Travelling is an important aspect of life for many reasons. You learn about different cultures, you learn to be more tolerant and you escape the complacency of everyday life. And travelling with your family is a great way to bond and build memories that will last a lifetime.
Many people put off travelling until after their kids are out of the house, but there’s no need to put your life on hold just because you’ve got your kids in tow.
The Best Family Holiday Locations in Europe 2023
If you’re thinking of travelling with your family, consider Europe. Europe is full of amazing places that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime.
Maybe you’re a seasoned traveller or you and your family are just getting started — either way, there are tons of awesome places in Europe to visit in 2019, including plenty of options that aren’t cheesy resorts and overcrowded swim parks.
This article presents five fascinating holiday ideas in Europe for you to plan with your family this year. Now all you need to do is pick one! (And get the kids on board). Here are some of the best holiday locations in Europe.
Family Holiday in the French Alps
If you and your family are looking for something to do during the winter, half-term family ski holidays in the French Alps are a great way to bond, learn some new skills and stay physically active. Many resorts provide special accommodations for families, including parks just for children and plenty of kid-friendly instructors.
Not a fan of skiing? No problem! There are plenty of other great activities to do in the French Alps besides skiing. Have a look at these following activities to see if any are the perfect fit for your family:
- Snowshoeing: Snowshoeing is a great activity for families who don’t mind splitting up at the ski resort. Those who like to ski can ski, and those who want to try a more leisurely activity spent admiring the natural surroundings can snowshoe. Many resorts rent poles, snowshoes and trail maps.
- Christmas markets: Are you in the French Alps for Christmas? Do you love the holiday spirit? If so, you can’t miss the Christmas markets. You’ll find artisanal crafts and sweet treats, but most of all, your heart will feel delightfully warm when immersed in the whimsical holiday ambience.
- Grotte de Glace: For the family that loves exploration and adventure, the Grotte de Glace is perfect! This huge ice cave shifts every year with the natural movement of the glaciers surrounding it and provides breathtakingly otherworldly views.
The French Alps are certainly one of the top cool places to go on holiday in Europe.
Holiday in London
If you’re reading this article, then you probably speak English. That means you speak the language of London and getting around with your family won’t be a problem at all. If you and your family are just beginning to travel together, you may want to consider going somewhere where you speak the language.
London is also great for kids because they’ll be sure to recognise some of the iconic landmarks like Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. If your kids are younger, they will be particularly taken with Hamleys — a huge, 7-story toy department store!
Other things to be sure to check out while you’re there:
- Natural History Museum: Kid-friendly exhibits including a life-size robotic Tyrannosaurus Rex!
- Tower of London: If your kids are a bit older and are fascinated with the darker side of London, they’ll love a tour of the Tower of London, including the dungeons where Papists and Protestants were held respectively, depending on who was in power.
- London Eye: The London Eye is a great family activity that provides an awesome view of London’s skyline. A great first-day activity.
Visit Rome
Nurture your kids’ appreciation for history and culture with a family holiday to Rome. In just one city, you will be able to tour the Colosseum and the Pantheon, not to mention gelato shops on every corner. You won’t have to worry about picky eaters, either, because what kid doesn’t like pasta and pizza?
Your younger kids will be dazzled by the countless street performers, your older kids will love shopping and visiting art museums and the adults well, the adults will enjoy everything! Especially the glass of red that will accompany every meal.
Top Places to Visit in Rome
Some things you’ll need to make sure to see in Rome include:
- Colosseum and Roman Forum: Your kids will love learning about the gladiators, and older kids studying politics, philosophy, or even better, political philosophy will be sure to enjoy learning about how the Romans used to govern in the Forum.
- Vatican: If your students love art, they will be fascinated by the huge collection of art in the Vatican museum.
- Swimming: When in doubt, catch a train and head to the beach to cool off in the crystalline waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
- Shopping: If you’ve got some teenagers that are into fashion, head to Via del Corso and make sure to bring your plastic.
- Trastevere: If your kids are a bit older and appreciate charming medieval settings, then a night in Trastevere is a must. Trastevere literally means ‘across the Tiber’ because this neighbourhood is across the river from the main hub of Rome. If you plan it right, you’ll eat some of the best pasta and pizza you’ve ever had or you could enjoy the mediterranean diet while in rome!
Barcelona Holidays
Most kids are required to study a foreign language in school these days. If your kids are studying Spanish, a trip to Barcelona is a great way to secretly slip in some study time. You’re probably asking: ‘But don’t they speak Catalan in Barcelona?’ Yes, Catalan is what the locals speak to each other, but everyone is very fluent in Castilian Spanish as well. And who knows, maybe your kids will pick up some Catalan too.
That being said, the Independence Movement is a sensitive subject in Barcelona, so if you happen to be talking to a local, it’s best not to refer to Barcelona as Spain, but as Catalonia.
Places to Visit in Barcelona
If you decide to go on holiday with your family in Barcelona, make sure you don’t miss:
- Sagrada Familia and Parc Güell: Although you’ll probably have to take metro transit from one to another, both of these landmarks were designed by Antoni Gaudi. Your children won’t be able to resist that colourful imagery that looks like it came from a fantastical fairytale. Fun fact: Although the Sagrada has been under construction for more than a century, the work permits were only just recently approved.
- Las Ramblas: If you feel like your family could use some unstructured strolling time after too many guided tours, Las Ramblas is the place to go. You’ll see tons of street performers and can stop for plenty of ice cream along the way.
- Swimming: If you go to Barcelona during the summer, chances are you and your family may need a break from the heat. So catch one of the city’s two cable cards and your kids can splash in the water while you work on becoming ‘Morena’.
Visit Munich With the Family
If you want to try going somewhere a little different, consider a trip to Munich for your next family holiday. There are countless activities that the whole family will love. The adults in the group can enjoy plenty of activities, and the kids will fall in love with the plethora of hand-made toys.
You’ll feel right at home with the abundance of local families, enjoying music in the park, riding bikes through Englischer garden and enjoying hearty food and drinks all along the way.
Places to Visit in Munich City
If you and your family decide to take a holiday to Munich in 2019 don’t miss these activities:
- BMW museum: Great for kids whose bedroom walls are papered with posters of cars.
- Deutsches Museum: Your little scientist will get completely swept away in the largest science museum in the world.
- Fairy Tale Route: If your kids love tales of princesses and evil witches, then you can’t miss this tour that leads the way to Neuschwanstein Castle, the inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty.
Europe With Kids
Travelling is such an important activity to engage in. It helps you become more flexible and accept people for who they are, instead of focusing on only the differences. Additionally, it’s very important to teach your children these values young, which is why you shouldn’t hesitate to plan a family holiday in Europe in 2019.
All of the destinations mentioned in this article have something for everyone in the family, so adults and kids will both end the journey with memories they will cherish for the rest of their lives.
So, what are you waiting for? Choose a destination and buy your tickets! There are lots of cool places to go on holiday in Europe with your family. Where will you go?
And after Europe, where will you and your family go next? The world is full of places that will have a positive impact on you and your family. But until then: Have a nice trip! Bon voyage! Buen Viaje! Buon Viaggio!
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