tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534240.post7649732146471317029..comments2024-03-14T15:52:06.924-07:00Comments on Chicken Blog: Natalie, the Chickenbloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07424213130274740719noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534240.post-53904925701993774762009-04-13T14:34:25.650-07:002009-04-13T14:34:25.650-07:00Good luck with the family trip. One piece of advic...Good luck with the family trip. One piece of advice from someone who's traveled many times to Europe: simplify! <br><br>It's guaranteed that you won't be able to see/do everything that you wish. So pare down your countries to just three, one per week. And then do a maximum of two cities per country. Already that's still a lot. <br><br>But you'll be less stressed and will have a lot of fun. You don't want your trip mainly to be about the transportation, whether it be via train, bus or airplane. :-)Tami @ Lemon Tree Taleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06655631671353374029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534240.post-74927334476919005562009-04-13T16:59:18.136-07:002009-04-13T16:59:18.136-07:00Sounds like you will be fine, but busy. Might be C...Sounds like you will be fine, but busy. Might be Chicken Abroad will be too tired to post much?? Have fun!Tiglizzyclonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09113168498899371575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534240.post-73432800250206408982009-04-13T17:12:37.703-07:002009-04-13T17:12:37.703-07:00You have only three weeks: enough to explore maybe...You have only three weeks: enough to explore maybe three cities (two would be better), if it's only cities you want to see.<br>It's summer, it's Europe, and despite the limitations of the economic downturn, there will still be MILLIONS of people. Be prepared for heat, crowds and long lines at the most popular places — and these won't be organised by Americans with a flair for that sort of thing!<br>You've obviously been really sensible and done lots of research, so draw up a list of things each of you wants to see, then edit SEVERELY and try to involve as little travelling as possible, and as much time as possible to be in the places you want to be.<br>From the family list, pick the one or two places that would be lovely to stay in as well as explore. Find yourself places to stay there and use them as bases from which to set out and explore. <br>Rent a house or a flat and you'll be able to cook the occasional meal (saving you an absolute fortune) and pack lunches etc etc.<br>You can save lots by making yourself picnic lunches, if you're somewhere with a decent market. Pack a knife or two, buy local bread and produce, something to drink, and spread out in a park or somewhere scenic for a yummy lunch.<br>We've always gone for creating a 'home' base, and having somewhere familiar to return to after a day or two of adventuring is invaluable. Travelling is exhausting!<br>In all honesty, this may not also be the trip of a lifetime for Maria. Kids are sturdy travellers, but they like what they like! You may need to factor in a lot of downtime for her: she'd probably still rather watch TV, play on the swings in a park, or splash about in a pool, than take in the sights of the great cities that will fire up the rest of the team.<br>Above all, allow yourselves a day off here and there to do nothing and catch your breath. Otherwise you'll need a holiday when you get home!<br><br>By the way: the word verification thingy is WINGER! It's an omen!Lesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175734326888791038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534240.post-56897817328879421232009-04-13T21:16:56.049-07:002009-04-13T21:16:56.049-07:00You make a delightful traveloguer, Natalie. The t...You make a <i>delightful</i> traveloguer, Natalie. The things you notice about your surroundings and about yourself, the things you see and capture with your camera and words... I think you ought to pack up the children and just traipse about :-Dnikkipolanihttp://nikkipolani.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534240.post-5399915103520561722009-04-13T21:42:31.490-07:002009-04-13T21:42:31.490-07:00Ohh! You are so lucky to be in Europe and what a ...Ohh! You are so lucky to be in Europe and what a great experience for your children. Thanks for sharing your photos. How inspiring.Mary Smithhttp://www.suchthings.canoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534240.post-1148053956632458552009-04-14T01:43:45.126-07:002009-04-14T01:43:45.126-07:00Things will work themselves out. Take one step at...Things will work themselves out. Take one step at a time, you can always come back and see some more, don't try to cram too much in.<br><br>Thanks for the recognition regarding the wi-fi. I thought everyone knew that it was free at McD's and all you need buy is a coffee.<br><br>I shall give you another tip for travelling, have a look at SERVAS at http://joomla.servas.org/content/blogcategory/40/75/<br>My husband and I are members and have met so many wonderful people.<br><br>Will you be venturing up to Scotland, we would make you most welcome.luskshttp://lusks.livejournal.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534240.post-19251721927866910162009-04-14T05:05:08.747-07:002009-04-14T05:05:08.747-07:00This trip is going to be such a great experience f...This trip is going to be such a great experience for your children. They will never, ever forget things they see and learn about the world.judy in kyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05810068743975026564noreply@blogger.com