kleine Scheidegg. Treat for kids - summer luge and tobaggon tracks at various places and Jungfrau Land - an Alpine-themed theme park.
For lots on trains check www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com and BETS-European Rail Experts (great online European Planning & Rail Guide for rail itineraries in lots of coutries.
For lots on trains check www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com and BETS-European Rail Experts (great online European Planning & Rail Guide for rail itineraries in lots of coutries.
Jan 13th, 2018, 10:13 AM
#25
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Sue81 thanks for the info. I am not sure we want to move around quite that much. We will either choose the Netherlands or Switzerland at this point and get to know one area really well. Thanks for the hiking suggestions. Those are the areas I have read a lot about so they seem to be the ones to consider first.
Jan 13th, 2018, 10:19 AM
#26
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bvlenci your photos were so helpful - I can see exactly what you mean about smaller bike paths along the river. It looks gorgeous and perfect. The Castello does have some lovely apartments which I will inquire about. However the Castello may be more “luxury” than we need so we may be better off renting a country house with a pool for the same amount of money.
What I love about this area is that it is a bit off the beaten path (as far as tourists go), close to the ocean, and we can fly in and out of Florence which is the one large Italian city my kids haven’t seen (and it’s my personal favourite).
A few questions:
Did you rent your bikes at each stop on your trip or bike from place to place?
Have you heard of any good rental companies for houses in the area? We usually use VRBO or Air BnB but I’m open to their options, especially because companies offer some more insurance in terms of house quality and issues that might arise.
habe you heard of the La Tavola Marche? I have wanted to stay there for a long time after reading and hearing about it.
thanks again for helping me sort this out.
What I love about this area is that it is a bit off the beaten path (as far as tourists go), close to the ocean, and we can fly in and out of Florence which is the one large Italian city my kids haven’t seen (and it’s my personal favourite).
A few questions:
Did you rent your bikes at each stop on your trip or bike from place to place?
Have you heard of any good rental companies for houses in the area? We usually use VRBO or Air BnB but I’m open to their options, especially because companies offer some more insurance in terms of house quality and issues that might arise.
habe you heard of the La Tavola Marche? I have wanted to stay there for a long time after reading and hearing about it.
thanks again for helping me sort this out.
Jan 13th, 2018, 10:21 AM
#27
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Stcirq you are very convincing. However, France is not at the top of our list for this trip. The Dordogne would be a great future trip because it offers so many things our family loves! So many places to see 
Jan 14th, 2018, 06:26 AM
#28
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HI, Not sure what you mean by Not Sure You Want to Move Around That Much.....maybe both countries, actually I'd prefer Switzerland, and the 3 villages I mentioned Murren, Grindelwald, and Wengen are very close together, some trail link, or lift can link. about 3 hrs from Zurich, and just a gorgeous area with high mountains, mtn trains, and lovely hiking trails. Sue
Jan 14th, 2018, 09:24 AM
#29
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You can't beat the fabulous Jungfrau Region mentoned above - enconse yourselves in a dreamy mountain town like Wengen - great for families -nice outdoor pool and take inn these stupendous views:
https://www.google.com/search?q=jung...w=1920&bih=949
https://www.google.com/search?q=jung...w=1920&bih=949
Jan 14th, 2018, 09:13 PM
#30
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Sue81 PalenQ I should have been more clear. I meant we only want to visit one country on this first leg of our trip. You two (as well as some research this weekend) have convinced me that Switzerland is the way to go. The Jungfrau Region looks ideal. We live in British Columbia, Canada, and there is nothing we love more than mountains, hiking and nature.
‘Now onto picking a spot for the second leg of the trip....we are off to Italy for 10 days of relaxation, wine, pool and beach time. just have to decide where to go. We have done Tuscany, Puglia, Amalfi, Venice, and Rome. My thoughts are : Marche/Umbria, Sicily, Chianti or Sardinia. I will start a new Italy thread but please feel free to share any ideas. Thank you all so much.
‘Now onto picking a spot for the second leg of the trip....we are off to Italy for 10 days of relaxation, wine, pool and beach time. just have to decide where to go. We have done Tuscany, Puglia, Amalfi, Venice, and Rome. My thoughts are : Marche/Umbria, Sicily, Chianti or Sardinia. I will start a new Italy thread but please feel free to share any ideas. Thank you all so much.
