Tripologist: What’s the best way to tackle Europe with kids?

My wife and I are taking our three high school aged kids to Europe in winter for the six weeks of our school holidays and we’re overwhelmed with trip planning. Planned itinerary is a loop via Strasbourg, Munich, Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Amsterdam, Brussels and back to Paris. What is your best advice?
John Tregear, West End, Qld

Trains are your best bet for travelling Europe with high-school age kids.Credit: iStock

Europe is a lot more manageable than it might seem at a distance, and with eight cities on the itinerary and six weeks, you’ve plenty of time. Travelling by train is your best bet, as cars are an impediment in major European cities and parking becomes a major expense. With high school kids in the picture, getting your luggage on and off trains won’t be too difficult.

Book tickets via either Rail Europe or the Trainline – both have easy-to-use apps – and booking a month or so in advance will save on last-minute bookings. Also, see The Man in Seat 61 website, it’s a terrific primer for rail travel in Europe.

You can use tap-to-pay cards and mobile wallet apps loaded on your smartphone in most parts of Europe, just remember to tell your bank you’re heading overseas. A debit card with a decent exchange rate such as Revolut or Wise is best but use a credit card if you have to pay a pre-authorisation charge, for example at hotels.

In each city start off with a guided tour to familiarise yourselves, and ToursByLocals is a great resource. For accommodation, rather than hotels I’d be looking at Airbnb or the Plum Guide to help keep costs down. That also allows you to prepare a few meals in your accommodation, and shopping in local markets and shops is an eye-opener for those teens. Go for a reasonably central location within easy reach of local transport.

We are attending a wedding in Sicily in May and have a week afterwards to visit Sardinia. Where should we base ourselves and what places and sights to see?
F. Schifilliti, Richmond, Vic

The stairway leading to the Neptune’s Grotto near Alghero.Credit: iStock

Alghero is one of the island’s most popular tourist resorts, a pretty, Spanish-influenced town with a treasury of historic architecture. A highlight is Neptune’s Grotto, where the sea has gnawed fantastic caves from the limestone cliffs. From here you could easily drive to Porto Cervo, the main town for the Costa Smeralda, a favourite summer playground for the super-rich. Just a little further north, Caprera Island is a wild and beautiful nature reserve with lovely beaches cradled in U-shaped inlets. In May you’re ahead of the crowds and the weather should be just about warm enough to swim in the sea.

If you want something quieter and more authentic, just to the south is Bosa, a pastel-coloured town with cobblestoned squares dominated by the hilltop Castell Malaspina, a 12th century citadel. Midway between Alghero and Oristano, Bosa is a good base for exploring both. Deep in the island’s south, Pula is home to the archaeological site of Nora, founded by the Phoenicians. Pula is close to Cagliari, and the Sardinian capital is well worth exploring on a day trip.

Three friends and I would like to road trip Scotland and Ireland, but it appears you cannot take rental cars between the two countries without major issues. Any suggestions or should we stump up for two different rental cars in each country?
L. Corbett, Canberra, ACT

According to sources on the internet such as UK car hire website VroomVroomVroom, you would need to pay a cross-border fee and may also be required to take out additional insurance cover. Alamo’s cross-border charge is £125 ($240), Budget and Enterprise have similar charges. When you add that to the cost of taking your vehicle on the car ferry, it’s probably going to be cheaper and, certainly, simpler to have two separate rentals.

We are looking at joining a small-group, guided tour of Japan, 12-15 days, leaving Australia in late March. Keen to include some train travel, and happy to spend an extra day or two before and after the tour.
K. Popplewell, Church Point NSW

If you want a very special small group tour, look at Redleaf Tours Japan. They’re insightful and immersive cultural tours, operated and guided by Akio Matui, who lives in Sydney and operates just a few tours each year. Travellers who have been on his tours rave about the level of personal service. Alternatives include Inside Japan, Martin Randall Travel, Wendy Wu Tours and Wabunka. Train travel is a given on tours of Japan – it’s by far the best way to get around.

Travel advice is general; readers should consider their personal circumstances.