Add Variety to Your European Vacation with Side Trips

Most trips to Europe center around the larger cities, partly because they contain the most popular attractions and partly because they are the landing point for most trans-Atlantic flights. But even if your family plans to spend most of their time visiting the highlights of Paris, Rome or London, consider exploring nearby towns on a daytrip or an overnight break from the city crowds.

From London, Go to Bath
From London, a train ride to Bath takes your family to well-preserved Roman baths, sites related to Jane Austin, typical English street scenes, and a stop at famous Sally Lunn tearoom for Bath Buns with cream and a pot of traditional English tea.

From Paris, Go to Versailles
From Paris, it’s easy to spend a whole day exploring the grand rooms and magnificent gardens of Versailles. Kids will love the Musical Fountains Shows and Musical Gardens, free for those under 5. Those under 18 are free in the palace and formal gardens; both Grand and Petit Trianon palaces; and the Queen’s Hamlet, a model village with a windmill and dairy.

From Rome, Go to Tivoli
From Rome it’s a short train ride from Tiburtina station to Tivoli, where Villa d’Este’s cascading Renaissance fountains in its extensive gardens enchant kids with their hydraulic tricks. Add a little history by exploring the ruins of Hadrian’s Villa, one of the largest ancient Roman complexes.

From Madrid, Go to Toledo
From Madrid, kids will love the soaring walls and towers of Toledo, just 30 minutes away. The well-preserved medieval city is a UNESCO World Heritage site; its historic center filled with winding streets and lanes to explore.

From Florence, Go to Lucca
From Florence, take the train to Lucca, a charming, walkable city surrounded by walls with a tree-lined promenade on top. Look for the oval piazza that began as a Roman arena, and if kids are energetic, climb to the top of tall Guinigi Tower to view the city from beneath the oak trees growing at its top.

From Lisbon, Go to Sintra
From Lisbon it’s a short train ride to Sintra’s palaces and exotic estates. Quirky Pena Palace stands on a hill that also includes remains of a medieval fortress and cascading gardens. While our daughter loved Lisbon, the overnight trip to Sintra was the undoubted highlight of her trip.