I blame my parents. From as far back as I can remember they were travellers. Always making time for each other, escaping the reality of life with quick getaways to sunny islands and tropical destinations near and far. As my sister and I got a little older, we were invited along for the ride. Allowed to miss school and learn about the world in a different way, by exploring Columbia, Dominican Republic, teeny towns in Mexico… a new place every year. Yes, I blame my parents, they gave me the travel bug, it’s the only virus I have ever wanted to pass on to my children.
The thing about travelling, once it’s in your blood, you really can’t ever shake it. Now as a Mama myself I yearn to show the world to my girls. To start scratching away at my bucket list of amazing destinations . The list of “must see’s” is very, very long. So how do I start? By making a Top 5 List of course! Today I bring you my bucket list of Top Five European Cities I Must Visit With My Children.
Paris, France
The Louvre, Notre Dame, The Arc De Triomphe, The Eiffel Tower. The Notre Dame Cathedral, Luxembourg Gardens and a cruise down the Seine. Window shopping at Christian Louboutin and of course a cup of the famous hot chocolate from Angelina Paris. Le Sigh, I want to show them every little thing!
London, England
So much to do in the country of Harry Potter! The history and the sites! The Eye of London, Tower of London, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. Brush off our British accent as we visiting the Victoria and Albert Museum, Kensignton Palace and of course indulge in high tea.
Rome, Italy
The more I read about Italy, the more my desire to explore that beautiful country grows. The city of Rome is topping the list. The Trevi Fountain, The Pantheon, The Colosseum, The Sisten Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, The Vatican, and of course the Spanish Steps! Imagine sipping a cappuccino while watching your children count those steps, or trying to find the best gelato in Rome. This is the way memories were meant to be made!
Venice, Italy
I am so in love with the idea of Italy, it has made my top five list twice! Venice, a city built on a lagoon and surrounded by a sea, that kind of magic tugs at my heart. I’m ready to pack my bags today and explore the architecture, the fashion and the food! I’m sure I would need a new camera card to capture all that is the Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge, Doge’s Palace, and Saint Mark’s Basillca. I’m ready to try my hand at some pizza making class and explore the city in a gondola.
Santorini, Greece
I know, rationally, I should be taking my girls to see the sites of Athens Greece. The Parthenon, the Acropolis and it’s Museum, and the beautiful neighbourhood of Plaka. There s so much to learn there!! However the volcanic island I truly want to explore is Santorini. For as long as I can remember I have longed to walk the winding streets of this stunning place, bask in the sunshine, then photograph a sunset before calling it a night in a fabulous cave house! It doesn’t hurt to dream!
Which cities would make your Top Five European Bucket List, and fess up, would you take the kids?
margo b says
A girl can dream and dreams do come true and one day you will see those places
Scott Logie says
The only two on your list I have seen so far are the first two: Paris and London. Both would be on my list to share with the kids because they are beautiful, have highly walkable neighbourhoods, and offer a location where language is no barrier for Canadian travellers. Having wandered the streets of Osaka desperately saying “Diaper-u” to anyone with a storefront, this is an underrated perk.
necta nelson says
I would live to have the money to travel thats a great experience in life the furtherest i have been to is connecticut and new jersey lol and i live in brooklyn ny my ideal vacation would be to visit puerto rico
Carol M (Lushka S) says
Santorini is the top of my list. One of the best places I’ve ever been
Anna W says
We have been planning on going to Peru all year and finally are getting our passports this week. It might actually happen!
Anna W says
And it’s no kids allowed 🙂
Yuen C says
Would love to visit all these places one day!
Sandy says
Santorini looks unbelievable!!!
Lee-Ann says
I have been to 4 of the 5 – just need to get to Venice! London and Paris by myself, with friends and once with my daughter, Rome with my daughter, Santorini with my daughter, her best friends and my sister! Venice is also big on our list and I hope to get there some day. I need to go back to Santorini and Rome FOR SURE!
DARLENE W says
Not very often do children get to come on a vacation in Europe. Your daughter is one lucky girl
Darlene Schuller says
What a list!! I would love to see all of these places and more.. but WITHOUT the ankle biters! lol
Neil Anderson says
We took our kids to belgium, France, Holland and UK when they were young They now blame us for their travel bug as they leave to go backpacking around the world every winter
Kate Hearn says
Lol, I’ve never been out of Ontario…how sad is that?! I might have to make a list of places I need to see…but do I have to take the husband? lol