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France Is Tops

France is still top of the search engine results when it comes to finding the country in Europe with most to offer for the whole family by way of climate, coastal and cultural pursuits as well as child-friendly activities.

France

One of the favorite European holiday destinations of all time offering the surfing beaches of Brittany, the bracing Basque coastline, the bays of the Mediterranean and the film star chic of the Cote d’Azur.

France will be expensive–-especially if you don’t speak the language. Learn to ask for vin de maison when you’re eating out or you may find your waiter recommends and charges you for one of the dearest bottles of wine in the house.

The French are business-like rather than effusively friendly and expect you to speak their language.

TIP: Unless you are an adventurous gourmand with a cast iron stomach, avoid local specialties like andouille. They often look awful and are definitely an acquired taste.

LANGUAGE TIP: Merci means no thank you. Use s’il vous plait when the waitress offers you something you would like to eat or drink. Otherwise it may well disappear.

Spain:

The traditional holiday destinations on the Costa del Sol and on the Costa Blanca never lose their appeal. However if you’re looking for typical Spain rather than fish and chips in the sun, you should investigate roads less traveled and lesser-known beaches.

The Spanish themselves drive up the coastline from Barcelona towards France. Not fitness fanatics, they are apt to boycott beaches that are too far from car parking facilities. Beaches accessible by bus or rail are apt to be busy. Beaches only accessible by car are far more exclusive.

No longer as cheap as it used to be but you can find bargains if you intend to rent a villa. With the explosion of new building and the arrivals of expats trying to make a living from renting out a second property, it is a renters’ market even in high season.

Hotels and hostals offer good value for money. If you are arriving at peak season, you need to prebook budget accommodations especially in Barcelona and Valencia.

TIP: If the restaurant menu on the billboard by the door is translated into several different languages you are going to pay far more for your meal than if you choose one which advertises its menu in Spanish.

LANGUAGE TIP: El menu in Spanish is a two or three course set meal often with mineral water or wine included.

Portugal

The Algarve on the Southern coast is now also the playground of the would-be rich and not-quite-famous but has brilliant sports facilities--golf, tennis, aquatic sports, equitation, adventure sports-–as well as miles of golden beaches, grottoes to rival Capri and luxury hotels.

Easy to negotiate as most shops and restaurants will speak English. International resorts, baking hot in the summer. If you can’t stand the heat, go West to the end of the world for a bracing breath of wind.

The Portuguese themselves recommend the beaches of the Alentejo, still a well-kept secret but it does mean driving down from Lisbon or across from Faro until the new proposed airport at Beja is built.

TIP: The Portuguese love to hear how much you love their country, their friendly people and their food.

LANGUAGE TIP: The word for thank you changes depending on whether you are a man or a woman. A man giving thanks uses the masculine ending obrigado where a woman should say obrigada.

United Kingdom

Still the tops when it comes to cramming in historical and cultural pursuits well-leavened with bracing weather and walks. The country may not be as tolerant of children staying up late as some of its neighbors on the European mainland but it does have a good reputation for child-friendly activities at museums and places of historical interest.

London is surprisingly always voted near the top of children’s choice travel listings. Parents may worry about its business, crammed tube trains and crowds of people. But children thrive on the open-top buses, in the DIY projects available in its museums and on the grisly tales of ghosts and beheading in its historical monuments.

With the choice of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales all in close proximity, you have keeps and castles galore to inspire historical enthusiasms.

TIP: Make sure it’s going to be fine weather when you travel by open top bus.

LANGUAGE TIP: Say please and thank you to anyone being helpful. Avoid saying “I want.”

“I would like” or “I wonder if you could help me…” bring better results

Advantage: You can always find someone to speak your language

Disadvantage: No guarantee of good weather so not the best choice for sun worshipers

Useful Links

Any large newspaper or media group will have a travel section with an archive of informative articles. Here are a few favorite Europe sites:

BBC
Guardian

A huge independent site is Europe for Visitors compiled by knowledgeable guide Durant Imboden and wife Cheryl–-just love that trademark beret.

~Anne Duguid

Anne Duguid, a Scottish freelance lecturer and writer, loves traveling in Europe. A true believer in budget travel as the best way to learn about a country, its people and its culture, she's looking forward to finding you that dream holiday in Europe. Join her on the European Travel Forum.

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