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Itinerary for young family

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Our family is planning a trip to Europe from August 20 to September 10. We are a family of four (kids are 4 and 7) and are travelling from Canada. My husband and I have been to Europe before (Gdansk, Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris, London) but this will be our first trip with kids. We are very excited to be getting away from Disney World!

We enjoy all kinds of activities both outdoors and indoors from hiking and picnics in parks to museums. We will be travelling by train and are not planning to rent a car. We are hoping to keep this a "budget" trip and are planning to buy groceries when possible for meals and stay in cheaper accommodations.

Flights are not yet booked but I was thinking of flying into Vienna and out of Paris. The following is what I am considering:

20 August - leave Montreal arriving in Vienna 21 August
21 August - 26 August - Vienna
26 August - 29 August - Salzburg
29 August - 5 September - Munich
5 - September - 10 September - Paris
10 September - fly home

Do you think this is too long in Munich? My natural instinct is to move around every 3-4 days but I want to slow things down with the kids to make sure it is an enjoyable vacation. Any other destinations to consider? I have also been looking into the Berchtesgaden area and would potentially stay there rather than Salzburg for three or four nights, possibly on a farm, and taking the time to see the nature in the area. Is this possible without a rental car?

Any suggestions for accommodations would be great as well. I am leaning towards apartment rentals for cost and more space.
Thanks in advance for your response. :)

Posted by
8889 posts

Possibly cut 1-2 days of Munich and add to Paris.
If you are flying from Montréal does that mean you and your kids speak French? If so, definately more time in Paris.
Munich to Paris is a long haul. Consider flying with a budget airline, or stopping off en route in Strasbourg or Colmar.
A rental car is not needed for any of the places you have listed. Again, if your kids can understand a bit of French, day trips from Colmar to Haut Koenigsbourg is recommended.

Posted by
2 posts

Thanks Chris. My children and I do speak French although I am hoping to practice my German in Austria and Germany. Both towns you recommended look beautiful and I will definitely look more into them.

Thanks again for your reply.

Posted by
7072 posts

"Do you think this is too long in Munich?"
Yes.
"I have also been looking into the Berchtesgaden area and would potentially stay there rather than Salzburg for three or four nights, possibly on a farm, and taking the time to see the nature in the area. Is this possible without a rental car?"

I think more rural stays like B'gaden are much easier on young kids and their parents and should comprise at least 50% of your time. In smaller towns you will find more family-oriented acccommodations options - vacation rentals (Ferienwohnungen) in less urban settings can be often be had for 3-4 days at a time and are quite numerous and popular with German families. Farm stays are popular but you don't have to stay on a farm all the time just to get more room and get out of the city. Small towns have lots of non-farm options too.

You could even book a week or longer in a strategically-situated town like Prien am Chiemsee. Prien is half way between Munich and Salzburg. Ludwig's Herrenchiemsee palace and outdoor activities are right there. Hop a train and reach either Salzburg or Munich in one hour (Bayern ticket day pass would cost €28/travel day.)

Prien area photo

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