planning trip to europe family of 5 from TN (USA)

Hi Janina, Given the size and age range of your group, I think 5 countries in 4 weeks is a tad ambitious - remember that you are going to use anywhere from 1/2 to a full day changing locations when you factor in packing/checking out, travel to train station or airport and checking in at new hotel, etc. etc. Can it be done? Absolutely - but with only 3/4 days per country, what would you really see? I think the best approach would be first to decide what things your family is interested in - do they like big cities with museums or do they prefer smaller villages and spending time in the country? Once you've answered that question then research areas that best fit your interests - for example, if you wanted to do bigger cities you could start in London, eurostar to Paris, then on to Geneva and possibly loop down to Rome and fly home via Rome.
Since you mentioned you wanted to do this economically, given the size of your party, you might look into doing 1 week in each of three countries and renting an apartment or a house and then sightseeing from that as a base. This would be far more economical than staying in hotels where you will need 2 rooms which can add up over time not to mention having to eat out for every meal. Good luck with your planning!!!

Janina, With only a month and travelling with a group, I'd suggest planning an Itinerary that's not too "fast paced", especially as you're travelling with a senior and 3 children. It would help if you could provide some idea on what your group might be interested in? The children probably won't want to spend a lot of time in Museums, so you'll have to plan a "balanced" Itinerary that provides something for everyone. There are many ways you could arrange this, but given that it's a first trip for most in the group, this is one possibility: > Fly to London - 5 days (including flight day) - perhaps a day trip to Bath or York (awesome Railway Museum) > EuroStar to Paris > Paris - 4 days (day trip to Versailles?) > Train to Lucerne - 3 days (the kids might enjoy the awesome Museum of Transport) > Train to Berner Oberland - 3 or 4 days (hiking, trip to Schilthorn, Trummelbach Falls) > Train to Italy - 3 days (perhaps Cinque Terre - hiking, visit five villages by train or boat) > Train to Florence - 2 or 3 days (perhaps brief stop in Pisa, if that's of interest to your group?) > Travel to Siena or Orvieto - 2 days? > Train to Rome - 4 or 5 days (with day trip to Ostia Antica) > Flight home from FCO You could also start in either Amsterdam or Brussels, but London would be a good choice as you've already seen Belgium. There's lots to see in London that might interest the kids - Imperial War Museum, Tower of London, HMS Belfast, Cabinet War Rooms and of course the Changing of the Guard. I'd suggest late May to late June (if possible), as that's still "shoulder season" so it may not be as busy and crowded. Good luck with your planning!

I would just comment that when planning for travel is Switzerland, your 3 children can travel completely free as long as they are in the company of at least one parent with a valid train ticket. A Swiss pass or card is not required - just traveling with a parent with a valid ticket. Free means free. All Swiss transporation including going up to the Jungfrau and Schilthorn. If you purchase any Swiss tickets online, you can request the Swiss Family Card. If you wait until you arrive in Switzerland, I believe that you can purchase the Swiss Junior Card for 30CHF. You would pay 30CHF for the first two children. A Junior Card for the 3rd child at the same time would be free. Both the Family Card and Junior card work the same way.