Plan my trip to medieval Europe for me

[luuknam]

Okay, I don't have a time machine, but next year we'll be doing SOTW 2, so we'll be in the middle ages, and I really need to get around to getting everybody passports and visit my parents (I was pregnant with oldest last time we visited them... they have been to visit us since, but still).

 

So, I'll have a 9yo (4th grade) and a 6yo (2nd grade?). I don't know yet what season we'd do this (recommendations?). The home base would be The Netherlands, but we'd probably travel a bit to Germany and maybe the UK, France, Austria, but probably NOT Greece, Spain, Italy, Scandinavia since those would be kind of far away. Since my parents live in NL, we'll probably end up in Europe again at some point in the future.

 

I'm thinking 1-2 months. What would you pack (no, I don't want to pay a ton for extra luggage, so just essentials - Dutch libraries I'll have access to (my mom's library card) will have some English-language books, though not a whole lot for kids), and what places would you visit? I'd like to keep a medieval theme since that's the part of the cycle we'll be in. I'm sure plenty of y'all have dream vacations/trips like that all planned out already, right? ;)

[elegantlion]

Oh how fun! No real ideas, but I'll add some medieval spots that would be fun when I'm on my regular computer.

[La Condessa]

Carcassone, France, and you can teach them to play the game, too.

[luuknam]

Thanks, I'll have to look up Carcassone (didn't even know it was an actual place).

 

I'm also planning on working more intensively on Dutch while there, so that'll take up a chunk of our time.

[Monica_in_Switzerland]

Jeans, t-shirts, and the obligatory rain jackets.  

 

Some ideas:  The Loire Valley in France will let you see all sorts of castles from various time periods.

I have a plan for the south of Switzerland (near Italian border) that involves visiting a falconry and several medieval castles, but haven't done it yet.  There's also a tour of the Chateau de Chilean, which is near Lausanne.  

 

I know Switzerland isn't on your list, but just throwing some ideas out there.  :-D

 

You'll probably get tired of castles at some point, so look at other options.  I'm sure out falconry isn't the only one, and there are mills, forges, etc, that probably give guided tours.  I'd hunt around to find artisanal workshops that give tours, as the methods used may be very similar to what was being used in the middle ages.  We visited a printing press museum last week and it had a working model of a Gutenberg Press!  

 

 

[Rush]

You should consider visiting Belgium. 

[Loesje22000]

You should consider visiting Belgium.

I agree :)

http://www.orval.be/nl/home/Abdij

http://www.tenduinen.be/tenduinen.html

http://www.topkastelen.nl

https://stad.gent/cultuur-sport-vrije-tijd/cultuur/musea-en-historische-huizen/het-gravensteen

https://bezoekers.brugge.be

http://www.archeon.nl/index.html

http://www.muiderslot.nl

http://www.slotloevestein.nl

 

 

Roman era:

http://www.apx.lvr.de/nl/willkommen/willkommen_1.html

Trier (.de)

 

William of Orange:

http://prinsenhof-delft.nl

 

You can still see the holes of the bullets in the wall :)

 

I presumed you understand Dutch OP...

 

HTH

[fourisenough]

I'm so jealous!

[Miss Tick]

Including what you wear on the plane, 3 seasonal appropriate bottoms, 5 days of tops with layering possibilities as appropriate, 2 pairs shoes, unders, socks, pjs, toothbrush, go! Everybody gets a rolling bag and a carryon.

 

As for the rest, I'll just watch and take notes.

Edited March 8, 2016 by SusanC

[Reefgazer]

Bayeux Cathedral and tapestry in Bayeux, France!  We loved it!

[luuknam]

I presumed you understand Dutch OP...

 

I do (I've got a VWO diploma). I guess my previous post wasn't clear. I'm planning on spending a significant chunk of time teaching the kids Dutch. We already work on it some over here, but haven't gotten very far (oldest does not want to learn, and while I wanted to start it from birth roughly, due to his massive speech delays I waited until he was 7yo to even begin to attempt to teach it, other than singing Dutch songs to him).

 

I've actually been to some of the sites mentioned, and some are on my list to revisit, but I'm sure there are interesting places I haven't been to, and might be more worth it than revisiting some of the places I *have* been to. For example, I've been to Paris on a school field trip when I was 14, and other than that the last time I've been to France was on a family vacation when I was 6-7yo. So, I have very little experience with France. I think I've been in Switzerland once or twice, technically, but I haven't really *been* to Switzerland. I was 7-8yo the one time I was in Denmark, and other than the Lego museum I don't remember Denmark. I've been in Liechtenstein for one day, but I don't think it would be worth dragging the kids to this time around.

 

My family usually went on vacations to Germany and/or Austria (my parents went on their honeymoon in a small village in Austria and we've been on vacation there multiple times, so it might be fun to show it to the kids). I've been to the Czech Republic, but I'm not sure I want to drive that far. Oh, and my experience with the UK is limited to a school trip to London when I was 12 or 13yo, so maybe I should aim to do some UK since they actually speak English there (the kids might appreciate that). Decisions, decisions, limited budget.

[Loesje22000]

I do (I've got a VWO diploma). I guess my previous post wasn't clear.

Perhaps my English skills are lacking, that is a bigger chance IMO ;)

 

Have a safe and good journey, and enjoy your time with your parents!

[importswim]

I'm from England and we go back every other year or so to visit. I would definitely suggest going to York. You can walk the walls of the city, walk down the Shambles (google it), visit the Minster (Cathedral) and go to the many museums in the area. It's one of my most favorite places.

 

I will be following this thread as we're doing similar things next year!

 

ETA, because I couldn't help myself!: http://www.historyofyork.org.uk/themes/medieval/the-shambles

Edited March 8, 2016 by importswim

[prairiewindmomma]

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

[The Governess]

Ooh, fun! I like your idea of going to the UK. We went to Scotland for 3 weeks a few years ago, and there are many medieval sites to visit there. Some of my favorites:

 

Edinburgh castle

Rosslyn Chapel (of Knights Templar and Holy Grail fame) - and nearby Rosslyn Castle (they rent it out to travelers and it is an amazing place to stay!!)

Stirling Castle

William Wallace memorial (you can visit his sword)

Doune Castle (from the Monty Python film)

The Border Abbeys

Elgin Cathedral (gorgeous ruins)

Dunnotar Castle (amazing)

St. Magnus Cathedral - on Orkney island; built by the Vikings and truly incredible

There are many other sites; this is just a tiny sampling. And then there are sites outside of the medieval time period that you would not want to miss if you are visiting, especially in Orkney: standing stones, Skara Brae, burial chambers with Viking Runes graffitied on the walls.... A history lover's dream!!

 

 

I haven't toured England yet, but I found a couple pre-planned tours that cover the Medieval era that might give you some ideas:

 

 

http://www.catswhiskerstours.co.uk/uk-tours/english-tours/tour-medieval-england/

 

http://www.auldcountrytours.com/tours/historical-england

 

Also, in Olso, Norway is the Viking ship museum.... Definitely worth a stop if you end up going that direction.

Edited March 8, 2016 by lovelearnandlive

[Laura Corin]

Tower of London

[Lawyer&Mom]

http://mobile.puydufou.com

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puy_du_Fou

 

Puy du Fou. Historical reenactment theme park in Western France. Truly remarkable live shows. Doesn't matter if you don't speak French. Can't wait to go with kids.

[luuknam]

Perhaps my English skills are lacking, that is a bigger chance IMO ;)

 

No, I reread what I wrote and it was ambiguous. Maakt echter niet uit, zolang we elkaar nu begrijpen. ;)

[nobeatenpath]

If you are going to the UK and especially if you are planning anything historical, make sure to check out English Heritage and consider getting a pass:

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/

 

As a history buff who has lived in and travelled much of Europe - I am excited for you! However if I was with kids and wanting to do some learning as well as sightseeing (and grandparent visiting!) I think trying to cover all the countries you mention in only 1-2 months is a big ask. I would probably stick to the low countries and maybe the UK or France. Shoulder seasons are best - either side of the main Summer/tourist seasons. Weather is still nice but you will probably avoid the big crowds.

 

If there is anything specific I could help with (especially the UK) just ask.

[*Jessica*]

If you do France I recommend Avignon, Carcassone, and the Pont du Gard for sure!

[Sebastian (a lady)]

I'll second the Bayeaux Tapestry.

If you go to Paris, visit the Cluny Museum. (It has a different official name ) lovely museum of midieval art.

[DC1346]

You should definitely visit York in England. York is one of the best preserved Medieval cities in the UK and it still has a large section of wall as well as the old section of town with these curiously rambling cobblestone streets. 

 

The train ride up to York was quite fun. I rode 1st class on an unlimited BritRail pass. The train for York leaves from King's Cross Station in London. I actually enjoyed the scenic pastoral views of the train ride so much (since I was on leave from a corporate job in Saudi Arabia at the time) that I wound up staying on the train until the end of the line which was Edinburgh. I stayed in Edinburgh for three days prior to heading back to London by way of York. 

 

In Edinburgh I visited Edinburgh Castle. I also drove out to Loch Lomond which was made popular by an old Scottish folk song, "The Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lomond." As a curious historical footnote, I will mention that this song was written after the Jacobite Uprising of 1745. The lyrics about "you take the high road and I'll take the low road" have to do with the execution of a rebel in London whose head was going to be placed upon a pike alongside the "high road" (the King's road) whilst his lover returned via the "low road" or back roads to Scotland. 

 

There are lots of things to see and do in York. Visit York Minster, a cathedral with medieval stained class and hand carved stone. There's a fascinating interactive underground series of chambers that cover the history of the Minster. You could visit York Castle and its attached museum. There is also the Yorkshire Museum and although this isn't related to your Medieval studies, you could visit the Train Museum which has some lovely Victorian era coaches as well as several types of locomotives. 

 

If you're looking for a neat place to eat, try the Black Swan at 23 Peasholme Green. It's described as a "medieval" establishment which is not strictly true as it wasn't constructed until the 1600's. The medieval claim was made because the current building was built on the site of a medieval pub which itself was constructed during the 1500's. With this being said, most of the food is distinctly UK  with meat pies, Yorkshire pudding with roast beef, mashed potatoes, and fish and chips. 

[maize]

This was, in my children's opinion, the highlight of our trip to visit family in Austria: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dürnstein

 

They loved the hike up to the castle and climbing around the ruins.

[Laura Corin]

If you do France I recommend Avignon, Carcassone, and the Pont du Gard for sure!

 

It's hard to know what to miss out in a particular area, isn't it?  The Pont du Gard isn't Medieval, but it's stunning nonetheless.