Europe Trip
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Noted. Thanks for your advice!!
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actually... if its for experience sake, december in Europe has its own share of things to discover...
the freezing cold for one!
if you're lucky, snow... but i think that's more in january.. not too sure... i enjoyed my trip to England and Amsterdam in December/January when i was a kid...
i started in London and surrounding towns which were closed for about 3 or 4 days after christmas... interesting walking around deserted streets and parks... very few people walking around... i think that shaped my preference for wandering around cities walking aimlessly...
Den Haag (Amsterdam) is a coastal town/city that had amazing shopping(for the 12 yr old kid i was)... freezing my butt off walking around near the windy beaches... something you cannot experience this part of the world.
warm shopping malls with high glass ceilings...
i dunno about tours though... have never been on one... -
Actually I prefer europe in May - it’s cool and the crowds are not in yet. June to August is their peak period, everything’s more expensive and crowds everywhere. if you intend to go in August, I believe in some parts (like france/UK), this is their usual holiday season - lotsa crowds, many places may not be open.
Was in Netherlands this year. If anyone ever itend to go there, get the museumkaart (you can buy in museums there), gets you free/priority entrance to most museums in Netherlands. it was amazing seeing van gogh, vermeer, rembrandt so close…(I’m not art-inclined but those were gorgeous). You’ll save loads if you even if you intend to visit only the major museums. -
>> But it seems like December is not a good time to go Europe…
Actually do think its nice to go Europe during December time, to enjoy the coldness and snow.
One bad thing is the day is too short, can’t do much sightseeing.
I had my honeymoon from mid-Dec to early-Jan, was snowing almost every day, but was fun. Wld love to bring DS, maybe not that long and only selective countries like Switzerland, Germany and Netherlands. -
My advice if you have young kids please do not to join group tour that include 3 countries in a short 10 days. It requires early morning departure each morning and going back to hotel late at night just to cover many places within the short period. Lack of sleep and rest for both adults and children will be a frustrating experience. Europe tour usually does not have many program tailor for kids. Hence, if you have younger children, they may not appreciate the beautiful scenary, musem and historical visits. It is best to go free and easy and join day or short days tours from a base city. If you have only 2 weeks, plan around 2 countries and your family can enjoy the countries at a more comfortable pace.
Every season in Europe has its beauty. Winter has its advantages and less people to jostle with. Also, enjoy the cold weather and have a cup of tea/coffee with your loves ones in Paris side street, or browse through the many chocolate shops in Belgium with your children.
My family will be going to London and Paris in Nov/Dec. We always travel free & easy and never try to go to many places in a short period. We plan to visit my husband’s college and my daughter wants to visit Cambridge and Oxford for its fame university. Enjoy a leisure holiday. Don’t be rush! Our relationship with our children became closer as we have more time to communicate on subjects which we seldom touch on in Singapore. -
Winter in Europe is grey…no greenery nor wild flowers. Not to mention, it’s also cold. But it can be beautiful too. And if you dress appropriately, it can be enjoyable.
Hols with kids can be possible but days are short and it can be wet too. I went to Italy with family (DH and 2 DDs aged 9 and 11) 3 years ago. It was a F&E self-drive hols and we even made a day trip to Munich in Germany for beer and sausages at Hofbrauhaus.
3 days in Rome, drove to Florence and Tuscany region, Venice and the Italian Alps (Dolomites) for skiing (tho there was too little snow then so the kids just played in the snow) and a day trip to Germany via Austria. The Dolomite region has a very "German" flavour and there were Christmas markets (day and night) in some towns. We stayed in the Dolomites for 4-5 days, I think.
In total, we had 11 -12 days in Italy. Not a rushed hols so it was very enjoyable. -
Fluffy:
Hi Fluffy,
My family will be going to London and Paris in Nov/Dec. We always travel free & easy and never try to go to many places in a short period. We plan to visit my husband's college and my daughter wants to visit Cambridge and Oxford for its fame university. Enjoy a leisure holiday. Don't be rush! Our relationship with our children became closer as we have more time to communicate on subjects which we seldom touch on in Singapore.
we just got back from London/Cambridge/Paris/Italy in June too.
My sister and BIL lives in Cambridge... so that served as our base. BIL is head of one of the dept in Clare College. With his special pass, we went to parts of the university not opened for public. Very cool..... DS1 and DS2 said next time they want to study in Cambridge... Well... we told them they better work hard and get a scholarship cos their parents not so rich. haha.
When we were there.... the days were long.... Day starts at 4am and ends at 10pm. So, we had lots of \"daylight\" to do stuff.... Not forgetting having BBQ in the afternoon, which is quite unthinkable in Singapore's hot weather..
Have fun !! -
Hehe personally, I love winter though it can be a little dismal without the blooming flowers... However, the sky turns dark around 3-4pm...
Winter in Rome is not so cold (not less than 10C) as it is in the mediterranean. ( haha I'm a 'winter babe') Likewise for Paris.
London is a little colder than Rome, sometimes there is blustery wind, coupled with rain, which is terribly chilly.. However, if you stay in Central London, there is no snow, unless you stay in the outskirts of London. You can take the local tour bus at your own timing. Londoners are usually warm and gracious. You can hop over to Windsor from London if your kids are interested in Lego Land. If your kid is a fan of Harry Potter, can hop over to Oxford to see the filming site of Hogwarts. Think Cambridge is best to visit during May to August, where you can row boats in the river!
I love winter in Vienna. Imagine yourself sipping a mug of warm fruit punch, shopping for Christmas goodies at the Christmas market amidst snowflakes falling on your shoulders...(sing \"Snowflakes keep falling on my head, let it snow, let it snow..\" )
Your kids can build snowman, throw snowballs in front of the palaces!
If you have kids in tow, I think it is better for you to do free and easy, not so stressful and you can tailor your itineary according to you/your kiddos' interest... :lol: -
If your kids have yet to experience cold weather then why not Europe in Dec!
We are going to Europe too! For my DS2 since he have yet to visit Europe.
We did with our DS1 to Paris and Switzerland too when he was <2, I have to say he enjoyed so much! Can ‘tell’ from those pics we took for him then. If you want to see snow, then go up to Alps and you will sure be able to see. I love Paris, so romantic.
If u r adventurous and have time for research work, also need to be alittle familiar with Europe travels, then F&E is the way to go…Otherwise, I rather suggest with tour, though need to rush but better then lost yr way or … just be careful in Paris when u r at busy tourist spot…pickpockets… -
Hi Mum@work,
which country are you going?
Paris is not that romantic, haha…because the street is quite dirty. People just let their pets poo on the street.
Paris in Dec is not that cold, likewise for London. The coldest period is during Jan to early Feb.
Other than jul-aug, Apr-May is the best time to go, cos Spring is quite pretty there. Jul-Aug is very packed. and weather is super hot too.
For England, most shops close at 5pm, close at 8pm on thur though.
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