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Original poster

Any body been backpacking - with kids?

18 replies

sparkybabe · 13/12/2007 10:27

I am thinking of going round europe next year with my ds's, (aged 15,11,and 9 by then), backpacking from hostel to hostel. I have never been backpacking before, but I fancy spain,france,germany and maybe a bit of scandinavia, before dh will join us for the journey home. I am going to go with a friend and her 2 dds. Am I mad? Has anyone done it, and how do I go about it? Do i have to pre-book hostels? How many per room in a hostel?

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purpleduck · 13/12/2007 11:32

I haven't done it, but am thinking about doing something similar at some point. Years ago when I was in Egypt, we met a family who were travelling for an extended period with their kids. The youngest was 3 or something. They said it was hard, but very worth it. Its always sort of stayed with me. Then a few weeks ago I saw a family on Oprah who took their 3 kids away for a year. They went to places that were quite poor, with the intention of serving the communities that they visited. The kids seemed to get so much out of it. So, no, I don't think you are mad, I think its an amazing idea- go for it!!!
How long were you thinking of going for?

Original poster
sparkybabe · 13/12/2007 12:51

I was thinking of taking the dc in the summer hols, for maybe 4-5 weeks. I'd like them to see some of europe, and I want to use a bit of my (schoolgirl) french/german. I think it'll be good for them, but peolpe i've spoken to about it just focuson the 'what if things go wring' aspect. Please tell me i'm not bening irresponsible!

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kslatts · 13/12/2007 13:21

I think it sounds great.

purpleduck · 13/12/2007 13:25

YOU ARE NOT BEING IRRESPONSIBLE!!!!

You are going to safe countries (safer probably than the uk ) and they are covered by the health card thingy aren't they (is scandanavia?)? As long as you sort out the insurance stuff, then I think its fine. More than fine - its amazing!!! And things will go wrong, the kids will get cranky, whatever, but its a fantastic thing to do. What I love about the idea is that not only is it a wonderful experience, but your kids will always share that experience.
Go for it!

BTW, even if things did go terribly wrong, its not that far away!!!!

purpleduck · 13/12/2007 13:25

YOU ARE NOT BEING IRRESPONSIBLE!!!!

You are going to safe countries (safer probably than the uk ) and they are covered by the health card thingy aren't they (is scandanavia?)? As long as you sort out the insurance stuff, then I think its fine. More than fine - its amazing!!! And things will go wrong, the kids will get cranky, whatever, but its a fantastic thing to do. What I love about the idea is that not only is it a wonderful experience, but your kids will always share that experience.
Go for it!

BTW, even if things did go terribly wrong, its not that far away!!!!

purpleduck · 13/12/2007 13:26

oops

mummyvontummy · 13/12/2007 13:29

Exactly-you can get a Ryanair flight home if things get that bad! I want to go interrailing with my dd (4)-I am off from June to October this year, so thought it was a now or never thing-worst thing that could possibly happen-you lose your passport and have to go to the embassy, a dc gets a tummy bug and sets you back a few days, or you all get too tired so sleep in until 12 for a few days. Best thing that can happen? Where do we begin! It beats Butlins anyway!

Original poster
sparkybabe · 13/12/2007 13:34

Mummyvontummy - where are you going to be staying? I'd love to do interrailing but I don't know about the cost?

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mummyvontummy · 13/12/2007 13:54

I'm a student (mature student of course!) so get discounts, can plan it through the university etc, so think it works out cheaper. I want to do France, Germany, Italy and possibly Sicily if we can get over there. REALLY fancy some eastern eurpoean countries before they become too westernised but think it may be a bit dodgy on my own with a lo. It isn't too bad-I know quite a few people who have done it, but when I get more info I'll pass it on if you like?

mummyvontummy · 13/12/2007 13:55

It isn't too bad monetarily I meant! xx

Original poster
sparkybabe · 14/12/2007 10:13

Hey maybe we'll see you on the road! I think we will be training it, (cheap enough in germany at weekend, I know) rrather than flying, or maybe coach. I tink we'll try to stay in one place for a few days before moving on. Have you booked any hostels? We've been advised to book well before, but that rather defeats the object of just going!

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mummyvontummy · 14/12/2007 11:58

I really like the idea of just going-I'm organised enough sometimes to do the book in advance thing, but the whole point is to de-stress, not to be thinking "I need to be in Bruges in two hours and there are no trains and I don't speak the language and ARGH!", but on the other hand if you have NOWHERE to sleep that would be much more stressful! Hmmm ......

Blandmum · 14/12/2007 12:15

The card you need for the health care is the EHIC. Just bear in mind that this gives you the local equivalent of the NHS, and the different systems work differently....In France for example you have to pay for the medicines, but can later claim them back.

if you explore the hostels on line, you may well find that some of them have family bunk rooms, that could be good for you to use

Original poster
sparkybabe · 15/12/2007 11:21

Thanks MB I think we have the EHIC cards (from going skiing last year) - do they last forever? I agree MvT - i don;t want to be prebooked everywhere, but if everywhere is full....
anyway, not goin g to worry about that now, I suppose we could always sleep on the beach?

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Blandmum · 15/12/2007 11:27

You have to watch the sleeping on the beach thing. Some countries are 'better' about it than others. General advice is to only sleep on the beach if you can see other people doing it.

If you are going to be hosteling/camping, then the Rough Guide books are excellent. They often list phone numbers and websites, so you can book in advance. they will also let you know the legal status of rough camping etc. And give some great budget places to stay/ eat. I've never had bad advice from any of the Rough Guides that I have used.

I think that the new EHIC is 'long lasting' the old paper forms had to be repeated every year IIRC

Krimble · 15/12/2007 22:26

Have a look at International Hostel Association. They YHA and SYHA are part of that organisation and seem to be a bit less rowdy than some backbackers hostels. You can book ahead and they have the option of family rooms, I wouldn't be comfortable in a 16 bed mixed dorm myself nevermind with kids, but thats a personal thing.

I loved hosteling as a kid in Scotland, went loads of places and meet lots of people, I still remember 2 american ladies shaking my bunkbed to show mw what an earthquake was like . Good prices normally.

Original poster
sparkybabe · 16/12/2007 11:13

Thanks everyone - I have had a look at IHA, they have family rooms, as do the YHA. They range in price from 6 euro (!) to about 30 euro. But we were thinking of going to the YHA at Poitiers for a few days to go to the themepark there and it's already fully booked in August!

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Original poster
sparkybabe · 18/01/2008 12:05

Anybody know of a cheap place to stay at Europa Park in germany? Even the hostels seem to be E26 per person per night (4 of us)

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