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[quote=Anonymous]Hi! My kids are close in age to yours - 4 & 7.  We did something similar: Big Europe trip when my oldest was a baby and then nothing abroad until this past summer.  We've done 2 and have more planned! We love it!!

I believe strongly that it's well worth it! If we go with the idea that they just won't remember any of these places, why do anything special at all?? The caribbean is likely to be much more expensive.

For me, my trips to europe look a lot different than pre-kids.  I'd focus on doing a mix of outdoors/nature play and cultural/historical stuff. Young kids can and will appreciate the cultural pieces too - in small chunks!! My kids love visiting REALLY beautiful churches, seeing really cool buildings, cobblestoned streets (some with designs that are fun to hop around on!), seeing street art and a little art in museums, older kiddo loves hearing some historical stories and they both loved climbing and exploring CASTLES. I can't emphasize the castles enough lol.  They were thrilled!!

Also, playgrounds. The european playgrounds are different.  Most that I've seen are enclosed and often have a cafe attached so mom and dad can sit on the outside at a table with a cup of coffee (or something stronger) and watch the kids play!

Foods: My kids love trying new, local foods.  I don't mean that they will try the most elaborate dishes but they always find something they love and we have a really fun time seeking out local bakeries and getting different ones to all split and try. Local cheeses, fruit, some meats....all wins!!

I find people to be very accommodating with young children - you get priority in a lot of spaces!  There's lots of great discounts too with kids and lodging is often cheaper than when traveling in the US AND is within walking distance of parks/restaurants/shops or is an easy metro stop away.

I would recommend Copenhagen (Tivoli gardens isn't open yet but it's SO child friendly that it's truly a joy being there) . You could rent bikes and I think they have REALLY cool attachments for little kids and they have the best playgrounds. We adored Copenhagen and it's easy to navigate.

Another place that's been recommended to me (I'm trying it myself this spring break so can't fully speak to it!) is London.  Apparently, it's one of the most child-friendly cities. There's TONS to do, focused specifically around kids for a week.  My youngest loves transportation so we will go to the transportation museum.  My oldest loves history and is into egyptian antiquities so we will go to the british museum to check that out.  This sounds super cheesy but we are going to go on a double-decker afternoon tea bus tour that is PEPPA PIG THEMED.  It looks adorable.  There's also children's theater that is engaging on the west end like Matilda.  (not sure if we are doing that) but there's SO much do.

Another recommendation-Portugal.  It won't be super warm but it should moderately warm and pleasant.  You might get a nice afternoon to sit on the beach and do some sand play and dip the toes in the water (it will be VERY cold).  Lots of fun stuff to do/see and awesome playgrounds.  Lots of castles, great food, cheap. There's not much not to love!

You could go to Italy and fly into Florence and spend a week in Tuscany.  It might be crazy in Florence itself so I wouldn't spend too long there but I'd head to Lucca and stay there and go biking- it's such a wonderful spot with kids! I'm sure there's other spots that are great as well. I'm not sure if I remember great playgrounds though.

I've also heard really things about Sweden and Stockholm in particular....it's supposed to be incredibly child friendly.  I saw this in Copenhagen but I sense it's the same thing....in the colder months, the kids are just bundled up in full rain suits/snow suits and boots, ect. and continue on playing outside for hours. TONS and TONS of playgrounds.

ANOTHER idea is to visit Alsace, France.  It should be really pretty in April with lots of flowers.  It looks like a fairytale with gorgeous buildings, beautiful countryside, and tasty food (all the pretzels you can imagine with cheese and bacon and of course baguettes and sandwiches and pastries).  It's more low-key than Paris, Strasbourg is beautiful, lots to see and explore, and you can also visit nearby villages and towns that are fun.  You can rent bikes and stop off at a restaurant for lunch or visit a winery on the way (they often give a little juice box to your kid or you could pack one). There's a castle to explore, Europapark isn't terribly far away and germany is right there so you could day-trip.  There's probably other areas that would be fun to visit in France; south of France would be warmer and there's cool stuff and yummy food.

You could go to the caribbean but if you don't really like the beach...why go?  Happy parents = happier kids!

Those are my many ideas! lol.

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