Travel to USA with 2 pre-school children

[minnie2004]

Hi Busymom,

Indeed I haven't been a frequent visitor of KSP a lot lately as I'm too busy farming (on Farmville and Farm Story :oops: ). How have you been btw? Your DD doing well in JXC?

Back to your holiday plans. I think if you're not skiing, it's better to visit Chamonix in the June school holiday as it won't be freezing cold and the kids still get to see the snow on the mountain. Also, the luge d'ete will be open in summer and i think the kids will find it more fun. If you guys are really keen to see snow and experience a snowy winter, then Japan maybe an easier option at this age.

When I was there 9 years ago, I flew from London to Nimes in the south of France on Ryanair (i booked online and only paid like GBP40 for taxes!). Then went to Avignon and Annecy on TGV. Charmonix was a day trip from Annecy. The mountain train was slow but quite interesting and an experience itself. Finally to Paris from Annecy. It was a great trip and the best thing was Euro was like 90cents vs USD back then

[verykiasu2010]

hi Busymom


I have done both Paris - Lyon - Annecy - Geneva - Zurich and vice versa

Chamonix is on a short detour from Annecy and is on the way from Annecy / Geneva to Italy (Milan)

If you fly in from Zurich, you can still fly out from Paris without sacrificing your Paris shopping, but minus the time-wasting back-tracking of a holiday. Open-jaw ticketing does not cost more

Both Zurich and Paris are served by SQ Airbus 380 (now think twice after Qantas scare, haha, or would be much safer than before)

As another forumer posted here, Annecy is a nice place to explore, love the lake side al fresco dining

For official snow activities with the local ski schools / resorts, it only opens from 4 Dec in Swiss and from 16 Dec in France…but there are other activities with snow before 16 Dec, eg huskies ride. Chamonix is where Mont Blanc is (French) and on the Swiss side is the Zermatt…, and Les 7 Laux Prapoutel near Chambery in France is cheap and good too…short drive from Geneva or Lyon or Annecy

I am going Zurich - Geneva this monday. If you see the very kiasu person on flight, it is me

[verykiasu2010]

sorry to borrow the US thread to talk about Europe

[Busymom]

minnie2004:

Hi Busymom,

Indeed I haven't been a frequent visitor of KSP a lot lately as I'm too busy farming (on Farmville and Farm Story :oops: ). How have you been btw? Your DD doing well in JXC?

Farming... hmm... I think my kids are playing that, but I haven't tried yet

Yes, DD is doing well in JXC. It is a bit slow-moving for her, but her teacher is allowing her to go at a faster pace than the rest of the class. I'm happy for that, although ultimately, I'm not sure what good that will be as she would have to finish the course at the same time as the rest anyway. :roll:

minnie2004:

Back to your holiday plans. I think if you're not skiing, it's better to visit Chamonix in the June school holiday as it won't be freezing cold and the kids still get to see the snow on the mountain. Also, the luge d'ete will be open in summer and i think the kids will find it more fun. If you guys are really keen to see snow and experience a snowy winter, then Japan maybe an easier option at this age.

I agree with you there, that June school holiday for this place probably makes more sense. Hence am currently looking at other alternatives. As for Japan, that was DH's original idea, but we have gone to Japan quite a few times already, including Hokkaido. Not to mention that the exchange rate now is really not attractive.

minnie2004:

When I was there 9 years ago, I flew from London to Nimes in the south of France on Ryanair (i booked online and only paid like GBP40 for taxes!). Then went to Avignon and Annecy on TGV. Charmonix was a day trip from Annecy. The mountain train was slow but quite interesting and an experience itself. Finally to Paris from Annecy. It was a great trip and the best thing was Euro was like 90cents vs USD back then

Oh yes, Euro was really at the lowest... but too bad didn't do much shopping at that time when I was in Paris Thanks for sharing. If I go there next year, will look into these places and DS will love the train ride!

[Busymom]

verykiasu2010:

hi Busymom


I have done both Paris - Lyon - Annecy - Geneva - Zurich and vice versa

Chamonix is on a short detour from Annecy and is on the way from Annecy / Geneva to Italy (Milan)

If you fly in from Zurich, you can still fly out from Paris without sacrificing your Paris shopping, but minus the time-wasting back-tracking of a holiday. Open-jaw ticketing does not cost more

Open-jaw? I ithought they do cost more (on SQ at least)?

That's quite a lot of driving, right? Don't' think DH wants to spend so much time on the road. But your suggestion of not missing Paris shopping is good...

verykiasu2010:

Both Zurich and Paris are served by SQ Airbus 380 (now think twice after Qantas scare, haha, or would be much safer than before)

hmm... I may even have to take a Qantas A380 soon, if it is not grounded by that time...

verykiasu2010:

For official snow activities with the local ski schools / resorts, it only opens from 4 Dec in Swiss and from 16 Dec in France....but there are other activities with snow before 16 Dec, eg huskies ride. Chamonix is where Mont Blanc is (French) and on the Swiss side is the Zermatt...., and Les 7 Laux Prapoutel near Chambery in France is cheap and good too....short drive from Geneva or Lyon or Annecy

Yes, Mont Blanc, was planning to see that from Aiguille du Midi. Will take note of these places if we don't go this time.

verykiasu2010:

I am going Zurich - Geneva this monday. If you see the very kiasu person on flight, it is me

I'm late in wishing you this, but hope you would have a very enjoyable and safe trip! See you back in January.

[verykiasu2010]

Busymom:

I'm late in wishing you this, but hope you would have a very enjoyable and safe trip! See you back in January.

thank you. just a biz trip. will be back to pick up the bags for the holidays..

[yc_mw]

Hi All,


Wanna revive this thread a little. I'm intending to bring my DD who will be 2yo to the States for a family vacation this Oct. Am thinking to visit LA, then LV. Would like some advise on the places to visit since the little one will only be 2YO in Oct.

Thanks all in advance for inputs.
:thankyou:

[rain4rest]

yc_mw:

Hi All,


Wanna revive this thread a little. I'm intending to bring my DD who will be 2yo to the States for a family vacation this Oct. Am thinking to visit LA, then LV. Would like some advise on the places to visit since the little one will only be 2YO in Oct.

Thanks all in advance for inputs.
:thankyou:

For LA, there are Disneyland, Universal Studios which are popular for families.

For LV, at nightime, there is 'Fountains of Bellagio' at Bellagio Hotel, Fremont Street Experience, Volcano eruption at Mirage. Just check the timings, normally starts at 7pm. & it's free.

Or visit the Hotels along the Strip, either daytime or evening, as every hotel has a theme, such as Treasure Island, Venetian etc.

I saw there is a Leid Discovery Museum suitable for toddler and up, you may google for more details. Or to M&M's world, I am sure kids will be happy to see so many colourful candies chocolates.

You may check out http://www.vegas.com to get more info on LV.

Hope it helps.

[drickymummy]

yc_mw:

Hi All,


Wanna revive this thread a little. I'm intending to bring my DD who will be 2yo to the States for a family vacation this Oct. Am thinking to visit LA, then LV. Would like some advise on the places to visit since the little one will only be 2YO in Oct.

Thanks all in advance for inputs.
:thankyou:

I just brought my 10 yr old and my baby who was 7mth old then last dec to LA, LV and SF.

San Francisco - Napa Valley. Drop by at one of the wineries for a nice outdoor picnic style lunch with food from the deli mart at the winery. The habour cruise is great too.

Yosemite national park- along the way from SF to LV. Beautiful Sceneries... We stayed at a big beautiful lodge with indoor heated pool just outside the national park.

LV - cannot remember if 2 yr old can take the helicopter cos my older boy went with hubby for the ride at Grand Canyon n they loved it while I just walked around the viewing points with baby. LV is the usual stuff with the fountain shows n night view along the strip which we only managed to do a drive thru.. No time and too tired from day time activities.. Shd have stayed at least 4 nights. We did only 3 nights ..

LA- only enjoyed Disneyland the most. We loved disneyland! rides r just right for my 10 yr old to go as single rider for most and most rides allowed baby to go on them.. they have the best nursery room too! buy the 3 day pass and dun stay too far cos parking not worth it, we stayed at hotel opp the park. Most impt is the photo pass which is the most worth it thing which we discovered late only on last day there! unlike all amusement parks which sells u the photos taken by their photographers pcs by pcs. disneyland gives u a photopass which u can take as many pics thruout your stay there and purchase all soft copies in a cd for only usd 65! we bought the pass that covers Seaworld at san diego which we did not go at all and universal studio which was terribly boring Even for my 10 yr old. The place was soooo quiet unlike USS. Only good thing is no queues for ride like transformer 3d and many other rides lor. Downtown nothing much for adults and worst still for 2 yrs old except the take the pic at the boulevard lor.

If can include San Diego which my friend did for Legoland and sea world. We did not have enough time otherwise would have done that. Shd be more fun than wasting time at downtown LA and downtown San Francisco too with a young child.

Wish we can make a trip back there again soon....

[cat_tail]

Hi all,

Nice to see this topic as my family will be planning a trip to western part of US this coming Dec. Will be covering LA, LV & San Diego. Kids are young so we will be attacking children friendly parks like Disneyland, Legoland (staying min 2 nites at their newly open Legoland hotel), Seaworld & San diego Zoo. Think we will skip Universal since we had enuff of the one in Sg. Wonder izzit too much.......

Anyway we are quite keen of trying out the helicopter rides from LV to grand Canyon too. However, their prices are really exotic so would appreciate someone can share their experience. Any inputs on other destinations or activities we should consider oso welcome. :please: