Europe with children: where to go and how to prepare

Travelling with children takes a little more planning, but Europe has plenty of places the whole family will enjoy. These are destinations our tours go to, with a few practical tips.

Theme parks

Disneyland is near Paris, about 40 minutes by train from the centre: add a day to a Paris tour. Gardaland, one of Italy's biggest parks, is on the shore of Lake Garda. Spain's PortAventura is in Salou, close to the beach, so a park and the sea fit into one trip.

Sea and beach

With small children Cyprus and the Spanish coast are among the best: a warm, calm sea and often sandy beaches. The best time for swimming is June to September.

Cities for children

Prague and Vienna are calm, clean and compact, with much of the centre within walking distance. Vienna's Schönbrunn Zoo is one of the oldest in the world; in Prague children love the zoo and the Petřín funicular. Budapest's thermal baths have pools for children too.

Before you fly

A child needs their own biometric passport. Pack food, water, a toy and spare clothes in the cabin bag. In our tours a room takes up to three children besides two adults, and we check the price when you book, after choosing the travellers. Pick seats on the flight in advance so you sit together.

Good to know

With a small child, three or four nights in one city work better than a multi-city tour. Choose a hotel near the centre, so a rest in the room during the day is easy. Museums often let children in free or at a discount.