Europe with kids

Three of The Best European Escapes for Your Family

May 1, 2026

Whether you’re dreaming of long summer days cycling past canals, dramatic coastal cliffs, or sun-soaked golden beaches, Europe has a destination that will leave your whole family breathless.

Planning a family trip to Europe doesn’t have to feel overwhelming; I can help! I’ve curated three destinations that the whole family will actually love — no complaints from the back seat guaranteed, and I’m ready to handle every detail so you don’t have to.

A City Break in Copenhagen

Copenhagen is one of Europe’s most family-friendly cities—easy to get around, safe, and packed with activities for kids of all ages. Copenhagen is unusually kid-friendly; restaurants, transport, and even museums are designed with families in mind, making it easy to explore without stress.

For a truly local feel, a private guided cycle tour winds through the city’s picturesque canals and design-forward neighborhoods.

Did you know? Copenhagen has 125+ playgrounds, plus unique outdoor spots like harbor swimming areas and beaches. Families often spend time biking, picnicking, and letting kids roam safely.

Highlights:

Tivoli Gardens- This iconic amusement park is a must-do. It blends rides, playgrounds, gardens, and live shows—so it works for toddlers through teens. It’s also one of the oldest amusement parks in the world, with classic rides and modern attractions.

Private canal cycle tour- Explore like a local through neighborhoods

Kronborg Castle- A real-life fortress the kids won’t stop talking about

Nyhavn Harbour stroll- Colorful waterfront, ice cream & boat trips

The Emerald Isle

Ireland in summer is pure magic for families. Rich culture, dramatic coastal scenery, and history around every bend make it captivating for adults and kids alike. Stay in beautifully restored castles and abbeys; the kind of accommodations that transform a trip into a real-life storybook adventure for younger travelers.

Journey along the breathtaking Wild Atlantic Way with expert driver guides who bring each sweeping landscape and centuries-old story to life.

Did you know? Ireland is home to more sheep than people!

Highlights:

Cliffs of Moher- Iconic sea cliffs that genuinely take your breath away

Traditional pub evenings- Live music, storytelling & a warm Irish welcome

Explore a real castle- Kids tend to love Ireland’s castles because they feel straight out of a storybook.
Top picks include Blarney Castle (famous for the Blarney Stone and big gardens to roam) and Dublin Castle (more accessible and right in the city).

Bike or walk in Killarney National Park- This huge park in southwest Ireland has lakes, forests, and even roaming deer. Families love renting bikes or taking easy walks around.

Beach Vacations in the Algarve

Golden cliffs, turquoise waters, and endless sunshine — the Algarve delivers the quintessential European beach holiday with room to explore. Private boat trips wind through the region’s iconic sea caves, including the breathtaking Benagil Cave, giving the whole family a sense of true discovery.

When you’re ready for a change of pace, venture inland to rolling hills and charming vineyards for tastings and pastoral beauty. With its relaxed coastal sophistication and natural wonders, the Algarve is the ideal destination to unwind together and make memories that will outlast any tan.

Did you know? The Algarve gets around 300 days of sunshine a year, making it one of the sunniest regions in Europe.

Highlights:

Explore the Benagil Cave by boat or kayak- One of the most iconic spots in Portugal, this sea cave has a natural skylight and feels like something out of a movie.

Walk the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail- This scenic coastal path near Lagoa offers incredible cliff views. You can do short, easy sections with kids rather than the full hike.

Dolphin watching- Guided ocean tours the whole family will love.

Ready to start planning?

I can work on your trip from inquiry to final farewell — so your family can focus on the moments that matter. Summer and winter break spaces fill quickly as it relates to rooms that can accommodate families, tour availability and of course airfare will increase with time. Let’s find the perfect destination for your family!

9 Things I Learned Traveling Through Spain With My 11-Year-Old

April 27, 2026

I hadn’t been to southern Spain before, and I wanted to experience it with my daughter—especially because she loves the beach. My pacing was on the ambitious side because we didn’t have long—it was a week-long spring break, and I needed (and wanted) to see four different areas. Experiencing that in real time only reaffirmed what I consistently advise my clients: slow down, stay longer, and allow each place to unfold rather than trying to see it all at once. Easier said than done—but having done it both ways, I can confidently say that staying longer not only removes the feeling of rushing, it also shifts your reason for returning. Instead of feeling like you have to come back because you missed X, Y, and Z, you want to come back because you experienced so much and genuinely fell in love with the place.

As always, the most meaningful insights come from being on the ground, and this trip offered a few reminders and refinements that I now carry into each itinerary I design:

Pacing is everything.
Even with a well-structured itinerary, the magic is in leaving room to linger. We like a half-day tour or activity each day and then leaving the remainder of the day open. Some of our best moments came from slowing down—returning to a favorite plaza, revisiting a beach club, or simply dog and people-watching (there were SO many dogs in Madrid).
Start slow, settle in.
Spain’s later dining culture is part of its charm, but with children, balance is key and it may take 1-2 nights to fully get there. We leaned into a rhythm that worked for us—starting the day with substantial breakfasts (a perk of my hotel bookings is daily breakfast being included), which comfortably carried us to a later lunch and ultimately into Spain’s naturally later dinners. It allowed us to embrace the local lifestyle.
Intentional “unstructured” time adds value.
Building in moments for spontaneity; whether it’s a local market, a street performance we happened upon, or literally catching a dog meetup in El Retiro Park and watching the dogs play together and in fountains—creates space for discovery.
Engagement over exposure.
It’s not about how many landmarks you visit, but how you experience them. Framing history through storytelling and interactive moments made each stop more meaningful and memorable—and finding the right guides made all the difference. The right guide can really bring a place to life for both adults and kids, keeping things engaging (and not feeling like a lecture). I always work with guides who are great with families, and it shows.
Spain is exceptionally family-friendly.
From open plazas to walkable neighborhoods, the infrastructure naturally supports families. By the end of each first day in a new place, my daughter had usually become the navigator — often without even needing a phone, which gave her a real sense of confidence and made her feel part of the experience in a very tangible way. I also loved the challenge of layering in off-the-beaten-path, kid-friendly experiences, like visiting a donkey sanctuary, which added a really special and unexpected highlight to our time in Spain.
A balanced approach to food enhances the experience.
Allow yourself permission not to always eat the most “local” option, travel doesn’t have to be all or nothing. It’s completely okay to order room service or dine at your hotel restaurant when you want something simple or familiar for the kids. That said, gently stretching them out of their comfort zone along the way is especially important and often where some of the best travel memories (and surprises) happen.
Packing strategically matters.
We each had a carry-on suitcase and a backpack, and even that felt like too much for how much we were moving between cities. I’m a huge proponent of traveling light and rewearing pieces, but this trip reminded me that we still overdid it. Less truly is more when you’re navigating trains, cobblestones, and frequent transitions.
Children benefit from a sense of ownership.
Involving them in small decisions; choosing an activity, helping navigate—deepens their connection to the experience and keeps them engaged. On this trip, that looked like letting my daughter choose beaches based off our research, lead walking routes, and giving her the job of ordering snacks in Spanish when she felt brave enough.
The intangible moments are the most lasting.
While Spain’s landmarks are extraordinary, it’s often the in-between moments that define the trip. Visiting a donkey sanctuary in Mijas was her favorite experience of the trip.

If you are traveling to Europe you may be interested in learning about the new entry/exit process. Read about it here.

A Travel Advisor’s Guide to Europe’s Best Family Destinations

March 20, 2026

Europe with kids is one of the most rewarding trips a family can take but I know that for many families, the idea of an eight hour (or more) flight with children feels like reason enough not to go. I hear it all the time. Once you take that first leap, it becomes one of the best decisions you ever made as a family. The key is starting somewhere manageable; a single country, a relaxed pace, cities that are easy to navigate and genuinely welcoming to kids. Maybe that first trip is a week in Italy, keeping it simple with Rome and a few days in the countryside. From there, every trip builds on the last — a new country, a new experience, a little more adventurous each time. Europe has a way of turning hesitant first-timers into families who can’t stop going back. This guide will help you figure out where that first trip should be.

FOR FAMILIES: History Brought to Life for Kids

Rome, Italy

Rome is one of those destinations where kids who claim to hate history end up completely captivated. There is something about standing inside the Colosseum, understanding that 50,000 people once filled those same walls to watch gladiators fight — that no classroom lesson can replicate. Many tours offer gladiator school experiences for children, where kids dress up, learn fighting stances, and receive an official gladiator certificate at the end, which tends to be the highlight of the entire trip. The Vatican’s scale and artistry genuinely impresses even younger visitors, and a private family-focused guide makes all the difference — turning what could feel like an overwhelming museum into a series of stories that hold a child’s attention. We have vetted family-friendly guides that we would recommend. Don’t forget to break for gelato and piazza time in between sites.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh is tailor-made for families with curious kids. Our clients come back raving after spending time here. Edinburgh Castle, perched dramatically on a volcanic rock above the city, is one of the most naturally compelling historic sites in Europe and home to the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, and a cannon that fires every day at exactly one o’clock. The Royal Mile that descends from the castle into the old town is lined with narrow alleys and courtyards that feel medieval, and the city’s connection to real historical figures gives children characters to latch onto. For Harry Potter fans, the connection to J.K. Rowling’s Edinburgh years adds another layer of excitement that makes the city feel almost magical. Edinburgh pairs beautifully with a few nights in the Scottish Highlands — the drive north through Perthshire and Loch Lomond is spectacular and very manageable with kids and offers a city escape with animals and land to roam.

FOR FAMILIES: Beach + City — the Best of Both Worlds

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona remains the gold standard for families who refuse to choose between culture and the beach. Mornings can be spent marveling at Gaudí’s Sagrada Família or exploring the winding lanes of the Gothic Quarter, and afternoons at Barceloneta beach are just a short metro ride away. The city is warm, walkable, and visually stimulating in a way that keeps children engaged with colorful architecture, bustling markets, street performers on Las Ramblas, and food that even the pickiest eaters tend to enjoy. The pace of Spanish life, with long lazy lunches and late dinners, suits families surprisingly well once they adjust to the rhythm.

Split, Croatia

Split is one of Europe’s most underrated family destinations yet one that is becoming increasingly popular. The old town is built within the walls of a Diocletian’s Palace (a Roman emperor’s palace) which means that history here isn’t something you visit, it’s something you walk through, eat lunch inside, and sleep beside. The Adriatic beaches just outside the city walls are clean, calm, and safe for families, and the island ferries departing from Split’s harbor open up a whole world of day trips to Brač, Hvar, and Vis. Croatia in general is extremely family-friendly, and Split’s combination of ancient history, crystal-clear water, and relaxed Mediterranean pace makes it one of the most complete family destinations in Europe. Ask me about the best times to visit for best weather and fewer crowds.

FOR THE OUTDOOR ADVENTURER FAMILY: Europe’s Best Cities for Getting Outside

Innsbruck, Austria

Innsbruck is one of those rare cities where the mountains aren’t a day trip, they are the backdrop to daily life, visible from every street corner and accessible within minutes of the city center. In winter, the surrounding Nordkette range and nearby Stubai Valley offer world-class skiing and snowboarding, while summer transforms the same terrain into a hiker’s paradise with trails ranging from gentle valley walks to serious alpine ascents. Innsbruck is a compact medieval city with the Alps literally at its doorstep. The kind of place where you can finish breakfast in a centuries-old town square and be on a mountain trail within twenty minutes. Innsbruck works great as a standalone destination or as part of a wider Austrian or alpine itinerary, often pairing it with Salzburg for a longer trip.

Bergen, Norway

Bergen is the gateway to Norway’s fjords, and that alone would be enough to put it on this list but the city rewards exploration in its own right. The UNESCO-listed Bryggen wharf, with its rows of painted wooden merchant houses, is one of Scandinavia’s most iconic streetscapes, and the surrounding hills offer easy hiking with sweeping views over the city and harbor below. The Norwegian fjords are accessible by boat, by road, and by Flåm Railway, one of the most scenic train journeys in Europe. The Hardangerfjord, the Sognefjord, and the Nærøyfjord are all within reach; landscapes of a scale and grandeur that genuinely stop people in their tracks.

FOR FAMILIES: Cities That Work for Every Age

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen has mastered the art of being a city that genuinely works for children and adults simultaneously. Tivoli Gardens is a beautifully maintained 19th-century amusement park right in the city center and is a family favorite. Canal tours are a relaxed way to see the city with younger kids, bike infrastructure is among the best in the world, and the street food scene at Reffen on the waterfront makes feeding a family an adventure rather than a chore. The city is safe, compact, and extraordinarily easy to navigate, which matters more than most parents initially realize.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is one of those cities that works on every level for families. The canal system alone is endlessly entertaining for kids offering boat tours through the city’s historic waterways and give younger travelers a different perspective on the city. The NEMO Science Museum is one of the best hands-on science centers in Europe, with five floors of interactive exhibits that hold children’s attention for hours. The Vondelpark is perfect for an afternoon of unstructured time, and the city’s legendary bike culture means families can rent bikes and explore like locals rather than tourists. Amsterdam is also compact, safe, and extremely easy to navigate; qualities that matter enormously when you are traveling with children. Take a canal boat tour on your first day to relax and get oriented!

Planning a family trip to Europe can feel overwhelming; the logistics, the flights, the hotels, the activities — but it doesn’t have to be. This is exactly what I do, and I love doing it. Whether your family is drawn to beach days in Croatia, history in Rome, or a fairytale few days in Bruges, I can put together a trip that works for everyone, including the hard-to-please ones. Reach out and let’s start planning something memorable.

Think Traveling with Kids Is Too Stressful? Here’s Why It Doesn’t Have to Be

August 4, 2025

“Traveling with kids is too stressful — it’s impossible to manage their schedules when we aren’t at home.”

If you’ve ever said (or thought) that, you’re not alone. It’s one of the top reasons families hesitate to plan that dream trip — especially abroad. The idea of juggling nap times, mealtimes, meltdowns, and sightseeing in a foreign place can feel overwhelming.

But here’s the truth: you don’t have to replicate your at-home schedule to have a successful family trip. In fact, trying to do that may be what makes travel feel stressful in the first place.

Let’s break down the myth and reframe how to manage travel with kids — without losing your mind or your sense of adventure.

Myth: “Kids need a strict schedule or they’ll fall apart.”

Truth: Kids need structure — but not rigidity.

Most kids (especially younger ones) thrive on routine. That doesn’t mean you have to bring your whole home schedule on the road. Instead, think about daily anchors: predictable parts of the day that help kids feel grounded — like:

A consistent wake-up and bedtime window
Meals/snacks around familiar times
A daily quiet time, even if it’s in a stroller or a shady park instead of a crib

By building your trip around a few key rhythms — instead of minute-by-minute precision — you give your kids enough familiarity while making room for flexibility.

Reframe: “We’re not losing control — we’re adapting.”

The magic of travel is that it pushes us out of autopilot. So instead of fighting to recreate your home routine, try asking:

What’s essential for my child to feel calm and safe?
What routines are more about my own expectations?
Can we find travel-friendly substitutes (like a white noise app or favorite blanket)?

Travel advisor pro tip: Don’t overschedule. One or two activities per day is enough. Fill the in-between time with open exploration, downtime, and spontaneous fun.

Keep expectations realistic (and kid-sized)

You don’t need to see everything for the trip to be worthwhile. Trade “bucket list burnout” for a more joyful pace:

Spend an afternoon playing at a local playground in Paris instead of museum-hopping.
Skip the 2-hour restaurant dinner for a picnic by the river.
Turn a sightseeing walk into a scavenger hunt or photo challenge.

When you focus on experiences, not efficiency, everyone enjoys the trip more — including you.

Traveling is the schedule

Instead of squeezing travel into your usual routine, let it become the new rhythm for the week:

Let late mornings replace alarm clocks- You’re not rushing out the door. If the kids sleep in a bit longer than usual, embrace it — it’s part of the reset.
Let walks through a new city replace structured playtime- Walking becomes part of the day’s adventure — spotting local dogs, street performers, or fountains is its own entertainment.
Let a picnic in the park replace lunch at the table- No need to sit in a restaurant every day. Grab market food and enjoy it outside — kids can run around, and you can relax.
Let street art or markets replace screen time- Sensory-rich environments like colorful neighborhoods, food stalls, or musicians can naturally engage kids without tablets.
Let an evening story become a memory from the day- Instead of a book at bedtime, ask: “What was your favorite part of today?” or “What surprised you the most?” It becomes a travel journal in conversation form.
Let jet lag guide your first days- If kids are wide awake early or napping mid-afternoon, roll with it. Use those quiet morning hours for a park walk or breakfast before crowds hit.
Let curiosity lead instead of the clock- Spontaneous detours — like hopping on a trolley, trying a weird snack, or feeding pigeons in a plaza — may be more memorable than any itinerary.

Suddenly, you’re not fighting schedules — you’re weaving them into the adventure.

And here’s where I come in:
As your travel advisor, I don’t just help with flights and hotels — I help with the real-life logistics that make a family trip feel doable (and even enjoyable) and they vary depending on your kids ages. That means:

Recommending family-friendly restaurants with kid-approved menus, high chairs and relaxed vibes
Locating nearby parks, splash pads and playgrounds so kids can burn off energy between activities
Suggesting grocery stores or markets near your stay for snacks, fruit, or breakfast supplies
Pointing you toward quiet corners, stroller-friendly routes, or even the best local spots for a “reset” moment
Locating grocery stores or local markets near your stay — for snacks, breakfasts, or picky eaters
Finding guided tours with kid-friendly guides who engage, include, and entertain young travelers
Suggesting downtime-friendly stops (gardens, cafés with play areas, low-key cultural moments)
Booking hands-on experiences like cooking classes, treasure hunts, or art workshops

You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. I provide practical, personalized support that helps you travel smoother — with fewer meltdowns, more memories, and a rhythm that works for your family.

Final Thought: Don’t aim for perfect — aim for present.

Some days will go smoothly. Others will be full of surprises (read: delays, tantrums, or missed attractions). But those unpredictable moments? They often become the best stories later.

Your kids won’t remember sticking to a schedule.
They’ll remember riding a double-decker bus, dancing in the rain in Rome, or watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night.

Traveling with kids isn’t about managing schedules perfectly — it’s about creating memories together, one messy, magical day at a time.

Want help designing a family trip that works with your kids’ needs (and yours)? I offer personalized planning focused on flexibility, fun, and family-first travel. Reach out — and let’s make it possible. Email me and let’s start building a trip your whole family will love.