<p>Son, our second and last child, is due to graduate college in May, 2012.
D, 27, finished grad school this year and is settled in her new city and working in her field.</p>
<p>H and I are planning a family vacation to celebrate their launches. Because of son’s summer jobs it has been years since we have all traveled together. Who knows when we could do this in the future if we don’t grab the opportunity right after S’s graduation?</p>
<p>We want to go somewhere none of us has been before. We would leave from Philly airport Memorial Day 2012 and take under two weeks. We would like an urban experience and also natural beauty. A city of interest with some scenic surrounding areas would be ideal. We want our only flights to be on the first and last days of the trip – do not like spending time in airports.</p>
<p>Our first plan was the Canadian Rockies (Vancouver, then driving to Banff), but the timing apparently would be too early in spring for good hiking there (snow still on the peaks and mud lower down). A shame, as the destinaton combo appealed to all of us.</p>
<p>We are now considering Istanbul or Prague. I figure the CC community could give thoughtful feedback. We do not like lines or large crowds, and do enjoy light hiking and interesting neighborhoods. We would like to build in some down time (are not constant on the go people and like to pace ourselves and take time to savor).</p>
<p>Feedback and suggestions would be most welcome for which you would suggest. We want to focus on absorbing just one country, rather than flit around.</p>
<p>How about Vienna and Prague? They are an easy combination and easy (about 4 hr.) train ride apart. My H and son did this last summer and had a fabulous time. They are both great cities for history, culture, walking, museums, eating and drinking! Also could do easy day trips to the country/smaller cities from either. Last summer, it was actually cheaper for H to fly into Vienna and out of Prague than round trip from either. He found reasonably priced accommodations in center city of both places. And you would be there when the weather isn’t too hot or the crowds too big!</p>
<p>Prague is a great destination, but it isn’t a place to spend 2 weeks. It is a relatively small city. I was in Prague for 5 days this spring, and that was more than enough to really cover the city (including a day trip to Theresienstadt) - we had plenty of downtime after walking around each day. If you decide to go to Prague, you will probably want to add other destinations in eastern Europe to your itinerary.</p>
<p>Sorry jyber209, I realized after I wrote that you said just one country, and perhaps you have been to Vienna already. Also, don’t know how much time you are planning. My H went for 2 weeks and met up with son after a summer study abroad program. They spent a week in each place and felt that amount of time was perfect. FWIW, my D has been to Istanbul and loved it, but it was just for a couple of days.</p>
<p>Our family had a great time in both Prague and Istanbul, but I don’t think we would have enjoyed staying in either one for more than 4 or 5 days. If you are at all flexible about adding a destination that would allow you to incorporate some hiking or outdoor activities, I have a few suggestions:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Spend a few days in Instanbul, then take a short flight to the west coast of Turkey (Dalman airport is close to many nice coastal towns). We did this and chartered a sailboat for a week. If you are not experienced sailors but like boats, you can cruise on a gulet (old fashioned looking but modern boat). Gulet cruises vary - some are real party boats, and others are more focused on seeing the most beautiful spots and serving fabulous food. You can get off the boat to hike to amazing ruins in almost any port (usually a tiny village, or just an out of the way cove), and can enjoy a swim or watersports. I think this would be great for a family trip, and more fun than being exclusively in Istanbul, which is densely populated and can be very hot in June.</p></li>
<li><p>Prague plus Cesky Krumlov, a charming and scenic village a few hours away by bus. Lots of Europeans go there for their own vacations; rafting on the river that runs through town is popular, and there’s a young hostel crowd that keeps night life going - something your kids might like. Look at ricksteves.com if you want to get lots of good info on this place and Prague.</p></li>
<li><p>Start in Vienna, then take a boat ride down the Danube to Budapest. This is a really interesting city, and it has some unique features like the public baths and a plethora of medical spa places where you can go for beauty treatments, relaxation, and peace and quiet. The food in Budapest is great, and it’s not as overly touristed as Prague.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I am not familiar with Prague. D is working there now and I’m anxious to hear about it since I’ve always wanted to go. But, this last March, we did spend a week in Istanbul and absolutely fell in love with the city, its fantastic hospitality, its food and history. We stayed in the city for the whole time except for a day trip via an inexpensive flight ($45 per person) to Izmir so that we could tour Ephesus for the day. We stayed in the Beyoglu area in the Witt Hotel—close enough to the sights, but set apart from the touristy Sultanamet. Your son would probably enjoy the area and its proximity to Istiklal Street—a nightly parade of fun loving Istanbul residents going to restaurants, bars and night clubs. After a week, I felt that we had only scratched the surface of that great city and we do have plans to return.</p>
<p>I think FAuxNom’s and musicamusicas suggestions are great. I haven’t been to Prague, but I have heard it’s overrated and that the people are not that friendly (but m-m’s daughter would know better). Also heard it’s overrun by Eurotrash but again that’s just a rumor.</p>
<p>Advantage of trip #3 to Vienna and Danube to Budapest is that you could do it easily in less than two weeks and it is absolutely beautiful and different (and good food!)</p>
<p>My overall vote would be for Istanbul and Turkey’s west coast, but I think any of them would be a great vacation.</p>
<p>We biked Prague to Vienna. Prague is a fun city full of young people, and Cesky Krumlov is very interesting (learned faux finishes have been around as a design idea for a long time:-). Austria has great, very clean bed and breakfast’s, wonderful sites and lots of places to hike as well, if you prefer hiking. In Austria they were so nice to bikers. You were made to feel totally comfortable using the facilities without buying a thing in the cafes in the small towns we rode through. We found Austria a really nice place! Our next family vacation will probably be renting a big villa with a pool in Tuscany with two other families. Our kids are all friends. Wine and food for the parents; friends and a pool for the kids.</p>
<p>Would you consider Budapest? It is a fantastically beautiful city–really, the Paris of eastern Europe. Our family went to Prague, Budapest and Vienna last summer–we loved Prague and Budapest but did not care for Vienna. Wherever you go, just enjoy with your family.</p>
<p>Rodney, we spent 4 days in Prague, 3 in Budapest and 2 in Vienna. We are great lovers of everything Art Nouveau and Art Deco, and there is no place better than Prague and Budapest to see architecture in these styles, as well as paintings, ceramics, murals, etc, in the museums in those cities. We were glad we went to Vienna for one reason, and that is to see the original Klimt oil painting of “The Kiss”–otherwise, I would have skipped it.</p>
<p>Gotta step up and defend Vienna. D2 and I spent a long weekend there (Friday-Tuesday) a year and a half ago. It was not nearly enough time for us, but we did use one of those days to do a day trip into the Wachau Valley. But she was a music major, so there were literally endless possibilities for activities. Lots of museums to see, too.</p>
<p>I’m not a world traveler but courtesy of the U.S. Navy S1 did a Mediterranean tour a couple of summers ago. He made port in Italy, Greece, the Isle of Crete and coastal Turkey.<br>
He was in Marmaris,Turkey and was bowled over by the beauty of it. Of all the places he saw the coast of Turkey was his favorite. He took some sort of chartered boat tour there (not the guided missile destroyer he rode in on,lol) and raved about how much fun it was.</p>
<p>Rodney - we took about 2 weeks to start in Vienna (a really quick visit - 1 night), then went to Budapest, then Prague, then Cesky Krumlov, then home - all by train, except the Cesky Krumlov part, which has to be done either by bus or taxi. We flew in and out of Frankfurt - a cheap hub, and close to both Vienna and Prague.</p>
<p>I love travel in Turkey, but it’s pretty hot in the summer, which is why I would add in a coastal element. Istanbul was intense when we went in June.</p>
<p>OP, I know you said you didn’t want to get on a plane except arrival & departure. But if you are willing to bend that requirement, you could fly from Istanbul to [url=<a href=“Cappadocia, Turkey Guide”>Cappadocia, Turkey Guide]Cappadocia[/url</a>]. With only one week, we didn’t have enough time to go there, but with two weeks, you could think about it.</p>
<p>Itanbul and Southern Turkey - you can fly cheaply internally on Pegasus airlines. Definitely go and see Terrmessos, Antalya and other cool places, without tourist crowds. We took a great overnight train trip from Istanbul to Konya; individual sleeper compartments with sheets, and snacks in the little fridge, for a ridiculously low price…</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for your very helpful suggestions. I will discuss them with the family. Meanwhile I will head to the library for some tour guides.</p>
<p>This is a wonderful community and a great resource! :)</p>
<p>Was in Istanbul at the beginning of the month. Be warned that it is hot, crowded (20 million people) and that it will take you some time to get around without a cab. Not a particularly pedestrian-friendly place. Lots of English speakers, though. Much of the city is glorious – we esp. enjoyed the summer palace on the Asian side. But unless you are real ‘city folk’ you may not want to spend the whole 2 wks there. </p>
<p>Kusadasi (the port for Ephesus) is set in a beautiful seaside landscape with lots of ruins, Greeks, Romans, Crusaders… Climbing is big there, as is sailing. Because it’s a holiday spot for the Turkish people, there’s a nice relaxed vibe, good restaurants and plenty of shopping…even a water park! I’d visit Istanbul again but I want to go back and stay in or near Kusadasi.</p>