Eric_Bal

Hello. There's a chance that I may have 3 - 5 weeks in late March/May to go on a escape-holiday with my wife, 2 1/2 year old and 4 month old children. It'll be an extended holiday for the whole family to relax / live for the moment / bond after a year that's been full of changes and unexpected events.

It's a bit spur-of-the-moment, last minute so would like to get recommendations/suggestions on where to go.

We are thinking of either somewhere in Europe or North America (U.S/Canada).

We're looking for :
1) Somewhere between a city and pure country living. I prefer nature, quiet, surroundings ..mountain/hilly places or forests/ woods .. staying in a small town where you can walk to everywhere. However, my wife won't last there for a week .. as she needs to have some shops/restaurants/ "urban amenities' to keep her comfortable.

2) A place where we can stay put for at least 2 weeks..rent accomodations for that amount of time (a better deal, I would think) and use that as a base to move around and explore other nearby places. Preferably by public transporation so we don't need to rent a car.

3) Clean air / good security & safety especially for kids. Where there's no need to hold my toddler's hands when walking around.

4) Easy to walk around or take public transporation around the place.
5) We can get by with English. Need this coz I have kids with me for any emergency.
6) Available medical clinics / doctors / hospitals for my kids.

Thanks!

gail

From where are you starting and how much do you want to spend?

Brutforce

I'd start in Paris & go from there. An apartment there will be inexpensive (compared to a hotel) & there are many daytrips or overnight stays you could take from there as well. A bit more info would be helpful though.

china_cat

the combination of "Stay in one place" and "use public transportation" makes it a bit tougher. If you really want scenic/small town type of place you almost have to rent a car. if you want to stay in an urban location and take day trips from there without a car it makes more sense.

but one possibility would be to rent a place in Tuscany in one of the well located small towns near bus and train stops, so you could train or bus to Florence for your shopping/dining. But you would have small town and scenery and could relax the rest of the time.

In the US, you would want to go south in March. You could go someplace like Florida, but I can't see doing that without a rental car. Maybe Charleston/Savannah? you could sight see, shop, get away to the beach.

gail

I can not think of many places in US that meet you criteria. Public transit is usually very limited in rural areas. Suburbs, yes but not the tranquil nature you imagine with transit to a more urban escape.

There are places in New England - NH, Vermont, Maine - where you could get the rural feel you want that have occasional day bus service into Boston. But with kids that age, it would not be a realistic day trip.

Nonconformist

I'd post this in the Europe forum; I think your desire for public transport plus town and country in close vicinity would be best sought there.

Eric_Bal

Thank you all. It does sound like it's Europe I sh ould be going to..though some have suggested some parts in Canada.

Strangely, I actually posted the same question in the Europe board but it didn't get published...