Is it possible to RELAX on a European trip

In my opinion, yes, either trip you choose, you can relax.I think for me the important things were getting a lot of sleep each night, taking enough time in each city (aka at least 4-5 days or more to allow for downtime), and using that downtime by sitting down a lot/people-watching (on benches, in parks, in cafes). I think having hotels in good locations helps because if you want, you can take an afternoon break and if you're hotel is in a good location doing this is easy. But I think the single most important thing is staying in each city long enough to see what you want but also have time to relax. I've been to all your potential cities but Paris and was in each of them at least 4 days and - for me - it wasn't enough time in any of them but Amsterdam. But yes it IS possible if you want it to be and plan accordingly. Have a great trip!

Hi Elizabeth, I LOVE Paris, so normally would always recommend that iternerary, BUT, since part of a relaxing trip to me is sitting around a park bench with a coke or ice-cream,, etc. I think you should stay south for your March holiday.
I was in London for March one year, YECH, rain and sleet and cold. Yes I still enjoyed my visits to the Musuems and galleries, but, side trips to places where just wandering around and enjoying the scenery are fun, like Brighton, Canterbury, Bath, etc, well they aren't so fun in horrid weather.

Italy won't be hot at that time of year, but at least it is highly unlikely to be sleeting or snowing. ! LOL

Elizabeth - Our daughter was four on our last trip. Not the same as a ten year old, of course, but we learned a few lessons. There are some very cool playgrounds in Europe. In Paris, for instance, there is a gigantic dragon slide in Paris near the Cite des Sciences. In both Paris and Amsterdam you can take canal boat tours that let you get off your feet and see the sites. Hop on a bus and see where it takes you!

I'd actually choose the northern cities in March. Italy won't be that warm and Rome and Florence aren't as kid friendly, in my opinion.

In a way I will agree with Doug, Florence is not kid friendly, but, I would argue that most kids could be interested in some of the historical places in Rome, I mean, what ten yr old boy wouldn't be interested in seeing the Colisuem, gladiators etc..
How about staying south, Rome(4 days, include a daytrip to Pompei, which is interesting to kids) , Venice( for canals, 2 days) and then perhaps somewhere relaxing on coast,, OR, you could then fly to Paris for 5 -6 days. Paris has lots for kids.

One big hint - avoid one-night stays in hotels. You no sooner get settled when it's time to pack up and go again.

Well, "relax" can mean a lot of things. I would just observe that these are both vigorous itineraries.

If you find sightseeing relaxing, then sure. But if relaxation for you is something that happens elsewhere, you may want to rethink your expectations.

This is not to dump on your itineraries, which I think are exciting. Just trying to answer your question.

I think Italy is very kid friendly. I would go there in March. I was there in late October and it was warm. Heard it can be miserable in the summer. You can make any city exciting. The Cinque Terra is very relaxing. Hiking along the ocean and sitting and watching the water - can't get better than that. My boys thought it was very fun. Plus, they love Pisa (doesn't take long but every kid wants to say they've been there). Venice is a absolute dream for kids. My kids' favorite. It is an adventure every time you walk out the door - exploring all the back streets. Get fresh fruit by the Rialto bridge, splurge for a gondola ride, go look at the mosaics in San Marco, see where the Doge lived and go mask shopping. Florence can be fun. Kids love to go see the David. Use the ninja turtles to talk about the Rennaisance artists. Santa Croce has cool graves and the Duomo is a cool church to visit. Whenever you can - climb the domes. Rome is fun too. Give it a try.

Kent,

I think you bring up a great point.

To me, relaxation comes in unexpected places. I don't want to just check things off a list, by any means! But, I have an active son who most certainly would find sitting at a cafe watching the world go by a huge bore. And I don't blame him. I would rather see him connect with other kids, so I guess our relaxing might be in open spaces or parks, if the weather is warm enough!

I appreciate all your responses. Especially during this busy holiday season!

One of the many things I appreciate about Rick Steves is his respect for the limitations that most of his (American) readers face when planning a trip--like the short vacation time Kent alludes to in his comments.

Some of us might like to spend 5 weeks every year but have to settle for 2 or 3 every couple of years (or less). Many of Rick's tips are about moving quickly and finding the good stuff fast, striking a balance between covering lots of ground and also smelling the cappuccino.

A good trip for me is stimulating, exciting, rejuvenating even, but I'm not sure I'd call it relaxing. I return home both energized and jet lagged--not tanned or rested, though perhaps ready.

Elizabeth, how old is your son? Old enough to involve in the planning? Old enough to explore a little on his own while you people-watch at that cafe? What does he like and what does he want to do?

One thing we find relaxing is renting an apartment rather than staying in a hotel. All of you would probably appreciate having a little more room to spread out and relax. It's also nice to be able to be able to eat in occasionally rather than going out for every meal (cheaper also). www.vrbo.com is an excellent source for rentals worldwide.
I do agree that the weather would probably be better in Italy in March.

Hello Elizabeth. Of the cities that you mentioned, I think only one of those cities has any potential for relaxation : that is Venice. And in March: London and Paris and Amsterdam are likely to have miserable weather.

Elizabeth,
you may find this web site useful... VacationInParis is a US company... you may call them toll free (just click on "contact" at the bottom of their home page). Imagine having your key to your very own Paris apartment before you leave Shoreview!
You may want to browse the various available apartments... click on "all apartments"... don't forget to see the additional photos for each apartment... Relax... bon voyage!... P.

www.vacationinparis.com

We relaxed in Cinque Terra, Italy. We stayed two nights in Vernazza. We found hiking between towns, walking the beach collecting shells and watching sunsets on the jetty was a perfect break from the hustle and bustle of hitting all the sites in the cities.

Elizabeth, in answer to your question---absolutely! You might have to plan for the relaxation points, and having a child along should help keep your sightseeing pace slower (at least that's what we found!)

Our European trips have become more relaxing as we have grown older, wiser and more experienced! For us, relaxation could be an hour to bike ride along the river or to picnic in Hyde Park (maybe not in March!)or an afternoon wandering through the backstreets of Venice or exploring a ruined castle, or a day to walk and swim along the Cinque Terre, or a week living like a local in a small French village doing half-day trips. The whole trip isn't necessarily "relaxing" but you can build segments into your itinerary where you don't have to "see" or "do" something or stand in line or be somewhere at a certain time.

Do something all of you enjoy without feeling pressured by time restraints. Relaxation doesn't have to be lying on a Mediterranean beach for an entire week!