3 top destinations for families in Europe
Europe has been the home of top holiday destinations for as long as people have been taking holidays. The fascinating mix of different cultures climates and cuisines draws people to the continent time and time again. With so much to choose from picking the right European destination for a family holiday can be a little daunting so here are three top family-friendly destinations that we think you’ll love.
Barcelona
Barcelona is the first of our three. Located on Spain’s north-eastern coast and overlooking the beautiful Balearic Sea it is warm in the summer and stays mild in the winter. The beaches are made up of golden sands and whilst they are busy in peak holiday season they are right there on your holiday apartment doorstep. The city has an excellent public transport network and with the Barcelona Tourist Card you can make huge savings on the cost of getting around as well as discounts on show tickets and restaurant meals.
The city has a fascinating history and some quirky architecture that will make even the kids’ jaws drop. Many of the city’s museums are free to enter on Sundays and children particularly enjoy the Mammoth Museum with its unique displays of prehistoric animals and the Chocolate Museum where they can get hands on experience of chocolate making. There are stunning parks like the Ciutadella a zoo an aquarium and events taking place throughout the year. Finding top quality places to eat is easy and most Barcelonan restaurants are totally child-friendly.
Paris
It is famous for fine food arts culture and romance but it’s not to be overlooked when thinking about a family holiday. A truly cosmopolitan capital city Paris is not the cheapest destination for holidaymaking but nevertheless has a huge variety of free attractions and is genuinely family-friendly. The public transport network is extensive if not always easy to understand and the Paris Visite Pass gives you free travel across Metro bus and some train services.
Those new to Paris should try the Paris Pass which gives you a guidebook and free access to a huge number of attractions ranging from museums to river cruises. Taking a hop-on-hop-off Paris bus tour on your first day will not only be fun and informative but will also help you to plan interesting days out for the rest of your stay. A visit to the world famous Pompidou Centre is a must and it also has a superb children’s gallery often running workshops for the kids to express their creative side. The large city parks like Parc de la Villette and Jardin du Luxembourg are more than just open spaces and have many attractions to keep the children entertained and a trip to Disneyland Paris will be high on any child’s agenda. Of course you will never be short of places at which to eat and families are welcomed in most Parisian restaurants.
Rome
And finally the ancient city of Rome might not be the first place you think of when considering where to go for your family holiday but it is a great destination for adults and kids alike. The cobbled streets of the older parts of the city require sensible shoes and the crowds at the most famous sights can be a little daunting but it is all worthwhile.
To inspire your children and immerse them in the history of Rome take a trip from your holiday apartment into the heart of the city and visit the Time Elevator. Here you will enjoy a sensory treat that takes you from the city’s legendary foundation through the rise and fall of the Roman Empire the Renaissance and right through to the modern day. Combine this with a bus tour of the city and you can soon agree on the sites you will want to visit later. Go to the Vatican, the Trevi Fountain, the Coliseum of course but don’t forget the children’s’ museum (Museuo dei Bambini di Roma) which has great levels of interactivity for the kids. And it’s easy to please even the fussiest child when eating out in Rome – with pizza and pasta and gelato aplenty what’s not to like?
