Arche naturelle de Durdle Door au-dessus de la plage du Dorset

A long week-end in Dorset

On Easter week-end, we went for a family getaway to Dorset, with the grandparents. Dorset is in the South of England, along the Channel, between Hampshire where we live, and Devon that we discovered in February. For this 3-day week-end, we settled in the seaside resort of Weymouth. We had such a perfect weather, that I was sorry I didn’t take my bathing suit. Besides, the beaches were crowded! The South of England really brings an air of holidays!

Our visits in Dorset

  • Durdle Door: probably the most famous place in Dorset! You have to admit it’s pretty heavenly! I’d rather specify something: you have to go up and then down quite a steepy cliff so you’d better think about sneakers!
Durdle Door's natural arch above the beach in Dorset
Durdle door
Lulworth Cove and cliffs on the Dorset coast
White cliffs on Dorset's Jurassic Coast
  • West Bay: famous beach with wonderful golden cliffs that you probably have already seen on the TV show Broadchurch.
Tall layered cliffs beside a Dorset beach
Visible rock layers in a Dorset cliff
  • Lyme Regis: it’s the most famous spot of the coast for… fossil hunting! The children loved it!
Fossil imprint in a pebble on the Jurassic Coast
Seafront houses in a Dorset town
Lyme Regis
  • Corfe Castle: a ruin full of charm in a setting so typically English! A National Trust site.
Corfe Castle ruins on a hill in Dorset
Ruined walls of Corfe Castle beneath a blue sky
Corfe Castle
  • Weymouth : it’s the seaside resort where we chose to settle to visit the surroundings. In its very cute harbour, the children fish crabs while the parents drink pints 😊. There is also a big beach that was quite full! Not far from here, don’t miss the dunes. And a few kilometers away, the village of Abbotsbury.
Boats and colourful houses in Weymouth harbour
Stone cottage covered in purple wisteria in Dorset
Abbotsbury village
Ewe and lamb in a Dorset meadow
  • Bournemouth: huge beach with fine sand, bordered by coloured cabins! It was crazy how many people were here! We will go back on a quieter week-end!
Row of pastel-coloured beach huts on the Dorset coast
Bournemouth

First Campervan outing of the year!

Since our excursions with our Campervan in the New Forest last Autumn, we hadn’t taken our camper out. Firstly, in Winter, it’s too cold for the children to sleep under the roof because the air passes through the fabric. Secondly, since our camper is French, we had a procedure to follow to register and insure it here (the first few months, it was okay because we were still covered by our insurance as tourists, but now, we are “English”!). Anyway, for this first spring excursion, we chose a combined formula. We booked a family bedroom in a farm for Ticoeur, Titpuce and their grandparents; while with Papa Voyage we slept in the camper on the farm field, with a view on the sea, and we gathered with the rest of the family to eat a delicious English Breakfast provided by our hosts. 

Raised pop-top roof of a campervan in the English countryside

Practical information and good addresses to visit Dorset:

  • From Portsmouth, it will take you 1 hour by car to get to Bournemouth. If you are coming from London, it will take 2 hours. On the way, don’t miss the chance to explore the New Forest.
  • Accommodation: I recommend Swallows Rest, the farm where we stayed in the periphery of Weymouth. The children were amused by the “collection” of hens and the beautiful garden. The homemade breakfast is excellent!
  • Camping: we also love the small, simple campsite near Swanage – Tom’s Field Campsite. In just a few minutes’ walk, you can reach a wild cove where we love to swim: Dancing Ledge, with its little natural pool…
**** When you book a hotel on Booking by following a link on my articles, it allows me to receive a small commission: it does not change the price for you and it helps me maintain the blog. So thank you very much to those who book the hotels we recommend! ****

So, are you tempted by Dorset?

Also worth reading

Our one-week Cornwall road-tripOur family holiday in Cornwall: Nos vacances en famille en Cornouailles : dream coves, vanlife and wild coast
Week-end in DevonFamily visit of Devon: discovery of the English Riviera by Torquay
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Voilier devant les maisons colorées de Brixham dans le Devon

Week-end in Devon

For a week-end, we went in the South of Devon, between Dorset and Cornwall, by Torquay,  to discover the English Riviera. How did we have the idea to spend a couple of days in family in Devon? Well, I owe this good idea of a gateway in this beautiful part of England to Agatha Christie! Do you remember? A couple of weeks ago, I went to see And then there were none to the theater of Southampton. And while I was comfortably seated in my chair, I remembered that Agatha Christie’s house was located in Devon. I had stored this information in a little box in my brain because I like to visit the houses of famous people whose lives I’m interested in. Watching on the Internet, I found out that her house was only three hours away from our home; then I booked a room in a beautiful hotel in Torquay and there it was! Sometimes, it doesn’t take much for a traveling idea! On the other hand, I had no idea of what we could see in Devon! It’s only on the day before we left that I started to draft a little program for our week-end.

Yacht in front of Brixham's colourful houses in Devon
Dittisham (Devon – England)

The creeks of the English Riviera in South Devon:

Since we didn’t know the English Riviera, we were surprised by the landscapes we saw there: it looked like our French côte d’Azur! With palm trees, big villas, a dense vegetation and beaches so cute! I didn’t expect all these dream little creeks! To be honest, had it been a couple of degrees warmer, I would have bathed! The sea was clear, wearing turquoise and emerald shades… an air of summer holidays! So I will begin by showing you those coves we had a crush on around Torquay and Brixham:

Rocky cliff and sea stack off the Devon coast
Elberry Cove
Small rocky cove surrounded by heathland in Devon
Elberry Cove
Family seen from behind on a Devon pebble beach
Churston Cove
Aerial view of a turquoise cove on the Devon coast
Churston Cove (picture taken with the drone)
Small rocky cove with clear water in Devon
Fish Cove
Maidencombe

Every time, the children loved the little paths that led to the creeks, for the adventure side… And I think Titpuce would have loved to bathe as well! At this time of year, we were alone, or almost alone, in those English “calanques“. It was perfect! We could easily have imagined that we were on a desert island. Great Britain! 😉

To reach those creeks, or to go from one to another when they were close, we followed the hiking path called the South West Coast Path. Altogether, this coastal path is 1.000 km long! (It’s the kind of hiking that I would enjoy!) We will probably walk on it again, or cross it, whether in Devon, Dorset, Cornwall or Somerset! (Well, yes, we intend to find the time to explore all of “our” South-West of England!).

Brixham and the Berry Head

We really liked Brixham, a little town with a nice ambiance, organized around a very active harbour. We observed the fishing boats, the fishermen’s traps and the coloured houses along the docks. There even was a pirate boat!

Brixham harbour with its houses and boats
Brixham
Yachts and fishing boat in Brixham harbour
Brixham

Right next to Brixham, we walked on the Berry Head, in a landscape that looks like the edge of the world… A long strip of land on the sea with high cliffs and dizzying views. We walked to the lighthouse (very small lighthouse, paradoxically!) then we had tea and cakes, under the sun, on The Guardhouse Cafe terrace.

Grassy path above the sea at Berry Head
Berry Head

Discovery of the Dart river: Agatha Christie’s house and the romantic landscapes…

Here we are! So we visited Agatha Christie’s house (Greenway): a beautiful visit, very detailed. Agatha Christie and her husband were quite collectors so their house is full of amazing objects: even if Ticoeur and Titpuce don’t know Agatha Christie, they were intrigued by this house, a real Ali Baba’s cave, English version 😊 Also, it is fully furnished, so it really feels like we are entering in the universe of the author, which is a real privilege, since Agatha Christie was a very discreet lady. We even could see her dressing, her clothes and hear a recording of her voice. At any rate, we do understand why Agatha loved this house: the location is unbelievable! Moreover, the setting inspired her book Dead Man’s Folly. The estate is on the Dart River’s edge and all the views from the garden are lightly romantic…

White façade of Greenway House in Devon
Greenway (Agatha Christie’s house)
Misty countryside seen from Greenway House
Dart River
Pink camellia in the Greenway House garden
Agatha Christie might have been the Lady of the Camellias!

We spent a long time roaming through the garden. I didn’t expect it to be blossomed but with the temperatures we have been experiencing for the last couple of weeks, there were flowers everywhere: magnolias and especially the numerous species of Camellias. We had never seen so many versions of Camellias! A beautiful collection! And how lucky were we to be able to admire them in February! On their branches, there were a lot of adorable robins!

Robin perched on a stone in the Greenway garden
Hello you!

Still on the Dart river, facing Greenway, is the adorable village of Dittisham:

Colourful houses beside the River Dart in Devon
Dittisham

Then, from the village of Kingswear, we took a ferry to Dartmouth, another picturesque village where we ate a delicious Fish and Chips at Rockfish (they also have a restaurant in Brixham). We took our lunch away and ate while seated on the edge of the river. In Kingswear, we saw a steam train running: it might be nice to plan a journey on this old train with the children (some other time!).

Colourful façades along Dartmouth harbour
Dartmouth

Not far from the river, on our way back to Torquay, we stopped to visit another house: Coleton Fishacre House & Garden. It’s a mansion from the 20s and it shows us the life of a wealthy family of that time: a visit you should plan if you like Art Deco and design. The children didn’t really enjoy the visit but they liked the garden. It was so exotic! With bamboos, huge ferns and a junglelike density! We walked until the different points of views on the sea…

Coleton Fishacre Garden

Torquay and Cockington

Torquay is the big seaside resort where we stayed. Since we prefer the little creeks and wild places we only stayed in Torquay to sleep. By the way, the sunset on the sea was an amazing pink!

Torquay at sunset seen from the sea
Torquay
Row of lamps in the mist on Torquay seafront

Torquay is very well located to move around this area. We never had to drive for a long time to visit or hike…

Not far from Torquay, you can’t miss the tiny village of Cockington known for its old thatched cottages.

White thatched cottage in Cockington
Cockington

Where to stay in Torquay?

I have a very good address I’d love to share with you because I thought our little hotel was a beautiful discovery: The Charterhouse. The architecture of this thatched roof house is typical of the English Riviera style. The family suite is perfect because the children really have their own room to sleep in. The decoration is very neat and very British, the breakfast is gargantuan and delicious. And, if you go in the summer, there even is a little swimming pool.

**** When you book a hotel on Booking by following a link on my articles, it allows me to receive a small commission: it does not change the price for you and it helps me maintain the blog. So thank you very much to those who book the hotels we recommend! ****

And for our next time in Devon

Devon is big! During a week-end, we only focused on the Torquay-Brixham zone so I already established a list of what I would love to visit next time:

  • Dartmoor National Park
  • The old town of Totnes
  • The surroundings of Salcombe (South Devon)
  • The creeks of North Devon

We really loved our improvised getaway in Devon, on the English Riviera, so I thank Agatha 😉…

Row of colourful beach huts in Devon
Broadsands Beach (right next to Elberry Cove)

What about you? Are you tempted by a family trip in Devon?

Also worth reading

Our one-week Cornwall road-tripOur family holiday in Cornwall: Nos vacances en famille en Cornouailles : dream coves, vanlife and wild coast
A long week-end in DorsetWe keep discovering the South coast of England with the family!
Road trip in Scotland with a babyHikes in the Highlands with a baby on a 10-day holiday in Scotland: walks, sightseeing and also city breaks in Edinburgh and…
South Wales, as a family and in a campervanThe south coast of Wales, the Brecon Beacons and the River Wye
10 days in Madeira: our practical guideMadeira with kids: our trip during the Easter holidays
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Maisons étroites au bord d’un canal d’Amsterdam

3 family days in Amsterdam

We had already been to Amsterdam in the past, but it was the first time with the children. This new trip to Amsterdam was a multi-generational holiday since the grand-parents joined us there. It was the perfect city trip to have 3 generations interested! As I often say, what I miss the most in our part of England, it’s culture so I really wanted to stay in a city where culture would be highlighted. So we chose Amsterdam for a 3-day week-end. Moreover, we were very lucky because the weather was gorgeous, which is quite rare in February!

Our family strolls Amsterdam

Since we already knew the city and we wanted to adapt our stay to the children, we emphasised on Jordaan neighbourhood and we only spent a few amount of time in the hyper centre. Thus, as a family, we didn’t go to the Red Light District 😉. Another point: even if we avoided the touristic central part, from time to time, we smelled a few fragrances that were coming out of the coffee shops. That being said, the children didn’t even notice.

The canals in Jordaan neighbourhood:

It’s the perfect neighbourhood to wander along the beautiful canals bordered by buildings full of character. It’s strange because there is much less people than in the centre although it’s aesthetically and architecturally richer. Basically, I advise you to follow the Prinsengracht canal all the way, while making shorts in the perpendicular streets and the nearby canals. For example, don’t miss the Eglantiersgracht, Bloemgracht and Brouwersgracht canals. All along the Prinsengracht, you will find an endless choice of little cafés where you will be able to sit on the terrace, and from where you will quietly observe the life on the canal. We opted for this walking + coffee breaks version rather than a cruise on the canals because we wanted to take our time and avoid group visits. Anne Franck House is situated on the edge of the Prinsengracht canal (see below in the list of our visits).

Narrow houses beside an Amsterdam canal

Bicycles parked on a bridge over an Amsterdam canal

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balade sur la tamise

1 day in London: walk along the River Thames

I’m continuing to show you around London, a city I’ve discovered many times as a family, on my own or as a couple. Today, I wanted to suggest a walk that will keep you busy for a good half day. This itinerary offers a great introduction for a first stay or a rediscovery of the English capital. Typically, it’s THE walk I do when we go to London with friends or family who don’t know the city, but it’s also a walk I love doing as a family, because along the Thames it is largely pedestrianised! So it’s ideal with children!

I suggest walking this route from east to west, from the Tower of London to Big Ben, mostly along the south bank. Of course, you can do the walk the other way round, from west to east, depending on where your accommodation is.

London: a walk along the Thames on the South Bank

By way of introduction, I should say that we’ve done this route many times with our children (with and without a pushchair). It mainly follows the landscaped walkway along the South Bank. For each stage, I’ll give you ideas for visits and good places to eat. I recommend fitting in only one or two visits along this walk. Otherwise, it just won’t fit into one day :-)… As you’ll see, it’s quite a distance in the end, so you need to enjoy walking, plan some breaks and/or take shortcuts (boat, bus or Tube)!
balade sur la tamise

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Bus rouges sous les illuminations de Noël d’Oxford Street

Christmas in London: 20 family activities

If you are coming to London with your family for the Christmas holidays, here are all our tips, which I hope will help you plan your stay and sightseeing programme.

Updated for 2026: We have now been living in England for eight years, on the south coast, an hour and a half from London. This gives us plenty of opportunities to escape regularly to this capital city we love. I wanted to share ideas for things to do with children and advice for the Christmas period, based on everything we have discovered during the festive season over the years. Perhaps you too will fall under the spell of Christmas in London!

Red buses beneath Oxford Street's Christmas lights

***

Here are our 20 ideas for enjoying London as a family during the Christmas season:

1 – London’s Christmas lights

London’s Christmas lights are undoubtedly what we loved most! The children walked a long way to see them, but never complained because they too were enchanted by the lights and decorations. You can admire them from mid-November onwards.

Regent Street: a story of angels

Every year, suspended angels decorate and illuminate Regent Street. They are impressive, elegant and enormous! Our children loved them from their very first visit, when they were little—especially our Titpuce!

Illuminated angel hanging above Regent Street in London

Strings of illuminated angels above Regent Street

Carnaby Street: the most beautiful!

For me, Carnaby Street has the most successful Christmas decorations. The theme changes every year, but it is always original and spectacular. I particularly loved the Freddie Mercury theme in 2018, during our first Christmas visit to London, with lyrics from Bohemian Rhapsody floating above the street. It coincided with the film’s release. The children loved the colours of the different lights and the “Ho Ho Ho” signs in the adjoining streets.

Christmas light displays above Carnaby Street

Illuminated Ho Ho Ho sign in Carnaby Street

Bond Street and the luxury boutiques

On Bond Street, we loved the peacock feathers. Most of the luxury boutiques embrace Christmas and spend generously on their displays, especially Cartier. You will also come across a Christmas tree.

Fan-shaped Christmas lights on a London shopping street

Illuminated Christmas tree outside Cartier in London

Covent Garden

The mistletoe-shaped lights at Covent Garden are especially beautiful. On your way there, walk through the prettily decorated Seven Dials. Just beside it, do not miss Neal’s Yard if you have not seen it before—it is a lovely, colourful courtyard. See my itinerary for exploring central London.

Christmas decorations hanging in Covent Garden

2 – London’s most beautiful shops at Christmas

Fortnum & Mason

I love Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly, with its red lights and festive windows. Every year, an enormous amount of care goes into its Christmas decorations. It is also a chance to buy tea—my favourite—and orange marmalade with Champagne. Let me know what you think!

Fortnum & Mason's façade lit in red for Christmas

Burlington Arcade

Nearby, take a look inside Burlington Arcade and in the courtyard of the Royal Academy of Arts next door.

Christmas decorations hanging in Burlington Arcade

Selfridges

The windows at the famous Selfridges department store on Oxford Street are fun too. In 2018, we liked the wonderfully eccentric rock theme. The street decorations on Oxford Street feature Christmas baubles.

Christmas display with a red-costumed figure before a curtain

Selfridges façade illuminated at night in London

Liberty

In my opinion, Liberty is London’s most beautiful department store. The building has so much character that it needs little decoration. Christmas trees adorn its façade during the festive season, while the ground floor is full of gift ideas.

Timber-framed Liberty building lit up at night in London

Harrods

There is no shortage of lights on the façade of Harrods! It is not my favourite shop, but I always enjoy its food halls, which are full of delicious Christmas gift ideas.

3 – Shops for children

Hamleys

Personally, I have always found Hamleys, the famous toy shop, a little disappointing. I do not think it makes a huge effort with its Christmas decorations, and the shop feels slightly old-fashioned. But do not worry: younger children still love it! Ticoeur particularly enjoyed the Harry Potter section in the basement.

Lego figure of Hagrid inside London's Hamleys toy shop

LEGO Store

At the LEGO Store in Leicester Square, children can have their photo taken inside a London Underground carriage built entirely from LEGO!

Lego figure of a royal guard in a London shop

4 – Listen to Christmas carols in Trafalgar Square

We were a little cold, but we really enjoyed this very English experience! As I have mentioned in previous posts, the English sing a great deal at Christmas. They have a vast repertoire of Christmas carols and sing them everywhere, even in the street! In Trafalgar Square, choirs give free one-hour carol performances throughout December; check the official programme for the confirmed 2026 dates and times. It is also an opportunity to admire the enormous Christmas tree given to London each year by the city of Oslo.

Illuminated Christmas tree outside London's National Gallery

5 – London’s landmarks by night

It gets dark very early in December, so from about 3.30 pm you can start enjoying London by night! We particularly liked The Shard, whose summit changes colour for the festive season, with a light show repeated every 30 minutes between 4 pm and 1 am, and the London Eye, whose brilliant red glow is reflected in the Thames. It is red even outside the Christmas period, but the colour suits the season particularly well. Finally, I find St Paul’s Cathedral especially beautiful at Christmas, with its large tree standing just outside.

London Eye glowing red above the Thames

Borough Market and the Shard illuminated at night

St Paul's Cathedral lit up behind a Christmas tree

6 – The attractions at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park

Winter Wonderland has been taking over Hyde Park at Christmas for many years. What exactly is it? A mixture of funfair, German-style beer festival and Christmas market, all in a wintry setting—quite a combination! Young children are sure to enjoy going on the rides. Funfairs are not really my thing, and you should not expect a picturesque Christmas market. I would suggest stopping by to please your children if they are still young. Ticoeur and Titpuce enjoyed it when they were six and nine. The crowds arrive at around 5.30 pm, so go earlier—although it will already be busy!

Winter Wonderland 2026

Alongside the usual attractions and Christmas market, there will be a Magical Ice Kingdom, where families can walk among giant sculptures made of snow and ice. Expect crowds!

Londres en famille

Illuminated entrance to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park

7 – The ice rink in the courtyard of Somerset House

This is the prettiest temporary ice rink in London during the Christmas season! Skating is expensive, but it is worth stopping by simply to admire the setting. It is just a short walk from Covent Garden and has a magnificent Christmas tree.

Christmas bauble hanging in front of a London building

8 – A musical for the whole family

If we had to choose just one musical to see as a family in London, we would recommend The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre without hesitation. All four of us loved it, and it is one of the most beautiful musicals we have seen. It is expensive, but worth it! Since seeing The Lion King, we have made the most of the Christmas season each year by seeing another musical in the British capital. 

9 – A Christmas ballet

Seeing a classical ballet in London is another major expense, but if your budget allows, it adds even more magic to the festive season—especially if you have dancers in the family! The great Christmas classic that my Titpuce loves is, of course, The Nutcracker. In 2026, a beautiful classical production of The Nutcracker will be staged at the Royal Opera House from 3 December 2026 to 13 January 2027. Another production, performed by English National Ballet, will be at the London Coliseum from 17 December 2026 to 10 January 2027. Just beside the Royal Opera House, do not miss this lovely sculpture by Enzo Plazzotta:

Dancer sculpture beside a red London telephone box

10 – A pantomime for a cultural experience!

This is obviously written from my non-British perspective – ignore if you are from Britain 😉
Before living in England, I knew nothing about Britain’s Christmas pantomime tradition. Essentially, a pantomime is a zany play in which the audience is encouraged to participate, a little like a traditional children’s puppet show. It does not take itself seriously at all, and the humour is very broad and sometimes rather heavy-handed. Female roles are often played by men for even more extravagance. Pantomimes originated as popular entertainment drawing on the traditions of commedia dell’arte, but modern productions in London have become major shows. For Christmas 2026 in London, the most eagerly awaited pantomimes appear to be:

  • Cinderella at the London Palladium, with Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders—an expensive option.
  • Peter Pan at the New Wimbledon Theatre, in a production aimed at families.
  • Jack and the Beanstalk at the Hackney Empire, a more affordable show in the Hackney neighbourhood, which is less familiar to tourists.

11 – The Christmas installation at St Pancras station

There is always a large installation at St Pancras, the station where the Eurostar arrives. I particularly liked the book tree in 2023:

Giant Christmas tree in London's St Pancras station

And the Wicked-themed display in 2024:

Christmas tree installation inside St Pancras station

12 – London’s Christmas markets?

I had read many promising things about London’s Christmas markets, but I was very disappointed! Then again, you do not come to London for the Christmas markets, and the city certainly does not need them to be fascinating at Christmas. We visited:

  • the Christmas market along the Thames, both near Tower Bridge and near the London Eye
  • the Christmas market in Leicester Square

Honestly, I cannot see what is interesting about them—there are other destinations for Christmas markets! In London, I think you should concentrate on the city’s own atmosphere. I would rather have a mulled cider or simply a beer in a pub than a mulled wine at a Christmas market. The atmosphere in London’s pubs is a wonderfully warm and typical experience. Most pubs accept children before 6 pm, although some do not admit them at all, so it is best to ask when you enter. In the pubs, you will probably see people wearing delightfully outlandish Christmas jumpers. Some pubs also have board games to keep children occupied.

If you really want to visit a Christmas market, we found the one inside Winter Wonderland the best—see point 6 above. The stalls are more carefully presented and better decorated than at the other markets. It is also a relatively calm corner of Winter Wonderland, as most visitors head for the attractions:

Illuminated stars above a London Christmas market

13 – A Christmas-themed afternoon tea

Having tea in the middle of the afternoon with a selection of sweet and savoury treats is very English! Many London hotels offer special Christmas menus. I particularly recommend afternoon tea at St Ermin’s Hotel, at 2 Caxton Street, because it is very child-friendly and the setting is superb. It offers good value compared with many London hotels, although it is still a considerable expense: the 2026 festive tea costs £52 per adult and £24 per child, excluding the discretionary service charge. I previously tried the Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea, which was excellent but much more expensive. If you have afternoon tea, you can skip lunch or dinner.

14 – Eat mince pies

For a tasty experience that costs less than afternoon tea, try some mince pies in a café, small tearoom, bakery or at a stall. These little pastries are traditional at Christmas: shortcrust pastry filled with dried fruit, berries and spices. I like the ones at Gail’s, a bakery chain with branches throughout London.

Mince pie served with a cup of tea

15 – Christmas crackers

I am sure your children will find these fun—mine love them! Christmas crackers are a festive tradition here. They contain a tiny explosive snap and sometimes a small gift, and you will find them in every shop. Traditionally, they are pulled just before Christmas dinner. One year, I tried to take some back to France for New Year’s Eve, but they did not make it through airport security! Many airlines do not accept them, so check before trying to take any home. You can carry them on Eurostar, although the rules specify that you must not pull them on the train :-).

Red-and-white Christmas crackers on a table

16 – Book the Sky Garden

The Sky Garden occupies the top floors of a skyscraper in the City and has been designed as an indoor garden. Its great attraction is the free view over London, so why not treat yourself at Christmas? You do, however, need to reserve a time slot. Free tickets are released every Monday morning, excluding bank holidays, up to three weeks in advance for the whole week. Check availability and book through the official website.

Glass façade of the Sky Garden building seen from below

17 – Chelsea Winter Village & Illuminations

We did not have time to try Chelsea Winter Village & Illuminations, although it was on our list and the children had spotted it. This illuminated attraction is held within the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea and follows a 1.5-kilometre trail. It is particularly suited to families with young children who would prefer somewhere calmer than Hyde Park, although admission is still rather expensive. Chelsea is an accessible, family-friendly neighbourhood. The event runs from 25 November to 28 December 2026.

And around London…

18 – The Harry Potter Studios

At Christmas, alongside the usual exhibition at the Harry Potter Studios, you can see Hogwarts in the Snow. Reread my post about our latest family visit to the Harry Potter Studios for all the practical information, especially how to get there independently so you don’t overpay for this outing! There are far too many expensive offers online!

19 – Christmas at Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens is London’s magnificent botanical garden. See my article on visiting the highlights of Kew Gardens in half a day. Every Christmas, Kew Gardens creates a magical illuminated trail through the grounds. It is a famous festive attraction and very popular with families, so you absolutely must book your time slot well in advance. Visit the official website.

20 – Hampton Court

Hampton Court is the palace of Henry VIII, the star of the Tudors! Fortunately, my Ticoeur is here to teach me English history. It is a beautiful palace to visit as a family, and during the Christmas season you can go ice skating at the palace. What a setting! Book through the official website.

Brick façade of Hampton Court Palace in London

Practical information for visiting London at Christmas

  • Transport: the London Underground does not operate on 25 December.
  • December in London: remember that night falls very early. It is dark by around 4 pm. This is perfect for the festive lights, but it reduces the time available for outdoor walks, and you will need to wrap up warmly.
  • Visiting London: you may be coming for London’s Christmas atmosphere, but I imagine you also want to see or revisit the classic sights. Read my complete guide to visiting London as a family, with dedicated articles about each neighbourhood.
  • New for 2026: the London Museum reopens on 28 November. It is a fantastic free family visit and a great way to discover London’s history.

So, who is coming to London for the Christmas holidays?

 

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GuideLondon with kids: All you need to knowOur practical guide to visiting London with children: walks, museums, parks, transport, restaurants, accommodation and family day…
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Aragog Studios Harry Potter

Visiting the Harry Potter Studios as a family

We have visited the Harry Potter Studios as a family yet again! We first went in the year they opened to the public. At the time, I gave the visit to “Papa Voyage” as a present for his 40th birthday during a weekend in London. Ticoeur was only three and Titpuce was a baby, so the children did not remember that first visit. Since then, I have ended up with three Harry Potter fans at home, and keeping up with them is not always easy! When we told the children that we were moving to England for two years, they asked if we could return to the Harry Potter Studios near London. I had to give in to the fans’ pressure :-). Above all, I would have done anything to stop my little loves feeling too sad about leaving France. If Harry Potter has the power to make them love England, then I say he certainly knows his magic!

The pleasant surprise was that the studios had expanded and now offered visitors even more sets.

What can you see at the Harry Potter Studios?

First, here is a list of what was new since our previous visit:

The Hogwarts Express and Platform 9¾

You can step inside the train that was actually used in all the films. It has been at the studios since 2015.

Aragog Studios Harry Potter

Hogwarts Express compartment with seats and luggage

Harry Potter’s childhood home

Since 2015, visitors have been able to enter the Dursleys’ living room.

Hogwarts letters suspended in the Dursleys' house set

The Forbidden Forest

It was added in 2017… Watch out for Aragog!

Aragog the giant spider on the Harry Potter studio set

Throughout the studios, you will also find explanatory videos about the filming, sets and special effects, together with interviews with the actors. Compared with 2012, there are many more explanations and much more content. I would even say that you can save the cost of the digital guide. If I remember correctly, the guide we hired in 2012 also included additional anecdotes about the filming.

The other sets remain just as impressive, even for a non-fan like me. I particularly love the Great Hall at Hogwarts, the Potions Classroom and Diagon Alley.

Cauldrons and bottles in the Hogwarts potions classroom

Hogwarts costumes on display at the Harry Potter studios        Hogwarts portrait wall and staircase at the Harry Potter studios

Stacks of wand boxes in the Ollivanders set

Family seen from behind in Diagon Alley at the Harry Potter studios

First visit versus second visit: the greatest shock for me is seeing how much Ticoeur has grown!

Studios Harry Potter Londres

Model of Hogwarts Castle lit in blue

Illuminated wall of wand boxes at the Harry Potter studios

As I said, the studios are beautiful, so even if you are not a fan, you can appreciate the quality of the sets. Obviously, it is even better if you have seen the films! In our family, Papa Voyage has read all the books and seen all the films. Ticoeur has read every book and seen the first three films. Titpuce has also seen the first three, although she closed her eyes during certain scenes. I saw one of the films at the cinema, but cannot even remember which one because it is really not my thing :-). However, I am currently listening to the original English audiobooks because they are an excellent way to improve my English—the quality of both the writing and the narrator is superb—and because I would like to be able to follow some of the conversations at home :-)…

Here is a small corner that I particularly like, a perfect example of the atmosphere created in the studios…

Potion bottles lit blue on a Hogwarts set

Another impressive thought is that you are standing in the actual place where the films were made. This is not a theme park, nor are these imitation sets built afterwards. All eight films were shot at these studios between 2001 and 2010, using these exceptionally high-quality sets—almost works of art! Visitors can also discover all the props: costumes, wigs, wands, furniture and much more. The attention paid to the smallest detail is astounding. They certainly had a budget! It is also extraordinary to think that the young actors spent so much of their lives at the studios that they even attended school there. What an unusual childhood and adolescence!

Hogwarts common room decorated for Christmas at the Harry Potter studios

More additions to the Harry Potter Studios—updated in 2024 after our third visit!

During our third family visit to the Harry Potter Studios, we discovered several new areas:

The Gringotts bank set

Large chandelier on the Gringotts set at the Harry Potter studios

The magnificent Hogwarts greenhouses

Christmas decorations in the Hogwarts greenhouses

As we visited during the end-of-year school holidays, we also enjoyed the Harry Potter Studios at Christmas, complete with decorations in the Great Hall:

Christmas tree in the Hogwarts Great Hall

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Practical information for visiting the Harry Potter Studios

Buy tickets from the official website and nowhere else → Warner Bros. Studio Tour — Plenty of agencies sell tickets for far more than their real price. Their argument? They take you to the Harry Potter Studios by coach from central London, but do the maths: that makes the transport extremely expensive! Travelling independently is much more economical. In 2026, a standard family ticket for four starts at £188 on the official website, and children aged four and under enter free. By comparison, intermediaries may charge around £380—more than twice the official price. Frankly, I call that a rip-off…

Book well in advance → We bought our tickets in mid-September, almost as soon as we had settled in our little corner of southern England, and the first available date was in mid-November—two months later! During peak season, you may even need to wait three months, so the earlier you book, the better.

What if you cannot find tickets for your dates? Do not give up hope. A few tickets are often released for resale shortly before the date. If you did not manage to book, check the official website every day during the week before you arrive in London; you may find tickets that have become available again.

Travelling to the Harry Potter Studios by train: The studios are 30 kilometres from London. Take a direct train from London Euston, near St Pancras, to Watford Junction, as we did on our first visit. The fastest trains take about 20 minutes, but be careful because other services are slower. Fares vary according to the service, time and ticket type, so check the current price before travelling. You can buy tickets at the machines or ticket office, use contactless or Oyster pay as you go where valid, or consult schedules and buy rail tickets through West Midlands Railway. It is normally unnecessary to reserve a specific train, but visiting the station the day before may help you find your bearings and avoid stress. From Watford Junction, a complimentary shuttle bus runs to the studios. The journey takes around 15 minutes, with buses operating at least every 30 minutes. In total, leave London at least an hour—and preferably up to an hour and a half—before your ticketed entry time so you can travel without rushing. Aim to arrive at the Studio Tour before the time shown on your ticket, as late admission is not guaranteed.

By car: We drove for our second visit. Standard parking is free.

Visit length and other information: We spent three and a half hours at the studios, which is also the average visit duration given by Warner Bros.; there is no formal time limit. The children will probably get hungry. You can bring a packed lunch and eat it in the outdoor Backlot area. If you visit in winter, keep your coats with you because some sets are outside. Finally, there is an excellent shop that will delight Harry Potter fans!

Please ask if you have any other questions!

Visiter les studios harry potter

So, are you tempted to visit the Harry Potter Studios as a family?

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Baie rocheuse et plage de sable à Malte

Our Autumn break in Malta

During the Autumn break, we spent a week in Malta. I was longing for warmth, sea baths, and the Mediterranean where I come from. Most of all, I needed to recharge my batteries after our first weeks in England. A change of life, especially as a family, is not so easy! Also, for Ticoeur and Titpuce, who started English school, the holidays were a very appreciated break to relax and enjoy our family cocoon…

The reason why we chose Malta is because there are not many destinations from our part of Southern England. But this option suited us perfectly. We had already travelled there twice – so it was the perfect occasion to discover some new things, but also to go back to the places that we loved. I don’t know how you feel about it, but, as for me, I enjoy to visit again a place that I loved. I am delighted to travel and discover new countries as much as I am enchanted to go back to places where I feel good. In Malta, I love the cultural aspect, the beautiful architecture of the old cities, the Mediterranean landscape, the stone walls that border the roads, the prickly pear trees, the Italian influenced cooking, the small ladders almost everywhere, that invite you to go down for a bath, and above all, I love it when Summer lasts until Autumn… That’s it: I needed Summer, bathing and culture !

What did we visit during our week in Malta?

  • The island of Gozo: our biggest crush of this Maltese trip… I already told you all about it in my blog post three days on Gozo.
  • Ghain Tuffieha beach: for us, it’s the most beautiful beach on Malta. The sand has a beautiful orange shade, the setting is quite wild, the water is not too deep but there are waves: my Ticoeur loved it! We spent an afternoon there, until sunset. It’s a perfect spot for sunset because it’s on the western part. (NB: there were little harmless pink jellyfishes – I don’t know, maybe it’s a matter of season?)

Rocky bay and sandy beach in Malta

Sunset behind offshore rocks in Malta

I take this opportunity to warn you that there are not so many beaches on Malta. There are many opportunities to bathe, yes, but not necessarily big beaches. Maltese inhabitants set up ladders along the rocky coasts, or they created natural pools like on this picture:

Natural rock pools beside the sea in Malta

  • The towers of Maltese knights: everywhere on the Island of Malta, you will find remains of the towers that enabled to control and protect the island. Our favourite one is the Saint-Agatha Tower, the only red one…

Red Tower of Saint Agatha at sunset in Malta

  • Mdina: it’s the ancient city, it’s a journey into the past, it’s getting lost in the maze formed by the alleys of the citadel…

Family outside a flower-framed doorway in a Maltese village

Square lined with stone buildings and greenery in Malta

Baroque church façade in Malta

  • In Rabat, alongside, we visited the catacombs. I don’t really know why but I am fascinated by the catacombs – I never miss an opportunity to visit some whenever it’s possible (you have to visit those of Palermo in Sicily!). Let’s say it gives another perspective of the culture of a nation. I thought that Rabat catacombs were interesting because of their structure and their number. The visit is a little bit repetitive because the galleries look alike, but you should see it, and the kids were intrigued.

Family seen from behind in the Maltese catacombs

Underground passage carved into rock in Malta

  • Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples: I hesitated to go there because you have to know that those temples are located under sheds, so that they are protected from the wind and the sea… And, visually, it takes off a lot of the character of the place… But we overlooked this fact, I reframed the pictures (😉…) and we experienced this. The remains are from the IVth century BC! I was seduced by those sometimes enigmatic buidlings: the children as well, so no regret. Moreover, it’s not an expensive visit so you should go!

Stone burial chamber at an ancient Maltese site

  • Valleta and the Three Cities: it’s the third time we are going there and we still love it, especially Birgu, the prettiest of the Three Cities, with its fort, and the Collachio area in which we can stroll far from any bustle. In Valletta, we didn’t visit the famous St John’s Co-Cathedral because we already did it the last time (and the entrance fee is expensive), but you should see it if you’re coming for the first time. This time, we focused on the gardens and the café terraces and it was perfect 😊 Between Valletta and Birgu we travelled by boat.

Traditional wooden balconies on a Valletta street
Blue and turquoise balconies on Maltese façades

Stone houses around a Maltese harbour
Fortifications and stone houses beside a Maltese harbour

Traditional blue balconies on a Maltese façade

We also dropped by Sliema (by boat) to admire Valletta from the other side and to see again some salt works. But you have to remember to watch the sea, and ignore the concrete buildings of this seaside resort.

Limestone rock platform beside the sea in Malta

La Valette

  • Marsaxlokk: our first time in this fishermen town with photogenic boats (the luzzus). Look: they have eyes! And one of them even had soft toys! This little town is ideal for a terraced lunch on the waterfront.
  • Colourful fishing boats in a Maltese harbour
  • Blue and red bow of a Maltese fishing boat
    Figurines and soft toys decorating a Maltese fishing boat
  • St Peter’s Pool: a spot you mustn’t miss right next to Marsaxlokk. I love this kind of coves with turquoise water. It’s not adapted for young children, nor for people who don’t know how to swim. It’s a place where people go to jump or dive into the big blue sea. With Ticoeur, we had fun, but we had to reassure Titpuce who was afraid to see us disappear in the gap, even though it was not so high…

Sea cave with turquoise water in Malta
Limestone cliffs and blue bay on the Maltese coast

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Practical information to visit Malta:

  • Which season? The first thing I want to insist on is that, for me, it’s a destination you should avoid in Summer (I forewarned you). Not only is it too hot, but also it’s overcrowded and there are traffic jams. That’s what the local people told us but I believe them because the island is not adapted to an important road traffic, and there are not so many beaches. That’s why, for me, it’s not an option. I went there once in January and twice in October and it was very good. Spring must be perfect as well. Concerning the temperature, this time we had 25° outside and 24° in the water. So we could bathe (although, there’s no guarantee of course…)
  • Where to stay? We had chosen 3 places to stay: 3 nights on Gozo, 2 nights in Mellieha (in this simple yet clean and spacious apartment) to visit the North of Malta and 2 nights in Birgu (in the very neat Casa Cara, an old and typical mansion – Be careful : you cannot climb on the terrace with the children) to visit the Capital and the South of the Island.
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Lone yacht off a Maltese island
Melliha Bay

On the picture below, Melliha downtown seems so peaceful in the first light of the morning, doesn’t it? Yet, on that night, our sleep was interrupted by… an earthquake! The epicenter was off the Greece coast. It’s the first time that it happens to us and we are glad we only experienced a small version! The children didn’t feel a thing. Happy little carefree angels…

Full moon above Maltese rooftops at dusk

  • The English side: The British past of Malta makes it easy to communicate in English with everyone (English is the official language). On the other hand, it also means that you have to drive on the left part of the road… Stay focused in the roundabouts, but otherwise, it’s easy, you’ll see! Obviously, for us, after two months in England, we are already trained 😊

Our good addresses in Malta

We ate well in Malta. The cooking is influenced by the Italian cooking, and it’s for the best! Moreover, the kids like it! Seafood and pasta are in the spotlight!

Plate of pasta with clams and tomatoes

Cafés and Restaurants in Malta:

  • Crystal Palace: an institution in Rabat for quick eating the famous pastizzis (some sort of turnovers stuffed with green peas, or cheese, or chicken); it’s a Maltese specialty that allow you to eat cheap for lunch. You’ll find pastizzis everywhere on the island, but it’s true that the ones we ate there were particularly good, and warm, just out of the oven.
  • Fior di Latte, ice cream maker in Mdina: yummy! You’d think you were in Italy!
  • Café Society: for very good cocktails to taste in a very typical street in Valletta.
  • Osteria.VE: a little trattoria held by Italians. Pasta dishes are delicious. We ate there on our two evenings in Birgu.
  • La Reggia: very enjoyable terrace facing the fishermen’s boats in Marsaxlokk – the seafood cooking was very fine but less generous and a little more expensive than other restaurants of our list.
  • Bouquet Garni: Excellent choice of fishes – a little expensive but the quality is there.
  • Our good addresses on Gozo are in my Gozo blog post 🙂

Flowering prickly pear beside the sea in Malta

Fortified city of Mdina on a hill in Malta

So? Are you tempted by holidays in Malta?

salines de Gozo

Three days on the island of Gozo

Since I already knew Valetta and the northern part of the main island, during this third trip to Malta, I really wanted to spend time on Gozo, this island North of the Maltese archipelago. We devoted half of our holidays there and we were delighted we made that choice! We spent three nights there, in other words a little more than three days and it was the most beautiful part of our trip!

What did we love about Gozo? It’s the Malta of the past, it’s a quieter version of Malta, it’s following the rhythm of the local life. It’s lovely landscapes that offer many possibilities to bathe and to stroll in amazing natural settings… Also, maybe Gozo reminded me of the atmosphere of the Sicily of my childhood, with its inhabitants who get out in the evening, sitting on a chair in front of their house or in front of the sea, just to talk with their family, their friends, their neighbours. The gastronomy also reminded me of Sicily but that was everywhere on Malta!

Gozo was very peaceful. We met very few people during our long walks on the seaside… You might tell me it’s normal because of the season, October is calm… Yes, probably much calmer than during the Summer but on the island of Malta, there were many people! When we took the ferry between Gozo and Malta, it was like coming back to civilization!

In a little more than three days, here is our program on Gozo:

Sunday, October 21st: With the ferry, we get on Gozo around 3pm. Direction Marsalforn where we settled. Walk by the sea, right nearby, in Xwejni Bay, at the bottom of a very impressive clayey mound. The children have fun between the big rocks, and then, from here we went along the salt works for about 2 kilometres. Back to Marsalforn.

salines de Gozo

Salt pans and Xwejni cliffs on Gozo   Limestone cliff beneath a stormy sky on Gozo

Family seen from behind on Gozo's golden rocks

Monday, October 22nd: We start with Ramla Bay, the red beach that Titpuce renamed “orange beach” and she was so right! Very beautiful beach, anyway! After the bathing, direction Tal Mixta cave from where we can enjoy a wonderful view on the beach. We also climbed to Calypso cave but we liked it a little less because we actually don’t see the cave!!! And the view is less beautiful than from the other one. Lunch in Xaghra then direction Victoria, the capital of the island: stroll in the citadel and around to appreciate the architecture of the buildings. Back to Marsalforn.

Red sand beach at Ramla Bay on Gozo

Golden rocks and waves on the Gozo coast

Ramla Bay beach with green hills

Ramla Bay and its red sand seen from above

Turquoise Ramla Bay seen from Calypso's Cave

Red dome of Saint George's Basilica in Victoria

Colourful traditional balconies on façades in Victoria, Gozo

visiter Gozo  Ramparts and clock tower of Victoria Citadel

Tuesday, October 23rd: Direction the South of Gozo with a first step in the beautiful Mgarr-ix-Xini creek then long walk on the cliffs of Ta’Cenc. Lunch break in Xlendi. Then we explore the Western part of Gozo: picture break in Dwejra to enjoy the very wild seafront with its huge rock formations. There was even an arch until last year (the Azure Window) but it collapsed because of erosion. Although, even without the arch, the place is so worth it! We walk by Ta’Pinu church in Gharb. We end by two stops in the North-West: in Wield-il-Mielah to see the other arch (which hasn’t fallen yet…) but be careful because to see it, you have to come close to a cliff so you have to keep the kids away from it. Nearby, we wanted to bathe in Wied-il-Ghasri creek but since it has been raining a couple of hours earlier, and the wind blew strongly, the creek didn’t have its emerald shade anymore and the sea was too dangerous so we came back to Marsalforn.

Small turquoise inlet enclosed by rocks on Gozo

High limestone cliffs dropping into the sea on Gozo

Gozo coastline beneath dramatic bright clouds

Natural rock arch pounded by waves on Gozo

Layered cliffs and turquoise sea on Gozo

Ta' Pinu Basilica beneath a blue sky on Gozo

Wied il-Mielaħ natural arch above the sea

Wednesday, October 24th: Ticoeur and Titpuce wanted to go back to Mgarr-ix-Xini to bathe. I enjoyed it very much as well! Yes, because, I forgot to mention that during all of our holidays, the sea water was 23-24°C! The same temperature than in the air… Then, direction Victoria again to attend a concert in St George Basilica (the inside is worth the visit, and unlike many other churches in Malta, this one has a free access). Late lunch in Victoria and direction the ferry to Malta!

Swimmers in a small rocky inlet on Gozo

Ornately decorated church dome on Gozo

Practical information for a stay on the island of Gozo

How do you go to the island of Gozo? We arrived in the morning in Valletta airport where we rented a car. It takes about 40 minutes to go to the harbour in the North of the island. A ferry to Gozo leaves every 30 to 45 minutes and the crossing lasts about 25 minutes. Don’t be surprised: you don’t pay on your way there, but only on your way back (about 25 euros for a car and 4 persons).

Gozo for the kids? Ticoeur and Titpuce like little hikes, especially when the path is steep, when there is some relief and natural curiosities to observe, so they loved our walks on Gozo, especially those along the salt works and the climbing to the cave above the red beach. Concerning the bathing: be careful, some creeks or beaches are not always adapted to swim safely. There might be some tide, or a rough sea, and it’s not always at the same place, so you have to see directly there. We’ve had a lot of wind during our stay there so for us, Mgarr-Ix-Xini creek was the most adapted for a quiet bathing time as a family.

What about our next time on Gozo? The next time, we’ll do the excursion to the Island of Comino to see a beautiful lagoon with turquoise water. Of course, you have to avoid summer because this place is probably the most visited around here!

Our good addresses on Gozo:

  • Il-Kartell Restaurant in Marsalfon: amazing sea food and very generous plates! Roasted squid, spaghetti alle vongole and a waterfront terrace. Our favourite address!
  • Latini Wine & Dine Restaurant in Xaghra: also a specialist of sea food, nice terrace in the heart of the village with a beautiful view on the church.
  • The Cup Cake café in Victoria: perfect for a cheap lunch (good pasta plates… yes, I know, it has nothing to do with cupcakes!)
  • Jubilee Café in Victoria: to take a coffee on the counter or admire the vintage decoration inside before you continue your walk through Victoria.
  • The Black Cat Café in Victoria: for a gourmet break (muffins, carrot cakes, etc) … Too bad it’s such a little place…

Coffee and small cakes served in a Gozo café

  • Where to sleep? It doesn’t matter where you will find your accommodation. The island is very small so you can do everything, no matter where you start from. The four corners of the island are interesting so I don’t have any advice as to which geographic choice you should make. The most important thing is to choose a place that you like! We were in Marsalforn where we particularly liked the restaurant choice for the evening. I won’t give you the address of our apartment (Airbnb) because it was nice, but nothing more. In fact, I did the bookings last minute and the most beautiful accommodations were taken.

Moon above a lit bay at night on Gozo

I had to wait a third trip to Malta to choose to settle in Gozo, but don’t do the same mistake! I recommend Gozo even for a first trip to Malta! It’s a staple and a real crush !

So? Are you tempted by Gozo?

Famille près d'une piscine dans une propriété de Majorque

Our family holidays in Mallorca

It is time I tell you about our week in Mallorca at the end of August. Every year, we try to plan a family week with the grandparents and this summer we chose Mallorca, the largest island in the Balearics. Why? Because we like Spain and the Mediterranean very much and the budget is very reasonable. I had heard a lot about Mallorca before leaving: so yes it is a very touristy island (and that’s a euphemism!) but most of the tourists are concentrated in the south, near Palma. So, inevitably we went the opposite way, in the northeast :-). Up there, no nightclubs but a beautiful mountain landscape with traditional fincas and quite a few sheep! It was precisely in one of these beautiful old country houses, near Pollença, that we stayed and I must say that our accommodation was undoubtedly the best part of our week’s holiday in Mallorca! It took me a long time to find our finca but I really found the perfect villa, with a dream pool! We spent a lot of time in the garden, on the terraces and in the water! The children have made good progress in swimming!

Family beside a swimming pool at a property in Mallorca

As for excursions, we visited some villages and crossed the mountain landscapes while staying in the northern part of the island. We also spent a day in Palma, the capital: it is a pretty city that reminded me of a mini Barcelona. We saw many pretty places as you can see on the pictures. Perfect holidays? Yes but…  the problem was the crowd on the beaches. I know, in the Mediterranean in August you don’t expect to be alone but you see, it was not our first summer trip in the area and I must say I had never seen so many people, especially for the last week of August. Even on “my” island, Sicily, there are fewer tourists after August 20. Anyway, the crowded beaches weren’t ideal. In addition, compared to the incredible beaches we saw last year in Sardinia, the ones we discovered in Mallorca were beautiful but less “wow!”…. That said, we have seen very few, so I have no doubt that there are heavenly coves on the island.

Here, to give you some ideas for visits, is the program of our week in Mallorca. We rented two cars (budget: 10£/day per car), one for the grandparents and one for us. (Ticoeur and Titpuce always wanted to go in Omi and Opa’s car!).

Our program for a week in Mallorca:

(There is a little heart next to our favorite places).

  • Day 1: Arrival at Palma airport (~2 hour flight from Paris)
  • Day 2: visit of Alcudia and Playa de Muro

Stone church entrance in a Mallorca lane

  • Day 3: Pollença market  and beach

Narrow village lane between cacti in Mallorca

  • Day 4: Cala San Vinçen

Straw parasols in front of a rocky bay in Mallorca

  • Day 5: Visit of Soller (very nice mountain road to go there). In Soller: little train, old town and port.

Orange tram on a street in Port de Sóller

  • Day 6: Palma with its city centre, the Pilar and Joan Miró Foundation, and then the majestic Cathedral of course. In the late afternoon, return to the north. Playa Formentor ❤ with a wonderful sunset at Cap Formentor   

Palma Cathedral beyond a fountain

Rocky bay surrounded by cliffs in Mallorca

Family on a beach in front of a wooded hill in Mallorca

  • Day 7: Cala San Vinçen

Sandy beach and waves in a Mallorca bay

Boats in the turquoise water of Cala Sant Vicenç

  • Day 8: departure

Mallorca valley and mountains beneath a hazy sky

In the end, we had a great week with the family. Three generations under the same roof, especially in such a beautiful house! (Many of you ask me for the references of this finca so here is the link).

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Stone house and pool at a property in Mallorca

As for Mallorca: yes, I advise this island as a destination, especially for the pretty villages in the north, but I totally advise against visiting in August! Next time we will choose the Easter holidays. And in the middle of summer, we will test Minorca, the neighbouring island, still in the Balearics, much less visited it seems!

EDIT 2023: we went back to Mallorca during the autumn half-term holidays and it was fantastic! Read the article about our 7 family hikes in Mallorca!

And you, do you know Mallorca?

Also worth reading if you’re a fan of the Balearic Islands: our week in Menorca with the kids.

Barcelone en famille

Family trip in Barcelona: all of our hints!

During Winter break, we spent five days in Barcelona with the children and their grand-parents. I wanted to share with you our program and our visit advices for a family trip. We chose quite a quiet rhythm: every early afternoon the children rested, with their grand-parents in the apartment that we booked. Thus, we were together strolling around until around 2pm, and we went out again in the end of the afternoon just to go to the square. During the rest time at the apartment (between 2 pm and 4 pm) and sometimes in the evening as well, my husband and I could enjoy the occasional couple getaway: the advantage to travel on three generations!

Barcelone en famille

Age of the children: Ticoeur 7 years old, Titpuce 5 years old.

I will begin with the visits we made with the children…

The Sagrada Familia: don’t miss it, even with young children!

As I already told you, during my five previous stays in Barcelona, I had never visited the Sagrada Familia, which is a pure madness created by Gaudi, who dedicated most of his life to this masterpiece. This cathedral with original architecture is really appropriate with children. The outside has changed a lot since the first time I saw the Sagrada 15 years ago. I think the work is progressing pretty quickly, even if it will take many years before all the towers and the entrance are finished. The inside is rather complete and you can only be struck by the volumes, the lights, the forms. Overall, counting the museum located underneath the church, we spent 1h30 in the Sagrada; the children loved the church; on the other hand, we shortened the museum part, very rich (all in all, without children, I think you can spend at least 2h in the Sagrada).

visiter la Sagrada

We had booked our tickets online for the first time slot of the day and we got in after a wait of only 5 minutes – it was perfect. We took the simple entrance tickets (without a guided visit, without audio guide, without an access to the tower) and I think that it was enough because we were already busy as it was and we were amazed of what we saw.

Adult fare: 15€ / Children (- 10 years): free. To be noted: there is a little playground very practical facing the Sagrada (on the side of the Passion door).

Montjuic and Miró Foundation:

A visit that was really successful with the children: the Foundation Joan Miró. Titpuce declared “All the same, his drawings are quite weird!” This museum is situated on the Montjuic Hill, very nice, with all its vegetation and its views on Barcelona. It is normally possible to climb there with the cable car but it was closed for maintenance. Since the cable car is quite expensive, it was a good option to take the bus. For the museum, we bought the tickets on the spot (12€ for adults and free for children).

Barcelone en famille

The Park de la Ciutadella to let the children run…

I had often walked by this park but this time, with the children, we really spent a long time there, to see the fountain, the fake mammoth and to simply let the children run around. On the other hand, we thought the playgrounds were not so great.

Barcelone avec enfants

Barcelone en famille

Barcelone en famille

Barceloneta Beach :

Even when it is too cold to bathe, the beach is a safe option with children. To get there, we crossed the neighbourhood of Barceloneta, which was quite nice (we had lunch there – see addresses below).

Barcelone en famille

Strolls in the Gothic Quarter:

Since we were staying near the Sagrada, for all of our visits and strolls of the day, we walked by the center and so by the Gothic Quarter that we visited again and again, little piece at a time. We particularly went back to places that we liked a lot like: the Cathedral cloister (free access in the morning), Plaça Reial, the place in front of Santa Maria del Pi, the Plaça Sant Felip and Santa Anna church. We also had a quick walk in La Boqueria Market and in Santa Catarina Market (less touristic).

Barcelone en famille

Barcelone en famille

Barcelone en famille

Barcelone en famille

Barcelone en famille

If you have never been to Barcelona, you have to remember to put the following places on your list:

Park Güell (adapted for all the family but it’s not in the center), the two famous houses: Casa Batlo, Casa Mila (by the underground Passeig de Gracia), the Palau de la Musica (at least see it from the outside – for the inside it’s only on guided tour and it may be better without children). This time, we didn’t go back to those places but they are staples in Barcelona, to see on a first stay here.

During our next stay in Barcelona, we will take the children to:

Tibidabo: it’s a vintage attraction park with a view on Barcelona. We couldn’t go there this time because it’s closed in the Winter.

Cosmo Caixa: a sort of “City of Science” (the one in Paris) with, among other things, a big greenhouse that makes you believe you’re in the Amazonian forest (it’s pretty far from the center so you should put it on the program if the weather is bad, or simply to please the children).

The children loved to eat tapas!

The children loved the small portions. Ours particularly loved the ham croquetas and the squids. Also playful for the kids: the pintxos, those tapas presented on long sticks. To be noted: as a family, we ate in restaurants for lunch but for dinner, we ate at the apartment with takeaway tapas we bought in little canteens of the neighbourhood: it’s cheaper, it avoided us to cook for six persons, and most importantly, it allowed us to eat on French time and not on Spanish time!

Barcelone en famille

Move around Barcelona with the children:

We simply used the underground tickets (also valid in the buses) loaded for 10 journeys. The fee is the same for adults and children over 5 years old (free for children under 5 years old). It’s possible to only use one card for the whole family so it’s practical. With this same card, we travelled to the airport (you have to take the train in Sants station). To visit the city, we mixed bus/underground and our own little feet. I have to say that my Titpuce amazed me because she walked so much, whereas she usually isn’t a fan of citytrips (she prefers walking in nature.)

And without the children, then?

While the grand-parents, Ticoeur and Titpuce rested in the apartment, we had a little childfree program. We visited the Modern Art Museum (MACBA), we spent an afternoon in a Spa for my birthday, we wandered in El Born neighbourhood that I like very much and we had dinner at a head chef’s house, who received us in his own house (see good addresses below).

Off-road: La Colonia Guëll

Since we already knew Barcelona, to change a little, we went to the suburbs, direction la Colonia Güell. I only advise it to people who already know Barcelona very well and who are fans of Gaudi. Otherwise, for a first stay as a family I wouldn’t put it on the to-do list. I will write a blog post on this topic on occasion.

Our good addresses in Barcelona:

  • Can Mano: restaurant in Barceloneta, a kind of little canteen, very simple, very local, very fresh and cheap fish Calle del Baluard, 12 Barcelona.
  • Santa Rita: it’s original because it’s not really a restaurant. The chef cooks at his own place and a few tables are settled in his dining room. Great degustation menu (it was for my birthday). Unique menu that changes every season. This option is better without children because it’s a gastronomic experience that takes time (from 9 pm to midnight). To book a table it’s on their website (and you have to book in advance!): Santa Rita.
  • The Spa Aire which was my birthday present (close to the Park de la Ciutadella).
  • Accommodation: we had booked an apartment on Airbnb, right in front of the Sagrada (great for the view!). It was perfect (the landlady was really nice, the apartment very pretty) but I only advise it if, like us, you share it between two families, otherwise it’s too big and you could find cheaper options. To be noted: the Sagrada neighbourhood is residential, it’s not the city centre but it’s really well connected via the underground and the buses. If you’re looking for an accommodation closer to the center, I advise you to look in El Born neighbourhood, very animated, and very practical to visit. And if you know any family friendly hotels, don’t hesitate to give me your good addresses in the comment section because we will probably go back to Barcelona, again and again!
Barcelone en famille
Admiring la Sagrada from our appartment…


Barcelone en famille

What about you? Have you already visited Barcelona as a family?

Also worth reading

4 days in Barcelona with our teenagersOur 4 days in Barcelona as a family with our teenagers: itinerary, museum visits and walks neighbourhood by neighbourhood
7 tips for visiting Barcelona as a family without breaking the bank!Our top tips for saving money in Barcelona with the children: free activities, discounts, sightseeing tips and accommodation
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