Family of 5 going to europe for 3 weeks this august

Thanks Kent. We will be going the first 3 weeks in August. We are wide open to where we go. Maybe 1 week traveling south through Germany and Switzerland and 2 weeks in Italy and France. It really depends what we can find that is affordable. We like off the beaten places.

I have but the rest of my family hasnt. We will also be coming from Israel so we dont want to go any further south heatwise than Tuscany. Thanks again. Also thinking of the Czech Republic and former Yugoslavia.

Shar: Good decision re staying north b/c of the heat in August, you'll have had enough hot weather in Israel in August! Since the others have not been to Europe, you may want to focus on western Europe rather than central Europe? (unless budget trumps all other considerations).Just one of about a hundred itineraries: Munich, Romantic Road, southern Bavaria Switzerland (Berner Oberland)Venice & Florence (but will be hot and crowded so maybe skip Italy this time?)Paris, Loire Valley.You are going at the hottest and most crowded time, expect big crowds everywhereThere are only about another hundred itineraries!

If budget is an issue, I'd avoid Italy. It seems very expensive relative to the trip we did 2 years ago to Northern France and Belgium. That's comparing Euros to Euros. For the summer the temps were cool, in the 70's during the day. We were there in August and wore long pants and sweaters!

Shar - You have a car, and that gives you an advantage (never mind the $$ for the gas!). Starting from Frankfurt you also have lots of options; your aim should be to avoid the crowds and the heat. I'd stick to Central Europe (incl. Bohemia and Hungary)and avoid areas where congestion may hinder easy movement - passes,etc. Also look for places that offer something for the kids - summer toboggans, lakes off the major routes, mountain hikes, castle tours, outdoor museums, etc.
Get RS book on Germany/Austria. It's for most part very well written, but you would do well to stay out of the tourist magnets, except for mid-week (Salzburg, Rothenburg . . .)Southern Bohemia is full of castles and places for biking and boating; still inexpensive. In Austria, look for Salzkammergut cities to stay in and enjoy the lakes. Try the Burgenland's Neusiedlersee for wildlife, rowing through reed jungles, and Hungarian flavor (plus famous wineries). This is the time for researching a definite route!

The Italian destinations that immediately come to mind are generally pretty exorbitant at this point. You might want to visit the somewhat more temperate Dolomite Alps - Castelrotto, Klausen, Bolzano come to mind as places where you might rent an apartment economically. Then make quick visits to Venice (cooler) and Florence before exiting Italy for cheaper pastures.

Germany tends to be a bargain, by European standards, for families - lots of vacation rentals in the rural towns of Bavaria and elsewhere in southern Germany where an apartment for 5 will run you less than 50-60 Euros per day. Have a look at www.accommodation.de and search by region to get an idea of what's available. Also, check www.bensbauernhof.com - lots of personal experiences/reviews there that might be very helpful.

Thanks so much for all your thoughtful replies. We have friends we can stay with in Northern Italy for a few days and then I think we will save expensive Tuscany for a time when the dollar is better.

Anyone have thoughts on Prague and the Czech republic? Would greatly appreciate any links to places to stay in like the great one for Germany. Big Thanks!

We loved Prague but would never even dream of taking a car. Interestly all of your kids would travel for free with you on all trains, buses, boats, gondolas, trams in Switzerland...

Shar,
Bohemia is one of the great and often unexplored bargains in Central Europe (don't call it Eastern, Prague is well west of Vienna!) Prague is very pretty, but has developed a reputation for pricy accommodations and rapacious taxi drivers. I haven't stayed there for some time, because I have friends who put me up in the North. Worth 3 days visit, though.

What kids will really enjoy is Southern Bohemia, esp. the castles (the World Wars have passed these areas by, thank God). You can start at Karlstejn to the west of Prague, work your way down to the tourist magnet, medieval Cesky Krumlov/Krumau (boating on the Vltava, hiking, biking on these great well-engineered roadways. Other towns to the east - Jindrichuv Hradec, to name one are also full of inexpensive lodging and picturesque castles. My favorite town in Moravia is Telc. Just Google it and see why! You can then work your way down to Vienna, staying in the suburbs, and maybe spend a couple of days in Burgenland (Rust)