Travel - Western, Eastern. Central, Northern Europe?

[Kelpie]

Hi all,

 

1. Contemplating to go holidays in 4th qtr to Europe. I've travelled to other countries but have not been to places in Europe for family holidays and is wondering which is the best part of Europe to go. Will be bringing 2 few years old kids and a maid.

 

2. Probably looking at 2 weeks or so to kill. Since I'm travelling with kids, I don't think I want to spend too much time travelling to every european cities.

 

3. Is it easy to do F&E or I should go stick to a tour agent? Which are airlines that have decent service and coverage in Europe?

 

Thank you very much for any advice.

 

Regards,

[Steiger]

4th qtr to europe gonna be winter. (F&E) Recommend you could start with germany, munich and in europe there is alot of budget flights and express train to western europe.

 

But since you have children with you, think maybe you stick with tour agent.

 

I have not been to southern and eastern europe hence i dont know much.

[Osiris]

I 2nd Steiger suggestion of using tour agency. Try Trafalgar(spell?) and choose one with a leisurely/moderate pace.

Other wise, machiam local tour, rush rush, take photo, rush rush.

I suggest covering London, Italy, Switzerland for the my so call pick of western europef or their distinctive feature/sight/architecture

[Cklasse]

Since you have 2 small kids going along, I would suggest you stick to one country, max 2.

Renting a car would be easy to move from place to place and gives flexibility for the kids. Go to Germany or Switzerland, drive around and spend sometime in each location.

 

If it is in Nov, may want to try Switzerland and stay up in Wengen so that can play some snow.

 

Beware of pickpoctket if you are taking train (although I have not encountered any). My colleague has his money stolen when boarding train with his 2 kids. One couple offered to help him bring up his luggage into the train and that's how the money went missing. It's situation like when you have to watch your kids and luggage that they will strike. Distraction is the tactic.

[Porker]

1. You can try Greece if you wanna be different as most folks tend to go to Germany, France, Switzerland and etc. Italy is nice too and this is especially the southern coastal part.

 

2. F&E is always the way to go but you should consider sticking to tour groups since you have kids in tow. But you definitely see more doing F&E. Arm yourself with a guidebook and prior research and you're good to go. Bring along the laptop so you can log on and check for info as and when you want.

 

You can fly direct to Athens from Singapore. Plenty of airlines to choose from.

[Fondue]

I also recommend a 2 week self-drive holiday in Switzerland.

 

Easy to drive around, great scenery and safe. Take a easy relax tour and both adults and kids will enjoy it.

Edited July 24, 2008 by Fondue

[Kxbc]

Traveled to some of the western European countries in the past decade F&E so may offer some views.

 

Since you are going with family, would suggest 2 countries max.

 

Your budget also determine where you want to go.

Spain, Portugal and Greece - cheaper

France, Italy, Austria, perhaps Germany - not so cheap

Switzerland, England - expensive

 

If you want to do 2 countries, choose the neighbouring ones eg Spain & Portugal, Austria & Germany. But would suggest 1 country since you only have 2 weeks and with kids, it will be more relaxing.

 

I don't self drive there so I can't comment but the trains are great (w/o children ).

 

Spain & Portugal - colourful place, friendly folks, good makan (everywhere in Europe), stunning scenery, old towns, good mix of museums, cathedrals and outdoors. Andalucia rocks for the white wash towns and villages. Granada is for the gorgeous Muslim castle. Madrid is for everything, esp for the Wife (shopping). Toledo for the small old town feel. Seveilla for the flamenco.

 

Greece - good makan, friendly folks, islands are a must-go (Santorini etc), lots of archaelogical sites (but mainly ruins due to earthquake; and can be boring for some), outdoors better than indoors

 

France - good wine and food, a bit pricey though, friendly folks but I know many will disagree, solid museums and cathedrals, Paris is (I went 3 times and still not enough). Provence is breath taking scenery. Loire Valley for the wine and castles. Normandy for the wind swept coastline and WW2 landings. And there is the French alps too.

 

England, Scotland and Ireland - there is familarity there, easy going with kids, food not that fantastic, good mix of historical sites (Bath etc) and outdoors (Lake District).

 

Italy - food food food, historical sites (too many to list), Tuscany, friendly folks, but public transport not as good but still acceptable.

 

The rest I can't remember much but will be going again. But your timing is at the late autumn/early winter period. Need to take note of shorter days and prob early closure of some places. If that is the case, skip Greece as the islands will have closed shop for the season.

 

With family tagging along, I suggest the UK.

 

If you need guidebook, I suggest Rick Steve's guidebooks http://www.ricksteves.com/. It has a niche audience. Seldom found in Singapore but try Borders. It's thin and not too chokeful with info. Easy reading. Main/impt items already selected for you. And the dining and hotel places are good too.

 

Only flown BA (good), Air France (good but wait for promotions, and lots of connecting flights to other European countries) and Qatar (to Greece but Qatar airlines suck) to Europe.

Edited July 25, 2008 by Kxbc