Trip planning for family of four
 

Help! We've just booked our flights to/from Amsterdam for 14 days beginning August 16. Traveling with my wife and two kids (ages 12 & 10). Beginning the process of putting together a trip and need suggestions. London and Paris are must sees but, we have no other plans/commitments. Can you direct me to books and other resources that could help us pull together an intinerary? Thanks

Hi. I would go to a bookstore like B&N and spend several hours browsing the travel section. Lots of guide books and photo books to get you started. There's also tons of info on the internet - just go to google.com and type in London or Paris or Amsterdam and you'll get lots of sites. With only 14 days and those three cities you could base yourself in each and then add some day trips. If you want to see those three cities in 14 days you don't have too much extra time for countryside exploring or adding other cities.

As Isabel says, the library or a bookstore should be your first stop.<BR><BR>The reason you want to look at lots of books is that NO guide is best for everyone-you have to see which &quot;feel&quot; right to you and your style of travel.<BR><BR>With kids, and if this is your first trip, and you are budget minded, I recomment a look at Rick Steves &quot;Europe through the Back Door.&quot;

Idea:<BR>2 days in Amsterdam (include Madurodam in The Hague)<BR>Rent bikes and do a 3-day bike trip north/northwest of Amsterdam (Edam/Volendam/Marken or Haarlem/Zandvoort, for instance)<BR>Train to Paris, 4 days in Paris<BR>Fly to London (easyjet/ryanair), 4 days London + Stonehenge<BR>Fly (easyjet) back to Amsterdam<BR>Check out this website:<BR>www.visitholland.com/family/kids/funparents.html<BR>

You'll have a great time, I think your kids are the perfect ages to go to Europe. We've been three times with our family of four.<BR>A couple of thoughts--if you can make your trip open jaw (into Amsterdam, out of London) do it. Closing the loop eats into vacation time.<BR>I would keep the city portion down to seven days, and plan for a less hectic time in the middle. For me, that means a total of seven days for London and Paris, and then something in between--Loire Valley, or D-day beaches and Normandy, Brittany with a ferry to England, rural England, etc depending on what strikes your fancy when you read. I'm a Rick Steves guy so I would get Europe through the Back Door and Best of Europe, always had good luck with them. Email me if you like. Good luck