I know this is a bit of an annoying post because it is so broad...but would LOVE some ideas to start to steer me in a good direction to research. There are SO many choices. And maybe our last family trip for a long time since next year is college tours and then probably no trips while we pay for college

Looking for a family vacation with 15-year-old twins in Europe. We have been to Italy. Everyone loved it, especially Umbria and Rome. Been to Greece and had an amazing time in the Peloponnesus (loved being outdoors and walking around the ruins and Meteora and Mystras). We go to Japan somewhat regularly and we really enjoy rural Japan (we have relatives there but do NOT want to go back this year). We want to combine culture/history with being outdoors. . I tell you all this so you get a sense of our vacation style.

I was thinking London and then English Countryside? Or Paris and French countryside (although my husband is not a big Paris fan). Or Edinburgh and Scottish countryside. Or what else might be a great way to combine some culture and time outdoors? Maybe someplace less touristy since it will be spring break (third week April)??? We like to hike but seriously 3 hours is probably enough!

Another reason I am reaching out to the board is besides all the choices....My son is a recently diagnosed T1 diabetic and I would feel more comfortable traveling where I was certain to be able to deal with a medical issue if it were to come up. So outdoors but not too much wilderness! Anyone have a good idea? Steer me somewhere? Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Have you considered either a bicycle tour with stops in larger towns? Or perhaps a self drive canal boat on the inland waterways. Both of those will get you out in the countryside, while always being within easy reach of medical assistance. There are folks on the Forum who can help you with both alternatives, if they appeal to you.

I would love that but my other son hates biking. It is a family problem We aren't really THAT athletic. Just some hiking. Sightseeing. Eating. Sitting in a cafe.

Andalusia. Sicily. Southern France. Naples and the Amalfi Coast.

I went to Sicily 25 years ago and loved it although at that time it was not totally safe. Of course, I was a young girl traveling alone. How safe is it now to drive around?

Perfectly safe! Lots of us have been to Sicily, including some of us who are solo female travelers.

But I'm just realizing that you didn't say how much time you have (or maybe I missed it?). For Sicily, figure at least 2.5 or 3 weeks to see the main highlights of the island, although you can, of course see a small part with less time.

For Andalusia, assume 10 to 14 days, noting that 14 would be better if hiking and nature are a priority. For Southern France, lots of latitude, depending on what you choose. For Naples and the Amalfi Coast, at least 10 days. In each case, you can do less if you are selective and willing to skip highlights.

Turkey is also worth considering. 10 to 14 days to include Istanbul, Cappadocia, maybe Ephesus and/or Antalya and parts thereabout....

Bavaria? Salzburg and the Salzkammergut? Lots of wandering and hiking for all abilities; gondolas can whisk you to the top of mountains to breathe fresh alpine air and get away from the tourists, then can bring you back down to sit in a cafe. Castles to explore; Munich and Salzburg have museums and other cultural sights. The Easter Markets will be open, too.

When? I think Scotland would be terrific for your family -- but not in August. Edinburgh just heaves with 3 times the normal population throughout the month with the festivals/Fringe/Tattoo. All these events are wonderful but they make visiting Edinburgh very difficult and very expensive. But any other month would be wonderful.

London of course is fabulous for people of any age - how long would the trip be? London for a week plus time in Yorkshire or maybe north Wales, or the Peak district.

OP said 3rd week in April - but only a week?

The Dordogne would seem perfect for a group like this.

April 19-26 or so. We can add a day or two and make it 12 days possibly a little more but my kids have school. My husband is fine driving overseas (grew up outside Tokyo and we live in Brooklyn so he is comfortable driving in a lot of situations). Greece was a totally easy drive for him after we heard a lot of warnings. Turkey doesn't feel safe to me right now and add to that a son with diabetes that is not as well managed yet as we want (getting there but its a relatively new diagnosis).

Last thing. Weather and avoiding hordes of tourists in April? And we really like to rent houses as it makes it more affordable and I enjoy going to local stores to shop and do some cooking.
This is all so helpful and I am going to start research and getting a couple guide books next week. But all these ideas sound so good and when we finish paying for college, I hope to do ALL of them.

How about rural Netherlands? Rent a house or a bungalow on one of the bungalow parks so you also have a pool available, and good, easy walking, plus interesting towns and cities, and away from the tourist routes.
Maybe in the Veluwe or if you prefer more hills down in Limburg. Less hills I recommend Drenthe or Friesland.
Advantage is that doctors etc all speak English should your son have a problem.

Or maybe the Belgian Ardennes.

Austria, Switzerland, Cyprus for the wildflowers at that time of year and good weather, loads of places in Europe would be suitable frankly. Stockholm, could rent a cottage on an island or Denmark with it's many castles, weather would be about the same or better than Scotland.

Jeeze - and bold no less I need to read more closely

You are talking Easter so a lot of places will be very crowded.

Two ideas:

- Croatia and the Dalmatian coast. Probably decent weather, probably crowded with springtime tourists. Not super easy to get to from most of North America (where?)

- "Spring" weather, i.e. not warm, but possibly nice with daffodils - Edinburgh, Northumberland, Durham and York. Map - https://goo.gl/maps/yKPuvxKpfcD2 . Fishing villages, numerous castles, ruined abbeys and magnificent cathedral towns, Roman ruins, beach and moorland walks, puffins and Harry Potter. Hard to beat.

Gardyloo's second option would be terrific.

I'd avoid a rural-based trip north of Alps or in UK in April - could be cool and wet - southern France may be popular then but if you rent a Gite - country house or bed-and-breakfasts in a more remote area, etc it could be cool. Savor the village life - markets, etc.

https://translate.google.com/transla...m/&prev=search

The Avignon area would be sweet - lots of things easy driving distance or any place in southern France with probably much better weather than in northern Europe.

>>I'd avoid a rural-based trip north of Alps or in UK in April <<

Why would that be? April is not winter and it can actually be cool and wet in ANY month so are you saying one should never visit the UK? When was the last time you were in the UK in April?

London! Switzerland is not best served in the shoulder season that is spring. Croatia? What would you do there in the cold spring? It didnt enthrall us in fine weather of late August. Everyone should see London, and think your twins would love it -- no language issues for one. The food there has gotten so much better than years ago. If you're even slightly worried about the diabetic, then stay away from islands (Sicily), and focus on frequent n/s flights home and modern hospitals. This is not the trip to go exotic. The cutesy towns of the AC and Provence would probably not appeal to 15-yr-olds nor your husband. Start with the "biggies" first, and let them explore once their interests are more clearly defined. You can't miss with London and weather would be hopefully better than usually gloomy Scotland.

janis - Leading trips, I was in Kent for 13 straight Aprils and stand by more advice that April and even early May can be cool and wet at least v southern Europe. We were camping and some days we froze our fannies off! We finally had to move the start of the trips back 3 weeks it got so bad.

Look at weather averages for London - this is what I mean could be wet and cool - avg hi 55 but low 43 and 16 days of wet weather a month and 5 hours of sunshine. It can be cool and wet any month but temps are much warmer and rain a bit less,

Let's look at June for London - avg hi 68 - quite a difference over 55 yes? But yes still can be wet but much warmer - warm and wet is a lot better than cool and wet, yes? July and August warmer and drier - much better than April by any standard.

July's high a blamy 72 and much warmer at night for evening walks;; still about half days of wet weather though.