A Family City Break – Top Travel Bloggers Give You Their Best Insider Tips
A few weeks ago the dinner table conversation turned to the Grand Italy Road Trip (as it does every few months, to be fair), and we ended up voting on our favourite city. The result was predictably varied – six different answers for six different reasons. We all enjoyed each city, all had lots to say on each experience, but naturally we all got something different from every place we visited on our month-long adventure.
C fell in love with Venice at first sight, and I have a feeling that nothing will ever come close to beating it. Boy adored the remains at Ostia Antica, and Jolly’s ride up Vesuvius in the front seat of the 4×4 bus is the stuff small boys dreams are made of.
Personally, it was a close call – was it eating Gelato from Giolittis after the storm in Rome? Wandering the traffic-less streets of Venice in that magical reflective waterlight? Or was it finally making my acquaintance with the Cave Canem dog of Pompeii?
I think, on reflection, that Pompeii had it – you can’t top the fulfillment of a childhood dream, can you?
And unexpectedly the dog is far more beautiful than any picture had ever conveyed to me as a child. There’s always a risk when you wait so long for something that it simply won’t live up to your hopes, that you’re left disappointed and flat. But when something you’ve loved for so long from afar is as magical and amazing as you imagined it would be?
That’s a pretty special feeling.
And then the guide led us inwards – and we walked inside dog’s house…
(You can see the rest of our day in Pompeii here)
So when I recently got chatting with a brilliant group of travel bloggers about our favourite European city to visit with the family, there was unsurprisingly a wealth of different replies.
From Benidorm to Belfast, we’ve all had fabulous experiences across Europe – and learned a thing or two to share along the way. we’ve collated our very favourite cities, with our best insider tips and tricks to making your most of your family city break:
- AMSTERDAM
Penny from Parentshaped shares a treasure hunt in Amsterdam, a city packed with invitations to play and new things to discover and learn as a family.
- BARCELONA
Samantha from North East Family Fun has visited Barcelona on numerous occasions with her three children and highly recommends the Catalonian capital as a fantastic city to visit with the kids. Did you know that Barcelona is one of the few cities in the world with it’s very own beach? Find out why Samantha rates Barcelona so highly and recommends as the perfect option for a family city break here
- BELFAST
Pop over to Mums do travel to find out why Gretta Schifano and her teenage daughter think that Belfast is a great place for a family city break.
- BERLIN
Check out POD Travels if you’re looking to visit Berlin in the near future. Charly shares the top 30 places to visit with kids and where you can explore without them. With posts on the Berlin Wall, East Side Gallery and Wall Museum, a round up of the top Christmas markets in the city and a look at the Berlin street art scene, there’s more than enough to keep you occupied
- BENIDORM
With three hundred days of sunshine, six theme parks and miles and miles of golden sandy beaches, Jane Batt from Taking 5 says you should definitely consider Benidorm when planning your next family holiday. Pop over to Taking 5 and have a look at Jane’s recommendations for what to do and where to stay in Benidorm as well as her family’s top ten Benidorm activities.
- BOLOGNA
Over on Space in Your Case Penny visits Bologna, few people realise it is the foodie capital of Italy. Bologna also has lots to keep children entertained, as Penny discovered on a weekend break courtesy of Bologna Welcome.
- BRUGES
Daisy over at Dais Like These Family Travel Blog shares a few ideas on how to keep kids entertained during 24 hours in Bruges, Belgium.
- BRUSSELS
Joanne and the eldest take you on a tour of Brussels, Belgium and show you the essential stuff to do, what to eat, and where to stay.
- FUNCHAL, MADEIRA
Lisa from Travel Loving Family shares her five must see sights in the capital of Madeira, Funchal. Her recommendations include a scenic cable car ride to a view point at an incredible 1,800 feet overlooking the whole island, a thrilling toboggan ride in a wicker basket and a visit to Blandy’s Wine Lodge to taste the famous Madeira wine.
- LIVERPOOL
If you are planning to visit the UK during your European break, Zena talks about why her family loved their visit to Liverpool and why it’s worth visiting if your looking for a vibrant and cultural city outside of London. - LONDON
If you have visited all of the bigger London icons and are looking for Alternative things to do, hop over to Like Love Do. Donna share’s 10 hidden gems in Londons big city.
- MUNICH
Emma from A Bavarian Sojourn is well qualified to recommend a family trip to Munich having lived there up until recently for the past five years. This city is surprisingly child friendly, and really does have something for everyone. Explore Munich’s green spaces (look out for the surfers in the Englischer Gartens!), visit a local museum, swim in a nearby crystal clear lake, or explore the biggest science museum in the world. Emma’s list of things to do and see here goes on (and on)…
- OSLO
Nell Heshram will revisit Oslo, one of her favourite cities, this summer. On her blog the Pigeon Pair and Me she’s put together a round-up of the top family-friendly museums in the Norwegian capital.
- REYKYAVIK
Ting from My Travel Monkey spent a week exploring snow covered Iceland and discovered there was so much to see and do in Reykyavik – even for young children…
- ROME
The Wandermust Family LOVE Rome and think it is the perfect European City Break for families. Over on their blog find out their top 6 reasons why!
An inspiring list of destinations! Thanks for including my suggestion.