My Dream European Trip
For some time now, I’ve been thinking about a mega trip to Europe. Don’t get me wrong, I love traveling in the US and look forward to my almost-annual Florida vacation, but Europe has a heck of a lot to offer for families as a whole. My ideal trip would take in a few cities, for both educational and personal reasons.
A Visit to London
Stop number one would be London, with its centuries of history. It’s easiest to make this the first port of call as most international flights fly there, especially to London Heathrow, the world’s busiest airport. While there, I’d like to show my daughter the sights of one of my old stamping grounds, including a walk to Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, Covent Garden, the Victoria and Albert Museum, Madame Tussauds and any of the parks. A ride on the London Eye and a trip along the Thames are also a must, as is a London Bus Tour. Ciao Bambino had an excellent series last year on London with Kids which is worth a read.
From the Midlands to Europe
Next, I’d go inland to the Midlands to visit Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire and reconnect with old friends. That would also be a good jumping off point (from the Nottingham East Midlands International Airport) for budget flights to Europe. On my list would be a trip to Denmark, which I’ve never visited but where one of my best friends lives to check out the Tivoli Gardens, among other Denmark attractions.
Also on my list for this trip would be a visit to some friends in Gibraltar (gotta love the view of the rock!) and a week or two soaking up the Spanish sunshine and culture. I really love Spain, with some of my favorite cities so far including Malaga (ancient Arab city with landmarks to match), Barcelona (the Sagrada Familia is a must-see) and Bilbao (where I’d visit the Guggenheim Museum). There are many more Spanish attractions to visit too.
A Trip to France
There’s one more country on my list, which has a place in my heart because I once lived there: France. For me, visiting France is not just about the sights of Paris, though those are excellent. Instead, it’s about the South of France. When I lived there, I went from Nimes to Marseilles to Aix-en-Provence, Arles, Agde, the Camargue and along the coast to Cannes, Monaco and Nice – one of the best trips of my life and one I’d like to repeat with my family. Here’s a snapshot of the Nimes attractions I think are worth visiting.
So those are some of the top places on my European travel list. I’m hoping to get there within the next 18 months. What’s on your list?
Tags: europe travel, european travel, travel, travel to europe
