Family Travel in Europe

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When you are looking for an exiting, educational, and interesting family trip, Europe should be
someplace you consider. Bursting with culture, history, different food and dining experiences, and tourist attractions
to suit all interests, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. With exciting capital cities such as London, Paris, and Rome all within a day’s travel of each other, you can learn about the pope, the Bastille, and the Beatles all in one trip.

The History
Whatever period in history your child is studying, or even if they are much too young to officially do so- they can do hands on, visual first person study. One can learn a lot from books, however- things tend to stay with you more so if one experiences things for themselves.
Visit Buckingham palace to see the place of kings and Queens that influenced our own country, watch the changing of the guards, and cross London Bridge to learn the history of it (or them). There are fantastic museums at most of the important historical locations, such as the Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam or the Acropolis Museum in Athens. Where will your journey take you?

The Art
Visits to Europe are a great way to have more in depth experiences with art and architecture, as many of the best galleries in the world are located in European cities. These include the Louvre in Paris, where the Mona Lisa is kept, and the Tate Modern in London where you can see works by many of the best modern artists including Monet and Anish Kapoor. However, you don’t need to limit yourself to museums to see great works of art- – cathedrals and churches house amazing works such as Michelangelo’s paintings in the Sistine Chapel and on buildings such as the Parthenon in Greece, as well as stained glass marvels in the Notre Dame in France.

The Food
Every European country has its own specialty foods, and many of the most popular foods in America
originated in Europe. Italy is the European country whose cuisine has become
most popular around the world, and in cities such as Rome and Florence you can taste pizza,
pasta, and gelato ice cream exactly as it was intended to be made. Which one first created pizza? If you ask them- each one was the original! If you visit France, you must try their famous croissants and baguettes, and in Spain the traditional tapas bar will provide something to suit everyone’s tastes. Do some homework before you go on your trip, and see what the area is famous for and what you are most intrigued to sample.

The Languages
Wherever you travel to within Europe, you will be able to get by as long as you speak English, but a
European holiday will give adults and kids the chance to test their foreign language skills. I also find it rude not to as least make an attempt at the language of your host city- don’t be an “ugly American”- learn some basic words and phrases, get an app translator, just do your best. As long as you try, people are more likely to assist you and think well of you. If you don’t succeed, you can continue your education after your trip is over as well. The world is getting smaller, learning a second language can’t hurt (even if it is just a few words to get by).
Whether you want to learn French, Spanish, Italian or German, you will have the chance to
speak the language with its native speakers and brush up on your skills if they’re a little rusty (or if you are just beginning to learn). People are very kind when they know you are making an effort to speak their language, and you will find many willing to assist you as you make your way. Even if you try and fail, the locals will appreciate that you made the effort.

The Culture
In Europe you can experience many different cultures, all within one continent. There is a big
difference in the way of life from Scandinavia in the North to sunny Spain, Italy, or Greece in
the south, and to eastern countries such as Russia and Poland. In order to make the most of the diversity of the continent, try booking yourself on one of the many Europe tours in order to see as much of it as possible while you’re there if you have the time. With so much history and tradition going into each country’s identity, it is impossible to describe the culture of Europe as a continent – instead it is a
combination of all it’s nations and people. If you can’t spare the time to take a whole European tour, book return trips often, and experience as much of the area as you can. It’s a lovely and diverse place, and you will enjoy every minute.