Family's first time to Europe.......HELP!

[Rachel Meyers]

What to see? We will have husband and I plus 3 teens.....15/13. I'm guessing about 4 weeks to travel.
Here are our priorities:
1. History- I love museums and art
2. WW II History- My husband is a huge WWII researcher and would be happy going to Germany and France and nowhere else. (But that's not my choice!)
3. We have an English heritage so England/Scotland would be nice.
4. I really want to see Italy.......Tuscany, Rome.
5. Fun for the kids....one is into War history, one is into Greek/Roman history and the other loves Art.......but they are also into beaches, swimming, amusement parks, typical stuff.

So, can we do all that in 4 weeks. It will probably be the only trip we take to Europe as a family and have been waiting and saving for a long time to make this happen, so want to do it the best we can.

We own a timeshare in Hawaii and if possible would love to use our saved up weeks (3) for some of the hotel stays......they have places just about everywhere through Europe.
Any clue on how much money it would take to do this? We probably won't stay in hostels, like to eat out, but are budget concious.
Thanks for any help
Rachel

[WillTravel]

Rachel, I'd suggest considering apartments for your stays, at least part of the time. That way you'd save money on accommodation and on food.

Check out this site: www.slowtalk.com and www.slowtrav.com

Where are the timeshare units located, and do they have to be booked already?

For Rome, I think you'd need accommodation that was at least 200 Euros per night. If you wanted to eat out at dinner, assume at least 20 Euros per person. If you wanted to see sights, assume about 15 Euros per person per day (although maybe cheaper for the kids). Then for other food and expenses, assume 15 Euros per person per day. So, unfortunately, you'd be approaching the 500 Euro per day figure for your family, without really any shopping or much luxury. This figure would be similar in Paris, and Florence.

Rural areas could likely be done more cheaply. Germany also.

[WillTravel]

How do the timeshare units work for a family of five? Otherwise, if just getting hotel rooms like usual in Europe, you'd probably have to get two rooms, a double and a triple.

[Eagle]

Rachel, a few more comments regarding your proposed trip. Four weeks isn't a long time for travelling in Europe, but given that you'll have three teenagers with you, that might be a practical time limit?

With such a short time frame and the number of interests you have listed, efficient planning will be extremely important! Europe is loaded with WW-II history, so you'll have to be a bit selective and just try for the most important sites.

Based on the destinations in your post, you should be able to work out a reasonable Itinerary that covers Germany, Italy, France and England. With a four week trip, I'm not sure it would be possible to include any other countries? I would strongly recommend "open jaw" flights, perhaps beginning in Rome and ending in London, or vice versa? It would help to know where you are located?

As far as destinations that encompass History, Museums, Art and WW-II history, these are a few locations that you could consider:

- Rome (lots of history, art, etc.) - 5 days (including travel day)?
- Siena (you wanted Tuscany) - 2 days?
- Florence (again, lots of art & history) - 3 days?
- Munich (WW-II history - Dachau & possibly Berchestgaden or Mathausen; also the place I believe where the Nazi party originated; day trip to Ludwig's Castles?) - 3 days?
- Paris (Art & History; side trip to Disneyland Paris for the kids?) - 5 days
- Normandy (WW-II!) - 2 days? (more time would be better, especially since it's a bit of a trip from Paris to Normandy)
- London (WW-II - Imperial War Museum, RAF Museum; lots of art & history - Tate Modern or others? Perhaps side trips to Bath or York) - 6 days? There's also LOTS of military history in England. If you need suggestions, post another note.

- Fly home from Heathrow or Gatwick?

This leaves a few days free for travel or unexpected events. This will probably be a bit of a "hectic" trip, but as it's the last trip you'll take as a family, you'll want it to be a pleasant and memorable trip. Careful planning should minimize any problems. I'm sure that with the whole family involved in the planning, you'll be able to work out a schedule that interests everyone.

Certainly, this is only one suggested Itinerary. I'm sure the other "regulars" will have some good ideas for you. Hopefully Dustoffmom will see this post, as she's just returned from Europe.

I don't know much about the time share aspect, so can't comment on that. Budget Hotels might be a good option, but don't discount Hostels as family rooms are becoming increasingly common (many include breakfast in the price of the room, so this would save you some money).

With regard to the costs, I'd have to give that some thought. This will depend to some extent on whether the time shares will be an option, or whether you'll have to look at other (more expensive) lodgings? One thing to consider, the time shares might only have a few properties in each location, and these might be located somewhat "distant" from the city centre so you might have to contend with increased transportation costs? You could also save some money by "picnicking" at lunch and just having restaurant food for the evening meal.

Good luck with your planning!

[me]

eagle said:

You could also save some money by "picnicking" at lunch and just having restaurant food for the evening meal.

you could probably save even more money by reversing that: eat out (main meal for the day) at lunch, self cater a good dinner. <restaurant prices are mostly higher for dinner>

[WillTravel]

Another option, if the timeshares or other options don't work out, is to go to the camping sites. You do lose time in commuting, but these are set up for families, with private bungalows like mobile home trailers. Accommodation in these is often in the 50 - 100 Euro per day range. They are very popular with European families, and your kids could meet other kids who are traveling. Also, because you are traveling in summer, you might otherwise want air-conditioned accommodation if right inside the city. If you're outside, you could probably get away without it at a camping site.

Anyway, I haven't yet wanted to do camping sites, but if traveling with a family of five, I'd definitely consider it.

[Rachel Meyers]

Wow! What great responses so far..........I'm so excited that people are so helpful.

As for some of the questions.......
1. We are in the United States, California, West Coast.
2. Timeshares work like this........you rent them by the week, and they are typically 1-2 bedroom units with full kitchens. They literally are all over Europe so we could find one in most (or quite near) all the major cities. But, it would require staying in one place for a week and doing Daytrips from that central location..............is that doable??? If so, what locations would be best for that.
3. $500 Euros a day........Holy Cow!!!!! I got on my currency exchange and that is $600 per day. That seems like such an insane amount of money PER DAY. Times 30 days is $18000........

Anyway, I would still love to hear more itinerary ideas, places to save money, any suggestions.........I'm really open here!
THank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Rachel

[WillTravel]

Rachel, if you can save the 200 Euros per day on accommodation that I was calculating, that reduces that figure right there. If you decide to eat out only a couple days per week, that would reduce the cost a lot more right there. If you research exactly what attractions you want and when, then you can calculate exactly how much those would cost.

I think the idea of staying in one spot and then doing daytrips could also help save money, although then you would have the cost of a rental car.

[me]

Hey, Rachel!

if you stay in Florence, day trip to Pisa, San Gimignano, etc. might work well. Rome, of course, has enough to hold your interest for a week, by itself!

Belgium, Battle of the Bulge territory, might interest you, as well.

[Rachel Meyers]

So, other than Florence, what would be some other "home cities" to stay for a week and do Daytrips out of?

[me]

as many questions as you're asking, it would help you to register. it makes it easier to find your posts.

another city to base for day trips might be Konstanz, on the Bodensee. Mainau would be a good day trip, for a natural setting. for military history, www.zeppelin-museum.de/ in Friedrichshafen might hold some interest. Zeppelins were often used military machines, after all. Count Zeppelin, for whom the airships are named, was a native of Konstanz.

Konstanz itself played a role in religious history. the only pope chosen North of the alps, at the "Council of Constance," which ended the papal schism. [there were 3 popes in 1414, it took them 4 years to decide to get rid of them all and elect a new pope, Martin V. in their spare time, they burned the Czech reformer Jan Hus at the stake. ]

- d

ps. Konstanz is small today, only about 80,000 people, so it's friendly. and there's art all over town, there's a cool rotating statue at the harbor.

Rachel said:

So, other than Florence, what would be some other "home cities" to stay for a week and do Day trips out of?

[Eagle]

Rachel, a few more comments to add to all the suggestions......

Since your preferred accomodation is the Timeshare option, it might be a good idea to first select available locations for the time you'll be travelling (BTW, which time of year were you planning?). Your travel method is a bit different than the majority here, due to using the "home base" concept; this will change several aspects of the trip. As you only have four weeks to travel, and want to stay in each location for a week, this will make it a bit challenging to fit enough destinations in to satisfy the interests of the whole family. Is there any possibility the travel time could be increased?

Perhaps something like this would work for you:

- Fly to Rome - one week
(side trips to Anzio, Ostia Antica or other locations?)
- Train to Florence - one week
(side trips to Pisa, Cinque Terre, San Gimingnano, Siena or ?)
- Train to Paris - one week
(side trips to Disneyland Paris, Normandy or ?)
- Train to London - one week
(side trips to Bath, perhaps York or ? There's an awesome Tank Museum at Bovington, west of London that would probably keep everyone busy for many hours! You might have to rent a Car for that, but I did see tour buses there so you might be able to get a tour out of London?)

There's enough to do and see in each of those locations to easily occupy everyone for a week! Depending on the locations of the Timeshare, you should be able to use public transport for most sightseeing, although a Car might be required in some cases (of course, this will add to the budget concerns). With regards to food costs, having a good breakfast at the Timeshare and packing a picnic lunch means you'd only have to consider dinners. However, as David pointed out this is usually the highest price meal, so you'll have to give this some thought.

You might find it very helpful to check out some Guidebooks at your local Library or Bookstores.

Again, good luck with your planning!

[me]

a flight from Pisa to Paris Orly on easyJet.com goes for as low as €38 per person, including taxes & fees. [out of the blue, i looked at prices for Tuesday, June 20] but, this doesn't land until 10.35 pm.

an easyJet flight from Paris CDG to London Luton is just €35 per person, including taxes & fees - i always try to remember to quote total prices, "list" prices are so misleading. didn't look at other airlines.

- d

eagle said:

- Train to Paris - one week
(side trips to Disneyland Paris, Normandy or ?)
- Train to London - one week

[gougeAway]

The flander's tour that these people run is great: www.quasimodo.be/ - it is based out of Bruges, Belgium. Lots of tour options in Normandy as well. Bayeux seems to be a good base for them.

[WillTravel]

From London, I'd avoid a car if I possibly could. Be sure to research the cheapest transport options. As of a couple months ago, there are new options.

For the Florence and Tuscan segment, a car might be useful. You could get to each place by bus, but with five people you'd have a lot more freedom with a car. www.thetube.com

For the Rome segment, a car is probably not useful. All daytrips can be done by train. Depending where you're staying a BIG ticket for 16 Euros for the week might be useful.

For Paris, a car is probably not useful. All daytrips can be done by RER (local train), or train. You could get a one-week Carte Orange transit pass here.