Travels with Teens and Tweens

24Apr 2025 by Gail

How to enjoy unmissable Notre Dame, Paris with kids!

France

The world looked on in horror in 2019 as Paris’ grand dame went up in flames. Severely damaged by the blaze, Notre Dame only reopened to the public in December 2024. Remedial work is still ongoing. For those who visited Notre Dame before the fire, the interior will feel much lighter and brighter. The stained glass has all been repaired and cleaned and light shines through, particularly through the famed rose windows. Awed by our first view of the majestic nave! Light glows through the cleaned rose windows So much brighter and lighter following the remedial works What's inside? Surprisingly, there is little information within the church about the blaze or the 5-year reconstruction. There is also scant detail on its history. You can get an audio guide which presumably…

23Apr 2025 by Gail

How to make getting around Paris easy!

France

Ways of getting around Paris Walking Central Paris is compact compared to cities such as London and New York. If you are staying within the central districts (arondissements 1-7), you will be able to walk between most tourist sites. Even from the outer ring of arondissements, many attractions will be walkable. Walking in Paris is a pleasure. You will come across treasures such as cute patisseries, stunning architecture, and well-tended parks and gardens. I would recommend that you walk where you can! Checking out some sweet treats on a walk through Montmartre Finding a great people-watching spot Check out some amazing sculptures at the Rodin Museum A few walks to try... In addition to walking between tourist attractions, keen walkers might enjoy the Promenade Plantée or various walks along now…

23Mar 2025 by Gail

Amiens: how to make the most of an overnight France stay!

France

Amiens is probably not top of your French wish list. However, this charming small city still has attractions which make it an appealing overnight stop-off on the way down to Brittany or the south of France. Please don't just stop at a budget hotel on the outskirts then charge off straight after breakfast. Amiens should be part of your France experience, you won't regret it. Read on to find out how to make the most of an overnight stay in Amiens with your kids. Drinking in the views in Amiens! Cooling down in the summer heat! Summer Son et Lumiere display Exploring the restaurants in the Saint Leu district of Amiens Colourful street in Amiens centre Light show on the Cathedral during your overnight stay in Amiens If you are…

23Mar 2025 by Gail

How to plan the most memorable break in Paris!

France

For the young, free and single or the hopeless romantics, Paris doesn't need scripting. You can spend blissful days wandering the banks of the Seine, people-watching from café terraces and checking out the latest exhibitions. Unfortunately, kids don't do idle strolling, relaxed coffees or queuing for that spontaneous must see exhibition. If you want to enjoy a trip to Paris with kids, it does require some advance legwork. Whether you go full-on military planning or mix up some planned activities with unstructured down-time, this post will help with how to plan the most memorable break in Paris. Enjoy some amazing Patisserie in the City of Lights As soon as possible Secure a cheap travel deal In my experience, you will get the cheapest flights and trains if you book as…

22Mar 2025 by Gail

How to enjoy Pompeii and Herculaneum with kids!

Italy

For kids in the UK, learning about Pompeii is pretty much a rite of passage. Chances are they won't have heard of Herculaneum though. We always love to try to bring history to life for our boys. However, I was a bit concerned how much they (and therefore we) would enjoy a trip these historic sites. Facebook groups were full of dire warnings on the heat, crowds, distances to be walked, overpriced food and drink, as well as the seemingly insurmountable difficulty of getting there without a budget-breaking guided tour from our accommodation. Having visited and loved both sites pre-kids, we decided to press on. I'm so glad we did. Read on for my thoughts on how to enjoy Pompeii and Herculaneum with kids. Exploring a family home in Pompeii!…

08Mar 2025 by Gail

Betty’s: how to enjoy afternoon tea the Yorkshire way!

North Yorkshire

Afternoon tea at Betty's, York is a Yorkshire institution. Ask anyone from Yorkshire where the best place to enjoy scones and tea is and the answer will be Betty's! From fat rascals (a type of scone) to delicate fondant fancies, Betty's has it all. Read on for my review of our afternoon tea at Betty's, York. Sadly, no-one paid us to indulge so my review is completely unbiased! jSmall but perfectly formed scones! Yummy orange macarons and berry slices! Afternoon tea! Although we have visited York many times, I'd never actually been to Betty's in York. My husband and I had enjoyed an afternoon tea at the Betty's at Harlow Carr Gardens many years previously but the queue outside the York tearoom had always put me off. To my delight,…

01Mar 2025 by Gail

How to get the most from a visit to the Castle Museum York

North Yorkshire

A family York itinerary should include a visit to the Castle Museum. With its 2 recreated streets and prisons cells, this museum is a firm favourite with my boys. Read on to find out how to met the most out of a visit to the Castle Museum, York. Highlights of a visit to the Castle Museum, York Sample some old-fashioned sweets on Kirkgate! Wondering how teachers ever educated kids without smart whitebaords Check out some scary remedies at the Victorian chemist... The Victorian street - Kirkgate A visit to the Castle Museum, York starts with a series of recreated rooms from the Georgian and Victorian eras. The boys enjoyed spotting the toys and looking for any pets! You then get a view out over Kirkgate, before you head down onto…

24Feb 2025 by Gail

Jorvik: How to live your best Viking life!

North Yorkshire

As a family, we visit York regularly. I had taken the boys to Jorvik Viking Centre when they were 6 and 8. Both spent most of the visit moaning about the smells! Fast forward 4 years and we were back again, thanks to my younger son (now 10) studying the Vikings at school. Visiting Jorvik The visit starts with a short explanation from one of the guides about the excavations and key finds. Below the glass floor, you can see a recreation of what the excavated site looked like, together with the original wooden panels from a later Viking home. There are also pictures and videos of the excavation around the walls. Excavations beneath your feet! A creepily realistic dog at Jorvik! Travelling through Viking Coppergate, York! The gondola ride…

16Feb 2025 by Gail

Billund: How to spend a fantastic weekend in the home of the brick!

Denmark

Unless you have a Lego-mad child (or love the bricks yourself), you might never have heard of Billund, Denmark. To be honest, there would be no good reason to travel to Billund if it wasn't the home of the most famous brick in the world. We visited Billund in May 2023 with our boys, then aged 9 and 10. We had an amazing break and created some awesome family memories! Getting to Billund We spent 3 days in Billund as part of a longer trip through Denmark. However, Billund would be an amazingly easy weekend destination as well. The airport is teeny (so quick to get through) and is situated less than 4km from the entrance to Legoland. Flight times from London are just over 90 minutes. You could easily…

13Feb 2025 by Gail

How to spend an unforgettable day in vibrant Positano!

Italy

I don't think I would want to stay in Positano. Having said that, I can see the attraction of wandering its colourful streets once the day trippers have gone! As a family, we prefer a larger base with a bit more going on. Plus, although the getting there is part of the fun for a day trip, I would rather stay somewhere with easier transport connections. However, if you are staying in Sorrento (as we did) or further along the Amalfi Coast, you mustn't miss the opportunity to spend an unforgettable day in this beautiful small town nestling into the cliffs. How to get to Positano Positano isn't on the train route. If you don't want to brave the windy Italian roads and somewhat crazy Italian drivers, your 2 main…

Author: Gail