January vacation with family of 5 (3 college students)

Need to know if 8,9 days include travel to and from. First, coming from Dallas you will find France and Germany pretty cold and lacking appropriate clothing. So, I would stick to southern Spain or southern Italy. You don't time for both. Second, even those areas might be very chilly for you depending on the weather. To max your time, use an open jaw ticket. Probably cheaper anyway. You could fly into Madrid, overnight Cordoba via train, home from Seville. Something similar with Florence and Rome might be a little better option for that time of year weatherwise. One key to holding the budget is min transportation costs once on the ground.

Thank you for the response. We are available to leave on a Friday and return on the following Sunday. We would like to end up in Paris. This is one city the family wants to see.

Hi Lynda-
Winter in Europe can be a cold and/or wet situation, but as has been said before, "There's no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing." Depending on where you go, you might get a spell of fair weather, or a lot more rain than snow. On trips to Italy and Spain the past couple of years, locals toted umbrellas, and the museums and other sights had umbrella stands along with coat check desks at the entrance. Depending on your tolerance for cold (you could encounter 8 degrees Celsius, but probably not nearly as cold as 8 degrees Farenheit for daily highs, again depending on where you go) a sweater, jacket, and other layers might be advised. It's harder to pack extremely light in winter than in summer, due to often needing bulkier, heavier clothes.

As Paris and other European destinations are farther north than, say, Dallas, you'll find it gets dark sooner and gets light later than you might expect. Also, some sights will be open shorter hours than in summer, and some might not be open at all in the winter, or will have scaled back on what there is to see or do in January. Fortunately, lots of places are inside, especially if you and the kids are interested in art or historical museums, and many cities offer discount passes that cover lots of sights for less than the individual cost of each sight. Rick Steves' guidebooks cover the details.

If you're looking at several destinations (2 or 3 cities in 1 or more countries), there's the train for getting from one place to another (there are even super-fast trains like the French TGV and the Spanish AVE); or rental car (but it can be expensive with extra fees for picking up in one country and dropping of in another, and for some countries like Italy and Spain you'll need an International Driver's Permit - available at your local AAA); but there are also budget airlines like easyJet and Vueling Air that can fly you from one city to another quickly and surprisingly cheaply. You'd have to go thru airport securty and check-in procedures, which can take up some of your time, though, and those airlines sometimes have strict luggage policies, so read the fine print.

Driving and parking in big cities can be an expensive pain, so day trips by local train or bus might be more convenient, but a rental car would work, if you are staying in an accessible location.

Dallas weather in January can be pretty brutal. In my business travels to Dallas Ft Worth and surrounding country I've experiences snow, hail, ice rain (waking up to a 1/2- inch plus of ice coating the car windshield, and below freezing temps when the winds blew from the north. Cities like Prague, Salzburg and even Oslo in January can be warm compared to a cold January day in north Texas.

The difference will be being out and about walking and taking transit in Europe vs hopping a few meters from house to car. You will need more than an umbrella.

The best time to travel is when you can. Re the $3500 pp incl air, yes you can esp if the Euro stays weak. The good news is winter air fares are lower than a summer fares. Unless you are arriving during a festival or special event, January hotel rates are off season rates.

The other good news is the pickpockets seem to be in hibernation and your winter coats help protect your wallet/pocketbook.

With college age kids I would definitely look at cities... More to do for young people. I would think about Paris and Berlin or perhaps Paris and London (a little more predictable... but popular for a reason) Days trips from both are plentiful, depending on your interests. I love the south of Spain and could suggest Malaga as a home base. The weather might be a little warmer here. A little more info on specific interests might help for some additional suggestions.

Dallas weather in January can be pretty brutal

Guess it is all relative or how you define brutal. I would not define an average high of 57 or an average low of 37 as very brutal but I live in Denver where we think those are Spring time temperatures. Most of Europe will be colder. Look on a map. Most Europe is as far north as New York. And in Paris you can hit snow and rain which makes for a damp cold. I think you need to be prepared for some weather much colder than you are accustom to even if the winters in Dallas are brutal.

I am shaking my head in disbelief at some of these responses. A trip to world-class cities is not just about the weather. Paris or other cities can be a great experience in the off-season, uncrowded with tourists and filled with local events. So they are from Dallas? Can't they adjust to colder weather? I was a native Californian who had never seen snow or any temperature lower than 40 degrees F. when I landed in Germany at age 19 on Jan. 1 to study for six months. Somehow I survived, and even thrived. They will too.

I read the question as Paris and ??? As they really only have time for one other big city, the question is which? Maybe people can focus answers on that. What should it be? I would tend toward Italy or Spain as the days are so very short in Northern Europe---( but some cities are beautiful when lit up at night).

Maybe Rome? Or just spend the whole time in Paris and do a few day-trips? London is a good suggestion too, although they did not express an interest in that city.

With only 8-9 days on the ground, I'd stick to 2 destinations. Since Paris is your ending point, I'd fly into London or Amsterdam for a few days, then take a high-speed train to Paris. Flying will eat up too much of your valuable time - long trip to the airport, arrival way before flight time, waiting for luggage, long trip from the airport . . . The train stations are in the city centers and you only need to be at the station about 45 minutes in advance from London (for customs/passport/security) and maybe 15 minutes in advance from Amsterdam.

Allow 4 days for your first place, 4-5 for Paris. You can take day trips from Amsterdam to other Dutch cities (The Hague, Delft, Rotterdam). From London, there's Oxford or Cambridge, but so much in London that you mightn't have the time or the desire to leave.

In Spain, Madrid offers opportunities for daytrips to Toledo, Segovia, El Escorial. Barcelona daytrips could include Girona and Montserrat.

You can shake your head all you want but commenting on the weather is very appropriate since the OP asked for some advice on planning. We have been to those area several times over the Christmas/New Years period and each time the weather has played a major factor in our activity. Far more so than when we have traveled in the summer or fall. We were prepared since we live in an area that has a similar winter climate and had the appropriate clothes. But more than once have encountered others tourists that were not as well prepared as they should have been. Being cold and wet or seriously damp could make the day pretty miserable even if it is Europe. And it can significantly disrupt travel plans. Just need to be prepared. Now they could be Alaska transplants to Dallas and need none of our advise about the weather.

@lyndakoontz, sorry about the "dumb" comments. Not very productive. I've lived in Dallas and I have spent quite a bit of time in Europe in the winter; and well, for me, when you cross a certain threshold it really doesn't matter that much ..... its just freaking COLD.

That having been said, Italy and Spain are too nice in good weather to waste that once in a life time trip on a January visit. Central and Eastern Europe have thriving cold weather cultures so I would head that way. Prauge to Paris is a straight shot with a lot of interesting destinations in between. That would be the way I would go. My wife and I are spending Christmas again this year in Budapest. My son is joining us for a few days then found a $300 plane ticket to Paris; so I guess that's another option. ,

lynda,

With such a short time frame, my suggestion would be to limit your trip to only two cities. Keep in mind that two days will be required for the flights. I haven't checked flights from DFW but if you depart on Friday, you'll arrive in Europe on Saturday and you'll likely be jet lagged for a day or two after that so won't be up to full "touring speed". This means you have only seven days for sightseeing. Of course, using open jaw flights would be the most efficient method and will provide more sightseeing time.

Would something like this work......

• D1 / Jan. 2 / F - Flight to Europe
• D2 / Jan. 3 / S - Arrive at Rome / FCO, light touring as desired
• D3 / Jan. 4 / S - Rome
• D4 / Jan. 5 / M - Rome, possibly day trip to Orvieto
• D5 / Jan. 6 / T - Rome
• D6 / Jan. 7 / W - Budget flight to Paris (I'd suggest EasyJet from FCO to ORY - current fares as low as €52.49 PP but BOOK SOON - use the 09:55 flight and you'll be in Paris by noon, which will allow some sightseeing time - BE SURE to read their Terms & Conditions carefully, especially related to luggage).
• D7 / Jan. 8 / T - Paris (you might consider getting Paris Museum Passes, perhaps the two day versions, depending on what sights you want to see - you can buy those at ORY on your way through).
• D8 / Jan. 9 / F - Paris
• D9 / Jan. 10 / S - Paris
• D10 / Jan. 11 / S - Flight home

There are many ways you could organize your trip, and this is only one suggestion. One advantage of starting in Rome is that it will probably be slightly warmer. Visiting only two cities will reduce your travel times and allow more sightseeing time, at a more relaxed pace. Reducing travel between cities will also reduce your costs slightly, as each change of location requires both time and money.

Your budget of $3500 PP sounds reasonable, but I haven't looked at that in detail, and don't know what flights out of DFW are priced at. If you spend $500 on flights (just a ballpark figure), the remaining $3000 will only be about €2400, and whether that will work will depend to some extent on what type of hotels you prefer, meal habits, etc. I'd suggest allowing a "contingency" in your budget.

Check the guidebooks for suggestions on reliable and cost effective hotels, local transportation and sightseeing suggestions, etc. You could pack along the Pocket Paris and Pocket Rome, as I find they've a good reference source during trips.

I just realized that your budget is $3500 INCLUDING flights. PP. Each flight will eat up $1200. To help with the budget, you could save a LOT of money by renting an apartment and spend the entire week in Paris. You'd also save the cost of five adult train fares or airfares. I've rented successfully for years all through Europe through VRBO.com and Homeaway.com

Paris is huge! So many districts, so many sites to see! It wil be a full day trip just to see Versailles, and you'll actually be able to enjoy it, because the shoulder to shoulder summer crowds won't be there. I imagine she may still have her Christmas decorations up as well. Make sure to go up to Monmartre (sp?). With a full week, you could do a trip up to Normandy and see some of the WWII sites -- surprisingly even more amazing than I thought. You will not be bored!

If not that then either London/Paris or Rome/Paris. Rome is my favorite city, but it will be very difficult to see in just a few days. Three days in two cities won't really give you time to do day-trips if you actually want to see the cities you're in.

In Paris I've stayed at Hotel Eber Mars near the Eiffel Tower and really enjoyed it. Inexpensive, and they have a 'triple' room that your three college kids could share. In Rome I'd probably stay in the Trastevere neighborhood because of the three college kids. It's a 'young' part of town with good bus transportation into the city center.

Well, you're getting more advice than you really need, I think, but I'll add my two cents. You really have a week, seven full days in Europe. Fly to Paris, stay there, take some day trips depending on interest and budget (Versailles, Giverny, Chartres, ???). Bring layers of clothing so you can spend time outside, but there's lots to see and do indoors in a big city. Unpack just once, limit your transportation cost to optional day trips. Not all of you have to do everything together, I'm sure you know that or your kids will remind you. :-)

You could potentially save $$ by renting an apartment for a week through homeaway.com, vrbo.com, or numerous other services you can find by googling "Paris vacation rentals." Do some meals in your own kitchen, spread out, keep different hours, do laundry there. But an apartment means pre-paying the owner, pre-arranging to get in and out, dealing with unfamiliar appliances (can be an adventure), and having no desk clerk or concierge to help if needed. Might be a better choice for your next trip.

Assume you will return to Europe and see other cities, regions, countryside, maybe in warmer weather, maybe for longer, maybe with a bigger budget. For now, keep it simple and visit the one city you know you want to see. You'll have no trouble filling a week, I promise!

Don't put too much stock in jet lag causing you to "not be up to full touring speed for a couple of days". People experience jet lag (or not) very differently, and you might be fine from the moment you land. Or not. But since three of your party are college students, I'm guessing you won't have that much of a problem. I hit the ground running on arrival, stay outside as much as possible, and stay up as late as I can on arrival day (usually fairly early to bed). Then I'm fine the next day.

lyndakoontz,

I'm going to give my 0.02 here.

Not caring where you come from or what the weather is like, I'm sure you will adapt to wherever you go and to whatever weather comes you way. being a first time traveler, you will learn one way or the other but you will learn.

some comments and some have been mentioned:
- you will loose a day traveling there.
- do any of your kids have any input as to where this trip is to take place?
- i think you want to see more than you have time for. Granted if you understand that many places you can spend months in without seeing everything, then you're fine to make your stay short in each place. Also you are jumping around alot instead of moving around in a small area so you will be taking planes or overnight trains.

If you do the math and assuming your 9 days is only 8 days due to the loss of travel days, then you will end up with 2 days per city if you choose 1 city per country and that doesnt include travel days. So i would spend some time with the others involved as ask "do you want to spend 2 days (more like 1.5 days) in each place if at all or spend more time in 1 or 2 places".

if it was me I would look for 2 cities close in proxmiity. Like London & Paris. That way you can move from one to another and have the rest of the day to do/see things. Im sure there are others in your choice of countries but London/Paris combo comes to my mind. Note that i havent done a lot of day trips out of both, but there are many to choose from.

just my 0.02

happy trails.

Hi Lynda

We travelled last year with a family of 5, and I would agree with Donna to stay in Paris. In 4 nights we only saw 1/2 of what we wanted to and there are so many day trips in addition. We rented an apartment and Paris has tons of apartments, and fabulous restaurants. The other thing to consider, is you are travelling in winter, if you have delays flying from another centre that eats up a day that you could be touring.

Head to Berlin, nasty winter weather and all. You will get more of a bargain for your money here than you would in any of the other big cities, whether it is hotels, apts. drink or food. Tons of museums to visit and the possibilities of good day trips to places like Potsdam, Dresden, or even Hamburg. There are 2 Concentration Camps near Berlin if that is of interest to anyone in the family, Sachsenhausen and Ravensbruck. Berlin offers a wide variety of themed tours for any history buffs, everything from the Cold War, Jewish History, Berlin Underground, 3rd Reich or Pub Crawls. Your college students are going to have more fun here than anyplace else in Europe.

I did laugh at the thought of Dallas winters being anything as brutal as a winter in Germany.

You leave Friday.. you will arrive Saturday and you will leave following sunday.

You will have 8 whole days on the ground. That's it, not nine.

Two places max.. ( keep in mind each time you move you will spend a minimal 1/2 day just in transit.. possibly longer.. and it does add $$$ .. )

Logically you could fly into Rome.. and back home from Paris.. Between rome and Paris just take Easyjet or Vueling.
You could do similar with Barcelona and Paris.

You need two hotel rooms.

In most big cities like Rome., Barcelona or Paris you should count on a budget ( clean, well located.. but small and very plain) room costing about 100 euros minimum. They are out there.. oh.. and the three kids in one room.. it will be tight.. and their room with likely be minimal 120-150 euros.. triple rooms are not as plentiful as in North America where most hotel rooms are larger and seem to come standard with two queen beds.. not so for budget to even moderate priced hotels in many places in Europe.

An apartment can be cheaper.. a lot more if you consider you can feed your lot breakfast in.. saving up to 45-55 euros each day right there.

Daytrips are a way to visit a few other cities without the expense and hassle of changing hotel rooms( and btw ,, in Paris many hotels give cheaper rates if you book more then 3 nights)

From Paris you can easily visit Rouen, Brugges, even London( although London would be nice to do as a separate visit and spend some time there) From Barcelona.. I am less help.. we did leave Barcelona.. but went in summer to a beach town.. not an option for you.. and Rome has several good options too.. you could even do Rome 2-3 nights and one overnight in Venice.. so fly from Paris to Venice.. stay a night.. then train to Rome. and fly home from Rome.

Look into which combination of cities you can get from your gateway .. and the prices.. remember you are not looking to book two one ways.. but a ticket called a "multi destination" and often referred to as an open jaw ticket. Cheaper then two one ways.

Flights within Europe can be dirt cheap.. travel light.. read websites regarding luggage and look at several airlines.. do be careful to note which airports they use.. Ryanair for instance uses a much less convenient airport for Paris then many other lo budget carriers.. you may save 10-20 euros on their flights but have to spend that much more getting into city.. and certainly waste more commuting time.

Have adult children do some homework.. each one should research what sites they want to see and perhaps everyone could be assigned one day where they place what you see and how to get there.. the metro, bus or walk,, what is admission cost. and hours etc.

Good luck and have fun.

Pat is right, as usual. With 8 days on the ground, however, if you change cities (in separate countries) you will lose one full day for each city change. That's the truth. Check out of hotel, taxi/bus to airport or train station. then the time it takes to get to the next city. Then taxi/bus to next hotel check-in. When I go to multiple cities for instance, in Italy, it takes a half day -- and the distance is closer, and I use the train and don't have to go through an airport security, etc.

This is why I said to stay in Paris, rent an apartment, or inexpensive (!) hotel and day trip. It's your trip, however! We've all given our best thoughts. Have a Fun trip with your college kids! I don't remember if I mentioned that I really liked Hotel Eber Mars in Paris. Messr. Eber was a hands-on owner who was extremely helpful and honest in helping me maximize my time, helping with sites, restaurants and transportation. He enjoys being a Hotelier, and I liked his hotel more than any other I've used in Europe for this exact reason. You won't get this kind of 'consierge' service in an apartment unless you have an extraordinary landlord.