Hi, I will be traveling in mid/end of November for my first time to Europe, it will be 2 adults and a 4 year old. Any suggestions? What would the weather be like? What are the most sees? Most try? Most do?
We will be in London for a day and a half we arrive on a Saturday midday, we are then taking the train to Paris for a day and a half we arrive on a Monday afternoon and Rome for a day and a half arrivin on Wednesday midday.
"What would the weather be like?"
I can only speak for London, cold, probably grey and may be wind and rain........Or it could be the opposite!! Our weather is unpredictable, what is certain is the shorter daylight hours:
http://www.holiday-weather.com/london/averages/november/
https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/uk/london?month=11
For a day and a half in each of these 3 major cities with a 4 year old I'd suggest a hop on hop off tour in the first two and more walking in Rome. Daylight hours will be more scarce in the north in November. You'll be spending a lot of time connecting these 3 dots with flights or train.
You can get a much more accurate picture of the weather 10 days out from your travel date and pack accordingly and plan to layer.
Also if the total number of days for this trip is only about 7 days, I'd drop one city, probably Rome from your itinerary. Too much city hopping with too few days, especially with a toddler in tow.
As it is your first time in Europe I do a few things first while you decide on your itinerary.
And as far as must sees, must try, must do......why are you going?
Because it's there OR because you want to see castles, cathedrals, art, architecture, iconic landmarks, learn a different language, eat different foods. What are your interests and expectations?
A few facts: It will be getting dark by 3:30-4pm especially in London as it's the most northern of the cities you've mentioned.
Currency in London are British Pounds. Currency in Paris and Rome will be Euros.
To get Cheaper trains fares book at least a month in advance especially for the Eurostar between London and Paris.
You haven't mentioned how many days you'll be in Europe but if you are only doing a day and a half in each big city you are short changing yourselves. Drop Rome.
Xmas happenings will be in full swing in London at the end of November. Pantos, the big Christmas carnival in Hyde Park, all the stores will have Xmas window dressings, Christmas lights on Oxford and Regent streets.
Haven't been to Paris for Chistmas for 30 years so GOOGLE to see what's scheduled.
I agree with Claudia.
6 days is a relatively short trip. You should concentrate on London and Paris or you could spend all your time in either one of those cities. You need to do a little more research as to what you would like to see and do in each city to help narrow down your choices.
Traveling with the kids is lots of fun - I have six and I love it. However, to have fun, you can't be on the train go, go, go the whole time. London is amazing. I'm taking my boys there in October. I have a week overbooked of fun things to do. I'm going with my teenagers to Paris in March. Again, a whole week booked. We did Rome years ago when the girls were 8, 6, 10.....a week booked.
Point is, the fun factor is going to be lost when you're in that train for hours and hours and hours. Maybe you're flying to Rome? Still, it's travel time, not fun time.
And on top of that, your London time will be eaten up by jet-lag :(
Cut out of Rome. Have amazing times with London and Paris. Just my two cents, as a traveling mom :)
Honestly, you could just stay in Paris or in London for the whole trip. I would definitely cut out Rome - if your reservation isn't set in stone. Like Rick says, "always assume you'll be going back!" And so much traveling will induce crankiness in not just your kid - it could induce crankiness in you!
For kids in London - well, there's SO MUCH, but in November, Hyde Park has a winter wonderland with rides and food that is amazing: http://hydeparkwinterwonderland.com Even if you are not Christian (it skews pretty Christmas-y) it's super fun for kids.
Also in Hyde park is the Serpentine, which is a nice sized lake. Boating is out in November, but there are tons of swans and other water birds and always plenty of kiddies running around and feeding them - great fun for the 4-year-old set.
Somerset House has a skating rink. And inside there are a plethora of fun little shops all chockablock with nice fancy gift thingies.
The Museum of London is very kid-friendly, with lots of fun exhibits that capture young imaginations.
In Paris, the Christmas market along the Champs-Elysées will be set up by the end of November - tons to see and do and lots of fun street food. Plus rides! And there's a delightful Christmas village at Trocadero.
I believe the carousel at the foot of the Eiffel Tower is still running around Christmas, too.
You'll have such a blast!
Thank you all for the reply and suggestions I truly appreciate all the information! I want to make sure that in our short stay we cover at least 2 or 3 of the most see places, and food to try. I know we will be back! This is just the start for my family hopefully!
here is a link of things to do with kids in London
Things to do with kids in London
Things to do with kids
