Hi all - I am headed to Paris for work and would like to make this a vacation.
Note this is for April, as a family with a 2 and 4, with the objective of simple sight-seeing, enjoying some kid-friendly food, kid-friendly activities, nothing that a couple would do (museums, art, cuisine, hike).
Logistics wise no car, only train, in and out of CDG, and maximizing stay at Marriotts (ideally with two 5 night stays to optimize the points value with one free night).
I’ve locked down my 18 day France itinerary as follows.
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- 5 days - Paris (required, not to explore, but for work)
- 5 days - Strasbourg (plus a couple of day trips)
- 5 days - Montpellier (hub for the south) + 2 days Nice (a different side of south)**
The above is already booked based on where Marriott properties are available (hence why I couldn’t do places like Normandy, but that’s fine).
A group of friends wanted to join us for the travels but are only 20% sure and have previously been interested in seeing Vienna together. Here is the alternative itinerary:
**
- 5 days - Paris (required, not to explore, but for work)
- 5 days - Montpellier (no day trip to Nice, given 5 hr train)
- 2 days - Strasbourg (effectively on the way to Vienna)
- 5 days - Vienna (train via Stuttgart, or flight)**
In this option, would take a train from Paris to Montpellier then back (wouldn’t do Nice given 5 hours away so can’t do day trip). Then take a train to Strasbourg, and from there a longer train via Stuttgart to Vienna OR will consider a flight (thoughts welcome). Then day prior to CDG outbound will expect to be back either at an airport hotel or Strasbourg.
My question: We were good to keep the full 18 day trip in France only, but should we actually incorporate Vienna into this per second itinerary option? Please keep the limiting factors in mind (e.g. no cars, no driving, mainly focused around kids).