Trips to Europe with kids can be terrific fun and memorable for a life-time. And trips in Europe don't need to cost the earth; after all, regular families in Europe take trips too, and there are certainly affordable options.
Head to some top Europe destinations for families... or continue below for further ideas.
Europe Trips - Ideas
For something a little different, consider these...
Barging: Pilot your own barge, or cruise along in catered luxury; often, bikes are provided to explore beyond your river or canal.
Biking: high end family bike holidays, all details handled; a friendly lower-budget option, too.
Castle Stays: Pack the plastic swords and crowns, and go stay overnight in a castle-- some are surprisingly affordable.
Horse-Drawn Caravans in Ireland: definitely a vacation your neighbors haven't done yet. And what a wonderful way to see the famed Irish countryside: in your own comfy gypsy-style caravan, drawn by a patient horse. Picture a tiny version of a covered wagon like you see in old Westerns. Your caravan sleeps four (or sometimes five) and has a cooker, sink/wash-basin, kitchen equipment, seating for meals, and internal lights.Eurocamp: Forget your usual ideas about camping: stay in bungalows if you like, and enjoy the resort-like facilities and kids' programs.
Family Adventures - escorted tours, with all details handled, and exceptional itineraries. See a review of Adventures By Disney - Viva Italia: Rome; medieval hill-town Orvieto; Tuscan countryside, Florence; Venice. Bellissima! ABD has several trips in Europe.
Stay Somewhere Fun: these places provide fun for the family right on-site. Enjoy them as a destination (like families in Europe do), or as a home base for exploring the environs.
- Center Parcs Family Resorts: in northern Europe, each with a huge domed area that houses a tropical pool (slides, waves, etc.), restaurants, shops, etc. Large cottages; country settings; lots of outdoors activities.
- Eurocamp- I'm gonna say it again: check these places out, look for resort-like facilities.
- Familotel - Holiday Hotels for Families
Great for families with young kids! Family holiday hotels in Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland; kids activities, childcare and babycare (with your holiday package), play zones, baby gear (even strollers.) Ski holidays, summer holidays with pools, slides, outdoors activities... - Hay Hotels - stay in a barn in the German countryside.
More Europe Trip Ideas for families: horse-drawn caravans in Ireland, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Grand-Travel...
Other Ideas About Places to Stay
Vacation Home Rentals: Renting a multi-room place, with kitchen, has many advantages for families. You might also try Untours: vacation rentals (apartments, farmhouses, cottages) plus grand transportation and insider tips for the area.
Europe Trips: Getting There and Getting Around
Airfares within Europe are remarkably low, thanks to no-frills airlines such as Ryanair. One way to gestalt a trip to Europe is to fly to London, enjoy a day or two there, then take a discount airfare to a smaller city in, say, Italy. (These airlines do serve big cities like Rome, as well, but typically they use a secondary airport.)
As for getting around: legions of travelers love the trains in Europe, but -- for family traveling-- my family loves the convenience of a car rental. The economics of car rental look good, too, once there are three of four of you. Plus, you can explore the countryside, stop at small towns, etc.
- "Lease" a car or minivan: it's a way to do car rental, with lots of advantages
- Get Around in a Renault Kangoo - just my opinion: a perfect vehicle for families; we wanted to bring the Kangoo home
- Discount Airlines
- more Getting Around, on Europe Trips
*photo courtesy of Eurocamp
