Travel Plans to Europe

So I'm really excited about traveling to Europe with my family. My husband and I had travel plans pre 9-11 and were scheduled to go to Italy on 9-18, tickets in hand and all. And unbelievably the terrorist attacked and you know the rest. Point is we did not go to Italy and I swore I would never go without my kids. Now my kids have grown up (8 and 11) and we are planning our trip to Europe together.
Ok, there are so many things to consider when planning a trip to Europe with your kids. I have come to find out that some hotels charge extra for the kids and some don't. Some start charging for kids over 2, some for kids over 12. So I have been carefully screening my hotels.
I have also figured that one of the best sites for hotels is http://www.booking.com/ This site has lots of alternatives other than hotels. First off, it has all or most of the hotes; main chains, mom and pops, bed and breakfast. But also has other options like apartments and such.
Now about travel tips, I really like the Rick Steves website. http://www.ricksteves.com/ I kinda found his show humorous as he gives lots of details. But when you have the pre travel jitters, you need all the details and help you can get. So I really value his input on this.
Something to consider. My husband really wants to drive on this trip to get to see small towns and be off the beaten track of the usual tourist destinations. But I just don't want him to get exhausted driving, so I have to figure a route where we can alternate between car and train if we really want to cover the most territory.
For us personally I have made an itinerary that I hope will work for us and that my husband will approve of.


Day 1 Depart for Europe
Your exciting European trip begins. Travel to London direct.

Day 2 Arrive London
Check-in to your hotel after 2pm then enjoy the day exploring London. Have a nice dinner, and visit a pub afterwards for a nightcap.

Day 3 London
We begin with a visit to Westminster Abbey, where English kings and queens have been crowned since 1066. We will take a Blue-Badge guided tour, which will include the Royal Chapels, holding the tombs of the monarchs, as well as Poets' Corner, featuring memorials to famous British literary figures. Our morning continues as we walk past the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, before taking a Thames River Cruise, a relaxing way to view many of London's most magnificent sights. This afternoon we will visit the Tower of London, one of Britain's most fascinating and important historical structures, with macabre associations with the legendary figures imprisoned and/or executed here. Our visit will include the armories, a display of instruments of torture and execution and the Crown Jewels Exhibit. This evening we will spend time around Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square, two of London's most vibrant and lively areas.

Day 4 London to Brussels
We board Eurostar and pass the English Channel to Brussels, capital of Belgium, which is over 1,000 years old and today the administrative center of the European Union. A city tour of this most beautiful European city will begin in the medieval square, The Grand Place which is surrounded by ancient guild houses magnificently decorated with soaring gables, ornate facades and incredible carvings. Here you will see the historic Town Hall, a Gothic masterpiece and the Maison du Roi as well as the Manneken Pis statue (the popular symbol of Brussels). A nice excursion on the Euro Cham as we head for the White Cliffs of Dover and Channel crossing to France. It's a short drive to Belgium and its capital, Brussels. See the medieval buildings of the Grand Place and the intriguing Mannekin-Pis and make sure you take the time to try some Belgian specialities - waffles, chocolate and beer!

Day 5 Brussels
While in Brussels you may also opt to tour Bruges and Ghent which has some of the best preserved Renaissance architecture in Europe. While in Bruges, enjoy the sights of many bridges, palaces, the Old Market square, and some of the art work in the Memling Museum. Ghent is a traditional Flemish university town,where Emperor Charles V was born. In the St. Bavo Cathedral you will have time to admire the superb Adoration of the Mystic Lamb“, a masterpiece by Jan van Eyck.

Day 6 Brussels to Paris
We board the high speen Thalys train and head for Paris, France. This afternoon we will take a Seine River Cruise, which will take us under many of Paris' graceful bridges, and past many important landmarks and monuments along both banks - a perfect introduction to the beauty of Paris. Sightseeing includes some of the most celebrated icons of Europe. Perhaps take the opportunity to visit the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe or the Champs Elysées. Tonight, why not complete your Parisian experience with a French meal and a famous Parisian cabaret? (B) Or we can explore Mont St. Michel, one of the most enchanting sights in France. We will make the steep climb up Grande Rue, lined with 15th and 16th century houses, and explore the Mont, before we visit the Abbey, known as the "Marvel of the West." Ramparts encircle the church and a three-tiered ensemble of 13th-century buildings called La Merveille, which rise dramatically to the pointed spire of the abbey church. Our day continues into Brittany, where we will stop for a visit to Fougeres, a fortress town near the border of Brittany and the Loire Valley. We will explore the remains of the 11th-15th century Chateau de Fougeres, and those that choose can climb the castle's ramparts and towers to get a feel of what it would have been like to live and fight in a medieval castle. We continue to Tours, where we will explore the charming Old Quarter, including Place Plumereau, Charlemagne's Tower and St-Gatien Cathedral.

Day 7 Paris
This morning we explore the treasures of the Ile de la Cite, beginning with a visit to the ethereal and magical Sainte Chapelle, one of the masterpieces of Western architecture, commissioned by Louis IX. The tiny Gothic marvel features 15 of the most spectacular stained glass windows in Europe, which depict over 1,000 religious scenes. Our morning continues with a visit to the nearby cathedral of Notre Dame, begun in 1163 on a spot that had already been a religious shrine since Roman times. Over the centuries, the cathedral has been the scene of some of France's most momentous occasions, including the coronation of Napoleon. This afternoon we will explore the Marais Quarter, whose history stretches back to the beginning of the city. The Marais is a perfect place to take in the Parisian lifestyle and features magnificent shops and cafes, as well as La Place des Vosges, the oldest square in Paris. This evening, for a complete contrast, we will visit the modern Pompidou Center. This colorful combination of steel, glass, pipes and tubes houses fine collections of modern art. Walk around the elegant streets of Paris. Find a cute coffee shop and sit down and breathe the Parisian air. Have some crepes with it, why not?

Day 8 Paris
Our morning commences in the Place de la Bastille, where on July 14, 1789, an angry Parisian mob stormed the notorious prison and freed the prisoners. We continue with a visit to the Conciergerie, forming part of the huge Palais de Justice. This historic building served as a prison from 1391-1914, including those that awaited their execution during the Revolution. Highlights of our visit will include: the superb four-aisled Gothic Hall, the 11th century torture chamber and the 14th century clock tower. This afternoon we will explore the square with a peaceful name but a bloody history, Place de la Concorde. This square in the heart of Paris was the sight of the guillotine, which was set up for the execution of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. The remainder of the afternoon will be free to explore Paris at your leisure. Might we suggest a stroll around the Tuileries Quarter, including the beautiful Jardin du Palais Royal?
Or, Our morning commences with an ascent of the Arc de Triomphe, a massive triumphal arch, commissioned by Napoleon, which today is a symbol of Paris and home to the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We continue with a stroll along the Champs Elysees, Paris' most spectacular thoroughfare, which offers a beautiful look at Parisian life and architecture. We return to the Place de la Concorde, before strolling through the Jardin des Tuileries, the beautiful Neo-Classical gardens which lead to the entrance of the Louvre. We will enjoy a specialist-guided tour through the museum, which will include: Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, and many of the finest paintings and sculpture from Western Civilization. This afternoon we visit the Hotel des Invalides, an imposing building commissioned by Louis XIV for his wounded and homeless veterans. We will visit the Dome Church, built by Mansart for Louis XIV in 1676. The church is one of the finest examples of 17th century French architecture and is highlighted by the massive Tomb of Napoleon. This evening we will dine in and stroll through the Latin Quarter, a section of the city that dates back to the Roman times and which is generally associated with artists, intellectuals and political unrest, and a walk around the Sorbonne, Paris' oldest university.
We stop for lunch in Paris neighborhood of Montmatre and visit the local antique shops.

Day 9 Paris to Madrid
Today we travel accross the border to Spain and visit the magnificent capitol city of Madrid. Upon our arrival we will explore Madrid's Old Quarter, including: the Plaza Mayor, Madrid's most famous square, and the Puerta del Sol, where we will view the Kilometre Zero marker and Madrid's symbol, the Madrono. If time permits we will visit the Plaza de Espana, where we will view the monuments to Columbus and Don Quixote, before walking past the gardens and statues that lead up to the richly decorated Palacio Real, the home of Spain's Bourbon monarchs until 1931. Our afternoon begins at the Puerta de Alcala, the ceremonial gateway to Madrid erected by Carlos III, followed by a walk along the Calle de Alcala to the Plaza de Cibeles, featuring a magnificent fountain with a statue of the roman Goddess Cybele. We continue with a visit to the Prado, one of the world's finest art museums, featuring works by: Raphael, van der Weyden, Bosch, Rubens, Titian, El Greco, Caravaggio, and a fabulous collection of works by the Spanish masters, Velazquez and Goya. Our day concludes in the Parque del Retiro, once the grounds of Felipe IV's royal palace complex, where we will hire Row Boats and paddle around on the lake.

Day 10 Toledo
This morning we travel to historic Toledo, picturesquely sited on a hill above the River Tagus. Our day commences with a Walking Tour to explore central Toledo, with streets barely wide enough for a man and his donkey. During our walk, we will have the opportunity to visit spectacular shops that produce and sell Damascene gold jewelry, as well as medieval swords. Our day continues with a brief visit to the Iglesia de Santo Tome, where we will view El Greco's masterpiece, The Burial of the Count of Orgaz. Toledo is the capital of Sephardic Judaism and we will visit the Sinagoga del Transito, which features the most elaborate Mudejar architecture in Toledo. Our visit will also include the adjoining Museo Sefardi, with fascinating tombstones, costumes and sacred objects. We conclude our afternoon with a visit to the Toledo Cathedral, the spiritual heart of the Spanish church, and the seat of the Primate of all Spain. We return to Madrid for the evening.

Day 11 Toledo to Benidorm
We wind through the gorgeous roads to the coast of Spain and head to the mediterranean beach city of Benidorm.

Day 12 Benidorm
We can spend the day in the beach and enjoy the crystal waters of the mediterranean. As the afternoon arrives we can drive north to the small town of Benitachel, where a real estate boom of beach villas is exploding.

Day 13 Benidorm to Santander
We ride a train off the beaten path to the northern coast of Spain and spend some time in Santander, Oviedo and San Sebastian.

Day 14 Santander, Oviedo or San Sebastian
Enjoy the coastal city and visit neighboring towns of Oviedo to see the Gugenheim museum. Eat in San Sebastian and relax in the sun-drenched beaches of Santander - the choice is yours!

Day 15 Spanish Riviera to Barcelona
We travel south today through the rustic countryside of Pamplona. As we skim past the Pyrénées we reach Spain and our destination, vibrant Barcelona.

Day 16 Barcelona
Our included sightseeing tour is a great introduction to this celebrated city. See Gaudi's Sagrada Familia Cathedral, the 1992 Olympic Complex and the Gothic district. A chance to experience Barcelona's famed shopping street La Rambla and discover some of Spain's specialties. Tonight why not experience the passion of Flamenco dancing?

Day 17 Barcelona to Bordeaux
We return to France today, past medieval cities, golden fields and vineyards. This evening we reach the famous wine-producing town of Bordeaux.

Day 18 Bordeaux to Paris
Continuing north, we pass the chateaux of the Loire Valley and on to the splendour of Paris.

Day 19 Paris

Day 20 Paris to London

Day 21 London to Home


Ok so this is just a sketch and I'm not sure if this will pan out.
One thing to consider, make the reservations from home or once we get there?
I don't think this itinerary should be set in stone anytime soon.