Tripologist: Where’s a good place to immerse yourself in European culture?

We want to spend about two weeks over the European summer with our energetic children aged seven and 11 somewhere out of the major cities where they can immerse themselves in local culture. Based in one location and doing day trips with a vehicle. P. Elliot, Gosford, NSW

Alsace, in eastern France, could be a good fit. It’s a gorgeous region with riverside villages of half-timbered houses tucked into mountain valleys and surrounded by forests. The list of prominent villages includes World Heritage-listed Colmar, the lovely city of Strasbourg and Kaysersburg. Alsace is also notable for its local produce – cheeses, sausages and flambee which is a local version of pizza.

The Alsace vineyards are known for their fine rieslings and throughout the summer, the region hosts a rich array of local arts and performance events that are great for families. Just a short distance to the east across the German border is the Black Forest, another storybook region with forest walking trails that should give you plenty to do. Don’t miss the short ride aboard the Schlossbergbahn, which hoists you from Freiburg to a lookout tower with views of France on the far side of the Rhine. Alsace is also close to the Swiss city of Basel which has a lively summer arts program.

We’re a couple looking for hotels in a good location for a four-night stay in Washington D.C. in May, followed by New York. Budget is up to $500 per night. A. Saunders, Malvern, Vic

One of the national capital hotels I like is The Line D.C. Housed in a 110-year-old church and located in the Adams Morgan district – AdMo to the locals – the area is known for its restaurants, bars, art and nightlife. It’s close to the Smithsonian National Zoological Park and is about two kilometres north of the White House and the museums, memorials and national cultural institutions along Constitution Avenue. In May rates start at about $US340 ($500) a night. For a more traditional hotel experience, The Wharf is a Hyatt Hotel on the banks of the Potomac River just three blocks from the National Mall. Become a Hyatt member (it’s free), and a room in May starts at about $US370 ($540) a night.

In New York City, The Jane Hotel is a budget favourite in the historic West Village, close to Greenwich Village. Rooms are squeezy but the price, about $US220 ($320) a night in May 2024, ensures its popularity. The hotel is currently undergoing renovation work and the ballroom, restaurant and rooftop are inaccessible. Citizen M has two hotels in Manhattan, one in the bohemian Bowery district, another at Times Square, and these are good value for New York City, at about $US380 ($560) and $US350 ($500) respectively.

My husband, daughter and I would like to explore Kent in the UK over five days in May and would love some suggestions of a town or two to use as a base for our sightseeing.
J. Richardson, Oyster Bay, NSW

If you have a vehicle you could base yourselves in one of Kent’s cities and Canterbury would be my choice. The city is close to the coastal towns, there’s plenty to see and it has a good choice of accommodation and dining. Without a vehicle, a second base could be Royal Tunbridge Wells. Kent is home to Hever Castle, the ancestral home of Anne Boleyn; Vita Sackville-West’s famous garden at Sissinghurst and Chartwell, home of Sir Winston Churchill for over 40 years. Add to this the White Cliffs of Dover, Hastings, Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral, plus a generous helping of luscious English countryside, pubs, woodlands and country walks. Visiting many of these sites by public transport is going to be time-consuming – you’d be better off taking a tour. See the Visit Kent website for more information.