Help me fill 3 weeks (solo with 2 kids) in Europe

[Anonymous]

So I'm extremely lucky to be getting a rare opportunity to spend a good chunk of August abroad. Likely it will just be me and my two boys (8 and 14) with my husband joining us for the last week or so.

We will fly on August 7th to Munich and depart August 30th. We need to be in Hamburg August 8-10 but other than that, the world is our oyster! And now I'm totally overwhelmed.

There's a part of me that just wants to set-up shop in one place and have an experience the boys can do each day while I work. But then I'm like, there's so much to explore! So I'm a bit torn. So maybe a bit of both?

I have a generous budget for lodging and activities so while it's not "sky's the limit!" I can splurge on cool hotels or experiences so maybe $1000 per day all in with food. lodging, etc.

I don't want to pass on this opportunity but at this point, I'm feeling like I can't pull it off by myself without some structure and direction. Thanks for your all your ideas and suggestions!

[Anonymous]

It's not clear to me if you are going to work 8 hours every day or just need 1-2 hours? That would make a difference in what I'd recommend. If the latter, you could work early or late or when the kids need to chill...if the former, maybe staying in one place is easier?

But anyway, I've done long trips to Europe alone with kids and with spouse that hit multiple stops. We developed the locations based around key sites/activities of interest to kids and parents, then fleshed out rest of trip. Generally I found 2-3 days/nights in each location kept the trip from feeling too hectic. We did one planned activity each day then left the rest to leisurely explore (cool park; street vendors; food).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So I'm extremely lucky to be getting a rare opportunity to spend a good chunk of August abroad. Likely it will just be me and my two boys (8 and 14) with my husband joining us for the last week or so.

We will fly on August 7th to Munich and depart August 30th. We need to be in Hamburg August 8-10 but other than that, the world is our oyster! And now I'm totally overwhelmed.

There's a part of me that just wants to set-up shop in one place and have an experience the boys can do each day while I work. But then I'm like, there's so much to explore! So I'm a bit torn. So maybe a bit of both?

I have a generous budget for lodging and activities so while it's not "sky's the limit!" I can splurge on cool hotels or experiences so maybe $1000 per day all in with food. lodging, etc.

I don't want to pass on this opportunity but at this point, I'm feeling like I can't pull it off by myself without some structure and direction. Thanks for your all your ideas and suggestions!

Why are you flying to Munich on the 7th if you need to be in Hamburg (clear across the country) in the next day and how do you plan to get between the two cities?

[Anonymous]

While working???!?

[Anonymous]

Norway

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So I'm extremely lucky to be getting a rare opportunity to spend a good chunk of August abroad. Likely it will just be me and my two boys (8 and 14) with my husband joining us for the last week or so.

We will fly on August 7th to Munich and depart August 30th. We need to be in Hamburg August 8-10 but other than that, the world is our oyster! And now I'm totally overwhelmed.

There's a part of me that just wants to set-up shop in one place and have an experience the boys can do each day while I work. But then I'm like, there's so much to explore! So I'm a bit torn. So maybe a bit of both?

I have a generous budget for lodging and activities so while it's not "sky's the limit!" I can splurge on cool hotels or experiences so maybe $1000 per day all in with food. lodging, etc.

I don't want to pass on this opportunity but at this point, I'm feeling like I can't pull it off by myself without some structure and direction. Thanks for your all your ideas and suggestions!

Why are you flying to Munich on the 7th if you need to be in Hamburg (clear across the country) in the next day and how do you plan to get between the two cities?

Forgot to mention that part. We'll likely end in Munich. We can fly round trip direct and have friends there. Plus, we're keen on going to the Dolomites the week before we leave and can drive from there. This is also where my husband will likely meet us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not clear to me if you are going to work 8 hours every day or just need 1-2 hours? That would make a difference in what I'd recommend. If the latter, you could work early or late or when the kids need to chill...if the former, maybe staying in one place is easier?

But anyway, I've done long trips to Europe alone with kids and with spouse that hit multiple stops. We developed the locations based around key sites/activities of interest to kids and parents, then fleshed out rest of trip. Generally I found 2-3 days/nights in each location kept the trip from feeling too hectic. We did one planned activity each day then left the rest to leisurely explore (cool park; street vendors; food).

Thanks. This seems about right.

And working very part time. I'm a writer so just trying to get things in on deadline but will have mostly cleared the decks for that month. So maybe 8 hours total per week.

[Anonymous]

With that budget, you could bring a young adult with you to entertain the kids while you work.

I’d try to visit Berlin when you don’t have to work because there’s a lot to see and not a place to let the kids run free.

I’d either head north to Denmark and let the kids enjoy Legoland and Tivoli. Or south to southern Germany or Switzerland. Head to Wengen, where you can’t drive (only train and trams), so the kids can explore town on their own (if you’re comfortable).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With that budget, you could bring a young adult with you to entertain the kids while you work.

I’d try to visit Berlin when you don’t have to work because there’s a lot to see and not a place to let the kids run free.

I’d either head north to Denmark and let the kids enjoy Legoland and Tivoli. Or south to southern Germany or Switzerland. Head to Wengen, where you can’t drive (only train and trams), so the kids can explore town on their own (if you’re comfortable).

I now see you’re heading to Dolomites and not working too much. I’d head to Switzerland. Kids might also enjoy mine tour in Austria. But Switzerland you don’t need a rental car and can just take trains around. You can also visit southern Germany including Neuschwannstein.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With that budget, you could bring a young adult with you to entertain the kids while you work.

I’d try to visit Berlin when you don’t have to work because there’s a lot to see and not a place to let the kids run free.

I’d either head north to Denmark and let the kids enjoy Legoland and Tivoli. Or south to southern Germany or Switzerland. Head to Wengen, where you can’t drive (only train and trams), so the kids can explore town on their own (if you’re comfortable).

I actually didn't think of that idea! re: trip companion. Hmmmmm. Will think in it.

And leaning Switzerland so thanks for the Wengen tip!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With that budget, you could bring a young adult with you to entertain the kids while you work.

I’d try to visit Berlin when you don’t have to work because there’s a lot to see and not a place to let the kids run free.

I’d either head north to Denmark and let the kids enjoy Legoland and Tivoli. Or south to southern Germany or Switzerland. Head to Wengen, where you can’t drive (only train and trams), so the kids can explore town on their own (if you’re comfortable).

I now see you’re heading to Dolomites and not working too much. I’d head to Switzerland. Kids might also enjoy mine tour in Austria. But Switzerland you don’t need a rental car and can just take trains around. You can also visit southern Germany including Neuschwannstein.

Thank you! I was already leaning Switzerland so this is the nudge I need. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

If you're ending in the Dolomites, definitely visit Venice before that.

You could take a Greek Isles cruise that begins and ends in Venice. I did that with my grandparents as a teenager. It was very fun.

[Anonymous]

This is awesome. I've traveled solo for a week at a time with my two boys and we always have a ton of fun. Talk with your kids and get them involved in some of the brainstorming. What are they interested in? Any specific spots or things they really want to see or do?

I always talk with my kids about their interests before booking anything and while that doesn't 100% decide where we go, it helps to guide my decisions. We have been thinking about a long Europe trip and I guess you'll have to decide if you want to get something like the Eurrail pass and hop all over Europe every couple of nights, exploring together or if you'd like to do longer chunks in places.

Places my kids have either loved or voiced interest in: London, alps, beaches (for us beaches that are more swimmable than good for surfing), cool trains, awesome playgrounds, biking, all the delicious food, anything historical or roman. My kids really enjoy fun scavenger hunts and cool museums (more my older child but my younger one loves the interactive play areas). Talk with them and write down a list of activities, list of places you might be interested in and see how it all might fit together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is awesome. I've traveled solo for a week at a time with my two boys and we always have a ton of fun. Talk with your kids and get them involved in some of the brainstorming. What are they interested in? Any specific spots or things they really want to see or do?

I always talk with my kids about their interests before booking anything and while that doesn't 100% decide where we go, it helps to guide my decisions. We have been thinking about a long Europe trip and I guess you'll have to decide if you want to get something like the Eurrail pass and hop all over Europe every couple of nights, exploring together or if you'd like to do longer chunks in places.

Places my kids have either loved or voiced interest in: London, alps, beaches (for us beaches that are more swimmable than good for surfing), cool trains, awesome playgrounds, biking, all the delicious food, anything historical or roman. My kids really enjoy fun scavenger hunts and cool museums (more my older child but my younger one loves the interactive play areas). Talk with them and write down a list of activities, list of places you might be interested in and see how it all might fit together.

Similar interested for sure! But will get them brainstorming this week. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I spent a week in Zurich with kids and we took a different greyline tour every day and saw a lot of Switzerland. Switzerland has awesome public transportation so it might make a good base.