Looking for Advice for Travelling to Europe in June / July

barga in on 28/02/2019 - 21:13

Hello fellow OZBs

We are travelling to Europe for the first time and would love to hear all your experiences and advice.

We are family of 4 that include two boys age 10 and 6. We are reaching Rome on 21 June and flying out of London on 15 July. Total 25 days

We have a just a rough overview of where to go.
Rome - 3 days
Florence - 2 days (Ferrari mueseum a must)
Venice - 3 days
Paris - 4 days including Disneyland
London and Scotland - 9 days
Total until now - 21 days.

We are flexible to above places.

What else can we cover (Amsterdam / Germany / Switzerland / more in France). Where to go at these places. What kids places could we cover. Where to stay. How to travel within Europe. Sources for saving money? What sports could we watch (Wimbledon / any soccer matches then / others / will watch one match of cricket world cup)

We are kind of middle income travellers, would generally stay in 3-4 star places.

Thank you heaps in advance.

Travel

Comments

  • altomic on 28/02/2019 - 21:41
    +1

    venice 2 days is enough,

    airbnb.

    • barga in on 28/02/2019 - 22:38

      I will keep that in mind.. thanks

    • manshrew on 01/03/2019 - 15:11

      Or stay in Mestre and take the bus in for each day.

  • Matta955 on 28/02/2019 - 22:02
    +1

    That seems quite rushed with two kids - particularly travelling between countries.

    In any case, this website is great for train travel https://www.seat61.com/index-mobile.htm

    • barga in on 28/02/2019 - 22:39

      More than happy to slow down. Any suggestions.

      Thanks for the website

      • fantombloo on 01/03/2019 - 00:17
        +2

        My opinion: all your other destinations are big cities and fast paced so stay outside of Florence and in the Tuscan countryside. Do day trips to Florence and to lots of little towns. Skip another big city and make a week of it - the quieter part of your holiday. Maybe get a place with a pool too and chill overlooking the beautiful Tuscan hills. The kids will love it.

        • barga in on 02/03/2019 - 07:04

          Definitely will consider.. thanks

  • [Deactivated] on 28/02/2019 - 22:03
    +2

    Travelling peak season will cost you a fair bit. London also gets crazy at peak, unpleasantly so. I would try my best to go there slightly outside peak.

    • barga in on 28/02/2019 - 22:39

      I have already bit that bullet.

      • [Deactivated] on 01/03/2019 - 13:49
        +1

        Hampton Court Palace and British Museum are my choices for a family.

        • barga in on 02/03/2019 - 07:05

          Noted thanks

  • JimmyF on 28/02/2019 - 22:14

    Grab a simcard while still onsale…. only 2 hours left!

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/440396

    • barga in on 28/02/2019 - 22:41

      Missed it, expired now

      • JimmyF on 01/03/2019 - 07:52

        Booo, finished at midnight last night.

        • floppy on 01/03/2019 - 09:24

          SAVE15 code gives you 15% off first purchase

  • Ryanek on 01/03/2019 - 08:22
    +1

    TIL there's a Disney Land in Paris.

    • barga in on 02/03/2019 - 07:05

      On my list. Ta

      • fantombloo on 02/03/2019 - 08:02

        There's a Disneyland in various places. I hear the Paris one is usually very crowded too. Consider Parc Asterix instead.

  • Randxyz123 on 01/03/2019 - 08:38
    +1

    Florence - 2 days (Ferrari mueseum a must)

    Museo Ferrari/ Ferrari Museum is quite close to Florence but it will be quite a bit of the day getting there. It is about an hour drive. I didn't make it there last time but I figured out how I'd do it. Rent a car and drive up will be a really fun day for the kids. If they like cars then Lamborginhi is only a short drive from Modena. Personally, I'd add the extra days in Italy. Stop in Bologna for half a day. (I'm jealous just writing this)

    Anyway…

    Florence well you can google it but Uffizi Gallery obviously and various other places. Make sure you don't over do it. Italy isn't going anywhere, it will be hot and taking time out for a pizza slice is important.

    • barga in on 02/03/2019 - 07:06

      Kids have decided to have three pizza meals a day.. lol. I will look up Bologna thanks

  • TheMindsetTraveller on 01/03/2019 - 09:11
    +1

    Seems like a lot of of cities esp with two children in tow.

    I would cut back one or two cities and then add a beach destination - not only you can 'relax' but also the children will love being on the water esp during the warmer time you are travelling.

    • GG57 on 01/03/2019 - 09:48
      +1

      I agree with this to some degree (if you children like the beach).
      Apart from Disneyland, include some more downtime for your children (aligned with their specific likes). For example, google for children-focused science museums or zoos or whatever in the mentioned cities / countries.

      Nothing worse than dragging around bored kids while the adults try to enjoy the Musee du Louvre.

  • crashloaded on 01/03/2019 - 10:25
    +1

    You are trying to fit a lot in, which is great but from experience, this won't be a relaxing holiday with that much travelling, when my partner and i do holiday's like this, we feel like we need holiday when we get home :D

    I highly recommend Amsterdam, the main cost is accom, but apart from that, it can be done in a cost effective way as it's easy to walk everywhere.

    In my opinion, unless you know someone that can get tickets, you will struggle to go to a football match. I travel to Leeds twice a year and the only way i can get tickets to the football is through members i know.

    Do a lot of research before visiting any Scandinavian countries, it will put a large dent in your budget.

    • barga in on 02/03/2019 - 07:07

      Noted thanks

  • Cheap Steve on 01/03/2019 - 20:54
    +1

    The best part of Italy is the food. Just keep shoving pizza and gelato in your kid’s mouths and I am sure your kids will think it’s the greatest holiday ever and be happy to tag along to whatever you want to do.

    Maybe even consider cutting Venice and spend that time at the beach at Cinque Terre and then your 3 Italy locations are all relatively close to one another.

    Also, if you do decide to go to Venice, you won’t be too far from Slovenia. A friend of mine, with 4 young kids, recently came back from his Europe holiday and said Slovenia was their family favourite.

    • barga in on 02/03/2019 - 07:08

      Will keep in mind.. thanks

      Cinque Terre
      Slovenia

  • Yola on 02/03/2019 - 12:22

    I went to Paris with my kids when they were 4 and 8. The highlight for them was the Luxembourg Gardens which have a gated playground with climbing equipment and a pond where they can sail small boats. Had to drag them away. Best tip for any Disneyland is to never catch the train at the Main Station, it has the longest queues, plan your day around the live performances as they are excellent and only on at set times and stay for the night parade, it is a highlight. French Hotels are often too small for 4 people in one room, try to get an apartment. This Hotel is in a great location and has apartments. But it is not cheap.

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