dc2002

As a parent of 3 young children who have driven extensively in the US (numerous trips from GA to NY) I would also look into the train option. It is an exciting idea for kids and like someone else said less stressful since you can sit back and relax instead of worrying about the drive. Is there a reason you have to go to Rome and Paris? Can you save one for another trip? I would focus on London, Paris and maybe Brugges in Belgium and fun drives in between.

And for the person who said that kids are more annoying on trains...get a grip. It is adults who cause most of the commotion on public transportation. Have an open mind. I guarantee you my kids behave and have better manners than many adults.

Sassafrass

You are so smart to be researching and planning far ahead. By the time you go you will be confident in your decisions.

One thing in favor of using trains for long distance in Europe is this. Your kids will already have dealt with hours of being strapped into seats on a plane and will have to endure it again on the trip home. Train travel gives so much more freedom as they do not have to once again be strapped in as they do in a car. Don't know how others feel, but after a long plane trip, I do not like even bending down to get into a taxi or stepping up into a shuttle van. Stepping onto a train with big windows and comfortable seats is a pleasure. Also, trains often have little tables where kids can color or lay out a game. They can walk to the toilet any time.

Europeans do take their kids on car trips, but they are not usually doing it on the heels of long plane trips, and many Europeans still use trains for their own long trips and when they are visiting other cities. We have become "car trip" people in the US because we do not have the great train and bus service available that Europe has. Such a pity.

Having a car in London, Paris, or Rome, Venice or Florence is a waste of rental costs and parking fees. You might consider choosing three or four bases, taking a train in between them, and renting a car for some day trips from any of those bases that are in the countryside.

jdmed

Starting to formulate similar plans for summer 2015 Paris to Florence. But confused by responses here. Does not the decision to take train or rent a car based on what type of travel you want and or can do? (Balanced against cost of course) If you are going Paris to Venice in one day or just doing major cities yes take train. But if you want to make it a multi day trip between the big cities and do shorter car rides lots of stops and see things in between you wouldn't see in a train ride then rent a car. Anyone with kids knows you don't drive straight for 6-4 hours without lots of stops to break it up. Lunch, gas, pee breaks, see the view, stop for directions, pee break again! The info of interest so far has been idea that you can mix and match it up a bit. Rent car part way and hop on train for rest. Like that idea. Hopefully more will pitch in as to what some great driving routes or places to see are on the way down south from Paris. Thx.

Gretchen

I think it depends greatly on what there is to really see in between the cities--and if you will actually "see" it--as in driving the back roads or being on the autoroute. I think many have said that the drive from Paris to Provence, for example, is really pretty boring. I guess it would be that kind of information that would be most helpful in the decision.

jtpj777

Either your children are saints or they will disown you after your proposed itinerary!

Shouldn't a vacation have some fun in it?

janisj

Welcome to Fodors jdmed. I suggest you start a new thread w/ your own specific questions. This thread is pretty old and some will not see your questions and carry on responding to the original post.