5 days in august

[TroubleInSnowland]

I have 5 days mid-August to book a short trip for this year’s family holiday so I’m thinking of doing a city break. Children are 11 and 13 - they have suggested Paris so they could practise their limited French. I thought Naples with a trip to Pompeii may be more interesting. We did Northern Spain 2 years ago. Does anyone have any other ideas? Budget is about £2000 to include verything.

If my DC were keen to improve their French, I'd definitely encourage them and there's always so much to do in Paris. I don't think Naples would be any more interesting. Paris will be busy, but I imagine that Pompeii will be equally as packed.
Eurostar do some really good value Hotel and train packages. I've just checked rough prices for your family for four nights mid August and it's coming out at around half your budget. So you'd have lots left to spend on meals and attractions.

I certainly would not consider Pompeii in August it is unbearably hot and very exposed....given its peak summer I would probably avoid Paris too.

I would maybe consider Barcelona which offers city/sun/sea and beach and it has so much to offer ...you can also perhaps give the DC's a day in Portaventura which is not too far away....or maybe Venice (although it tends to be a bit smelly and humid in the summer).

Some of the Polish cities are amazing Krakow where you can do a Segway tour (a beautiful city)...Budapest is amazing too as well as some of the Baltic cities like Riga etc.

What about Lyon if they want to improve their French. It's a great city for a mooch, food and shopping

I did a 5 day holiday mid-August last summer with my two children to Lake Maggiore in Italy - flight to Milan Malpensa, direct bus from airport to lakeside town took 30 mins, stayed at an airbnb place - we had a lovely time. Easy to use public transport - we swam in the lake, spent a couple of days at a really nice lakeside outdoor pool and did a trip to the Isole Borromee. Was cheap to eat out and the town we stayed in - Arona - was lovely. Would highly recommend.

Naples in August would be punishingly hot. Save that for the Spring or Autumn

I’ve decided Paris may be better before Christmas when the decorations are out. I don’t cope well with heat so Naples is probably out although I think I would like to go -would half term be a good time. Will take a look at Lyon and Italy.
I have a silly question. When I was a student, we would catch a coach across to France or Belgium and then wander round to find a hotel. Is this still possible or do you have to book in advance?

Yes October half term would be good for Naples, should still be warm, but not too hot.
I wouldn't leave it to chance to find a hotel - did that once about 15 years ago driving down to France in August and had real trouble finding somewhere. Airbnb is really great for finding nice places to stay at a decent price.