Europe Trips

Check out some top destinations for family trips to Europe: London, Paris, Venice, Italian hill towns, Greece...

Check out some intriguing ideas for family trips to Europe, such as barging, biking tours, staying in a castle, or perhaps exploring Ireland in a horse-drawn caravan.

For those of us with school-age kids, July and August are prime months for travel. These are also the months when Europe is in bloom. Flower boxes are bright with color, ice-cream shops are open day and night, cafe's spill out onto sidewalks and into squares, and there are colorful festivals in many towns and villages.

Eurocamp's dozens of "holiday parcs" are a whole different concept in family getaways. Families can stay in multi-room canvas tents with real beds, or in "holiday homes" equipped with kitchenettes. The large Eurocamp properties typically offer swimming pools, restaurants, sports and recreation, and free kids' programs. Individual properties...

Here's another way to vacation as Europeans do. Center Parcs has family-friendly and affordable resort villages in northern Europe. Features at a typical Center Parc village include huge recreational grounds, large cottages, many fun activities, and an indoor tropical pool area. Read a review of the Center Parcs property that's nearest to Paris.

A great option for families with young kids, Familotel has over fifty locations in Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland. These hotels offer kids' activities, childcare and babycare, play zones, and baby gear including strollers. Choose from ski destinations, summer destinations with pools and outdoor activities, and more.

For those who are keen to travel in Europe with kids but need to keep an eye on the budget, the new style of hostels can provide affordable lodgings. Many hostels in Europe today have "family rooms." Look for hostels that are located in castles and other buildings with character.

This company offers hand-picked vacation rental properties -- (e.g. apartments, farmhouses, or cottages) -- in dozens of areas. They also help plan transportation, provide information about nearby sightseeing, and connect visitors to a local contact.

Do you long to see Europe with your kids, but feel daunted by the logistics? Fans of cruises will tell you that logistics get a lot easier when your hotel room travels with you. Families can explore an interesting port during the day and at night return to the cruise ship where familiar beds and belongings await.

Barge rentals range from the do-it-your self approach (called "self-catering" in Europe), to luxurious trips with gourmet meals. Often bicycles are included so families can explore the countryside near the canal or river the barge is traveling down.

Several high-end family adventure companies offer biking tours in Europe with all the details handled. A family-friendly lower-budget option is listed, too.

There are several ways that a family can have an all inclusive vacation in Europe, including all inclusive beach hotels and resorts, Club Med resorts in Alps for winter getaways, and nearly all inclusive cruises and "family adventure" tours.