Good day fellow parent travelers!
We are a couple of Canadians looking into a good option for our summer vacation in July-early August with our 2 young kids.
We know that we will end our trip with a stay close to Dusseldorf in Kettwig to attend our friends wedding, the celebrations being deployed from the July 25 to the 27 inclusively.
Since we will be in Germany, it would be great to take some time there to do fun activities in the area so any recommendations will be welcomed.
Prior to that portion, what would be a good scenario? The kids are young, we would rather go to one spot and enjoy the area, perhaps a sea shore with a suitable setting (not a huge town but some action as well, easy traveling by car nearby). Would Portugal or Croatia be a good idea at that time? Which travel destinations would offer the best bang for the buck (mid-range to upper standards) taking into account activities and the kids? Are the kids too young to enjoy Tuscany?
Thank you in advance for your comments and suggestions.
Happy travels!
So fun when North Americans refer to Croatia as "in the area" of Dusseldorf! :D (I understand for you it must be though...).
July/August is high season so most coastal regions in Europe will be quite busy. The good news is that Dusseldorf has execellent connections to almost everywhere in Europe. How much time would you have? I would suggest you find yourself a nice base and use this to see a few other places. Great way to go is to rent an appartmet for a week or so and possibly rent a car (or use public transport, which is often quite good). Tuscany as suggested is very nice. Lots of small and lovely towns to see close to each other. Another favorite of mine is Andalucia, which is similar in small towns, but has the wonderful moorish culture to admire. We spend a week in Seville last december with our 2-y-o, walking around the city and taking the train to Jerez and Cadiz... quite lovely!
I was going to recommend a few museums in Stuttgart, but I was concerned that it isn't really in the Dusseldorf area. But compared to Croatia or Italy, it's really close!
I know that Stuttgart has an industrial reputation, and it certainly isn't worth more than a few days, probably less. However, we were there with another family, and the 4 adults and 3 kids loved the Mercedes Benz museum! The kids ranged from ages 2 to 13, 2 boys and 1 girl. It was a big hit with everyone. We also saw a church and a castle there. There is a Porsche museum too, and we would have gone if we'd had another day.
We stayed over, but you could probably see Stuttgart as a day trip from Baden-Baden or Munich.
Have a google of Mosel area of Germany! It is beautiful! And the Ähr river.Also lovelyand not too far from your destination.
Personally, I think you would be better of exploring the Nord_Rhein_Westphalia are of Germany nice and chilled than gallivanting around the rest of Europe!
Enjoy!
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