By: Natasha Archary
For new parents who love to travel, planning an international trip may seem a little daunting. There are so many more aspects to consider when planning a trip with little ones, however, travelling with children can be a thrilling experience.
Picking the right destination is important to making a family vacation a success and Air France shares five child-friendly European destinations that are bound to be a hit for both parents and children.
Paris, France
The versatile city of Paris has something for everyone and it can be the perfect destination for families to explore.
Easily the biggest attraction is the Eiffel Tower which intrigues children just as much as it does adults.
Family tickets with a specific date and time at the tower can be book on the La Tour Eiffel website.
There’s also loads to do as a family, with a park right under the tower where you can take pictures of the memorable time.
Paris is also home to the Louvre Museum, which is a historic landmark of the city of love. The museum is famous for housing the Mona Lisa painting by Leonardo Da Vinci.
Bistro’s and coffee shops line the streets of this bustling city with so much to see. The Sacre Coeur Basilica is a fun challenge for the kids, to see who can climbs all the steps.
Paris can be both educational and a relaxing trip for families.
Lisbon, Portugal
The seaside city of Lisbon with its cobbled streets is known for its mouthwatering food. While it may be a little tricky to navigate with kids in tow, Lisbon offers a rich, cultural experience.
The Oceanairo Lisboa is on of the most impressive and largest aquariums in Europe. Showcasing incredible sea life in four marine habitats filled with over 5 million litres of seawater. The city also boasts some of the most spectacular beaches where many celebrities can often be spotted.
Also read: [BEST OF AFRICA] 10 amazing places to visit in Africa
Barcelona, Spain
What makes Barcelona the perfect city to explore with kids, is its miles of golden sand and how the city is designed for families.
Barcelona is a flat city which means that exploring it with baby prams is a breeze.
The city’s vibrant beaches will ensure the kids will be entertained for hours on end building sandcastles and enjoying ice cream or playing paddle ball on the sand. The football loving nation is home to Spanish football club Barcelona and a tour of the stadium or even to watch a game during the league season will be a treat for the family.
Rome, Italy
Rome’s fascinating ancient history is enough to stir any child’s imagination, making the city a perfect child-friendly destination. The city has so much to offer for all ages and you can get some sightseeing done at a number of tourist attraction spots.
The Colosseum is a landmark where one can learn about ancient civilisation. The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are incredible locations. You can also toss a coin in the famous Trevi fountain or grab some gelato on your way to museums or workshops.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
While Amsterdam may be known for its thriving nightlife, the city has become increasingly popular with families – and for good reason.
The city has so much to offer families while on vacation and is designed in a way that makes travelling with kids simple and, most importantly, easy.
A great way to take in some of the city’s historic sites is to hire a paddle boat along the famous Amsterdam canals as a family. For those not wanting to get into the water, hiring bikes is incredibly easy and is a great way to get around thanks to the many bike paths around the city.
Visit a local bakery as a family and indulge in desserts like Poffertjes, warm pancakes topped with powdered sugar, and Stroopwafels, two thin waffles filled with a caramel flavoured syrup.
It’s also a good way to practice your Dutch which is similar to Afrikaans.
Also read: Rynair slammed for discrimination for enforcing Afrikaans test
