Best European trips with teens (we are running out of places!)

[Traveltart]

Big birthday coming up next month. It’s me, DH and two early teens. Wanted to book something exciting and long haul but events have spiked prices everywhere. We are now thinking short haul. Trip will be one to two weeks. The problem is we have done a lot of European travel…

What has been your best European trip ever? We loved Sardinia but it was peak summer and we need to take leave in April.

We have been to: Italian lakes, most of the big Italian cities, Paris and many places in France, Greece and many islands, major cities Rome, Milan, Berlin, Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Budapest, Copenhagen, Sofia, Stockholm, Geneva, Zurich, Basel, Warsaw, Prague, Salzburg, Venice, basically anywhere beautiful! We have also had plenty of Croatia holidays and have driven a lot through Europe.

I have looked at inter-railing but DH thinks DC would hate it as it would be a lot of travel and bouncing from hotel to hotel. I must have overlooked some gems or fab holidays you’ve experienced in spring?

Iceland is a good shout. Not sure about best time of year to go though.
We haven’t been to Helsinki. We have friends in Norway so have done a bit of this and the Norway in a Nutshell train journey is fab.
The Azores was always one of those places in the back of my mind that I would do when retired. Would teens like it?
On the other hand, this is my birthday and we have some teen and beach friendly trips planned in the summer…
Have been to Tenerife and Gran Canaria but not the other Canaries. Not too wedded to beach holiday though which is why sadly we have ruled out Turkey. LOVE the idea of Georgia but think kids may not be as keen. I wanted to go to Uzbekistan but it’s very expensive to fly there.

Turkey can be so much more than a beach holiday.

Are you keen on cities or something more outdoorsy?

Andorra is sublime.

I love a pp's suggestion of the Midi/ Cathar region in France.

Belgium might be nice (though chilly in April). Ghent, Antwerp, Louvain, and Brussels are all worth a visit. Forgot Bruges...

Azores think it depends on the teens - its got activities like canoeing, canyoning, boat trips to see dolphins, swim with dolphins (though water is c16C), hot springs, flights on small planes between islands. The weather will be mixed this time of year, that's why we based ourselves in a spa hotel (Octant Furnas) It was just DH and I but after we went teen DD said she loved the hotel - had pools at 37C and open 24/7. Was restricted times for children but that was good for us. If they are after buzzy cities then no.

Holland. Loads to do for early teens!

How about a ski/ snow trip? There is a lot of snow in the French alps still- I’ve no idea about other places but I imagine they will have too. I imagine we got a good moth left of skiing if not more. You could tag in a trip to somewhere like Annecy from your resort for a few days of city break too.

I have never been skiing though both DC have and would love this… me, not so much! I love cities including smaller ones, cobbled streets, galleries, food, wine and history. Favourite cities have been Venice (I’m a cliche!) and Budapest.

We did the Canal du Midi years ago and the Cathar country too. Stunning. Summer holiday is France so probably not wanting to do it this April.

We have also done Belgium and I adore the small cities.

Am very partial to some spectacular scenery coupled with a city break…

Is Inter railing a nightmare?

In terms of the time of year, have you been to Sicily?

April would be great for Turkey and there’s a lot more to it than beach resorts (eg Cappadocia) but appreciate it may be a little close to current events.

Helsinki and Tallinn could be combined with a ferry ride across the Baltic. Estonia also has some wonderful islands, though might be a bit chilly.

We went to Iceland in November and it was still worth doing. I’d definitely consider this for April. It would feel like an adventure! (As would Georgia, which would be amazing….)

I should add, favourite country is Italy and I could be convinced to go back. Is Cinque Terre over rated? It comes up as that on some of the travel threads on here.

Sicily is a great about. We spent two weeks there pre kids but I was thinking if we hadn’t been it could work as it’s so far south it’s warm enough in April.

Following your last post, I personally don’t think Interrailing needs to be a nightmare - have a look at The Man In Seat 61 for European train travel tips. You could have a few days in Vienna, then on to somewhere else in Austria or southern Germany, or head towards Bratislava.

We also spent two weeks travelling around Turkey days after 9/11. It was glorious. Cappadocia is insane.

Azores is easy to combine with Porto / Lisbon.

Cinque Terre is just overrun these days. Puglia - Lecce, Monopoli, Ostuni with a side trip to Matera. Calabria, Tropea, Scilla, Pizzo…
or Strasbourg, Colmar, the Moselle villages

I love a lot of places you've listed. Cinque Terre might be the prettiest villages I've ever been to 😍

I'd also recommend Valletta.

Have you ruled out Marrakech/Essaouira?

Iceland is very beautiful and interesting

Why don't you go further afield. Vietnam and Cambodia was my favourite holiday. My daughter who was 12 at the time loved it.

Have you explored the Swiss Alps and lakes, scenic train routes? Also Hamburg is beautiful, plus there is the biggest model railway museum there. Also Neuschwannstein? I’m also told Transylvania is worth visiting.

I would highly recommend the Balkans. New energetic people rising out of war. I travelled widely there last summer and loved it. Lots to se, do, laugh about and cry about. And wonderful people, food and beer! Good luck x

ps the azores are incerdible - you will never have experienced anything like it!!!

Uzbekistan is high on my list! It looks incredible. Waiting until the global situation is (hopefully) less volatile!

Aosta Valley in Italy might be nice. There are certainly stunning views and pretty cobbled cities/towns. Lots of history too.

What about Netherlands and Belgium? You can go on the Eurostar to Amsterdam and Brussels (which is a short train to Bruges or Ghent)

Hell yes. Valencia is a great choice at that time of year. Spend a few days in the city then either go inland or down the coast.