5 Best European Family Vacations
February 25, 2012
Don't you think every kid should know the joy of a family trip to Europe? There are so many amazing family friendly destinations in Europe it is often hard to decide where to go. We've spent 5 years exploring Europe as a family on just $23/day per person, on our extended European road trip, thus we can guide you with some tips to keep expenses down and have fantastic fun for every family member.
FRANCE
The number one travel destination in Europe is France, so that might be a great place to begin! Paris is the most visited city in the world and the Eiffel Tower the most seen attraction. Kids love icons and Paris is full of them with great museums and sensational parks.
You can combine Paris with London or Paris with other parts of France like the French Riviera and particularly pretty Provence. Here are just a few informative posts I've written about our travels in France from well known sights like celebrating at the Eiffel Tower to hidden gems like beautiful village Colliore.
Pont du Gard Family Travel
Dordogne Vacation
Biking Bordeaux Vineyards
Stunning Horses in the Camargue, France
Free Kid's Camps in France
Burgundy Travel
Dune de Pyla - Highest Dune in Europe
Carcassonne Medieval Castle
Alsace at Harvest
SPAIN
You know we love Spain best of all and the diversity, beauty, food and rich culture is why we made Southern Spain our winter home for four winters and have been to Barcelona 16 times as a family, usually for months at a time. It is easy to combine quaint villages, gorgeous countryside, exquisite cities rich in history, the best festivals in Europe, plus glorious mountains and sea.
My best advice for Spain is to avoid most of coastal Spain, especially Andalusia in July and August for that is the time to be in Galicia. Andalusia is a fantastic winter, spring and fall destination with endless exotic festivals. Here are more tips and ideas:
Jerez Horse Fair
Travel Tips - Costa del Sol
How to winter in Spain
10 Best Costa Brava Secrets
San Sebastian
Semana Santa Easter in Spain
Gorgeous Galicia
Madrid
Best Southern Spain Holiday
Beautiful Seville
La Alhambra
3 Kings in Spain
ITALY
Who doesn't like Italy, Italians and italian food? I use to live there, so had to take my family and explore more. Everybody loves Rome, Venice and Florence, but don't miss the countryside like Tuscany and special places like Cinque Terra, Verona and Pompeii. If you want to combine Barcelona and Rome plus a sea adventure, there is a luxurious cruise-like ferry that runs daily.
Here are just a few of our posts from our many explorations around Italy:
Kids View of Florence
7 Reasons to Travel to Cinque Terre
Venice for Kids
Opera in Verona
Colors of Italy
Rome on a budget
Pompeii for Families
Pisa Family Travel
Visiting Pinocchio in Italy
Michelangelo’s Magnificent David
UK and IRELAND
Many Americans like to begin in Europe in the UK and/or Ireland because the similar culture and language makes it easy and many of us have roots there. Most people just see the cities, but there are some amazingly verdant hills in a scrumptious countryside. We were especially fond of the Cottsworld,Lake District and Dingle.
Do remember that rain and cold 'tis the usual weather, even in summer, so bring your umbrellas and let the kids splash in some puddles. You might luck out with some sunny days, but if you are prepared then you will have fun no matter what the weather does.
Best Budget Hotel in London
Exploring Roots in Ireland
Cotsworlds - Heart of England
Visiting Globe Theatre in London
Hiking and Biking Ireland
London -Short Term Apartment Rental Bargains
Posh High Tea in England
Free Museums London
Old Ireland
Swimming With Swans and Shakespeare
SCANDINAVIA
Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark are all wholesome family friendly destinations. The big surprise for us was how great the food was and that everyone speaks English...even the grandparents! The roads in Scandinavia are excellent as are the trains and I think it may well be the most idyllic place to be for summer.
Norway Fjords on a Budget
Beautiful Stockholm
Cooking Reindeer Meat in a Traditional Kota
Tivoli in Copenhagen, Denmark
Norway Hostels
Sweden Family Travel
Scandinavian Kiss
Finland and Scandinavian Libraries
Ice Bar Family Fun
Finland Food
Here is a bonus tip on how to eat healthy and cheaply while in Europe! I realize I've still left out lots of countries and places in Europe that we love, so I will have to do more of these kind of posts. What are your favorite spots in Europe for kids?
Don't you think every kid should know the joy of a family trip to Europe? There are so many amazing family friendly destinations in Europe it is often hard to decide where to go. We've spent 5 years exploring Europe as a family on just $23/day per person, on our extended European road trip, thus we can guide you with some tips to keep expenses down and have fantastic fun for every family member.
FRANCE
The number one travel destination in Europe is France, so that might be a great place to begin! Paris is the most visited city in the world and the Eiffel Tower the most seen attraction. Kids love icons and Paris is full of them with great museums and sensational parks.
You can combine Paris with London or Paris with other parts of France like the French Riviera and particularly pretty Provence. Here are just a few informative posts I've written about our travels in France from well known sights like celebrating at the Eiffel Tower to hidden gems like beautiful village Colliore.
Pont du Gard Family Travel
Dordogne Vacation
Biking Bordeaux Vineyards
Stunning Horses in the Camargue, France
Free Kid's Camps in France
Burgundy Travel
Dune de Pyla - Highest Dune in Europe
Carcassonne Medieval Castle
Alsace at Harvest
SPAIN
You know we love Spain best of all and the diversity, beauty, food and rich culture is why we made Southern Spain our winter home for four winters and have been to Barcelona 16 times as a family, usually for months at a time. It is easy to combine quaint villages, gorgeous countryside, exquisite cities rich in history, the best festivals in Europe, plus glorious mountains and sea.
My best advice for Spain is to avoid most of coastal Spain, especially Andalusia in July and August for that is the time to be in Galicia. Andalusia is a fantastic winter, spring and fall destination with endless exotic festivals. Here are more tips and ideas:
Jerez Horse Fair
Travel Tips - Costa del Sol
How to winter in Spain
10 Best Costa Brava Secrets
San Sebastian
Semana Santa Easter in Spain
Gorgeous Galicia
Madrid
Best Southern Spain Holiday
Beautiful Seville
La Alhambra
3 Kings in Spain
ITALY
Who doesn't like Italy, Italians and italian food? I use to live there, so had to take my family and explore more. Everybody loves Rome, Venice and Florence, but don't miss the countryside like Tuscany and special places like Cinque Terra, Verona and Pompeii. If you want to combine Barcelona and Rome plus a sea adventure, there is a luxurious cruise-like ferry that runs daily.
Here are just a few of our posts from our many explorations around Italy:
Kids View of Florence
7 Reasons to Travel to Cinque Terre
Venice for Kids
Opera in Verona
Colors of Italy
Rome on a budget
Pompeii for Families
Pisa Family Travel
Visiting Pinocchio in Italy
Michelangelo’s Magnificent David
UK and IRELAND
Many Americans like to begin in Europe in the UK and/or Ireland because the similar culture and language makes it easy and many of us have roots there. Most people just see the cities, but there are some amazingly verdant hills in a scrumptious countryside. We were especially fond of the Cottsworld,Lake District and Dingle.
Do remember that rain and cold 'tis the usual weather, even in summer, so bring your umbrellas and let the kids splash in some puddles. You might luck out with some sunny days, but if you are prepared then you will have fun no matter what the weather does.
Best Budget Hotel in London
Exploring Roots in Ireland
Cotsworlds - Heart of England
Visiting Globe Theatre in London
Hiking and Biking Ireland
London -Short Term Apartment Rental Bargains
Posh High Tea in England
Free Museums London
Old Ireland
Swimming With Swans and Shakespeare
SCANDINAVIA
Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark are all wholesome family friendly destinations. The big surprise for us was how great the food was and that everyone speaks English...even the grandparents! The roads in Scandinavia are excellent as are the trains and I think it may well be the most idyllic place to be for summer.
Norway Fjords on a Budget
Beautiful Stockholm
Cooking Reindeer Meat in a Traditional Kota
Tivoli in Copenhagen, Denmark
Norway Hostels
Sweden Family Travel
Scandinavian Kiss
Finland and Scandinavian Libraries
Ice Bar Family Fun
Finland Food
Here is a bonus tip on how to eat healthy and cheaply while in Europe! I realize I've still left out lots of countries and places in Europe that we love, so I will have to do more of these kind of posts. What are your favorite spots in Europe for kids?
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Lovely selection for holiday lovers. Its very nice that you have also included videos.
Posted by: Travel Blog | March 04, 2012 at 12:28 PM
Wow!So good to read.Thank you so much.
Posted by: Hai | March 07, 2012 at 07:53 AM
Thanks TB and Hai..happy to hear you like it!
Posted by: Jeanne @soultravelers3 | May 02, 2012 at 03:12 AM
Thanks for the great post :-)
Posted by: EuropeanKiss | July 04, 2012 at 07:33 AM