Where to celebrate?? Ideas needed...must be 4 yr old friendly
May 29th, 2019, 09:57 AM
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Where to celebrate?? Ideas needed...must be 4 yr old friendly
Next year is a big year in our house...10 year wedding anniversary, milestone birthday for me (not saying which one, but it rhymes with nifty) and the last year before our daughter will be bound by a school schedule, so we're looking to celebrate with a special trip. Just not sure where.
My husband and I have been to many places that we've really enjoyed over the years and we're not sure if we go with something we know or go see someplace new. We've been to lucky enough to see several major tourist cities across Europe (London, Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, Venice, Florence, Seville, Munich, Berlin, Prague, Krakow) along with some smaller spots (Bruges, Interlaken, Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, Reggio-Emilia, small Tuscan town called Lucolena).
I studied in Denia, Spain in college and thought it might be nice to go there again, but it's not terribly easy to get to and not sure it would be worth the trek. San Sebastian, Bilboa and the Rioja region of Spain are also on my radar, but would my then four year old enjoy it as much as we would? We've never been to Austria, so that's a thought, too. Same with Croatia. I've been to Greece on my own and my husband doesn't seem terribly interested though he could be persuaded.
As you can see, we're all over the board. We like to sightsee but aren't the types to run around making sure we've ticked everything off a "must see" list. We like to take things at a leisurely pace and people-watch, too. Dining out is fun for us, but can't do the super long dinners with the kiddo. Beaches are cool, too, but need to also have something else to do aside from hang at the beach.
I'd really appreciate your thoughts on what might be a good fit. We're planning to spend 10 nights on our trip with nine (9) nights on the ground, leaving one for the overnight flight.
Thanks in advance for your help.
My husband and I have been to many places that we've really enjoyed over the years and we're not sure if we go with something we know or go see someplace new. We've been to lucky enough to see several major tourist cities across Europe (London, Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, Venice, Florence, Seville, Munich, Berlin, Prague, Krakow) along with some smaller spots (Bruges, Interlaken, Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, Reggio-Emilia, small Tuscan town called Lucolena).
I studied in Denia, Spain in college and thought it might be nice to go there again, but it's not terribly easy to get to and not sure it would be worth the trek. San Sebastian, Bilboa and the Rioja region of Spain are also on my radar, but would my then four year old enjoy it as much as we would? We've never been to Austria, so that's a thought, too. Same with Croatia. I've been to Greece on my own and my husband doesn't seem terribly interested though he could be persuaded.
As you can see, we're all over the board. We like to sightsee but aren't the types to run around making sure we've ticked everything off a "must see" list. We like to take things at a leisurely pace and people-watch, too. Dining out is fun for us, but can't do the super long dinners with the kiddo. Beaches are cool, too, but need to also have something else to do aside from hang at the beach.
I'd really appreciate your thoughts on what might be a good fit. We're planning to spend 10 nights on our trip with nine (9) nights on the ground, leaving one for the overnight flight.
Thanks in advance for your help.
May 29th, 2019, 10:17 AM
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Absolutely consider the NE coast of Sardinia.
We visited 6 times with our son when he was under 10.
The best beaches in Europe, really safe. Stunning coastlines, lots of day trips to the surrounding islands, good restaurants and of too busy outside August.
We visited 6 times with our son when he was under 10.
The best beaches in Europe, really safe. Stunning coastlines, lots of day trips to the surrounding islands, good restaurants and of too busy outside August.
May 29th, 2019, 10:19 AM
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Mallorca is another good option, there are many good Agriturismo hotels offer very high standards, close to beaches and for your daughter many have working farms with animals to add further interest. Again, when he was younger, our son loved those trips.
May 30th, 2019, 06:54 AM
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Think out of the box.
Romania [Transylvania]......Beautiful cities like Brasov and Sibiu, with a bit of Count Dracula at Sighisoara, and maybe a bit of alpine visa in Sinaia.
Fabulous accommodation, and eating out opportunities everywhere, with amazing non- €uro prices.
Easy to fly in to Bucharest, and get a transfer to Sinaia to start with. Then a loop by train to the other 3 destinations.
Romania [Transylvania]......Beautiful cities like Brasov and Sibiu, with a bit of Count Dracula at Sighisoara, and maybe a bit of alpine visa in Sinaia.
Fabulous accommodation, and eating out opportunities everywhere, with amazing non- €uro prices.
Easy to fly in to Bucharest, and get a transfer to Sinaia to start with. Then a loop by train to the other 3 destinations.
Last edited by LancasterLad; May 30th, 2019 at 06:56 AM.
May 30th, 2019, 07:30 AM
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Thanks all. These are great ideas and I'll start looking into them.
StCirq - thinking early Fall 2020 for timing.
bilboburgler - model river? Am thinking Mosel, right?
LancasterLad - wow! Never considered Romania. Met some really nice people in Prague who were from Romania. Will definitely look into it.
StCirq - thinking early Fall 2020 for timing.
bilboburgler - model river? Am thinking Mosel, right?
LancasterLad - wow! Never considered Romania. Met some really nice people in Prague who were from Romania. Will definitely look into it.
May 30th, 2019, 11:12 PM
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Bpesta.....Just in case you do fancy Romania [Transylvania], here's my Trip Report from June last year.....
Romania [Transylvania] - 6 to 23 June 2018
You won't regret it.
Romania [Transylvania] - 6 to 23 June 2018
You won't regret it.
Jun 4th, 2019, 11:35 AM
#12
Now don't go running off screaming. What about a cruise?
There are a number of advantages. Unpack once, no rental cars or hotels or trains to wrangle, the price is often cheaper than a comparable time on land. There are kids' programs, movies and babysitting services, so if you want to have a grownups night, piece of cake. There are food choices even for the fussiest of eaters, room service, plenty of on-board activities, and of course the ports of call. You can join the (often overpriced) ship's excursions, or go ashore and rent a car for the day.
Cruises can be great if you want to see places that are hard to reach (or impossible) on land. Think about the Norwegian fjords or the Greek islands. (Of course that assumes the trip is to Europe. You could also go to South America, the South Pacific, Alaska, wherever.) As long as you manage alcohol, the casino, and shore excursions, they can be great bargains, and because the logistics are all managed, it gives you more time actually to enjoy things.
It's not for everybody of course, but it's not nearly as bad as some people think. There are umpteen options, maybe worth some research.
There are a number of advantages. Unpack once, no rental cars or hotels or trains to wrangle, the price is often cheaper than a comparable time on land. There are kids' programs, movies and babysitting services, so if you want to have a grownups night, piece of cake. There are food choices even for the fussiest of eaters, room service, plenty of on-board activities, and of course the ports of call. You can join the (often overpriced) ship's excursions, or go ashore and rent a car for the day.
Cruises can be great if you want to see places that are hard to reach (or impossible) on land. Think about the Norwegian fjords or the Greek islands. (Of course that assumes the trip is to Europe. You could also go to South America, the South Pacific, Alaska, wherever.) As long as you manage alcohol, the casino, and shore excursions, they can be great bargains, and because the logistics are all managed, it gives you more time actually to enjoy things.
It's not for everybody of course, but it's not nearly as bad as some people think. There are umpteen options, maybe worth some research.
Jun 5th, 2019, 01:26 PM
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Yes Mosel, especially if you have a car is so idyllic - cute little wine towns to stay in - there is also trains to Cochem and other town and buses pick up the slack. Spend a day or more on the nearby Rhine - taking K-D.com boats down river (take train or drive to Rudeshiem or Bingen where many boats start and go down river - maybe Marksburg Castle, about the only intact medieval castle on the Rhine as most were blitzed apart in WW2. Then either return to your car by train or take train from Koblenz back up the Mosel.
Burg Eltz near Cochem, a favorite town to stay - one of Germany's most famous castles - once pictured on old 500 DM banknotes (or some high denomination. And there is a scenic boat ride between Cochem and Beilstein or farther.
https://www.google.com/search?q=mose...w=1097&bih=535
The area has trains to nearby Frankfurt Airport.
For lots on trains and the Mosel and Rhine check BETS: Germany; www.ricksteves.com and www.bahn.de/en - German Railways site.
Burg Eltz near Cochem, a favorite town to stay - one of Germany's most famous castles - once pictured on old 500 DM banknotes (or some high denomination. And there is a scenic boat ride between Cochem and Beilstein or farther.
https://www.google.com/search?q=mose...w=1097&bih=535
The area has trains to nearby Frankfurt Airport.
For lots on trains and the Mosel and Rhine check BETS: Germany; www.ricksteves.com and www.bahn.de/en - German Railways site.
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