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?

We did the Dolomites a few years ago. Flew to Verona - a few nights there and a day to Lake Garda. Then on to Merano near Bolzano. Gorgeous area. Then back for a few nights in Bergamo. All on trains and buses. Great trip. We did want to fit in Innsbruck as well but a) I'd hurt my foot and b) I didn't think it'd be different enough from where we were for about 3 hours travel.

I loved Iceland but bloody hell it is so expensive .
It got to the point that I stopped asking the prices of items because it was giving me heart palpitations .
Everything cost so much , so be prepared to spend
Early September is a great time to go because it is not too cold and you still have a chance of seeing the Northern Lights.
Iceland is very popular with Americans who often stop in Iceland before travelling to other parts of Europe

I’m discovering that many hotels in the Dolomites close after the first week in April until May so there goes that idea!! Would ideally like to fly into Verona/Milan as I have free BA flights potentially. None for Innsbruck sadly. Found an amazing Falkensteiner hotel that was open but it’s over a grand for a night!

Thanks @SwedishEdith . We do want to go back to Bergamo actually.

Others have said the lakes are no good at that time of year… is that right? I had my eye on Turin too but seems to be more of a long weekend vibe.

Would flying into Verona then doing the Bernina express and maybe staying one night in the mountains before heading to Munich and flying out of there work? Can BA companion vouchers be multi city/open jaw or do I need to use separate vouchers per single leg?

How about Switzerland instead?

We didn't stay in hotels except in Bergamo. I didn't, personally, love Lake Garda - very crowded but we were there in June and July. I think the other lakes are probably better. We also didn't have our kids with us so can't comment from that pov. Loved Merano though and Bergamo though and Verona is worth a day.

@ForAmusedHazelQuoter Will Switzerland be more open in April than the Dolomites? It’s also mega £££ and the food is sadly not as good.

Riga or Talinn. Both amazing

We also came back recently from a four day trip to Tirana, Prizren, Pristina, Skopje and Lake Ohrid. Was wonderful.

Montenegro

We stayed in Perast and had a day trip to Kotor and I thought it was stunning, beautiful and very much worth visiting. Didn’t seem run down at all to me where we were. I would also have liked to explore the mountains and would definitely go back

We've been to Montenegro and enjoyed it. Stayed just outside Kotor so walked in in the evenings. Also went to Budva. Flew to Tivat so was 30 mins in a taxi to Kotor. Taxi driver gave us a potted history of Montenegro.

@SquallyShowersLater You asked me about my Andalucian trip itinerary, so here's the bones of it....

First of all had 7 nights so packed it in, if you have more time you can spend more time!

Flew into Seville, two nights. Great city, I had been before but it never fails to appeal. Took train to Cordoba. So easy and cheap and the trains are immaculate and on time too. You do have to go through airport like security at the train stations. Got tickets through the Renfe app/site, worked like a dream.

Cordoba is just so delightful, (2 nights) you can check it out online but the highlight was of course the Mezquita. Absolutely stunning. Again, the winding streets of the Jewish Quarter are just so atmospheric, and if you arrive at the right time of year, the patio streets with all their flowers are a sight to behold. Food incredible.

Train to Granada (2 nights) So easy once again. Granada city was absolutely jam packed with people. So crowded, but we arrived on Saturday so..... weekend madness! Great buzzy place, and free tapas with every drink. So full of food at five pm was happy to eat at Spanish time of 10pm or so. Highlights were the Albaicin, Gypsy quarter, the absolutely stunning and jaw dropping lookout point at San Nicolas where the place was buzzing with flamenco and gypsy guitar busking. Swoon. And of course the Alhambra itself. Words fail me.

Then the train to Malaga for a last night of tapas feasting in the Cathedral area, flight home next day.

I'm no spring chicken and neither is my sister, but we had absolutely no problems doing it all ourselves by train. I wouldn't have been able to figure out parking in any of those cities anyway, so it was hassle free.

All the accommodation I stayed in in Albania was perfectly nice! Not luxury (because of my own budget), but clean, safe and comfortable. There were a few grumpy ladies on a bus once (mostly because I was flustered and in their way) but most people I encountered were friendly and helpful and didn't try to scam me.

I agree that it is very distinctly different from any of the surrounding countries and you couldn't fail to notice that if you've visited anywhere else in the Balkans.

There is zero chance I would have wanted to try driving there whereas I happily drove myself around Bosnia solo.

So helpful, thank you.

How bout France cycling? The teens will love it I’m sure. France velo tourisme website will give you all the safe cycle paths. Depending where you are in the country will determine what you choose to do with the bikes! Lots of campsites/caravan parks too. The Puy du Foy looks great though sells out very quickly indeed.

I should add that the place that 16 year old DS always asks to go back to is the Spanish Pyrenees. We stayed in the Monte Perdido area for a week, then made our way slowly across the Basque Country to Bilbao.

@Traveltart - generally any area that has
snow and then summer hiking will be closing down in April. They all have to clear the mountains from ski piste equipment, and put up farm fences for cows, and wait for snow to clear.
So whilst small areas you can hike in April lower down, or if drivable, most Gondolas and mountain huts will not run April/ May in any area. That’s Same Italy/ Austria/ Switzerland etc

And the lakes are freezing in April in Italy/ Austria/ Switzerland hence beach areas again not open as only the brave cold water swimmers go for 2 mins

April is just too early for lake and beach holidays in almost all of Europe. So your really better off focusing on city break with nice thermal spas or hotel with pool For April.

Beginning September is best for lake and beach as majority tourists have gone home from summer, but the water is warm after a long summer.

You could do Northern Italy and Croatia? Fly into Trieste Italy and hire car and do dry down to Piran Slovenia, stay a few nights in town of Rovinj Croatia. Explore the caves. Postjana cave wit train is a nice day trip and won’t be as busy. There’s other caves and castles to explore. Head back to Trieste for some museums

Palma can be nice in April. Not many tourists yet so quiet to explore and can be 20+

Made a decision: Flying into Munich and out of Verona. We will stay two nights in Munich, one night in Fussen, two nights in probably Innsbruck (but if you think Bolzano is much better let me know!) and then three around Garda taking day trips to Verona. Any accommodation recommendations gratefully received!

I take it you are doing Neuschwanstein castle from Fussen? I have this high on my list, as I've seen very little of Germany.

Yes @TeamGeriatric that is the main reason for our fleeting stop there. I love a good palace. The kids will moan but I don’t care!

My ds went to Madiera on April and it was hot.

It's very hilly but very pretty

@Traveltart me too, mine are not big castle fans either, but holidays are for both parents and kids. I try and balance things they like and things we like, but we do end up with some trips that are primarily for the kids and others that are more for the parents

Munich to Verona sounds great. We’ve been to Munich a couple of times with teens and they love it (I adore Berchtesgarten.)

There are so many great ideas here. If you like adventurous trips, do try to head to Eastern Europe and The Balkans. There are so many wonderful spots. We love Bosnia and Serbia (BIL lives in Belgrade so we visit often). Also, rural Romania is stunning and my kids are always keen to go back to that part of the world. DD and I are off to Georgia this summer-I can’t wait!

Ooh @Agamede Georgia will be brilliant! The only bit of the Balkans I know well is Bulgaria. Would love to explore more.

How about thinking about activities rather than locations? City trips get samey quite fast, but if you started looking at a kayak trek along a river or a skills based holiday you'll find places you never thought of.