Seeking Advice for European travel in January with our 5 year old

I'm guessing you're actually thinking about January 2018. How much time will you have? Are you prepared to rent a car (costly if you can't drive a manual transmission), or do you prefer to use trains and buses?

Temperate weather in January will probably mean points south - Portugal, Spain, or southern Italy (maybe Sicily).

"Warmer than southern New England" is not an exceptionally high standard, but I agree that southern Spain and Sicily were my first thoughts. Remember that you'll have very short days in January. That, coupled with cold weather, would not encourage me to get out and walk around, though I realize that many people love winter travel.

It will be easier if you give us some information.

Have you traveled in Europe before?
Have well does your little one travel?
What is your budget?

What type of accommodation do you plan on staying in? hostels, cheap hotels, bed and breakfasts, splurging with 5 star hotels. We like to stay in apartments so we can self cater some meals, otherwise we stay in budget hotels and hostels because we use the hotel/hostel to sleep, shower and shave.

How long do you plan on visiting?
What are your interests? History, cities, scenery,

What sights interest you?
What do you want to see? What is your must see list?

With a 5 year old, you will have to reduce what you expect to visit. You will also need something to interest them everyday, a park, ruins to walk through, a beach. We took our first trip when my daughter was seven. She loved the outdoor hikes and ruins the best. We prepared her by going on long walks that eventually lasting several hours. We had her read books that were set in or talked about the places we would visit. Your library should be able to help.

Travel in January will mean cold temperatures, unless you venture south. I was thinking Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece although I do not know their temperatures in January, they should be warmer than Germany or France. There are plenty of ruins in those areas that should be of interest for kids.

Thank you for your thoughtful responses.

Further information: We are planning on spending 10 days on the trip. Budget around $5,000. We traveled in Europe as students but no international travel since our son was born. Between the two of us, we have seen the UK (extensively in England, Ireland, Scotland), France (Paris, Provence) Sweden, Germany (Munich), Austria (Vienna), Czech Republic (Prague), Poland (Warsaw, Krakow), Greece (Athens, Rhodes, Crete and other islands), Turkey (Istanbul, Mediterranean coast) Spain (Madrid, Valencia), and Italy (only Venice).

We are thinking it probably makes sense to pick one region (or even just one city such as Rome or Barcelona) to spend our time. Rent an apartment and get immersed in the history and culture (maybe rent a car for a couple day trips).

It will be cold no matter where you go, so I'd suggest a city where there are plenty of indoor attractions as well as interesting day trips. Barcelona comes to mind as does Sicily.

To Emily's comment. If its winter, go where they do winter well. If its spring, go to where they do spring well. I cant image going to a place because its 10F warmer and looking at the great beaches ..... that are inaccessible because its still too cold and dreary. If its going to be cold anyway, I want a chance of snow; not nearly freezing rain.

Here are some popular kids activities in Budapest

Palace of Miracles - an interactive science museum designed for children http://www.csopa.hu/en/csopa-campona/exhibition/exhibited-games

Aquaworld - one of the largest indoor water theme parks in Europe http://www.aquaworldresort.hu/en/hotel/packages/winters_hottest_choice_get_1_night_free?utm_source=web_layer&utm_medium=layer_en_bwi&utm_campaign=bwi&sid=2ea7cb38a1cdfab1021e3a89326dc9c1

Hungarian Natural History Museum - voted several times as best 'family-friendly' museum in Budapest http://www.nhmus.hu/en/english_home

Museum of Transport - old trains, motorcycles and cars on display http://www.mmkm.hu/index.php/en/transport-museum

Palace of Arts - concerts and a variety of musical activities for kids https://www.mupa.hu/en

Tropicarium - http://tropicarium.hu/en/

Bobsledding http://www.bobozas.hu/visegrad/index_en.php

Bath houses are spectacular in the winter (cold air, hot water): http://www.szechenyibath.hu/

January is often one of the coldest and wettest month in Europe, so pick somewhere south and near the coast, which will be milder. I have just returned from Budapest this week and as it is inland, it was much colder than London.

Most Europeans at this time would head to the Canary Islands or Morocco for sun or the ski slopes within Europe or heading further afield. City breaks at this time of year means accepting colder weather in the main. I was in Venice in January and it was colder than London, but dry, which our hotel said was better than normal.

Spain is likely to be warmer than Italy. Granada, Seville and Barcelona would all suit. Spain is better value than Italy. The south of France should be milder. Marrakesh would offer you better weather and different history and culture. With a 5 year old, staying in just one place is a good idea.

As you don't want to do winter and looking at the places you have already been to see, I would suggest the Azores and/or Portugal. Azores, obviously a quick flight from the coast. Portugal might have more variation (but maybe not). Or do winter, and go to Scandinavia. Children love snow and reindeer. ;)

I've been to both Spain and Italy in February but not in January. I have the sense (with no facts to back it up) that weather's probably much the same, but days are shorter. For the most part, weather is pleasant and more sunny than cloudy, more dry than rainy, temps always above freezing, mostly 50's and even 60's. You can expect off-season room rates and fewer tourists.

Andalucia is the warmest driest part of Europe. Barcelona's climate is mild. You could split the time between the two. If you want to stay in one place, Barcelona has more to offer, including several days trips.

Southern Italy has a similar climate. Again, you could either split your time between Rome and somewhere else (Sorrento?), but certainly Rome has more attractions and day trips than you'll be able to fit it. Flip a coin, both are excellent choices. Sicily could be a good choice with a car but that means lots of driving time for day trips, maybe not so much fun for a little guy.

I don't think Portugal would fit the bill, weather on the Atlantic coast is less likely to be as good and I don't know if there's enough even with 2 bases for a 10-day stay.

Any chance you could go in February instead?

While Morocco is not Europe, Canary Islands are. They are part of Spain. Out of all recommendation above they are the best bet in January. IMHO Tenerife Island is the best. You find almost everything there. Beaches, high mountain, resorts, old towns, different orchards, wineries, forests. You can rent a car or take a guided trip or use public transport which is excellent. With 5 year old I wouldn't bother with cities of Central Europe, not even southern Europe. It would be either very cold with snow or just cold with cold rain.

Hawai'i is lovely in January -- and you can have educational/fun experiences snorkeling, hiking, visiting a volcano on the Big Island, seeing a palace on Oahu ...

Have you done a family vacation before??

I agree with Hawaii but unfortunately (or fortunately) it's not European travel.

I'd go South half of Spain or South half of Italy. Good news, both countries adore children - so it's a bonus to travel with kids.

Spain is much more affordable than Italy for food and lodging, and usually a little cheaper to fly to. If budget is an important consideration, I'd go Granada, Cordoba, Sevilla, drive a circle and see some hill towns and Gibraltar between. It won't be beach weather so you can probably see just a little at Tarifa (a surprisingly nice small town to visit). I might avoid the ferry to Morroco because of the weather at that time of year.

I think a rental car is a good option for three, roads are good and you can skip the AP toll roads, just use the A or N roads to get around. If you can drive a stick, get a standard transmission with a diesel engine. You will be amazed by the gas mileage. If rental cars seem too expensive. It's cheap but less convenient to use buses. They're clean and comfortable but the schedules don't lend themselves to making short stops in the middle of a travel leg.

A couple sights I'd want to include are the passage tombs at Antequera, they're free but probably not well served by bus routes, and the Baelo Claudia Roman Ruins near Tarifa (cost maybe one euro each). Both have pretty nice museums and no crowds.