jansant

Hello Everyone,

We are planning to go to Europe this June and I need feedback on what/how much to bring and where to go. This trip includes our 2 kids (12 & 14 yrs old). This is our first time going to Europe and I don't want everybody to get overwhelmed with the packing and unpacking for every city we visit. We haven't decided on which cities to visit because we don't know the amount of time we need to spend per destination. We want to visit UK, France, Italy and/or Spain but with just ~2weeks I know it's not possible. As a first time EU traveler, what cities and tourist destinations would you recommend given the days allowed (we're more into sightseeing). Also, I hear that you can go between countries by train, is this recommended or are there any smaller flights between countries/cities? Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks

PalenQ

Trains go everywhere but for longer distances book cheap flights AHEAD of time- say you want to go from Paris to Spain- but many cities are close together and with high-speed trains blowing along at close to 200 mph in many countries...

There are also overnight trains like between Paris, Milan and Venice that could be an adventure for kids - get a private compartment and bring any food or drink aboard and chill.

I'd say Italy over Spain if famous cultural landmarks are key - you can't beat IMO Venice, Florence and Rome - great museums- fun cities to walk around in - great food and gelatos!

Possible:

1- Land in London
2, 3, 4 in London
5 Eurostar "Chunnel" Train to Paris - about 3 hours all told.

6- Paris
7- Paris
8- Paris and night train to Venice (or fly)
9- Venice
10- Venice
11- Train to Florence (1.5 hrs)
12- Florence
13- Rome
14- Rome
15- Rome
16 - Fly home from Rome

Book train tickets really early for deep discounts (but usually non-changeable non-refundable if you miss the train) - www.eurostar.com and Paris-Italy -night train www.thello.com - Italian trains www.trenitalia.com.

Not traveling enough to merit investigating railpasses.

PalenQ

Good sources of info on trains -things like 1st v 2nd class- buying tickets online, etc check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Discounted tickets also come in first class and IME there is always a significant difference between the classes though 2nd class on those trains will be good enough - just first a bit gooder.

janisj

Flat out easiest would be London and Paris for a week each with one or two day trips from each. Those two cities are VERY easy for first time visitors.

Fly in to London, take the train to Paris, fly home from from Paris.

But any city pair would work.

jansant

Thank You PalenQ and janisj for the prompt replies. I really appreciate the feedback and timeline given. I will check the links and will make plans. Thanks again!

jansant

I'm open for more suggestions.

janisj

IMO for a first trip you want to cut down the number of changes/packing/unpacking/checking in/checking out do I'd do just two cities. But three cities would not be too awfully rushed. What you should do is pick up a couple of guide books on places you are considering . . .

PalenQ

London-Paris and fly to Barcelona or other Spanish town would be a nice 3-stop route.

Barcelona to Madrid by bullet train just about 3-4 hours -in case you want to do 2 Spanish cities.

I like janis' idea of doing day trips from bases- get to see more the real France or England or Spain, etc than just big tourist inundated cities.

Kathie

I agree with Janis, with 2 weeks, opt for two cities. With a week in each city you will feel like like you "know" the two cities as you will have gotten accustomed to the pubic transport, have developed favorite places to pick up a snack and learned about the money.

There is so much to see and do in both of these cities, I'd suggest you pick up guidebooks for each. Have your sons choose places they want to see. They are of an age that they can do some of the research for your travel.

And do take the trip between the two cities - fly into London and out of Paris. This is called an open-jaw or multi-city itinerary.

I always recommend hotels for first time visitors, as you will have people to help you - make reservations, map out how to get places, etc. While you can (if you wish) rent an apartment in London, be aware that there are complications with renting an apartment. You have to make arrangements to pick up a key - you can't just leave your luggage and go like you can with a hotel. Most flights from North America arrive early in the morning. Also, be aware that most apartment rentals in Paris are illegal rentals. There are plenty of agencies that list rentals, but none will guarantee the legality of the rental.c

jansant

Thanks for your response.I have 2 daughters and I'll have them choose landmarks/sites they want to visit. Also, would you consider Rome rather than London as a second destination? We will definitely visit France but don't know the other cities with more tourist spots primarily with architectural or historical sites.

Is PalenQ timeline still feasible? Where would you recommend as the arrival and departure airport? I'm from Nevada USA.

StCirq

You need to do some serious research in guidebooks, and on the national railways for Europe (www.seat61.com is the place to start), and spend a lot of time on the official websites of the major places you want to visit.

For a first trip, you can do 3 cities in 2 weeks, but they should be carefully calibrated to be relatively close together so you can either take short train rides or short flights. Two cities would be better, with daytrips to get to know the small towns and countryside around them. It doesn't take much more than a half-hour, for example, to get out of London or Paris to get to some lovely, calm places.

London, Paris, Venice, Florence, and Rome is far to much to bite off for first-time travelers unless you are 20-something backpackers.

Get your kids involved in reading the guidebooks and choosing what appeals to them, and get open-jaw air tickets.

June is coming up very fast. You need to hustle.

jansant

Thanks StCirq. I'll have the kids look into which city interest them the most. I appreciate the feedback.

Kathie

oops, sorry jansant, for my error on the gender of your children.

Rome is certainly an option for your second city. I would not encourage a three-city itinerary, though it is possible. Each time you change locations, you lose half a day to a full day (think of checking out of your hotel in one city, getting to the train station or airport, wait time there, the actual transit time, getting to your next hotel, checking in and getting settled).

Have your daughters look at guide books and decide where they want to go. Both janis and I recommended the Paris/London combo because both are fabulous cities and transport between them is so easy.

The one thing about choosing your arrival and departure airports is not to fly out of London if you can avoid it, as there are high fees associated with tickets leaving London (not so for arriving in London). Also, if they have an interest in London now is the time to go with the dollar being so strong against the pound.

What have your girls always wanted to see? The British crown jewels? The Eiffel Tower? The Sistine Chapel? This will inform your decision about which cities to choose.

ElendilPickle

Janisj's suggestion would work well. There is a ton of stuff to do in London. You could start there and then travel to Paris for the next week.

If you live in Nevada, Las Vegas is probably the best airport to fly in and out of. You should also sign up for emails from airlines like Iceland Air; they often offer inexpensive flights from east coast cities to Europe. So you could fly Southwest to, say, La Guardia or Boston, and then transfer to your flight to Europe.

Also check to see what international carriers fly from Vegas.

Lee Ann

janisj

There are non-stops from Vegas to London . . .

Those familiar w/ me on fodors know I'm about the ultimate Anglophile . . . But IMO London is the very best/'fun-est' city anywhere for teens/tweens. And Paris may be the most photogenic city other than Venice.

Rome is certainly an option but I really do think that Paris and London can't be beat for first timers. But as mentioned - get a guide book or two and you decide which two cities YOU want to visit.

heart2travel

You might also talk to them about their food loves. When we went to Italy our kids were about the same age and they fell into the food scene like fish to water. I haven't been to France, my sister went last year with her kids and said they struggled a bit.

bvlenci

If you decide on two cities, I think London and Paris would be ideal. If you decide to add a third city, I would suggest a smaller city rather than Rome. Rome really needs three or four full days (four or five nights). Venice might be an option; your daughters would probably love it.

Between London and Paris, you should take the Eurostar. Get your tickets as early as possible to avoid paying full price, but don't get them until you're sure of the dates, because the discounted tickets are not refundable or flexible.

There is an overnight train between Paris and Venice, but don't expect the Orient Express. It's a very basic train. Definitely get a private cabin, and carry all food and beverages aboard. I've taken this train, and found it perfectly acceptable, but some people hate it.

bilboburgler

I've been traveling on continental europe for 40 years or so and only got to Rome about 4 years ago. While I like bits of it, I have to admit London and Paris beat it easily.

Once in Italy I think Florence and Venice beat Rome as well, but get the kids reading the books

jansant

Thanks for all the feedbacks and recommendations. I really appreciate the great insight and sharing your experiences with these great cities. We'll have a family discussion and decide which cities to explore and enjoy. TY TY TY

dwdvagamundo

To jump in a bit late, I like Janis' original London and Paris itinerary, but with the suggestion that you not spend all your time in the cities. There are many charming smaller towns around both those cities that would add some variety to your vacation without requiring travelling vast distances. E..g. Bath and the Cotswolds from London, Chantilly from Paris or Chartres from Paris.