How to visit Knossos Crete

Knossos Crete, one of the most important archeological sites of ancient Greece and the one-time capital of Minoan Crete, is conveniently located just outside Heraklion. You will fight for room between crowds from bus tours here, but if you go early, you should be able to beat the heat and the worst of the lines. You can hire a guide right on-site, or you can opt for an audio guide, when available. … [Read more...]

Greece history tour: Visiting Delphi with kids

Located approximately 2.5 hours’ drive from Athens, Delphi is like another world…a world tucked up in the mountains (yes, mountains!) of the northwest interior. According to mythology, Delphi is called ‘the navel of the world’, and it really does feel like the center of humanity while you’re visiting. The sanctuary of Delphi, with its most famous oracle, is made even more mysterious and majestic … [Read more...]

Luxury stay in Athens Greece: Hotel Grande Bretagne

Athens is a sprawling, hot, and bustling city, and if you want to be pampered when you make your way to your accommodations after each long day of sightseeing, make your home the Hotel Grande Bretagne. A Marriott Luxury Collection property, the Bretagne is ideally located in the heart of Syntagma Square, right next to the Parliament. You’ll be wowed the moment you step inside the historic lobby … [Read more...]

Portugal with kids: Martinhal Cascais review

If you’re visiting Portugal with kids, you’ll certainly be spending multiple days in Lisbon. Read our tips for Lisbon here. When you need a reprieve from city touring, head to the nearby seaside town of Cascais, where Martinhal Cascais is a resort destination in and of itself. Most resorts designated as ‘kid-friendly’ or ‘family-centric’ are loud and overstimulating. Martinhal Cascais … [Read more...]

12 reasons to explore Germany’s Romantic Road

We write regularly about beautiful road trips exploring the US or some of the best places in Europe. Today we are going to show you the ultimate European trend related to road trip and experience you won’t forget! We are talking about Germany’s Romantic Road. We had the chance to try it and now we are going to share with you, our top 12 reasons to go for it! Let’s do this! 1. It is a scenic path. … [Read more...]

Guide to Iceland national parks

Nearly ALL of Iceland looks like a national park, so families can’t go wrong finding beautiful outdoor experiences on an Iceland vacation with kids. But Iceland national parks do pack in a lot of interesting natural features you won’t want to miss. Here’s what to see in each. Þingvellir National Park: Þingvellir is easily accessed from Reykjavik, and is located on the Golden Circle, so … [Read more...]

Guide to Paris Christmas markets

One of our favorite memories of a Paris Christmas was touring the many Paris Christmas markets across the city. Some Christmas markets pop up fairly spontaneously from year to year, but there are a few staples you'll find to be consistent. Here's where to go to find Paris Christmas markets, plus tips for best enjoyment of these seasonal wonders. Top Paris Christmas markets: The biggies each … [Read more...]

How to visit the Paris catacombs with kids

One attraction near the top of my teen's list of things to do in Paris was the Paris Catacombs. This underground network lies in the heart of the city, spanning two km. It's creepy and fascinating and toured completely on one's own, unless you opt for a guide. We recommend it, as the actual visit only takes about 45 minutes and can easily be added to a Paris itinerary with teens or older kids, but … [Read more...]

Best restaurants in Rome for non-foodies (plus eating in Italy tips):

Eating in Italy? You’re in for a treat! After eating our way through the country, I am here for you with tips for dining in Italy with kids, plus our picks for the best restaurants in Rome. Note: for Florence dining recommendations, read our Three Days in Florence with Kids article. Best restaurants in Rome (by category): Pizza: Pizza Forum: This restaurant has a boring name, and looks and … [Read more...]

Normandy in a day: What to see with 12 hours by car

If you can carve out a free day during a visit to Paris, it's well-worth your time to explore Normandy. While this region of France deserves a week or more of your attention, families can hit some highlights with just a day. We've written about taking kids on a D-Day site tour from Paris with Viator, and while I highly recommend going this route if you can't rent a car, it does take longer to … [Read more...]