Travelling to Europe for 8/9weeks with 4yr and 2yr old - Advice needed
Feb 1st, 2013, 11:43 PM
#41
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excellent! Thanks for that! I have contacted the owner and hopefully I can still get it for those few nights! Onto to now trying to find our next spot in Dordogne. SO many place want a weeks stay 
Feb 2nd, 2013, 03:56 AM
#42
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We stayed here just outside of Sarlat and loved it http://www.les-granges-hautes.fr/
Feb 2nd, 2013, 04:32 AM
#43
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and this is a place recommended to me for Sarlat
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_R...Aquitaine.html
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_R...Aquitaine.html
Feb 3rd, 2013, 01:09 AM
#45
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jamikins . . the placed you stayed . . were you able to walk into the town? I think the place I listed you can. It's been recommended but it doesn't have a pool and it might be nice to have the option of a swim with the kids.
Feb 3rd, 2013, 04:07 AM
#49
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true . .however she has been really nice and I get a good feeling . . .I think we will stay there . .she is booked out on either side of my booking which can only be a good sign. But thanks again for your suggestion.
what's your thoughts on
http://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/le-c...relles.en.html
thinking of here after Barcelona . .I hear Avignon has a festival on or something.
thanks for your help!
what's your thoughts on
http://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/le-c...relles.en.html
thinking of here after Barcelona . .I hear Avignon has a festival on or something.
thanks for your help!
Feb 3rd, 2013, 05:57 AM
#50
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ok update time 
First week is done - not booked though but we have a plan, 2nd week London - again not booked, 3rd week Paris - booked, 4th week - 3nights Amboise, 3 nights Sarlat, 3nights Barcelona - all booked,
5th/6th Week - - -Avignon ( or somewhere close by ) Sanremo 2 nights and Varenna 4 nights ( this is because we are spending a day in Milan - we have been before / we got engaged there so we plan on going back to those places close to our hearts) Lucca 3 nights , Siena 4 nights
7th week - Rome or Bracciano with a day trip to Rome and then we get stuck but we have 4 days to get to Innsbruck.
8th week- Munich 2 nights, Prague 3 nights, Berlin 3 nights, Frankfurt 4 nights - day trip to Offenburg and Luxembourg on 2 of those days.
FLY HOME!
Look forward to comments and suggestions as to where to stay
First week is done - not booked though but we have a plan, 2nd week London - again not booked, 3rd week Paris - booked, 4th week - 3nights Amboise, 3 nights Sarlat, 3nights Barcelona - all booked,
5th/6th Week - - -Avignon ( or somewhere close by ) Sanremo 2 nights and Varenna 4 nights ( this is because we are spending a day in Milan - we have been before / we got engaged there so we plan on going back to those places close to our hearts) Lucca 3 nights , Siena 4 nights
7th week - Rome or Bracciano with a day trip to Rome and then we get stuck but we have 4 days to get to Innsbruck.
8th week- Munich 2 nights, Prague 3 nights, Berlin 3 nights, Frankfurt 4 nights - day trip to Offenburg and Luxembourg on 2 of those days.
FLY HOME!
Look forward to comments and suggestions as to where to stay
Feb 3rd, 2013, 08:04 AM
#52
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I haven't had a chance to comment until now. Bravo for trying such an ambitious trip with little ones, and congratulations for being able to.
The first 4 weeks sound like they are falling together well. The first week will give you all a chance to get settled in. A week in London and a week in Paris will give you a chance to see a lot. (I would perhaps give more than 6 nights in Paris, but that's just me.)
The 9 days you'll be travelling between Paris and Barcelona start to feel a little hectic because you're covering such long distances in between. But again, that's just me.
I've never been to Barcelona so I can't say, but it seems like 3 nights in Barcelona (after the first one being a long travel day from Sarlat) might seem like you only have 2 days in Barcelona, which might not seem like enough.
The next stay, you have Avignon. Has anyone suggested Arles as an alternative? A little smaller. Avignon (I admit I was only there a few hours en route to staying in Arles) is a bit hectic and it's a bigger city. Arles gives you the feeling of being in a Provencal town especially since you're only there 2 nights (which will feel like 1 day) since there is so much driving on arrival and departure.
After all that driving, I would probably combine Siena and Lucca into one stay (and stay in Siena or somewhere in Tuscany instead of Lucca) and stay put for a full week. (I missed if there was a specific reason you wanted to stay in Lucca.) I've gone there to visit friends... on like my 4th trip to Tuscany. I wouldn't put it up high on my list of places to go on a first trip to Italy.)
If it were me, at this point in the trip, I'd find a quaint tuscan village either right outside of Siena or--even better--on the Chianti highway, and RELAX. Get a place with a pool and explore during the day and STAY 7 nights. Don't split it between the 2 cities unless you have a compelling reason to sleep in Lucca. Enjoy the pace of Tuscany. You're going to need it to recharge after all that cross country driving. Watch beautiful Tuscan sunsets at night. Drink good wine. Explore villages. (I'd suggest staying in Vignamaggio or around Greve in Chianti.)
And wait, are you NOT going to Florence on this trip? (Perhaps best with the children, I suppose.) You can get the same flavor/feel I suppose by seeing Siena and the pace will be easier on the family.
Rome will be a huge shock to the senses after the pace of Tuscany (because it's such a big city), and I personally wouldn't spend a full week there, especially with small children. But again, that's just me.
I know you're trying to see it all, but the 8th week seems like you have 12 days in that week. 2+3+3+4. I've never been to that part of Europe but that sounds really like too much. But then again, you'll be so recharged after Italy maybe you'll have the stamina to visit all those cities. But I don't know if you'll enjoy it or get to see more than maybe 1 thing per city. I would probably try to edit those cities a little more.
And finally, did anyone yet point out that you're spending a lot of travel time going down to Rome, then driving back across italy and back up to Munich/Prague/Innsbruck?
I don't know when you're travelling and whether a week will make a difference for weather, but have you considered going up to Innsbruck/Munich/Prague etc right *after* Varenna. (I'd still consider editing a city or two there.)
Then finishing your trip by travelling down through Italy, with the week in Tuscany/Siena/Lucca and however many days you want in Rome. Then you fly out of Rome?
Good luck.
The first 4 weeks sound like they are falling together well. The first week will give you all a chance to get settled in. A week in London and a week in Paris will give you a chance to see a lot. (I would perhaps give more than 6 nights in Paris, but that's just me.)
The 9 days you'll be travelling between Paris and Barcelona start to feel a little hectic because you're covering such long distances in between. But again, that's just me.
I've never been to Barcelona so I can't say, but it seems like 3 nights in Barcelona (after the first one being a long travel day from Sarlat) might seem like you only have 2 days in Barcelona, which might not seem like enough.
The next stay, you have Avignon. Has anyone suggested Arles as an alternative? A little smaller. Avignon (I admit I was only there a few hours en route to staying in Arles) is a bit hectic and it's a bigger city. Arles gives you the feeling of being in a Provencal town especially since you're only there 2 nights (which will feel like 1 day) since there is so much driving on arrival and departure.
After all that driving, I would probably combine Siena and Lucca into one stay (and stay in Siena or somewhere in Tuscany instead of Lucca) and stay put for a full week. (I missed if there was a specific reason you wanted to stay in Lucca.) I've gone there to visit friends... on like my 4th trip to Tuscany. I wouldn't put it up high on my list of places to go on a first trip to Italy.)
If it were me, at this point in the trip, I'd find a quaint tuscan village either right outside of Siena or--even better--on the Chianti highway, and RELAX. Get a place with a pool and explore during the day and STAY 7 nights. Don't split it between the 2 cities unless you have a compelling reason to sleep in Lucca. Enjoy the pace of Tuscany. You're going to need it to recharge after all that cross country driving. Watch beautiful Tuscan sunsets at night. Drink good wine. Explore villages. (I'd suggest staying in Vignamaggio or around Greve in Chianti.)
And wait, are you NOT going to Florence on this trip? (Perhaps best with the children, I suppose.) You can get the same flavor/feel I suppose by seeing Siena and the pace will be easier on the family.
Rome will be a huge shock to the senses after the pace of Tuscany (because it's such a big city), and I personally wouldn't spend a full week there, especially with small children. But again, that's just me.
I know you're trying to see it all, but the 8th week seems like you have 12 days in that week. 2+3+3+4. I've never been to that part of Europe but that sounds really like too much. But then again, you'll be so recharged after Italy maybe you'll have the stamina to visit all those cities. But I don't know if you'll enjoy it or get to see more than maybe 1 thing per city. I would probably try to edit those cities a little more.
And finally, did anyone yet point out that you're spending a lot of travel time going down to Rome, then driving back across italy and back up to Munich/Prague/Innsbruck?
I don't know when you're travelling and whether a week will make a difference for weather, but have you considered going up to Innsbruck/Munich/Prague etc right *after* Varenna. (I'd still consider editing a city or two there.)
Then finishing your trip by travelling down through Italy, with the week in Tuscany/Siena/Lucca and however many days you want in Rome. Then you fly out of Rome?
Good luck.
Feb 3rd, 2013, 03:09 PM
#53
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Hi Skatterfly, thanks for your response. The longo drive from Sarlat is going to be broken up with a stop off in Cassconne. We could do 2 nights in Sarlat with a night either here or toulouse to break up the long drive. We have done a drive this long and it was fine but not ideal. So we are only doing this the once.
<<<<Has anyone suggested Arles as an alternative?>>>> No and I will look into it. I have been to Avignon once and was only there for a few hours and I LOVED it but if Arles is like aviginon but smaller then that's perfect! Thanks
<<<<After all that driving, I would probably combine Siena and Lucca into one stay >>>>
We did think of that but we thought Lucca would allow us to have a day trip/boat trip to Cinque Terre. That was why we spilt it. We could still do a week but we figure after 4 days in Varenna we should be fine with the split. But we could do one place for the week and take the drive for the day trip. We have been to Florence 3 times . . I love it .. but we know it's big and we might do a train trip for the day but we don't want to stay there.
<<<<Rome will be a huge shock to the senses after the pace of Tuscany>>>>>> I know! We LOVE rome and have also been there 3 times! We were thinking of staying in Bracciano and then driving to the closest train station and driving in for day trips. Just so we could see the sites and throw the coin But we just arent too sure at this part.
<<<<<I know you're trying to see it all, but the 8th week seems like you have 12 days>>>>
This is the Week 8/9th week
The reason for the trip layout is because we are driving so Innsbruck and Munich are more stopovers then desired places to stay. Prague and Berlin hubby really wants to see and Frankfurt is where we fly out from. Thanks though for your suggestions.
<<<<Has anyone suggested Arles as an alternative?>>>> No and I will look into it. I have been to Avignon once and was only there for a few hours and I LOVED it but if Arles is like aviginon but smaller then that's perfect! Thanks
<<<<After all that driving, I would probably combine Siena and Lucca into one stay >>>>
We did think of that but we thought Lucca would allow us to have a day trip/boat trip to Cinque Terre. That was why we spilt it. We could still do a week but we figure after 4 days in Varenna we should be fine with the split. But we could do one place for the week and take the drive for the day trip. We have been to Florence 3 times . . I love it .. but we know it's big and we might do a train trip for the day but we don't want to stay there.
<<<<Rome will be a huge shock to the senses after the pace of Tuscany>>>>>> I know! We LOVE rome and have also been there 3 times! We were thinking of staying in Bracciano and then driving to the closest train station and driving in for day trips. Just so we could see the sites and throw the coin
But we just arent too sure at this part.<<<<<I know you're trying to see it all, but the 8th week seems like you have 12 days>>>>
This is the Week 8/9th week
The reason for the trip layout is because we are driving so Innsbruck and Munich are more stopovers then desired places to stay. Prague and Berlin hubby really wants to see and Frankfurt is where we fly out from. Thanks though for your suggestions.
Feb 4th, 2013, 06:48 AM
#54
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There is a big festival in Avignon in July, I think it is a theater festival, which makes accommodations difficult. Arles and Avignon are not alike, they are different cities, except they are both in southern France. They don't have the same things in them at all, nor the same history (FWIW they aren't in the same French departement, either, Arles is in Bouches du Rhone and Avignon is in the Vaucluse). However, Arles is somewhat smaller in population and if you liked Avignon, you'd probably like Arles. I much prefer Avignon myself, but everyone has their feelings about this.
Feb 4th, 2013, 02:26 PM
#55
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Thanks Christina! I will try our luck in Avignon . .since I come from a theatre background and if it all becomes too hard we will go to Arles. They don't look that fr apart I guess we could stay in Arles and drive to Avignon for a day trip.
Feb 5th, 2013, 02:49 PM
#56
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A thing that you need to consider is distances and road conditions. I know that in WA you can do Perth to Kalgoorlie in a not too hard day. 600 km, make an early start and you are there for afternoon tea.
Europe is different. Unless you are on motorways, you’ll find that you can’t make such big distances. Getting through towns and navigation can be a hassle.
Europe is different. Unless you are on motorways, you’ll find that you can’t make such big distances. Getting through towns and navigation can be a hassle.
Feb 5th, 2013, 04:37 PM
#57
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That last week is a bit painful. Could you do a discount airline from Florence to Prague instead of that long awful drive? I think that drive (or train ride) will be a lot for your children to take. It's very far!! Munich will be a huge disappoint after Italy I think. I see it's on the route but blech.
If you need to drive and can cut out Prague . . . Why not do a route like Milan, Lugano, Basel, Strasbourg and/ or one of those German castles to Frankfurt instead? Or I've heard Heidelberg is pretty. Or you could do Nuremberg and learn about the trials and do some history tours. I'm just speaking from experience - went to Munich from Italy and thought what on earth is this dreadful characterless place with bad food and no soul! When I was 20years old I loved Munich but I was younger and loved it for bars and clubbing, but if you're not clubbing then I don't think it's worth visiting. It's not cute for children either, unless you will bike everywhere with the kids in the bike baskets. Everyone bikes there.
I just think that sounds like an awful lot of traveling for one week for a 2 year old and 4 year old, and might be much more enjoyable to just fly to Prague.
If you need to drive and can cut out Prague . . . Why not do a route like Milan, Lugano, Basel, Strasbourg and/ or one of those German castles to Frankfurt instead? Or I've heard Heidelberg is pretty. Or you could do Nuremberg and learn about the trials and do some history tours. I'm just speaking from experience - went to Munich from Italy and thought what on earth is this dreadful characterless place with bad food and no soul! When I was 20years old I loved Munich but I was younger and loved it for bars and clubbing, but if you're not clubbing then I don't think it's worth visiting. It's not cute for children either, unless you will bike everywhere with the kids in the bike baskets. Everyone bikes there.
I just think that sounds like an awful lot of traveling for one week for a 2 year old and 4 year old, and might be much more enjoyable to just fly to Prague.
Feb 5th, 2013, 10:49 PM
#58
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Thanks Peter . . .and hpluss1 Hubby really wants to see Prague . .I am thinking the same as you. It's such a long way and is taking a good few travel days off us to see places we aren't really keen on. I have been to Munich and I did enjoy it but not enough to want to desperately goo back to it like Italy.
I am looking into some direct flights and then train it from prague to Berlin and Berlin to Frankfurt instead of driving. Just got to work out the costs etc.
I am looking into some direct flights and then train it from prague to Berlin and Berlin to Frankfurt instead of driving. Just got to work out the costs etc.
Feb 7th, 2013, 04:28 PM
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Instead of staying in Munich with a 2 year old and a 4 year old, I suggest going to Legoland and staying there. Legoland is an hour and a half from Munich. Legoland has nice on site lodging consisting of little cottages. My son loved playing on the half dozen playscapes in the lodging area as much as he enjoyed the actual theme park. Lots of room for your kids to get out of their carseats and run around for a day or two.
