Lurker with a pick my destination

[mrsGreeko]

DH and I have been doing some card churning and if all goes according to plan we will have 300,000 United miles (almost there) and we might also possibly have the southwest companion pass for next year.

We live in denver. We have three kids who will be 10, 7, and 4.5 next summer. We are looking to do a week or week and a half trip next summer (end of May-beginning of August). Kids are great travelers and all have done a 4.5 hour flight so far without any issues (2 have done longer flights, 6 or 7 hours).

With our miles we can go anywhere in the US, Europe, South America, Central America, and Caribbean.

We don't do all inclusives and prefer things to see and do to just sitting on the beach all day. We usually rent a house/condo with a kitchen and prefer that over hotel rooms. Also we prefer at this point to rent a car.

We have thrown out a number of ideas, but are still looking for more ideas:
Czech Republic
Hungary
Ireland
Peru
Ecuador
Brazil
Chile
Belize
Bar harbor, Maine
Seattle/Vancouver
Yellowstone (driving trip)


We have taken kids already:
Puerto Rico (San Juan and rincon)
Hawaii (Oahu and Maui)
Texas (Galveston and San Antonio)
Florida (Orlando, cocoa beach, marathon)
Southern colorado
San Diego
Black hills, South Dakota

DH and I have both traveled through western europe separately and to Costa Rica and panama together. DH has also been to Romania and several middle Eastern countries.

So any thoughts?

[marytini]

My initial thought is if you can get that far on miles, I'd go international rather that stateside.
I don't have kids, so don't have much to offer that way, but I could see renting a house in the french/italian/spanish/whatever countryside and exploring with day trips.

Sent from my SM-G900V using proboards

[Peacock]

I would do France or Italy if possible. They are crowded and touristy but people go there for a reason and they're easy to visit with kids. Don't bother renting a car, stick to the major city for a few days and take the train elsewhere in the country. If you go to France, you can spend 5 days in Paris (louvre, Eiffel Tower, notre Dame -there's a lot to see!) plus a couple of day trips, maybe Versailles and Euro Disney. or you could rent a car and drive to mont st Michel.

What do you all like to do? Museums? Outdoor stuff? Shopping? Any specific interests?

[mrsGreeko]

Jul 24, 2015 13:07:20 GMT -5 Peacock said:

I would do France or Italy if possible. They are crowded and touristy but people go there for a reason and they're easy to visit with kids. Don't bother renting a car, stick to the major city for a few days and take the train elsewhere in the country. If you go to France, you can spend 5 days in Paris (louvre, Eiffel Tower, notre Dame -there's a lot to see!) plus a couple of day trips, maybe Versailles and Euro Disney. or you could rent a car and drive to mont st Michel.

What do you all like to do? Museums? Outdoor stuff? Shopping? Any specific interests?

I've been to Paris already and rome and Venice and selfishly I want to go somewhere I haven't already been. .

We are pretty flexible. We usually do some historical site/museums, some outdoor stuff, some tourist trap stuff, some amusement park stuff, something with animals as my middle DD loves animals, and some relaxing.

On our last trip in May to the Florida keys we went on a train tour of key west and went to the shipwreck museum and watched the street performers in key west, we went to the sea turtle hospital, we swam with the dolphins, we snorkeled (DH and my mom dove while everyone else snorkeled), we went to the beach and we did some kayaking.

So a bit of everything really.

[Peacock]

London? Ireland? Germany? Spain? Dh was in Spain a couple of months ago and loved it!

[neonpink]

I agree with others that I would do an international trip. I just spent Christmas in Prague this past year. I loved the Czech people, the affordability and exploring the city. I'm not sure how much interest your young kids would have there.

Since they are kids and may have not been to Europe yet I would do the go to cities and places that get destroyed in alien movies. Even if you and your H have been before seeing it from a different perspective will really change it.

[mrsGreeko]

Jul 24, 2015 13:41:52 GMT -5 Peacock said:

London? Ireland? Germany? Spain? Dh was in Spain a couple of months ago and loved it!

I've been to London, Germany, and Spain already.

Ireland is on the list, but there are some logistics questions that we have as far as where to stay and such. 5 people complicates it... No B&B's for us. Do you have specific suggestions for Ireland? We don't know where in the country to focus on, what's really worth seeing and how much we can reasonably expect to do in only 7-10 days.

[mrsGreeko]

Jul 24, 2015 13:44:35 GMT -5 neonpink said:

I agree with others that I would do an international trip. I just spent Christmas in Prague this past year. I loved the Czech people, the affordability and exploring the city. I'm not sure how much interest your young kids would have there.

Since they are kids and may have not been to Europe yet I would do the go to cities and places that get destroyed in alien movies. Even if you and your H have been before seeing it from a different perspective will really change it.

We were definitely considering Prague. But weren't sure if there was enough to do to base out of Prague or would
It be better to base put of somewhere know of nearby and then day trip to Prague and other places from there. Did you leave Prague or mostly stay in the city?

[neonpink]

Jul 24, 2015 13:48:25 GMT -5 mrsGreeko said:

Jul 24, 2015 13:44:35 GMT -5 neonpink said:

I agree with others that I would do an international trip. I just spent Christmas in Prague this past year. I loved the Czech people, the affordability and exploring the city. I'm not sure how much interest your young kids would have there.

Since they are kids and may have not been to Europe yet I would do the go to cities and places that get destroyed in alien movies. Even if you and your H have been before seeing it from a different perspective will really change it.

We were definitely considering Prague. But weren't sure if there was enough to do to base out of Prague or would
It be better to base put of somewhere know of nearby and then day trip to Prague and other places from there. Did you leave Prague or mostly stay in the city?

We were there over Christmas and were there for 5 days. It was beautiful and there are things you can do outside of Prague to go visit that we didn't have a chance to being the holidays. One is a crazy church built out of bones, Kutna Hora.  We were there with enough time to explore everything we wanted to see, the Old Town, the Castle and grounds, Wenscelas square and meander around the city and just hope in restaurants and enjoy the cheap beer and good food. 

I don't have kids so I don't really know how vacations go with them besides my child hood memories.  I'm sure a few days would be fine to explore it and move on to another city.   The trip I was on was Prague, Berlin and Amsterdam.  we took a train to Berlin and it was a lot of fun to explore. It might have more to see for kids then Prague.

[mrsGreeko]

Jul 24, 2015 14:02:55 GMT -5 neonpink said:

Jul 24, 2015 13:48:25 GMT -5 mrsGreeko said:

We were definitely considering Prague. But weren't sure if there was enough to do to base out of Prague or would
It be better to base put of somewhere know of nearby and then day trip to Prague and other places from there. Did you leave Prague or mostly stay in the city?

We were there over Christmas and were there for 5 days. It was beautiful and there are things you can do outside of Prague to go visit that we didn't have a chance to being the holidays. One is a crazy church built out of bones, Kutna Hora.  We were there with enough time to explore everything we wanted to see, the Old Town, the Castle and grounds, Wenscelas square and meander around the city and just hope in restaurants and enjoy the cheap beer and good food. 

I don't have kids so I don't really know how vacations go with them besides my child hood memories.  I'm sure a few days would be fine to explore it and move on to another city.   The trip I was on was Prague, Berlin and Amsterdam.  we took a train to Berlin and it was a lot of fun to explore. It might have more to see for kids then Prague.

[br
How long was the train to Berlin?

We had talked about doing Prague and Berlin. But we would probably need to either go by rail or air between the two as we don't want to have to deal with returning a rental car in a different country than we rented it in.

[neonpink]

mrsGreeko  I want to say it was around 4-4.5 hours. I'm sure there are faster train then the one I picked. I had minimal choice, it was the day after Christmas and I booked it via the German train site having never booked a train ticket online before. The train however was very nice had a great dining car and wasn't bad.  I enjoyed having a real lunch with a table cloth and real china.

It was also cheaper for us to take a train rather than fly. The only flights I found at that time were not direct from Prague to Berlin. The only flights on the day I wanted took us back to Amsterdam then Berlin.

It may work out better for you, or a faster train to go from Berlin to Prague.

[alleinesein]

Prague is about 2 hours from Dresden by train. There is a ton of stuff to do in Dresden but your kids might not be interested in it unless they actually enjoy museums and more museums. The ICE train from Dresden to Berlin is just over 2 hours.

You really do not want to rent a car in Europe; it is insanely expensive and parking in most of the cities can be a PITA.

Chile is nice but you want to avoid driving in the city of Santiago. When driving in Santiago it is important to know that on each of Santiago’s main roads there is one lane that is provided for buses and taxis only. They are separated by a yellow median and may not be used by normal cars. Also pay attention during rush hours as some of the main roads change their driving direction during peak hours and traffic only runs in one direction on all lanes.  The roads that change direction are a PITA and you really do not want to be driving in an unfamiliar city that has stuff like this going on every day!  Outside of Santiago you are fine with a rental car.  

Have you asked your kids where they want to go?  They are old enough to be able to provide some input and the might as well get to go someplace they will enjoy.

Brazil FYI- the Olympics are in August next year. If you are planning an August trip you may want to scratch Brazil off your list since it will be a madhouse and flights and lodging will be $$$$.

[frlcb]

Jul 24, 2015 12:14:30 GMT -5 mrsGreeko said:

DH and I have been doing some card churning and if all goes according to plan we will have 300,000 United miles (almost there) and we might also possibly have the southwest companion pass for next year.

We live in denver. We have three kids who will be 10, 7, and 4.5 next summer. We are looking to do a week or week and a half trip next summer (end of May-beginning of August). Kids are great travelers and all have done a 4.5 hour flight so far without any issues (2 have done longer flights, 6 or 7 hours).

With our miles we can go anywhere in the US, Europe, South America, Central America, and Caribbean.

We don't do all inclusives and prefer things to see and do to just sitting on the beach all day. We usually rent a house/condo with a kitchen and prefer that over hotel rooms. Also we prefer at this point to rent a car.

We have thrown out a number of ideas, but are still looking for more ideas:
Czech Republic
Hungary
Ireland
Peru
Ecuador
Brazil
Chile
Belize
Bar harbor, Maine
Seattle/Vancouver
Yellowstone (driving trip)


We have taken kids already:
Puerto Rico (San Juan and rincon)
Hawaii (Oahu and Maui)
Texas (Galveston and San Antonio)
Florida (Orlando, cocoa beach, marathon)
Southern colorado
San Diego
Black hills, South Dakota

DH and I have both traveled through western europe separately and to Costa Rica and panama together. DH has also been to Romania and several middle Eastern countries.

So any thoughts?

So my kids have done Prague, Ireland, Seattle/Vancouver, bar harbor and Yellowstone from your list, and without kids I've done the rest minus Brazil. We are just finishing up a bar harbor trip where we also did Boston, Quebec City and montreal and it has been awesome. Yellowstone/Jackson hole is one of our favorite places with kids, we have been 3 times. Internationally Ireland is great with kids, so was Prague (we were there for 3 days at Christmas and that was enough, I would do a Prague/Budapest/Vienna combo). We go to the UK every year and it is awesome with kids, so is spain.

[mrsGreeko]

Jul 24, 2015 14:36:49 GMT -5 alleinesein said:

Prague is about 2 hours from Dresden by train. There is a ton of stuff to do in Dresden but your kids might not be interested in it unless they actually enjoy museums and more museums. The ICE train from Dresden to Berlin is just over 2 hours.

You really do not want to rent a car in Europe; it is insanely expensive and parking in most of the cities can be a PITA.

Chile is nice but you want to avoid driving in the city of Santiago. When driving in Santiago it is important to know that on each of Santiago’s main roads there is one lane that is provided for buses and taxis only. They are separated by a yellow median and may not be used by normal cars. Also pay attention during rush hours as some of the main roads change their driving direction during peak hours and traffic only runs in one direction on all lanes.  The roads that change direction are a PITA and you really do not want to be driving in an unfamiliar city that has stuff like this going on every day!  Outside of Santiago you are fine with a rental car.  

Have you asked your kids where they want to go?  They are old enough to be able to provide some input and the might as well get to go someplace they will enjoy.

Brazil FYI- the Olympics are in August next year. If you are planning an August trip you may want to scratch Brazil off your list since it will be a madhouse and flights and lodging will be $$$$.

I asked the kids last night and they told me they wanted to go to Africa, a jello swamp, a candy cane canyon and some other ridiculous places. I don't think they really care too much.

[mrsGreeko]

Jul 24, 2015 14:40:53 GMT -5 frlcb said:

Jul 24, 2015 12:14:30 GMT -5 mrsGreeko said:

DH and I have been doing some card churning and if all goes according to plan we will have 300,000 United miles (almost there) and we might also possibly have the southwest companion pass for next year.

We live in denver. We have three kids who will be 10, 7, and 4.5 next summer. We are looking to do a week or week and a half trip next summer (end of May-beginning of August). Kids are great travelers and all have done a 4.5 hour flight so far without any issues (2 have done longer flights, 6 or 7 hours).

With our miles we can go anywhere in the US, Europe, South America, Central America, and Caribbean.

We don't do all inclusives and prefer things to see and do to just sitting on the beach all day. We usually rent a house/condo with a kitchen and prefer that over hotel rooms. Also we prefer at this point to rent a car.

We have thrown out a number of ideas, but are still looking for more ideas:
Czech Republic
Hungary
Ireland
Peru
Ecuador
Brazil
Chile
Belize
Bar harbor, Maine
Seattle/Vancouver
Yellowstone (driving trip)


We have taken kids already:
Puerto Rico (San Juan and rincon)
Hawaii (Oahu and Maui)
Texas (Galveston and San Antonio)
Florida (Orlando, cocoa beach, marathon)
Southern colorado
San Diego
Black hills, South Dakota

DH and I have both traveled through western europe separately and to Costa Rica and panama together. DH has also been to Romania and several middle Eastern countries.

So any thoughts?

So my kids have done Prague, Ireland, Seattle/Vancouver, bar harbor and Yellowstone from your list, and without kids I've done the rest minus Brazil. We are just finishing up a bar harbor trip where we also did Boston, Quebec City and montreal and it has been awesome. Yellowstone/Jackson hole is one of our favorite places with kids, we have been 3 times. Internationally Ireland is great with kids, so was Prague (we were there for 3 days at Christmas and that was enough, I would do a Prague/Budapest/Vienna combo). We go to the UK every year and it is awesome with kids, so is spain.

So tell me more about Ireland with kids. Which places are worth checking out? I looked at tour itineraries to get ideas and it seemed like they go around the entire country in a week. I'm thinking I would probably rather rent a house for a few days in a few places to day trip from, but don't know which places are better to do it from. Did you rent a car there?

[frlcb]

We rented a car, and we were there 5 days. We flew in and out of Dublin and did Killarney, Kilkenny, cork and kinsale, and ring of Kerry. With more time k would have added dingle peninsula and cliffs of moher but we were going on to the UK and both my husband and I had done those on prior trips.

[alleinesein]

Jul 24, 2015 14:55:23 GMT -5 mrsGreeko said:

Jul 24, 2015 14:36:49 GMT -5 alleinesein said:

Prague is about 2 hours from Dresden by train. There is a ton of stuff to do in Dresden but your kids might not be interested in it unless they actually enjoy museums and more museums. The ICE train from Dresden to Berlin is just over 2 hours.

You really do not want to rent a car in Europe; it is insanely expensive and parking in most of the cities can be a PITA.

Chile is nice but you want to avoid driving in the city of Santiago. When driving in Santiago it is important to know that on each of Santiago’s main roads there is one lane that is provided for buses and taxis only. They are separated by a yellow median and may not be used by normal cars. Also pay attention during rush hours as some of the main roads change their driving direction during peak hours and traffic only runs in one direction on all lanes.  The roads that change direction are a PITA and you really do not want to be driving in an unfamiliar city that has stuff like this going on every day!  Outside of Santiago you are fine with a rental car.  

Have you asked your kids where they want to go?  They are old enough to be able to provide some input and the might as well get to go someplace they will enjoy.

Brazil FYI- the Olympics are in August next year. If you are planning an August trip you may want to scratch Brazil off your list since it will be a madhouse and flights and lodging will be $$$$.

I asked the kids last night and they told me they wanted to go to Africa, a jello swamp, a candy cane canyon and some other ridiculous places. I don't think they really care too much.

Well a Jello swap and a candy cane canyon does sound like a rocking good time!!  Given that....they would probably go nuts at Yellowstone with all of the cool looking pools and geysers.

[mrsGreeko]

Jul 24, 2015 23:20:35 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

Have you looked to see where you can get five mileage tickets to? Because that may be a limiting factor, even this far out. I'm not familiar with United's mileage program but if I'm reading their chart right, you need 60k for each saver award to Europe and I imagine there are limited saved awards available because that's generally the way the airlines work. I'd look to see where you can get using your miles and then plan based on what interests you the most.

Well right now it's too early as they haven't released the entire summer yet and we don't know my DHs military training schedule for next summer yet, but I've been watching flights to most of these places all year to see when it seems they release miles tickets and I have a pretty good idea of when I can book 5 tickets, but we always fly with miles and know that sometimes that means being flexible.  

[mich1]

Jul 24, 2015 23:20:35 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

Have you looked to see where you can get five mileage tickets to? Because that may be a limiting factor, even this far out. I'm not familiar with United's mileage program but if I'm reading their chart right, you need 60k for each saver award to Europe and I imagine there are limited saved awards available because that's generally the way the airlines work. I'd look to see where you can get using your miles and then plan based on what interests you the most.

This is what I was wondering.  I know when I used my mileage to go to Greece, I had VERY little choice as to date to go and I was only booking one ticket and I was booking almost a year out.

You might be limited on location as to where you can get tickets on miles to.

[mrsGreeko]

Jul 25, 2015 12:13:11 GMT -5 mich1 said:

Jul 24, 2015 23:20:35 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

Have you looked to see where you can get five mileage tickets to? Because that may be a limiting factor, even this far out. I'm not familiar with United's mileage program but if I'm reading their chart right, you need 60k for each saver award to Europe and I imagine there are limited saved awards available because that's generally the way the airlines work. I'd look to see where you can get using your miles and then plan based on what interests you the most.

This is what I was wondering.  I know when I used my mileage to go to Greece, I had VERY little choice as to date to go and I was only booking one ticket and I was booking almost a year out.

You might be limited on location as to where you can get tickets on miles to.

They release saver tickets about a year prior and then again like 3-6 months prior.

[mich1]

Jul 25, 2015 13:20:24 GMT -5 mrsGreeko said:

Jul 25, 2015 12:13:11 GMT -5 mich1 said:

This is what I was wondering.  I know when I used my mileage to go to Greece, I had VERY little choice as to date to go and I was only booking one ticket and I was booking almost a year out.

You might be limited on location as to where you can get tickets on miles to.

They release saver tickets about a year prior and then again like 3-6 months prior.

Yep.  I think it's 364 days so I needed to wait for 3 weeks into this so I could schedule my return too.  So me waiting to want to schedule my return flight left me with few flights available.  

[gardengal]

Devon & Cornwall!
Amazing scenery (exmoor/Dartmoor/dramatic coasts which has inspired Sir a. Conan Doyle. Agatha Christie, Lorna doone's author--it's escaping me right now), great historic homes/gardens (NT does a great job having stuff for kids), good food (seriously. I don't know why Brit food still has a bad rep), and just so much fun.

Just came back & have plans on bringing our kids in a few years!

[thebulldog]

Jul 26, 2015 19:56:41 GMT -5 gardengal said:

Devon & Cornwall!
Amazing scenery (exmoor/Dartmoor/dramatic coasts which has inspired Sir a. Conan Doyle. Agatha Christie, Lorna doone's author--it's escaping me right now), great historic homes/gardens (NT does a great job having stuff for kids), good food (seriously. I don't know why Brit food still has a bad rep), and just so much fun.

Just came back & have plans on bringing our kids in a few years!

Waves!! I was just about to post that a regular on my local board just went to Devon and Cornwall and her photos were amazing.

Sent from my SM-G900P using proboards

[gardengal]

Jul 27, 2015 10:47:07 GMT -5 thebulldog said:

Jul 26, 2015 19:56:41 GMT -5 gardengal said:

Devon & Cornwall!
Amazing scenery (exmoor/Dartmoor/dramatic coasts which has inspired Sir a. Conan Doyle. Agatha Christie, Lorna doone's author--it's escaping me right now), great historic homes/gardens (NT does a great job having stuff for kids), good food (seriously. I don't know why Brit food still has a bad rep), and just so much fun.

Just came back & have plans on bringing our kids in a few years!

Waves!! I was just about to post that a regular on my local board just went to Devon and Cornwall and her photos were amazing.

Sent from my SM-G900P using proboards

Not my photos, but SO PRETTY







And I didn't go here, but...NEXT TIME

[gardengal]

I ain't even sorry the photos are huge.

[frlcb]

Jul 27, 2015 10:51:55 GMT -5 gardengal said:

Jul 27, 2015 10:47:07 GMT -5 thebulldog said:

Waves!! I was just about to post that a regular on my local board just went to Devon and Cornwall and her photos were amazing.

Sent from my SM-G900P using proboards

Not my photos, but SO PRETTY







And I didn't go here, but...NEXT TIME

What's that last one?

[gardengal]

Jul 27, 2015 12:07:51 GMT -5 frlcb said:

Jul 27, 2015 10:51:55 GMT -5 gardengal said:

Not my photos, but SO PRETTY







And I didn't go here, but...NEXT TIME

What's that last one?

At michaels mount, cornwall

[frlcb]

Jul 27, 2015 12:14:13 GMT -5 gardengal said:

Jul 27, 2015 12:07:51 GMT -5 frlcb said:

What's that last one?

At michaels mount, cornwall

Thanks! There is a similar area in Northumberland in the North of England so I wasn't sure.

[gardengal]

Jul 27, 2015 12:31:45 GMT -5 frlcb said:

Jul 27, 2015 12:14:13 GMT -5 gardengal said:

At michaels mount, cornwall

Thanks! There is a similar area in Northumberland in the North of England so I wasn't sure.

What's that area called?

My travel "to-do" list is primarily filled up with stunning places to visit in the UK. Thus far, we've just been to the Cotwolds & the Southwest (plus London & Bath). I think next up is going to be probably Scottish Highlands followed by, maybe, Lake District (my husband is obsessed with the Lake District for some reason). My husband loves the driving, we both love how many walks/hikes there are everywhere, and then the food/beverage options are great too!

[frlcb]

Jul 27, 2015 12:55:29 GMT -5 gardengal said:

Jul 27, 2015 12:31:45 GMT -5 frlcb said:

Thanks! There is a similar area in Northumberland in the North of England so I wasn't sure.

What's that area called?

My travel "to-do" list is primarily filled up with stunning places to visit in the UK. Thus far, we've just been to the Cotwolds & the Southwest (plus London & Bath). I think next up is going to be probably Scottish Highlands followed by, maybe, Lake District (my husband is obsessed with the Lake District for some reason). My husband loves the driving, we both love how many walks/hikes there are everywhere, and then the food/beverage options are great too!

Holy island. Northumbria is a fabulous area of the UK. So is the Lake District. My husband is English and I lived there for 3 years so we go every year