Anonymous
08/19/2023 16:39
Subject: Europe (or similar) with kids
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We just got home from Ireland with my 2-kids very similar ages. We focused on outdoor adventures including a hike to an old stone farm village, rope bridge, rented e-bikes to bike on trails near their biggest cliffs, giants Causeway, we kayaked to a castle on an island, we stayed at two different castle hotels, we stayed at one glamping pod, we spent some time in Dublin which was definitely their least favorite part (visiting cathedrals and the book of Kells bored them). I will admit that we got very lucky with weather - I’m not sure all these activities are possible when it’s colder and rainier. Driving in a rental car was doable but not particularly enjoyable. We were on the move to do as much as possible- so not a relaxing trip. Regardless, I loved it!
Previously, we really enjoyed Costa Rica (whitewater rafting, ziplines, hot springs, waterfalls, volcanos and surfing). That was an easier trip overall…Mexico was also super fun and the easiest travel overall (xel ha, cenotes, etc..)
All in all my kids loved Ireland! But preferred the activities in Costa Rica! Good luck!
Sounds like we have a similar travel style! I'd love more info about your Ireland itinerary/where you stayed. Or even just resources on how to find those things.
Hi! I’m the PP. Below is our detailed itinerary:
9-Day Ireland Itinerary - We focused mainly on Northern Ireland for a few reasons - it's much less crowded than the southern loop and it's a bit off the beaten path! I’m including our hotels because finding room for 4-people wasn’t always easy. Sometimes it’s only possible if you say both kids are under 11.
DAY 1: Overnight flight to Dublin
DAY 2: Mourne Mountains
Arrive in Dublin
Pick up Rental Car – Newhire Car Rental was fantastic/included insurance.
Lunch in Carlingford (1hr from Dub)
Drive to Mourne Mountains (take 25-minute car ferry)
Hike Mourne Mountain - (Wee Binnian – 2.4miles) or Stand Up Paddle Board
Dinner in Newcastle
Drive to Letrim Lodge (25-mins)
Lodging: Further.Space at Letrim Lodge
Day 3: Belfast
Drive to Belfast (1-hr)
Titanic Belfast Museum –museum was a bit overrated
Taxi Tour Belfast
Belfast Castle
Lodging: AC Marriott Belfast
DAY 4: ANTRIM COAST
Leave Belfast
Brunch at Twilight Café in Carnlough
Galboly (hike to stone village – AMAZING views keep walking past the village)
Merloch Bay – AMAZING BEACH
Dark Hedges - overrated
Lodging: The Fullerton Arms (location great, food not great)
Day 5: Antrim Coast -> Co. Donegel
Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge
Giants Causeway (reserve parking)
Dunlance Castle
Castlerock Beach
Downhill Beach
Mussenden temple
Derry -(walking tour) – last tour is at 4:00pm (we didn’t make it in time)
Lodging: Shelves, Kilcar, Ireland
Day 6: SLIEVE LEAGUE CLIFFS
E-Bike Tour or Boat Tour
Dinner Quay West Restaurant in Donegal
Lodging: Ireland 5 Star Castle Hotels | Lough Eske Castle | Donegal Hotels (lougheskecastlehotel.com). We blew the budget on this one-night stay. Very beautiful but debatable if it was worth the cost.
Day 7: Dongal/Marble Arch Caves
Drive 1-hr to Marble Arch Caves (Plan Your Visit To Marble Arch Caves, Co. Fermanagh Northern Ireland) – ended up skipping the marble arches, but looks fantastic.
Clough Oughter Castle | Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark (Kayak to Clough Oughter Castle -3 hrs) – This ended up being a 5-mile kayak, very beautiful, but our kids started to complain early - still one of my favorite activities.
Drive 1-hour to Hotel
Lodging: Cabra Castle Hotel Cavan | Castle Wedding | Conference Venue
Day 8: DUBLIN
Drive to Dublin (1-hour)
Dublin
Lodging: Dublin – Maldron Hotel Smithfield
Day 9: Dublin/Fly Home
Thank you!!! Sounds amazing, and just the kind of helpful info I need. We are thinking about finding a travel agent who can help with these things if we can't figure it out
Anonymous
08/19/2023 15:48
Subject: Re:Europe (or similar) with kids
I like Venice because it’s very easy. It’s about the experience of seeing the unique city. You aren’t really doing anything. You sit have dessert and enjoy St Marks and breathe in the history. You can walk and get lost and gondola ride. You can eat easy kid food that is still amazing for adults. You can do and see glassblowing and beach. You can just kinda chill. I would go before July or Nov or Dec with kids.
I also love Costa Rica or Puerto Rico. There’s a zillion things to do in CR and that’s why people go.
There’s a lot of beauty in Canada either Banff or Quebec City. Bend OR or a resort in the W states like Yosemite or WY works. MT or ID as well.
Malta is another place I think is very cool in Europe.
I also love Costa Rica or Puerto Rico. There’s a zillion things to do in CR and that’s why people go.
There’s a lot of beauty in Canada either Banff or Quebec City. Bend OR or a resort in the W states like Yosemite or WY works. MT or ID as well.
Malta is another place I think is very cool in Europe.
Anonymous
08/19/2023 14:15
Subject: Europe (or similar) with kids
I loved the Ireland itinerary. I love Belfast and the Antrim Coast and am surprised by how many people leave it off. People will be super friendly to your kids, so you’ll have a great time.
Another great place with kids is Barcelona, if you’re looking to get someplace to stay for a week and not rent a car the whole time. Cool vibe. Great food. Castle. Cable cars. Chocolate museum. Gaudi house. Excellent aquarium. I have friends who’ve been multiple times because it’s such an easy and fun city.
Another great place with kids is Barcelona, if you’re looking to get someplace to stay for a week and not rent a car the whole time. Cool vibe. Great food. Castle. Cable cars. Chocolate museum. Gaudi house. Excellent aquarium. I have friends who’ve been multiple times because it’s such an easy and fun city.
Anonymous
08/19/2023 12:57
Subject: Europe (or similar) with kids
This is a very different flight from Europe, but if anyone is reading this and on the west coast and in OP’s situation, I would choose Singapore. It has big-city stuff- shopping, museums, history- but also tons of nature preserves, outdoor recreation, beaches, a sprawling zoo (parts are more preserve than zoo), stunning gardens, safe parks and playgrounds for kids to roam, etc. It’s a great intro to Asian culture, colonialism and migration, too. Everything is very straightforward, clean and easy- to be fair this is partly because of low-paid migrant labor, but also because of a culture that is all about combining capitalism with the public good, which is fascinating to see.
Anonymous
08/19/2023 11:37
Subject: Europe (or similar) with kids
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We just got home from Ireland with my 2-kids very similar ages. We focused on outdoor adventures including a hike to an old stone farm village, rope bridge, rented e-bikes to bike on trails near their biggest cliffs, giants Causeway, we kayaked to a castle on an island, we stayed at two different castle hotels, we stayed at one glamping pod, we spent some time in Dublin which was definitely their least favorite part (visiting cathedrals and the book of Kells bored them). I will admit that we got very lucky with weather - I’m not sure all these activities are possible when it’s colder and rainier. Driving in a rental car was doable but not particularly enjoyable. We were on the move to do as much as possible- so not a relaxing trip. Regardless, I loved it!
Previously, we really enjoyed Costa Rica (whitewater rafting, ziplines, hot springs, waterfalls, volcanos and surfing). That was an easier trip overall…Mexico was also super fun and the easiest travel overall (xel ha, cenotes, etc..)
All in all my kids loved Ireland! But preferred the activities in Costa Rica! Good luck!
Sounds like we have a similar travel style! I'd love more info about your Ireland itinerary/where you stayed. Or even just resources on how to find those things.
Hi! I’m the PP. Below is our detailed itinerary:
9-Day Ireland Itinerary - We focused mainly on Northern Ireland for a few reasons - it's much less crowded than the southern loop and it's a bit off the beaten path! I’m including our hotels because finding room for 4-people wasn’t always easy. Sometimes it’s only possible if you say both kids are under 11.
DAY 1: Overnight flight to Dublin
DAY 2: Mourne Mountains
Arrive in Dublin
Pick up Rental Car – Newhire Car Rental was fantastic/included insurance.
Lunch in Carlingford (1hr from Dub)
Drive to Mourne Mountains (take 25-minute car ferry)
Hike Mourne Mountain - (Wee Binnian – 2.4miles) or Stand Up Paddle Board
Dinner in Newcastle
Drive to Letrim Lodge (25-mins)
Lodging: Further.Space at Letrim Lodge
Day 3: Belfast
Drive to Belfast (1-hr)
Titanic Belfast Museum –museum was a bit overrated
Taxi Tour Belfast
Belfast Castle
Lodging: AC Marriott Belfast
DAY 4: ANTRIM COAST
Leave Belfast
Brunch at Twilight Café in Carnlough
Galboly (hike to stone village – AMAZING views keep walking past the village)
Merloch Bay – AMAZING BEACH
Dark Hedges - overrated
Lodging: The Fullerton Arms (location great, food not great)
Day 5: Antrim Coast -> Co. Donegel
Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge
Giants Causeway (reserve parking)
Dunlance Castle
Castlerock Beach
Downhill Beach
Mussenden temple
Derry -(walking tour) – last tour is at 4:00pm (we didn’t make it in time)
Lodging: Shelves, Kilcar, Ireland
Day 6: SLIEVE LEAGUE CLIFFS
E-Bike Tour or Boat Tour
Dinner Quay West Restaurant in Donegal
Lodging: Ireland 5 Star Castle Hotels | Lough Eske Castle | Donegal Hotels (lougheskecastlehotel.com). We blew the budget on this one-night stay. Very beautiful but debatable if it was worth the cost.
Day 7: Dongal/Marble Arch Caves
Drive 1-hr to Marble Arch Caves (Plan Your Visit To Marble Arch Caves, Co. Fermanagh Northern Ireland) – ended up skipping the marble arches, but looks fantastic.
Clough Oughter Castle | Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark (Kayak to Clough Oughter Castle -3 hrs) – This ended up being a 5-mile kayak, very beautiful, but our kids started to complain early - still one of my favorite activities.
Drive 1-hour to Hotel
Lodging: Cabra Castle Hotel Cavan | Castle Wedding | Conference Venue
Day 8: DUBLIN
Drive to Dublin (1-hour)
Dublin
Lodging: Dublin – Maldron Hotel Smithfield
Day 9: Dublin/Fly Home
Anonymous
08/18/2023 19:14
Subject: Europe (or similar) with kids
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We just got home from Ireland with my 2-kids very similar ages. We focused on outdoor adventures including a hike to an old stone farm village, rope bridge, rented e-bikes to bike on trails near their biggest cliffs, giants Causeway, we kayaked to a castle on an island, we stayed at two different castle hotels, we stayed at one glamping pod, we spent some time in Dublin which was definitely their least favorite part (visiting cathedrals and the book of Kells bored them). I will admit that we got very lucky with weather - I’m not sure all these activities are possible when it’s colder and rainier. Driving in a rental car was doable but not particularly enjoyable. We were on the move to do as much as possible- so not a relaxing trip. Regardless, I loved it!
Previously, we really enjoyed Costa Rica (whitewater rafting, ziplines, hot springs, waterfalls, volcanos and surfing). That was an easier trip overall…Mexico was also super fun and the easiest travel overall (xel ha, cenotes, etc..)
All in all my kids loved Ireland! But preferred the activities in Costa Rica! Good luck!
Does anyone NOT go to Costa Rica? Jesús.
Us. We've taken them all over, but skipped Costa Rica. Just didn't appeal for whatever reason.
What’s “all over”?
Anonymous
08/18/2023 11:59
Subject: Europe (or similar) with kids
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We just got home from Ireland with my 2-kids very similar ages. We focused on outdoor adventures including a hike to an old stone farm village, rope bridge, rented e-bikes to bike on trails near their biggest cliffs, giants Causeway, we kayaked to a castle on an island, we stayed at two different castle hotels, we stayed at one glamping pod, we spent some time in Dublin which was definitely their least favorite part (visiting cathedrals and the book of Kells bored them). I will admit that we got very lucky with weather - I’m not sure all these activities are possible when it’s colder and rainier. Driving in a rental car was doable but not particularly enjoyable. We were on the move to do as much as possible- so not a relaxing trip. Regardless, I loved it!
Previously, we really enjoyed Costa Rica (whitewater rafting, ziplines, hot springs, waterfalls, volcanos and surfing). That was an easier trip overall…Mexico was also super fun and the easiest travel overall (xel ha, cenotes, etc..)
All in all my kids loved Ireland! But preferred the activities in Costa Rica! Good luck!
Does anyone NOT go to Costa Rica? Jesús.
Us. We've taken them all over, but skipped Costa Rica. Just didn't appeal for whatever reason.
Anonymous
08/18/2023 11:50
Subject: Europe (or similar) with kids
We did Portugal (lisbon and lagos) with a 5 and 8 year old and it was great. We walked a lot in Lisbon but it was really easy to get an uber when the kids were too tired to keep walking.
Anonymous
08/18/2023 09:45
Subject: Europe (or similar) with kids
Anonymous wrote:We just got home from Ireland with my 2-kids very similar ages. We focused on outdoor adventures including a hike to an old stone farm village, rope bridge, rented e-bikes to bike on trails near their biggest cliffs, giants Causeway, we kayaked to a castle on an island, we stayed at two different castle hotels, we stayed at one glamping pod, we spent some time in Dublin which was definitely their least favorite part (visiting cathedrals and the book of Kells bored them). I will admit that we got very lucky with weather - I’m not sure all these activities are possible when it’s colder and rainier. Driving in a rental car was doable but not particularly enjoyable. We were on the move to do as much as possible- so not a relaxing trip. Regardless, I loved it!
Previously, we really enjoyed Costa Rica (whitewater rafting, ziplines, hot springs, waterfalls, volcanos and surfing). That was an easier trip overall…Mexico was also super fun and the easiest travel overall (xel ha, cenotes, etc..)
All in all my kids loved Ireland! But preferred the activities in Costa Rica! Good luck!
Does anyone NOT go to Costa Rica? Jesús.
Anonymous
08/18/2023 09:44
Subject: Europe (or similar) with kids
Anonymous wrote:We just got home from Ireland with my 2-kids very similar ages. We focused on outdoor adventures including a hike to an old stone farm village, rope bridge, rented e-bikes to bike on trails near their biggest cliffs, giants Causeway, we kayaked to a castle on an island, we stayed at two different castle hotels, we stayed at one glamping pod, we spent some time in Dublin which was definitely their least favorite part (visiting cathedrals and the book of Kells bored them). I will admit that we got very lucky with weather - I’m not sure all these activities are possible when it’s colder and rainier. Driving in a rental car was doable but not particularly enjoyable. We were on the move to do as much as possible- so not a relaxing trip. Regardless, I loved it!
Previously, we really enjoyed Costa Rica (whitewater rafting, ziplines, hot springs, waterfalls, volcanos and surfing). That was an easier trip overall…Mexico was also super fun and the easiest travel overall (xel ha, cenotes, etc..)
All in all my kids loved Ireland! But preferred the activities in Costa Rica! Good luck!
Sounds like we have a similar travel style! I'd love more info about your Ireland itinerary/where you stayed. Or even just resources on how to find those things.
Costa Rica is already a good possibility as both kids would love it, but DH and I have done it before. We've done Mexico/ DR etc on cruises and always go for the adventure excursions.
Anonymous
08/18/2023 09:13
Subject: Europe (or similar) with kids
We just got home from Ireland with my 2-kids very similar ages. We focused on outdoor adventures including a hike to an old stone farm village, rope bridge, rented e-bikes to bike on trails near their biggest cliffs, giants Causeway, we kayaked to a castle on an island, we stayed at two different castle hotels, we stayed at one glamping pod, we spent some time in Dublin which was definitely their least favorite part (visiting cathedrals and the book of Kells bored them). I will admit that we got very lucky with weather - I’m not sure all these activities are possible when it’s colder and rainier. Driving in a rental car was doable but not particularly enjoyable. We were on the move to do as much as possible- so not a relaxing trip. Regardless, I loved it!
Previously, we really enjoyed Costa Rica (whitewater rafting, ziplines, hot springs, waterfalls, volcanos and surfing). That was an easier trip overall…Mexico was also super fun and the easiest travel overall (xel ha, cenotes, etc..)
All in all my kids loved Ireland! But preferred the activities in Costa Rica! Good luck!
Previously, we really enjoyed Costa Rica (whitewater rafting, ziplines, hot springs, waterfalls, volcanos and surfing). That was an easier trip overall…Mexico was also super fun and the easiest travel overall (xel ha, cenotes, etc..)
All in all my kids loved Ireland! But preferred the activities in Costa Rica! Good luck!