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Where in Europe at the end of April?

We took our first international trip with kids last April. We spent 3 nights in Venice and 5 in Rome. The boys had a blast and we'd like to head back to Europe again next April.

Kids will be 9 and 10. They are easily entertained and enjoy anything from hiking to history to beaches to museums. They are also great eaters and not afraid to try new things. One has a nut allergy, but it was easy to deal with in Italy....although I was surprised at how much more common hazelnuts are there!

As for us, we like to go go go on vacation. We don't travel to sit on the beach and relax. We like to get out and explore. We've both been to Italy twice and I've been to London. The rest of our travel has mostly been in the US.

So where would you go at the end of April and with kids in tow?

Posted by
616 posts

I would choose
1) another region in Italy ( Tuscany, Florence, Siena, Etruscan Coast, Isle of ELBA)
2) Spain
3) Greece

I know both France and Italy and regarding the problem of allergy, I would rather choose Italy.
I do not know Spain enough and have not yet been in Greece

Posted by
6113 posts

Portugal or France. Your kids may find Spanish eating hours difficult with lunch at 3pm and dinner at 10pm - I know I do!

There are fewer nuts in Portuguese than French cuisine.

How long will your holiday be? Lisbon and Porto are good bases for a 7-10 day break.

Posted by
98 posts

We will probably have 9 days....

Spanish eating hours....that'll be rough. Mine usually ask to go to bed by 930pm.

Off to read the trip report that was shared...

Posted by
6733 posts

Ignore what you read about meal times, that's a complete non-issue. You'll be on the tourist circuit. You will eat whenever you feel like eating. Cross this off your list of concerns.

I'd be much more worried about this...

We will probably have 9 days....

You mean you have 9 days total for a trip to Europe? Does that include your travel time? If so, you're basically going to Europe for a long weekend, which seems crazy to me. Where are you coming from? On such a short trip, even that (ie US east coast versus west coast) and your flight routing is going to make a difference.

With just 9 days, you will want to limit your itinerary to probably just 2 or maybe 3 locations. You will need to be very disciplined about not trying to squeeze in too many stops. This is a much, much bigger issue than what time you're going to have dinner...

Posted by
32519 posts

Netherlands.

Keukenhof. https://keukenhof.nl/en/

Windmills. https://www.kinderdijk.com/

Canals.

The Dutch love children and there are just so many things for them to do including the miniature world of Madurodam. https://www.madurodam.nl/en

The Dutch tend to eat meals at fixed times, usually close to noon and at 6pm.

The Dutch came up with chocolate sprinkles on bread, sometimes warm bread, for breakfast. What's not for a kid (or big kid at heart) to love?

The canals have boat trips. When not on the boat, they are on bikes. What's not to love?

At Zaanse Schans kids can watch clogs being made from blocks of wood, and try some on.

... just a thought ....

oh, by the way, peanuts pop up in Sate sauce, and hazelnuts pop up in some of the morning "Pasta" which is the Nutella like milk chocolate spread which is put under those chocolate sprinkles. If you managed with Nutella in Italy, Nutella also has hazelnuts. For non-nut-sensitive folk, try the brown and white swirled spread. Some brands include the hazelnuts, some flavours and brands don't. The label will say.

Posted by
687 posts

Agree, don't worry about meal times in Spain. My son is usually in bed before 8:00 at home; he had no trouble adjusting to Spain time for meals and within a couple of days was a midnight owl. There are always options to eat any time. Tapas are an easy way to grab something in the late afternoon to tide you over until dinner. Or make it your dinner. Whatever works for you.

Posted by
344 posts

Our first European trip with my 10 year olds was to a destination that I never expected to go to but Rick's book/show introduced me to the charm of the Rhine Valley, Germany. I was a bit apprehensive as we speak no German, no one I knew had been to Germany, but Rick's book/video showed such an enchanting environment we went there one April vacation and it was a great decsion. Our destination was Rudesheim Germany and Rothenburg ob der Tauber (there are 2 Rothenburgs in Germany). We flew into Frankfurt, staying overnight in Frankfurt and the next morning rented a car (easy) and drove 1 1/2 hours west to Rudesheim and later in the week drove 3 hours south to Rothenburg https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g187319-Rothenburg_Middle_Franconia_Franconia_Bavaria-Vacations.html.

The area is a bit fairy tale like at any age. Rick's book was a tremendous source of this entire vacation but there is much more to do in the area. Rudesheim is on the Rhine and a scenic, lively small town. There are lots of castles in that area. Although my kids are good travelers and are curious, they were not going to be enthralled by a 15 century tapestry hanging on a castle wall....or not for long. Per Rick's book, a few miles north or Rudesheim, along the Rhine, is Rheinfels Castle...an enormous giant ruin, there is no roof, just walls--perfect for the imagination of kids and interesting for adults. https://www.st-goar.de/en/rheinfels-castle/

In Rudesheim, you can take a terrific short, easy hike up a "hill" to the sister statue of the Statue of Liberty ("Niederwalddenkmal Monument") with a terrific view, then walk over to a gondola ride with more spectacular scenery, get off the gondola, walk through a forest, feed some animals at a petting zoo, then take the gondola back down to a true fairy town village of Assmannhausen, then take a quick ferry ride on the Rhein back to Rudesheim. We really enjoyed this area. Note: Rudesheim has a train track along the Rhine and trains (loud trains) go by constantly. I don't know how the people who stay in the charming hotels along the river can stand it. We stayed at Ruedesheimer Hof in a great family room, 5-6 blocks from the tracks, quiet, and with a full breakfast: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187345-d239085-Reviews-Rudesheimer_Hof-Ruedesheim_am_Rhein_Hesse.html. Here is a terrific source of info on things to do: https://theculturetrip.com/europe/germany/articles/the-top-10-things-to-do-and-see-in-rudesheim-am-rhein/

As far as Rothenberg ob der Tauber goes it is a total fairy tale, it is very popular/touristy, and you need to book in advance. You may prefer other towns in the area but with kids, I thought this was a safe choice https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g187319-Rothenburg_Middle_Franconia_Franconia_Bavaria-Vacations.html. We stayed in a large family room w/great breakfast at one of Rick's recommendations: Hotel Gerberhaus. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187319-d269259-Reviews-Hotel_Gerberhaus-Rothenburg_Middle_Franconia_Franconia_Bavaria.html. If you go, you MUST go on the entertaining "Night Tour", highly recommended by every tour book, your kids will love it and so will you. If you happen to be in Rothenberg at Easter, there is an unbelievable Easter Egg hunt open to all in the main park "Burggarten" (castle park)...behind a thick castle door.....in a huge park....the kids hunt for gold chocolate rabbits by Lindt...big ones...HUNDREDS of chocolate bunnies are hidden...and found. It is one of the kids best travel memories. https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g187319-d1898222-r115920223-Burggarten-Rothenburg_Middle_Franconia_Franconia_Bavaria.html If not, the park is a fun place for active kids, although no soccer area, but if they are up to picking up some sticks and having a sword fight, the park will not disappoint.

Sorry to go on and on but this was a great vacation!

Posted by
5239 posts

We've been travelling to Spain with our kids since they were born and never had any problems finding somewhere to eat early and whilst the Spanish do prefer to eat late it doesn't mean that you have to.

Be aware that Spanish cuisine features almonds heavily and they're often used as a thickening agent however EU rules mean that restaurants have to list allergens on their menus so you shouldn't have any difficulty finding out which ones to avoid.

Posted by
98 posts

Harold...our first Italy trip inlcuded a week in Sicily. We will go back, but I think we will wait until my brother in law can join us.

9days...I know it's not two weeks, but it's also not just a long weekend. We will limit ourselves to one or two cities and have plenty of time. We were able to see so much in Italy in the same time frame.

Right now I'm leaning towards Spain. I'm very good at reading Spanish and okay at speaking it. The boys also take Spanish in school and can communicate a bit. We did well enough in Puerto Rico. In San Juan, everyone spoke English, but in the small remote towns....not so much.

I think I'll show the boys some photographs of Spain and Germany. See what they would prefer.

Posted by
98 posts

JC...thanks for the almond info. Hazelnuts and peanuts are the only issues for our son... thankfully the peanut one isn't severe.

Posted by
98 posts

So, we decided on Germany. I think we will add a few nights to the beginning of the trip to give ourselves 8-9 non travel days and will split the time between the Munich and Salzburg areas. I sat down with the boys and Germany was more exciting than Spain for them.

Thanks everyone!

Posted by
61 posts

I'm curious, what's your planned itinerary in Germany, other than Munich/Salzburg?

Posted by
850 posts

Absolutely take your kids to the Technical Museum in Munich. It's on an island about 15 minutes walk from the Marinplatz. Kids love the place if they have any interest in building things or seeing how things are made. Plus there's a mining exhibit that's basically a half mile tunnel under the museum filled with stuff. They may also like the hunting and fishing museum; just look for the big boar and fish bronzes.

April is the beginning of the Weisswurst season in Frankonia, so make sure you try these sausages. They're veal, slightly spiced, and usually boiled.

If you go to Salzburg take the kids to the Red Bull Racing Museum; it's just outside the city and easy to get to.

Regensburg is in the area, and they usually have a fest the end of April. If they do, go! Amusement park atmosphere with beer is good for everyone. And it's a nice city to walk around.

Be advised that it's possible to have snow the end of April, and you will have rain.

Posted by
98 posts

Drewbaker...haven't figured it out yet. I plan to land in Munich and take the train right to Salzburg. Probably spend five nights there and then four in Munich. I know it's hokey, but I want to do a Sound of Music tour. We will visit a Salt Mine, maybe the BMW factory, Red Bull Hangar 7, Neuschwanstein, not sure what else yet.

Posted by
850 posts

Not sure where you're staying in Salzburg, but if it's in the area around the Dom take a taxi from the airport. Much faster and to the door. The train from Munich is a fairly quick trip with good scenery if you go during daylight hours. (Which I recommend as you don't want to be wandering around Salzburg in the dark looking for a hotel.) If you're going to be hungry get food in the Munich Bahnhof before you board.

Check out the Boutiquehotel am Dom in Salzburg for a nice place with a great location.

Posted by
98 posts

KGC - we land in Munich at 645am, so we'll be on a morning train. I figure we can't check in to any hotel that early, so may as well start in Salzburg. I'll probably rent an apartment thru booking.com but we don't have exact dates yet.

Posted by
12172 posts

April is nice in Spain. You can visit the April Fair in Seville, it's a real cultural experience. I'd add Granada for sure and possibly a short stop in Cordoba to round out the trip. If you still have available days, add Tarifa and Gibraltar. I had a rental car, there are some passage tombs in Anitiquera that are a good stop between Granada and Gibraltar. Northern Spain needs to be a separate trip, there's just too many things to see in one trip.