Mountains

[mcflumpy]

Hi we'd really like to do a European trip this year with our then 16 mo in Sept. We don't really have a country preference at the moment but are thinking about a holiday in eg the Alps as both DH & I love being outdoors. Can anyone recommend a good toddler friendly destination (and/or holidaycompany to use) for us that will be easily walkable with a pram?

TIA

Kinder Hotels, Sud Tirol for starters. Note these are marketing groups for privately owned hotels. Also have a look at Falkensteiner Hotels.

Great thanks, that's a good start.

More specifically you might want to head to an area with several lakes = more flat terrain? Examples in Austria are Salzkammergut or Carinthia. Carinthia slightly further south and tends to get better weather (big generalisation!).

We've had a few holidays in Morillon near Samoens and stayed in Chalet Kandahar. It's a beautiful area with some very pushchair friendly walks nearby, and the chalet itself had a 'granny annexe' where the owners mother lived, who was lovely and offered a chef service and babysitting service - not sure if this is still the case.

We went to St Anton when ds was about that age , Wengen/Grindelwald, Seefeld also worth considering. Otherwise you might prefer somewhere like Zell am See, Interlaken (but stay in a village outside the town itself), Lake Lucerne or one of the Italian Lakes where you can walk on the flat near the lake, get about by boat/train, hire bikes with kid seat or trailer or take trips up the surrounding mountains and perhaps use a backpack for your dc if you plan to hike or simply take in the views. There is often a small playground or petting zoo near the main restaurant at top of gondolas and cablecars, and you can usually wheel a pushchair on/off easily. Also worth looking out for indoor amenities like a swimming pool and larger places to visit relatively nearby by public transport (ie Innsbruck, Geneva, Salzburg) in case of dodgy weather.

Another great fan of Kinderhotels here. We've stayed at the Alpenrose (Lermoos) and the Hotel Alpina (St Johann) in the past and had a fantastic time. Great childcare, lots of activities (walking, cycling etc), a lovely spa/pool are and very good food.

This summer we're going to the Brennseehof in South Austria for the first time. They offer lots of sports for kids as our children are now a little older (5 and 6).

I seem to remember that at the Hotel Alpenrose they had free (mountain) buggies downstairs to use, so you wouldn't need to bring your own pram/buggy.