Bulgaria or Estonia

[Anonymous]

Sofia is lovely. I didn't take my child with me so I can't speak to how kid friendly it is but I think it is a great option.

[Anonymous]

Talinn is stunning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Estonia and Bulgaria are fine choices. If you visit Estonia, consider a side trip to St Petersburg

Other great destinations in Europe include Portugal, Luxembourg, Iceland and San Marino. All are hidden gems!

Sorry to be snarky but I’d say Portugal and Iceland are the polar opposite of hidden gems!

[Anonymous]

I love Tallinn and have been several times. I’d take advantage of its location and do a day trip or overnight to Helsinki (fun children’s museum not far from where the high speed ferry docks).

[Anonymous]

We visited both with our kiddo when she was a toddler. Sofia is nice, and within a few hours you could also visit parts of Serbia or north Macedonia. We did that and enjoyed it, but overall, they weren’t the most fun locations for a toddler.

During a different trip, we went to Estonia and loved Tallinn. Age 5, your child may really like the history, and there are great castles to explore, cool cobblestone streets, and also some pretty nice shopping and interesting restaurants. They’re also very close to the sea, which is an added bonus. During that trip we did three days in Estonia and traveled on to do a few days in Latvia and Lithuania. You could easily add on one of those if you’d like to see more than one location. Also, you can take a high-speed ferry across to hell think he, which might be fun.

Or, as another suggested, you could do a longer trip and include St. Petersburg. That may be more difficult to coordinate given the visa situation, unless you take an overnight ferry cruise, where Americans can avoid requiring a visa, if you visit STP for under 48 hours. It’s not super luxurious, but I did this (but before kids) and it was quite doable. Can give more detail if you’d like.

[Anonymous]

* Helsinki
(typo above)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We visited both with our kiddo when she was a toddler. Sofia is nice, and within a few hours you could also visit parts of Serbia or north Macedonia. We did that and enjoyed it, but overall, they weren’t the most fun locations for a toddler.

During a different trip, we went to Estonia and loved Tallinn. Age 5, your child may really like the history, and there are great castles to explore, cool cobblestone streets, and also some pretty nice shopping and interesting restaurants. They’re also very close to the sea, which is an added bonus. During that trip we did three days in Estonia and traveled on to do a few days in Latvia and Lithuania. You could easily add on one of those if you’d like to see more than one location. Also, you can take a high-speed ferry across to hell think he, which might be fun.

Or, as another suggested, you could do a longer trip and include St. Petersburg. That may be more difficult to coordinate given the visa situation, unless you take an overnight ferry cruise, where Americans can avoid requiring a visa, if you visit STP for under 48 hours. It’s not super luxurious, but I did this (but before kids) and it was quite doable. Can give more detail if you’d like.

Thank you! We have also been considering adding Latvia and/or Lithuania or just exploring more of Estonia (outside of Tallinn). What are your opinions on Latvia and Lithuania. Better to save for their own trip or add on to Estonia? I worry we'll be too rushed and if we stay in Estonia we can enjoy more that the country has to offer. Many thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We visited both with our kiddo when she was a toddler. Sofia is nice, and within a few hours you could also visit parts of Serbia or north Macedonia. We did that and enjoyed it, but overall, they weren’t the most fun locations for a toddler.

During a different trip, we went to Estonia and loved Tallinn. Age 5, your child may really like the history, and there are great castles to explore, cool cobblestone streets, and also some pretty nice shopping and interesting restaurants. They’re also very close to the sea, which is an added bonus. During that trip we did three days in Estonia and traveled on to do a few days in Latvia and Lithuania. You could easily add on one of those if you’d like to see more than one location. Also, you can take a high-speed ferry across to hell think he, which might be fun.

Or, as another suggested, you could do a longer trip and include St. Petersburg. That may be more difficult to coordinate given the visa situation, unless you take an overnight ferry cruise, where Americans can avoid requiring a visa, if you visit STP for under 48 hours. It’s not super luxurious, but I did this (but before kids) and it was quite doable. Can give more detail if you’d like.

Thank you! We have also been considering adding Latvia and/or Lithuania or just exploring more of Estonia (outside of Tallinn). What are your opinions on Latvia and Lithuania. Better to save for their own trip or add on to Estonia? I worry we'll be too rushed and if we stay in Estonia we can enjoy more that the country has to offer. Many thanks!

What you seem to not be comprehending is that Estonia has very little to offer. It’s a weekend trip at most. That’s how we do it here in Europe. Taking an overseas flight just to visit Estonia would be absurd, especially with a small child in tow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We visited both with our kiddo when she was a toddler. Sofia is nice, and within a few hours you could also visit parts of Serbia or north Macedonia. We did that and enjoyed it, but overall, they weren’t the most fun locations for a toddler.

During a different trip, we went to Estonia and loved Tallinn. Age 5, your child may really like the history, and there are great castles to explore, cool cobblestone streets, and also some pretty nice shopping and interesting restaurants. They’re also very close to the sea, which is an added bonus. During that trip we did three days in Estonia and traveled on to do a few days in Latvia and Lithuania. You could easily add on one of those if you’d like to see more than one location. Also, you can take a high-speed ferry across to hell think he, which might be fun.

Or, as another suggested, you could do a longer trip and include St. Petersburg. That may be more difficult to coordinate given the visa situation, unless you take an overnight ferry cruise, where Americans can avoid requiring a visa, if you visit STP for under 48 hours. It’s not super luxurious, but I did this (but before kids) and it was quite doable. Can give more detail if you’d like.

Thank you! We have also been considering adding Latvia and/or Lithuania or just exploring more of Estonia (outside of Tallinn). What are your opinions on Latvia and Lithuania. Better to save for their own trip or add on to Estonia? I worry we'll be too rushed and if we stay in Estonia we can enjoy more that the country has to offer. Many thanks!

What you seem to not be comprehending is that Estonia has very little to offer. It’s a weekend trip at most. That’s how we do it here in Europe. Taking an overseas flight just to visit Estonia would be absurd, especially with a small child in tow.

We have been to Estonia before and you can definitely spend more than a week. Ignore the PP. I wouldn't spend two full weeks in Estonia but you can most certainly fill up a week of activities, especially moving at a slower pace with a child.

[Anonymous]

If you are looking for something off the beaten path in Europe, I’d recommend Albania. Sorry to throw a whole new country into the mix. In the North you have beautiful mountains. Great for hiking. In the south you have amazing beaches and Roman ruins (Butrint). In the eastern part you have Lake Prespa and Ohrid. They love children and kids are welcome everywhere. There’s also a world UNESCO village/town. I forget the name. Highly recommend it. It’s also pretty cheap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are looking for something off the beaten path in Europe, I’d recommend Albania. Sorry to throw a whole new country into the mix. In the North you have beautiful mountains. Great for hiking. In the south you have amazing beaches and Roman ruins (Butrint). In the eastern part you have Lake Prespa and Ohrid. They love children and kids are welcome everywhere. There’s also a world UNESCO village/town. I forget the name. Highly recommend it. It’s also pretty cheap.

Yes, we have been, and it’s much better than Estonia. But don’t think this sheltered OP could handle it honestly.

[Anonymous]

Hopefully some of the GRU employees who post in politics section will offer some insights as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are looking for something off the beaten path in Europe, I’d recommend Albania. Sorry to throw a whole new country into the mix. In the North you have beautiful mountains. Great for hiking. In the south you have amazing beaches and Roman ruins (Butrint). In the eastern part you have Lake Prespa and Ohrid. They love children and kids are welcome everywhere. There’s also a world UNESCO village/town. I forget the name. Highly recommend it. It’s also pretty cheap.

Yes, we have been, and it’s much better than Estonia. But don’t think this sheltered OP could handle it honestly.

WTF? Half the posters think the OP should be reported to CPS for bringing a kid to Eastern Europe and this poster thinks OP is too sheltered. I hate when the trolls of DCUM find the travel section.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Estonia is a duty free shop for Finns. Not a destination.

You are a moron, I’m a Sweden and loved Tallin. Åland is a duty free stop, bot the entire country of Estonia!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We visited both with our kiddo when she was a toddler. Sofia is nice, and within a few hours you could also visit parts of Serbia or north Macedonia. We did that and enjoyed it, but overall, they weren’t the most fun locations for a toddler.

During a different trip, we went to Estonia and loved Tallinn. Age 5, your child may really like the history, and there are great castles to explore, cool cobblestone streets, and also some pretty nice shopping and interesting restaurants. They’re also very close to the sea, which is an added bonus. During that trip we did three days in Estonia and traveled on to do a few days in Latvia and Lithuania. You could easily add on one of those if you’d like to see more than one location. Also, you can take a high-speed ferry across to hell think he, which might be fun.

Or, as another suggested, you could do a longer trip and include St. Petersburg. That may be more difficult to coordinate given the visa situation, unless you take an overnight ferry cruise, where Americans can avoid requiring a visa, if you visit STP for under 48 hours. It’s not super luxurious, but I did this (but before kids) and it was quite doable. Can give more detail if you’d like.

Thank you! We have also been considering adding Latvia and/or Lithuania or just exploring more of Estonia (outside of Tallinn). What are your opinions on Latvia and Lithuania. Better to save for their own trip or add on to Estonia? I worry we'll be too rushed and if we stay in Estonia we can enjoy more that the country has to offer. Many thanks!

Swede again- I wouldn’t spend an entire week in any of those places (Estonia included) but they’d be fun for 2-3 days each. Not sure how that would work with a 5 year old though? I like the Albania beach suggestion.