Europe w/ 10 and 14 yr old boys

If you don't want to do Italy in August, consider Austria (and parts of Germany). Our kids loved Salzburg and Innsbruck. Great day trips- Sound of Music, Hitler's Eagle's nest, Salt mines, Concentration camps, wonderful scenery....

What types of sites did they enjoy in London and Paris? If they like history, I bet they'll be amazed by a day in Pompeii.

Maybe northern Italy? Then up to Austria and Czech Republic and Poland and Germany (maybe not all 4 countries though). Take a train ride through the mountains - I think you can do an overnight train from Venice to Vienna (not sure of the route ... something like that)? Hike in the alps? I think your family will be much happier not being so far south in August.

We took our 10 year old son to Czech Republic and Poland last summer and he loved it. Biggest hit was Krakow. In Poland you could see the salt mines - we didn't have the time but will definitely return to Poland. Also, the Tatra Mountans are supposed to be wonderful.

Thanks for the suggestions! Toni- Where specifically in Austria/Germany?

Michelle-
My family loved the Salzburg area in particular. You can do the day trips I mentioned from there. Munich is just a short train ride away. Vienna is nice, but may be a bit too sophisticated for your kids (certainly only a day or two would suffice). Innsbruck is lovely too- it can even be a day trip by train from Salzburg. Almost any area of Austria is great for walking/hiking, and other outdoor activities. Others may suggest areas of Germany- I've really only seen Munich and bits of Heidleburg and Frankfurt and BadenBaden. Amsterdam is another city the boys might enjoy.

Thank You! We will be swapping our house so what area do you suggest that is the most central and easiest to travel to/from? I am also assuming you are driving....

We never drive in Europe. We use the trains and buses. But in Germany and Austria, I'd think it might be fairly easy to rent a car and drive- just research things such as international driver's permits and road signs, etc. Again the Salzburg area is very central. Or Munich (they are very close.)

The Salzkammergut region around Salzburg is a big vacation area for Austrians and Germans. There's lots of activities there for kids, like swimming in the lakes (if it's warm enough -- we were there in August a few years ago and it was in the 60's), animal parks, salt mines, ice caves. There's lots of farmhouses in the area where you can stay. We did a farmhouse stay and loved it. There were 4 other families there, so there were lots of other kids, plus the owners had pedal carts that the kids could ride.

You've gotten a lot of good ideas, but here's another thought.

Two years ago, we took our son (then 12yo) to the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary, though our trip was in late May, so I can't say what the temperatures there would be like in August.

We spent time in Prague, then rented a car and drove throughout rural areas (small towns) in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary, visiting old castles all over. We then ended the trip with time in Budapest.

The cities were interesting, though they don't have as many museums as in London & Paris (and we, including our son, like museums of all types). The castles were a lot of fun. In Slovakia, there's also the Tatras mountains for hiking and other activities, which we didn't visit, primarily because we live in the mountains and had to allocate our time, and chose castles because we don't have those at home. And there are lakes and the like all over, including Lake Balaton in Hungary.