Jocelyn_P

Okay, I posted this on the "Other Topics" board but it's a ghost town over there. I'm hoping someone familiar with Alaska can help us.

Here's the story: DH and I have two lovely kids who will be 4 and 6 in the summer of 2006. They travel very well and often here in the continental US and my oldest "wants to see all the cities in the whole world!" I thought I had it all figured out for next summer; we'd fly to Brugge, eat fries, waffles, and chocolate, and take boat rides and bikes around the city for a few days. Then on to the Netherlands where we'd stay in this cool hostel that's a castle right on the beach. Then on to a small city like Haarlem for a few days to see the windmills, flowers, and fun theme parks. So, that was the plan....

Recently, DH went to a conference where he met up with an old friend who lives in Anchorage. This friend is encouraging us to come visit, so now DH is all gung-ho about a trip to Alaska. I've always wanted to go, too, and I am excited about exposing the kids to all the wildlife and beautiful scenery (they love mountains and of course, animals). My concern is that the kids might be too young for this type of trip. The activities that our friend is suggesting seem to include a whole lot of sitting on a bus/train/boat and looking out the window.

We are coming from Tulsa, so the flight times are not that different.

We will definitely do both at some point. My question is, which vacation will be better (more fun, educational, whatever) at 4 and 6 years old?

Wildflower

Only you could decide what is better for your kids but here on this forum you can find thousands of posts on Alaska. Many helpful posters are willing to help once you decide. In my opinion, Alaska is a wonderful place for kids. Altough 4 year old would be too young for bear watching trip. You need to get from place to place in Alaska so sitting is involved but Alaska is all about scenery, mountains, animals, outdoors, hiking, walking, birdwatching, flowers, blooming tundra, watching birds you see in Oklahoma and during a summer you could see them in Alaska. If you can find my bear watching trip report read about 6 year old boy on one of day trips we took. It was amazing how much he enjoyed this experience and how much we all apreciated his fascination with brown bears. You can eat fries, chocolate, waffles in Alaska. Do not forget the freshest and the best halibut.

Little_Man

Such different places. I've only been to Holland (as a 6 year old child!), and just loved it! The windmills, the odd but lovely flat scenery by the ocean, the canal boats --just great. Very exotic to a 6 year old, but cozy, too!

I'm sure Alaska is wonderful though, although you may have a point about just looking out the window...others will be able to tell you about activities there.

artstuff

It sounds to me like your original plan for going to Belgium and the Netherlands was for a family holiday, to make some memories, and to expose your eldest child to several "cities in the whole world". Your husbands plan sounds more like a trip down memory lane for him - wanting to hang out with an old buddy.

Travelling is such a wonderful experience that you can give to your children. They are at a very impressionable age and will absorb so much, where ever you decide to go.

When I was 6 years old my parents, my two older brothers and I drove from Pennsylvania to California and back in three weeks. I remember so much of that vacation, as if it was yesterday, not 40 years ago.

I've never been to Alsaka, but I have travelled several times to Belgium and the Netherlands, so my vote is to stick with your original plans. And be sure to take your kids to Madurodam, outside of den Hague in the Netherlands. Peace. >-

Robyn

Jocelyn_P

Artstuff, you absolutely hit the nail on the head. I couldn't figure out what was bothering me so much about the idea of the Alaska trip but you did: it wouldn't be so much a family vacation as "going to visit so-and-so," who I hardly know anyway. Would you believe that we have four "family" trips planned for this year, and the primary focus of every one of them is to visit someone? In December we took a long weekend in Dallas, just the four of us, and it was blissful. I want that quality time again! So, thanks for the "a-ha!" moment. I will bring this up with DH at the appropriate time.

Tulips

Jocelyn; the trip you have planned for Belgium and the Netherlands sounds great. I'm Dutch, and live in Belgium. If you are in Brugge for several days, can I suggest that you take a trip to the coastal town of Knokke? It's wonderful for children. Huge beach, lots of restaurants with playgrounds, they can rent go-carts on the seaside boulevard. It's only 15 minutes by train from Brugge.
I don't know anything about Alaska, so can't help you make that decision!

dfrostnh

Our first trip to Alaska included visiting with "old friends" we really didn't know very well but we ended up with a different view of Alaska than probably the average tourist. But we also put on a lot of road miles just like the average tourist and I think it might be a little much for kids 4 and 6. It really depends on your travel plans. Anchorage is a multi-cultural city with wonderful activities available for children. I would probably go only as far north as Independence Mine (we saw kids panning for gold) and visit Iditarod Headquarters if there's puppies to cuddle and take a short ride. I would go when the salmon are running. I didn't see them in Ship's Creek but we saw them in Bird Creek which flows under the Seward Highway. They would enjoy the tram ride up Alyeska in Girdwood. (See seven glaciers and there'll be snow at the top even in August.) A small plane ride could be taken from Anchorage. You could bike around the city and see lots of wonderful flowers. (Take a look at a picture of the visitors center in Anchorage.) Eat some fun food at the Public Market (maybe you should skip the reindeer sausage). Look at the giant crabs at Sagoya market. Try smoked salmon. If DH's friend has children, you might have more fun than expected and your children would appreciate having other children around.

BudgetQueen

I would do the orginal plan, Belgium/Holland. Kids are rarely interested in "scenery", which is significant in Alaska. Wildlife isn't all that common, Denali Park is a highlight, but again- I would not take a 4 year old on the 8++ hour shuttle bus. A major problem is the VAST distances required for Alaska travel.

Wildflower

Joycelyn, I reread your post and all answers and I agree that with 4 year old Belgium/Holland would be much better choice. I lived in Belgium as a teenager and enjoyed both countries. There are many activities for every age and distances are much shorter.

tatjana

I would not recommend visiting Alaska just yet, unless you plan on coming up here more than once. I live in Anchorage and have a 10-month old. Alaska is all about hiking, biking, camping, and yes driving to the destination. Drives are gorgeous, but the little ones might not appreciate it. Also, hiking can be hard....If you decide to come you can definitely go on easy, gorgeous hikes, long bike-rides (we have excellent bike trails) with Chariots attached to your bikes for kids, drive to Seward and go on a mini cruise to see glaciers and wildlife (whales etc.), visit the zoo, see Exit glacier up-close, do some easy fishing........Those are all nice, but if this is the only time you are going to visit Alaska by doing only that you might miss out on true Alaska (long, hard hikes with gorgeous views, overnight camping by the mountain lakes, kayaking in gorgeous bays.......those all may be too much for you kids at this stage). When they are 10 or so definitely..........I hope this helps.

einavido

Well, we are a traveling family. Last August we were 16 days in Alaska (kids were 8, 5.5) and 4 years earlier we did a week in Iceland followed by a week in Holland (kids were 4, 1.5 respectively). We are from Israel, so traveling to Alasa involved 3 flights, while Amsterdam is only 5 hours away. I have a lot to write about it and will leave you my email,but the bottom line is this: Our kids were defenately not too young for Alaska. They had an amazing time doing and seeing amazing things. You can skip the long bus/boat ride and still enjoy Alaska's wonders. However, Alaska is mostly about nature. Onthe other hand, we found Holland too "commercialized" for our personal taste and too many places that seem to have been created do that parents will not be able to refuse (Efteling is great,though) and the scenery can not be compared to Alasks. Given that you are from US - I would vote for Alaska and plan carefully, bearing in mind the ability of the kids. I have read and planned for a lon gtime and the result was an unforgettable experience. For further questions you can email me at:
[email protected]

padams421

I would go to Belgium/Holland in 2006, and wait a few more years to take them to Alaska. We've been to Europe with our kids and they absolutely loved it. Your Europe plan sounds just like the first trip that my kids took to Europe. You have planned well in terms of thinking of activities that your children will enjoy (and you will too).

In Alaska, your kids are not likely to enjoy long periods of looking at scenery, no matter how beautiful it is, from a bus or train window. They will also be too young/little to do many of the outdoor activities that available in Alaska.