UK/Europe Holiday (with 3-ish year old) - Where to start??

[LimeSlice]

I am trying to start planning a trip to Europe and the UK for next year, but not sure where to start.

I want to see all the obvious touristy things, but really want ot make sure I can see some local festivals and fairs and the like throughout Europe.
Also want to make sure we go at the right time of year to get the best out of it - we will be taking Charlotte, who will be around 3 when we go (and hopefully toilet trained!! lol)

So Im not sure where to start with finding the right places to stay and how to get around, what there is to see and do and things.

We will be on a budget, but not a tight one, and was hoping to do a combo of backpacker ish type accom and some cheap hotels around the place too.


So any ideas on where to go to find this type of info?
Or any where you have been off the beaten track (but not so far off Charlotte is going to get kidnapped and sold for organ transplants please lol), festivals or events you saw?
Where did you stay or where do you know of?

Also love to hear about restaurants/inns in France and Italy in particular to satisfy my cullinarian side (see Cai, it IS a word now!! lol)

Should I get a Lonely Planet? Are they any good or is there better references guides out there?

Oh, the least amount of money I can spend finding this info would be great!


TIA

Lex x

[AngelPunks]

my brother, wife & 4 kids (aged 11, 9, 7 & 5) went through europe for 3 months, they primarily stayed in tourist parks with tents that were almost like cabins. They hired a car for the time they were there.

[LimeSlice]

ooh I hadnt even thought of tourist parks!
Thanks Punks

[AngelPunks]

that's ok. Glad I could help, in a small way

I'm considering a trip OS next year to visit friends in England & Europe - but it will just be me in my pre-pregnant state.

[LimeSlice]

[Phteven]

re Lonely Planet. I think their stamp of approval is the death knell for anything that they recommend. I like the Footprint guides.
There is web site called trip advisor. It can be a bit annoying to navigate but it has never let me down when it comes to hotels. It has classifications like family hotel etc and if you just search fr a family hotel and pick the highest ranked one in your budget you should be fine.
Since I started using it we haven't stayed in a hotel we weren't happy with.
It works on visitor ratings so it averages out pretty accuratly.