Top 4 family friendly destinations in Europe
Europe is one of the very best family vacation destinations in the world. We can provide helpful European travel planning hints on how to put together a great itinerary that gets all your family members involved. Yet with so many countries to choose from, how can you narrow down your list? Here are our suggestions for the top four best family friendly destinations in Europe.
1. Outdoor adventure in the Dolomites of northern Italy
The Dolomite mountains north of Venice are some of the most spectacular mountain ranges in the world. No matter the season, these jagged peaks and surrounding valleys offer some terrific outdoor recreational activities that the whole family can enjoy.
In winter months, the downhill or cross-country skiing is unsurpassed. Christmas is an especially festive time to visit, with Christmas markets adorning city piazzas such as in Bolzano. Go sledding, ice skating, tobogganing, snowmobiling. Take a hike on snowshoes, a horse-drawn carriage ride, or ride a cable car up into the mountains for awe-inspiring views.
Spectacular views at the Dolomites
Warmer months bring hiking in the gorgeous terrain of the Dolomites. Discover walks such as near the five rock towers known as the Cinque Torri. Children will love the awesome landscapes and can have fun with local attractions. Visit the Sompunt Deer Farm, where they can see the local deer and visit the resident ponies, rabbits, ducks, and goats! Or they can meet Ötzi the Iceman, a glacier mummy from the Copper Age, in the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano.
Hiking in the Dolomites is a must-do
2. London offers an amazing variety of historic and modern sites
England’s capital provides a living history lesson that will be appreciated by children and adults alike. Hear the Beefeaters regale visitors with stories of the Tower of London to a spin on the London Eye high above the River Thames. A trip to London will provide a wide variety of fun and educational activities to choose from.
Discover the sites of London from the London Eye
But there’s much more to London than just the iconic sights of Big Ben, the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, Madame Tussauds, riding a red double-decker bus or going to the theater in the West End. Read more here for some additional tips on great family friendly activities in London.
Harry Potter World – a mix of colour, fun and entertainment for all Harry Potter fans
3. The beauties of Paris beguile visitors of all ages
Paris appeals to the romantic soul in all of us, with many of its attractions being very kid friendly. From the obvious choices like the Euro Disney theme park outside of the city, to children’s treasure hunt tours of the Louvre Museum or a picnic near the Eiffel Tower.
The Louvre offers a variety of family friendly experiences
The City of Lights provides many more opportunities for fun with your children, from sailing the toy boats in the Luxembourg Gardens to watching the colourful and amusing fountain outside the Pompidou Centre art museum. Read more here for some additional tips for family activities in Paris.
Sail a boat at the Luxembourg Gardens
4. The Tuscan countryside charms with its castles and historic villages
Go beyond the amazing city sightseeing of Tuscany’s great art cities with a visit to its spectacular rolling countryside. Discover rows of cypress trees, hilltop walled villages and vineyard-covered slopes with winery estates.
Families can stay in local agriturismos, where they can learn more about traditional culture from their farm hosts. Visit the local farm animals or even participate in the activities such as the wine harvesting!
Staying in a beautiful villa in the Tuscan hills is another great way to relax and begin to absorb these beautiful surroundings. Two of the most popular areas to explore are the Chianti region and the Val d’Orcia. Some great villa choices here would include:
- Villa Lamacci, a luxury 8-bedroom villa in the Chianti region that produces its own wine, located just outside the medieval village of Barberino d’Elsa, halfway between Siena and Florence.
- Villa Calendula is but a 10-minute walk from the village of Greve in Chianti, and so offers the best of country and town living.
- Villa Canneto is a stone farmhouse overlooking vineyards and olive tree groves situated between Castellina in Chianti and the walled village of Monteriggioni.
- Villa Val d’Orcia offers a heated pool and stunning outdoor dining terrace just 15 minutes from Montepulciano.
Other wonderful accommodation options include:
- Castello Meleto in the Chianti region has been around for nearly a thousand years. Guests can choose to stay in the castle itself, a villa or apartments in ancient farmhouses with two outdoor swimming pools!
- Borgo Lucignanello Bandini is a historic village of charming accommodations. Owned by the historic Piccolomini family for 600 years, the Borgo offers cooking classes, oil, wine, and cheese tasting and even truffle hunting as guest activities!
- The stunning Baroque-style Villa Cetinale offers a chance to experience the grandeur of the past with all the modern comforts. With its world-famous gardens, the villa has its own holy wood with statuary and a hermitage, situated just west of Siena.
There is so much to explore in the scenic Tuscan countryside, with historic towns like Greve, Radda or Castellina in the Chianti and Montalcino, Pienza and Montepulciano in the Val d’Orcia.
There are wineries surrounded by vineyards, peaceful abbeys like Sant Antimo, thermal spas, and castles like Brolio or Verrazano to visit. Many towns offer historic fairs or food festivals to help your kids soak in some local history and culture.
Get your hands dirty with an authentic local cooking class
Other adventures could include taking a hot air balloon ride over the beautiful Tuscan hills. Follow a truffle hunter and his dog into the woods. Or perhaps enjoy a ride through the countryside in a vintage automobile! Read here for some additional suggestions as to great family activities in the Tuscan countryside.
