We are going to be in the UK from June 20 til July 5 - we have friends we will stay with for a few days in Maidstone - but then we would like to travel to the following places - Scotland, Paris and Germany. We are traveling with an 18 and 13 year old. Our flights to and from London are booked and we are flying in and out of Gatwick. What is the best route to plan for reaching these destinations? We would like to travel by train. We also have to drop off our 18 yr old back in Maidstone prior to departing on July 5 as he is going live with our friends for a year. Are these destinations feasible?
Posted by
Land of La
8680 posts
Of course those destinations are possible but besides Paris where exactly are you going in Scotland and Germany? You'll need to research which trains travel to Maidstone which looks like it's at least a hour and a half from London. If those were the places I wanted to see I'd take The Eurostar from London to Paris. Buy tickets on line early for discounts. From Paris by train to Germany, from Germany fly back to London and go by train into Scotland OR fly directly from Germany to Scotland. The again, depends on where you going in this countries and it's a lot of territory to cover in 15 days. Your itinerary is dependent on your budget and how long you wish to say in each place. The helpline's train travel gurus will chime in with insight. They know best.
Posted by
OP
Calgary, AB, Canada
2 posts
Thanks for the feedback!! We want to get the biggest bang for our buck on this trip - so Scotland isn't a priority. However the boys want to see the Eiffel Tower, Louvre.. then we thought it'd be fascinating and educational to go to Germany and see historical sights. We were planning on taking the Eurostar from Ashford over to Paris - then would it be better to train or fly to germany and what sights would you recommend for boys 13/ 18. As my 18 yr old will be there on a 2 year visa he can see Scotland himself LOL
Posted by
Land of La
8680 posts
Again Germany is a large country. Do your the children know the history of the Holocaust or The Berlin Wall? Are they into castles? For Paris you stated the Louvre and Eiffel Tower. Loads of wonderful things to see and do in Germany but give us some clarity on what is important to you. Which type of German historical sites?
Posted by
Park Ridge, IL
524 posts
Kerrie One thought to save you time. Your 18 yr old will be very capable of getting back from London to Maidstone on his own. This is particularly true since he will have already been from Maidstone to London with you. He will get his first taste of navigating Europe on his own! What a wonderful opportunity for him! Agree you need to cut one country. And as others have said, find out what it is about Germany/Paris they would like to see. Grab a RS Guide Book out of the library to show them the possibilities. Paris - go to see the Catacombs (bones underground) and a Fat Tire Bike Tour (day & evening). Perfect for boys and teens. Your family will have a great time! Bobbie
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32795 posts
There are many fewer Eurostars which stop in Ashford these days, but I think that I would do that if the alternative was all the way into St Pancras and all the way back out. To Paris, only the 0624 (0655 on Saturdays, none on Sun.), 0955 (0925 Saturdays), and 1655 (7 days a week) stop there. You can do somewhat better at Ebbsfleet International, the new Kent station, which has 6 departures most days.