Hi- My wife and I, and our three kids 8, 12, and 13 year olds, will be going this August first to Paris for 4 days/ 3 nights, then a flight to Rome for 4 days / 3 nights. We'll then have 6 days and 5 nights til our flight home from Cologne, Germany, and are thinking we'll be ready for some time outside large cities where we can do more relaxing and soaking of culture than necessarily touring. Had originally been thinking of the Cinque Terre, but... thinking it may be rather hot and crowded. Would love some other suggestions either in N. Italy, Switzerland, Austria, or Germany. Some place or places where the kids can swim would be great, but without throngs of people. And with good food of course. :) We're open to renting a car for this leg if it makes sense. Thanks for any suggestions.
Posted by
Nebraska
333 posts
Just keep in mind that in travel time, 3 nights= 2 days (plus maybe a half day), 2 nights= 1 full day, etc. Also, as you plan, travel between those major cities will eat half a day to most of the day. Once you've re-adjusted your plan-able hours/days, you'll know more what you can realistically plan. Personally, I would stick to just Paris and Rome without side trips until Germany. Once you get to Germany you could plan a day trip or two. Paris and Rome each have so much to offer for the short time you'll be there. You'll love Germany as well. Happy planning- what a fantastic trip to take as a family!
Lisa
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
- Via Milan to Lugano
- Via Basel to Strasbourg
- Day to Colmar
- To Bacharach
- Day on the Rhine
- To Cologne for departure
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks you very much!
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Might be more economical to fly Rome - Basel, then hire a car in Germany for the drive up the Rhine to Cologne.
Posted by
Paradise
6778 posts
Germany: I don't see anything particularly enjoyable about a very long drive from Rome to Cologne. I suggest you find a cheap flight to Frankfurt Hahn airport (Ryanair) or Frankfurt International (whatever you can find) and stay in the Rhine/Mosel region (just south of Cologne.) for 4 nights before moving north to Cologne for the remainder of your time
Ryanair currently has good fares for your dates from Rome Ciampino to Frankfurt Hahn, a very small airport that's easy to use, whether you rent a car there or use public transport. And there's a family promotion underway at present.
"...we'll be ready for some time outside large cities where we can do more relaxing and soaking of culture."
This is a good area for down time, biking, hiking, river cruising, snooping around old-world towns. There are several good places you could stay but I'll just show you a bit of Cochem, on the Mosel River, below.
Cochem (Mosel River)
Cochem's market square
Moselbad water park in Cochem
Wildlife and amusement park in nearby Klotten
Bike (or use the trains) on paved riverside paths on outings to nearby towns
Burg Eltz Castle, near Cochem
Walking to Burg Eltz
View from Cochem's chairlift
River cruise from Cochem
Posted by
Portsmouth
5396 posts
I spent a long weekend in Munich last June and it was great. There are a number of lakes in the area that are fantastic for swimming in and are full of piers for diving and surrounded by bars and restaurants, your kids will love it. It's a great place to relax and really soak up the summer southern German experience. In the evenings in Munich there are several beer gardens that are very child friendly and usually have entertainment such as bands. The atmosphere is very family oriented, there's no drunkenness (not till much later!) and it's a complete contrast to the pub/bar scene in the US and UK. You won't find a more cultural experience than spending a warm summer Saturday evening in one of these beer gardens surrounded by the locals.
Germany is not famed for its food however and for the most part it's hearty meat, sausage, potatoes, dumplings etc although you can easily find good restaurants offering finer food but this would not be as easy or as cheap as Italy for example.
Posted by
Granite Bay, CA
1921 posts
I would really suggest you spend more time in Paris and Rome. Moving with three kids will likely take longer and as it is you don't have much time with only three nights each in Paris and Rome. I'd probably do 5 nights each Paris and Rome with some day trips by train out of the cities for a break from the city, then spend one night in Cologne to enjoy the cathedral before you fly home. As much as Italy or Switzerland, or more of Germany would be great, it seems to me you just don't have the time. With 5 people in tow moving is time consuming!
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you all so much. We're indebted to the community. :)
Posted by
NY, NY
501 posts
Agree with Susan. Remember that one of the nights in Paris (or two of them!) will just be sleeping off jetlag and letting your kiddos adjust to the air there. It's a lot to take in, unless you visit europe frequently! And you're talking about one of the most interesting cities in the world. The cost/benefit of flying to europe only to see paris in a jetlagged daze for half of your visit? I'd try to drop your anchor there for longer.