#24

My wife took our kids (also now 10 and 7) interraailing two years ago for a whole month. I joined them for long weekends along the way. They all absolutely loved it.

Their route/stop offs comprised - Paris, Amsterdam, Cologne, Munich, Salzburg, Vienna, Verona and Lake Como.

I missed the German and Austrian parts, but I can confirm that Verona and, especially, Lake Como were amazing with a family in tow.

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#25

We’re going to a little town in Montenegro next year as it’s meant to be really quiet and family friendly. I probably won’t travel beyond our town purely because I can’t be bothered with any potential tantrums HOWEVER it’s in an amazing location to see other places nearby and only 4p minutes by bus to Dubrovnik. So maybe somewhere like that where there’s lots of potential to explore multiple neighbouring towns.

Failing that just go to south Mallorca and stay near the city, day trip to Soller on the little wooden train, check out the beaches but have a really cool city on your doorstep.

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#26

Planning on doing a Yosemite trip in 3 or 4 years, when (hopefully) my son will remember it.

Will stay here again I think: https://www.evergreenlodge.com/

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#27

That looks really nice. I don’t think I made the most of Yosemite as I had National Park fatigue by the time I got there (12th or 13th I think) so really want to go back there and to Glacier.

#28

I have been to terra mitica

#29

love that man

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#30

It was lovely. Technically outside of Yosemite (but only just) but in the forest just outside, near hetch hetchy. Stayed in a cabin: got woken up by a family of deer just outside the window at dawn. Bears wandering about. Some of the best food I’ve ever eaten as well.

Recommended.

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#31

I’m not entirely sure it would be great for kids unless they really love car journeys.

But @colon_closed_bracket , Iowa to Chicago isn’t actually that far so you could just do about 10 hours of driving over a week or two and it wouldn’t be too bad. You just need cool/fun places to stop off at and i’m not sure the mid west has loads of attractions.

#32

This is probs the best national park for kids

You get sledges and go down the big dunes and some guy had a special dune skateboard

but oh fuck it’s all white and our car is white and where did we park

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#33

Oh they were suggesting a much longer journey towards Montana / Washington (?) - going west, staying in a dude ranch (?) etc. TBH I can’t remember a lot about the conversation.

I do like driving in the USA but I’m not sure how our girls would far on an extended road trip.

#34

That’s a LOT of driving tbf

#35

Has anyone ever interrailed alone? Am I gonna end up like Hostel?

#36

Oh yeah it’ll be much more interesting the further west you go. But from Chicago to there is like 20 hours on way which is LONG.

This last trip I think we totaled at about 28 hours I think that was quite a lot (but not as much as our trip before which was 48 hours). I don’t get bored though because I’m an adult so can drive and listen to podcasts and play games but I think kids may be bored!

Flying into Portland and going from there will be much better. You can meet the family in the middle!

#37

Yep that’s what I thought. And I get really paranoid in the US about going over the speed limit, so pootling along a quiet interstate at 71mph feels boring.

I think if we went to the States then we’d either base ourselves somewhere like @thewarn suggested, or start somewhere more interesting like Portland, as @meowington suggested.

#38

no idea what the US speed limit is tbh
i just go for it

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#39

I’ve only ever driven in Florida, where there are traffic cops galore!

#40

No, but I greyhounded for… (googles, Excels for a bit) approx. 5052 miles and only twice did I think I might be murdered.

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#42

I went to a dude ranch last week and it was amazing. Definitely do that.

#43

No, it’s fine as long as you have things planned out and tell someone back home where you’re going. Hostels are often full of people looking for others to go drinking with.

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#44

yeah, if you’re travelling alone for a lengthy period, definitely stay at (good) hostels. You’ll meet lots of people, and often find yourself meeting up with them again in a different city a little later on as well.

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