ihelp with itinerary

What would you like to see? List the sjghts in priority and see how many you can reasonably fit into your schedule. i could give you a wonderful list of the cheapest places on earth- but they're cheap becaude nobody in their right mind wants to go there- chernobyl?

How much time are you planning to spend there? How many of those nights are staying with family? If you need to visit both Berlin and Frankfrurt, depending upon the length of your trip you are probably better off staying in Germany the whole time. We used to travel for two weeks for two people in western Europe for $6,000, but that was ten years ago. Now it's more like $8,000 or even a little more, depending upon the country. I am the travel planner in the family, and like to be a budget traveler. That is getting harder and harder though.

I have three teenagers myself, 18, 16 and 15. My experience is that they prefer the bigger cities or, at least places with activities aside from driving through beautiful, historic scenery. Hiking in the Alps, you could take lifts and meet them at a higher destination? They would love Rome and Amsterdam although I would limit museums as they get quite bored with that. Aushwitz (misspelled) concentration camp would be an experience they would remember and have probably learned about in school (any concentration camp). The home of famous girl in hiding (name escaping me) with her family during WW2 is in Amsterdam and well worth the tour. Just make sure they have some access to internet occasionally! They get lost without their technology toys. Hope this is helpful. Good luck and what a great grandma!!

Thank you 3 wonderful people for responding. I forgot to say we are going for 2 weeks. Staying just in Germany is not an option, the point is to see a bit more of Europe. What do you think of Berlin, Amsterdam, Strassbourg or Paris? Or alternatively Berlin, Amsterdam, Prag and Venice or Siena? Is that even possible for $8,000 - assuming Eurail passes?

Have THEY been to Europe before? I think youths enjoy castles. Consider the castle-strewn stretch of the Rhine (Bacherach, St. Goar) and a day in Rothenburg - lots of medieval fun for youngsters.

Given the fact that you have only two weeks, and that Berlin and Frankfurt are already "must do" visits with family... AT MOST, I would only add two more cities. My first choice would be Amsterdam and Paris (with at least 3-4 nights in Paris). That would give you an interesting, easy, enjoyable, budget-keeping vacation with the teens. Eurail passes would not be necessary. Are you planning for the summer months? Your airfare then will chew a fair chunk of your budget. A second alternative would be to catch a cheap Air Berlin flight (from Berlin or Frankfurt) to Rome and combine with Siena/Florence or Venice. A third alternative would be to combine Prague or Budapest with Vienna. The advantage you have is that there are very cheap discount airlines flights out of Germany - that would save you valuable time and money. For example, check out: Vueling, Air Berlin or Wizz Air flights. Please, do not try to squeeze too much in... pick a sensible pair to add to your two German cities, then post for specific recs for the chosen city pair.

Monika Diane's suggestion of Paris and Amsterdam is great. I didn't notice if the grandchildren are boys, girls, or a boy and a girl, but these two cities should appeal to them regardless. Amsterdam is easy for first-time young visitors as English is spoken just about everywhere. If you are so inclined, renting bicycles in Amsterdam and cycling could be a pleasant way to see the city. Check out RS Amsterdam for boutique hotels; when my wife and I were there a few years ago we stayed on a houseboat--great fun. I'd suggest you pick a hotel in Paris that is not a 4 or 5-star type place. Rather, look for a small hotel in a setting like the rue Cler, this would give the grandchildren a good introduction to Paris up close and personal, to say nothing of the mouth watering pastries and chocolates just a few steps away. Moving about in Paris would be inexpensive as the Metro will take you within a short walk of ample sites to fill 3 or 4 days. A mix of a boat ride on the Seine, several stops along the ascent within the Eiffel Tower, climbing to the top of the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, Musse d'Louvre (have them watch The DaVinci Code movie, then find the location in the Louvre seen in the movie), Mussse d'Orsay, Centre Pompidou (crawling with young people), and shopping along rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore or along Boulevard Haussmann. Happy travels.