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Visit Paris as a family: 20 ideas to discover the Capital with children.

Since I am a Parisian and I am telling here all about our trips with the children, in the end I hardly ever tell you about Paris as a destination for “family tourism”. Which museums, which neighbourhoods, which monuments in Paris should you visit with children? So here is a first selection of 20 ideas for discovering Paris as a family… Apart from the Eiffel Tower, of course 😉

20 ideas for discovering Paris as a family:

The Louvre Museum in a short version:

A long visit to the Louvre Museum through the most touristy galleries devoted to Italian painting or French painting would be a bit of a workout with children! At the Louvre, I recommend choosing a very small section and spending only an hour there. Our children liked the Egypt section, Primitive Art, Islamic Art and then Bonaparte’s apartments (my favourite part and often not very busy!). In any case, to avoid the long queues at the museum entrance, I recommend going in via the Porte des Lions. And in the Louvre buildings, you’ll also find the Art Deco Museum with, currently, until April 2026, an exhibition on A Hundred Years of Art Deco: you’ll be able to see the interiors of the Orient Express, a mythical train!

The Palais Garnier (Paris Opera):

My Titpuce is a fan of Ballerina and classical dance, so the Paris Opera is a must for her! The visit inside is a real favourite! You absolutely need to buy your tickets on the Opéra Garnier website. And why not book to see a ballet!

The Buren Columns, a Japanese restaurant and why not the Musée en Herbe:

So, the Buren Columns are on a small square behind the Comédie-Française. It’s not a huge space, but Ticoeur and Titpuce never got tired of climbing on the smaller columns, and it makes for lovely photos! Very close by, you can have lunch in the Japanese quarter (a big bowl of noodles!), and if the programme is worth it, then don’t miss the Musée en Herbe, dedicated to art exhibitions for children.

The Palais de la Découverte, the Petit Palais or the Grand Palais:

The Palais de la Découverte is perfect for introducing children to science. Right next door, the Petit Palais (free) displays lovely collections of varied art in a magnificent setting. What’s more, you can sit down for lunch on the terrace of its pretty garden. Finally, the Grand Palais is sublime, so if the current exhibitions might appeal to your children, go for it! The interior is monumental!

The Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature in Le Marais and/or the Picasso Museum:

Ticoeur and Titpuce loved the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, located in the heart of Le Marais, a neighbourhood you shouldn’t miss when you’re visiting Paris for the first time. In the museum, you enjoy the setting of a magnificent private mansion and discover paintings, taxidermy animals, weapons and decorative objects. Allow a good hour for the visit. Not far away is the Picasso Museum, absolutely superb! Doing two museums back-to-back isn’t suitable for all children, so I’ll let you choose according to your preference. At the Picasso Museum, parents will love the visit, and children should also be interested in the visual originality of the artist’s works. For a tasty break, I recommend the courtyard of the Swedish Institute, where you’ll find the Fika café.

The Picasso Museum – Paris

The Fika café at the Swedish Institute

The Centre Georges Pompidou, the Stravinsky Fountain and a delicious pistachio ice cream!

The Centre Pompidou is closed for renovation until 2030, but just a stone’s throw away, the Stravinsky Fountain, created by Jean Tinguely and Niki de Saint Phalle, catches children’s attention. And then, after just a few more steps, you’ll arrive at Bachir (58 Rue Rambuteau, Paris 3rd), a Lebanese (and organic!) ice cream parlour where the ice creams are delicious, especially the pistachio and ashta flavours.

Stravinsky Fountain

The Musée des Arts & Métiers and brunch at the Gaîté Lyrique:

We really like the Musée des Arts et Métiers, located right in the heart of Paris and bringing together inventions and trades through the ages. Don’t miss the section in the former church with Foucault’s pendulum and the first aeroplanes. The collection of old bicycles is also interesting. Then, I suggest heading to the Gaîté Lyrique (a 5-minute walk away), where you can have lunch or brunch in the café of this lovely cultural space. Also, do take a look at the Gaîté Lyrique programme, as there are often exhibitions suited to young audiences. This venue is dedicated to digital arts and contemporary music.

The Musée des Arts et Métiers

The Balloon at Parc André Citroën:

Of course, there’s no shortage of famous viewpoints over Paris! The top of the Eiffel Tower, the roof of the Arc de Triomphe or the Sacré-Cœur terrace are probably the most famous! But I suggest you take off in a balloon at Parc André Citroën for the children’s delight and for beautiful views over the capital, 150 metres up. There are rarely crowds, but the balloon doesn’t always take off because the weather conditions need to be very favourable. With Titpuce, we tested and approved! But it’s impressive!

The Jardin des Plantes and its museums:

When the weather is nice, and especially in spring or summer, the Jardin des Plantes is a very pleasant place for a family walk. The garden is free, but you can buy tickets to visit the Grandes Serres or The Great Gallery of Evolution. Recently, it’s the Gallery of Mineralogy and Geology that we rediscovered and really loved!

From the Paris Mosque to the Arènes de Lutèce:

Leaving the Jardin des Plantes, you can have a mint tea in the Oriental setting of the Paris Mosque before reaching the Arènes de Lutèce, little visited and yet very pretty, where children can run around and you can sit down for a picnic. If you don’t have a picnic, I recommend the crêperie Le Pot au Lait, located a 10-minute walk away (41 Rue Censier, Paris 5th).

The Arènes de Lutèce

A trip on a barge or river bus:

This is a great classic that lets you see Paris from the Seine. As a family, the advantage is that children don’t get tired. If you don’t want to board for a whole cruise, you can simply take the river bus using your Tube tickets. On the way, you can wave to Notre-Dame de Paris. In fact, once you disembark, I recommend going to visit the renovated interior of Notre-Dame de Paris. It’s superb!

The Fondation Louis Vuitton and the Jardin d’Acclimatation:

Are your children asking for rides and playgrounds? Then head to the Jardin d’Acclimatation on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne. For parents, the interest is to start with the Fondation Louis Vuitton, whose architecture by Gehry I love. The exhibitions there are often interesting. Until March 2026, don’t miss the exhibition on the painter Gerhard Richter. Museum admission gives access to the Jardin d’Acclimatation.

The Nissim de Camondo Museum and Parc Monceau:

Here’s an off-the-beaten-track museum and yet so interesting! You discover the interior of a beautiful private mansion that’s still furnished (wow, the kitchen!). The visit isn’t very long, and then you can carry on to Parc Monceau to let the children run and play, or to have a picnic in summer! 63 Rue de Monceau, Paris 8th.

The Army Museum:

Located at Les Invalides, the guided tour of this museum delighted my Ticoeur! It’s one of the most important military history museums in the world. You’ll find, chronologically, the early department with beautiful armour, an imperial section linked to Napoleon, and then a modern section devoted to the 20th century. Ticoeur’s favourite parts: the armour and the Napoleon section.

The Tuileries, Place de la Concorde

The Tuileries Garden is very pleasant to cross after a visit to the Louvre. During the festive season, there’s a big Ferris wheel that offers lovely views of the surrounding area.

Montmartre and the Sacré-Cœur:

If your children are like mine, they don’t like walking around the city when it’s all flat… So in Montmartre, they’ll be delighted: it’s uphill! At the top, in front of the Sacré-Cœur, the effort is rewarded with a very beautiful view over Paris. And on the way down there’s a carousel if needed ;-). For budding young artists, it’s always fun to watch the artists drawing portraits on Place du Tertre.

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont:

A park with lots of charm… Very hilly… Ideal for a picnic or a break at Rosa Bonheur, where the guinguette spirit reigns…

From Canal Saint-Martin to Canal de l’Ourcq, and why not as far as La Villette

So, adults will appreciate the charm of Canal Saint-Martin, which will remind you of certain scenes from the film Amélie Poulain. All along the canal, there’s no shortage of places for brunch or lunch. Continuing to follow the water, you reach Canal de l’Ourcq, where in summer you can take a little ride in an electric boat and enjoy the terraces along the quay. Finally, still following the water northwards, you’ll arrive at La Villette, where there are many spaces dedicated to children: the Cité des Sciences, the Géode and our favourite: the Music Museum.

The Musée du Quai Branly:

This museum is little visited, and yet it’s full of treasures from all over the world. I love the Oceania and Africa sections! The children liked it too! Very close by, you can stroll along the Seine or head to the Eiffel Tower!

The aquarium at Porte Dorée and the Parc Floral:

Here, you’re right in the east of Paris. The Porte Dorée aquarium is worth a visit for its architecture, its very reasonable price and of course its fish! Not far away, if the weather allows, head to the Parc Floral. Ideally, go when there are jazz concerts in summer. I find it much better than the Aquarium de Paris at Trocadéro (and cheaper!).

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I hope you enjoyed this first big stroll across all of Paris! For getting around, the metro and buses are very practical with children. You just need to make sure you avoid rush hour! And about Metro line 14, the driverless one: get into the first carriage, because children will love seeing the tracks and tunnels through the front window!

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Paris as a family: accommodation

Many of you ask me for accommodation tips in Paris for a family stay. Since we’ve been living in England, we’ve had the chance to come back to the capital and therefore to sleep in hotels or rentals, as our families don’t have enough space and our flat is often rented out. So here are a few tested-and-approved addresses.

Our recommended accommodation addresses in Paris for families:

Le Yooma urban lodge: a family-friendly, comfortable hotel, in a quiet area (15th arrondissement)
Hotel B55 in the south of Paris (12th arrondissement): family room with two double beds.
La Belle Ville: I slept there with Papa Voyage, but they also have Junior Suites for 4 with a double bed and a sofa. The downside is the location in an area that isn’t ideal for families, right in the east of Paris, but the hotel is lovely and the rooms are very good: great value for money. Very beautiful plant-covered façade. Also, despite its out-of-the-way location, the metro is just a stone’s throw away, so it’s easy to head towards central Paris.

Rent a flat: We’ve spotted, but not yet tested, this lovely loft in Montmartre.
Do you need help finding family accommodation in Paris? Because I know my city extremely well, I can try to help you! Contact me, telling me the number of adults/children, your dates and your maximum budget. I’ll send you, free of charge, a few ideas of available accommodation!

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There you go! That was my first selection of family visits in the capital! I’m preparing more ideas for very soon! In the meantime, tell me: what were your favourites, and your children’s, in Paris?

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!

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

Day 3: Pollença market ❤ and beach

Day 4: Cala San Vinçen

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

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 ❤

Day 7: Cala San Vinçen

Day 8: departure

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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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.

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!

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).

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).

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.

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).

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).

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!

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!

Admiring la Sagrada from our appartment…

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

Which is the best country in Southeast Asia to travel as a family

We have always been big fans of Asia, and when we became parents, Asia was a continent that seemed particularly suitable for our first big family trips, especially to Southeast Asia. Why ? Southeast Asia offers a great change of scenery, rather safe countries, and life there is often very economical. So, for our first trip to Asia with a child, Ticoeur was 18 months old and we went to Malaysia. Since then, we have visited many other Asian countries, which I have spoken to you about on the blog and today I wanted to take stock of all our stays in South-East Asia because a question you asked me often asked by email is: which Asian country do you recommend for a family trip? Here is the fruit of our experience, after having visited almost all the countries of South-East Asia, a large part of which with children:

Vietnam: from north to south, beautiful landscapes to discover…

The +:

Easy to organize your trip in advance or on site.
Cultural change of scenery, colonial architecture, beaches.
Often rooms with 2 large double beds, therefore ideal for 4 people.
Large choice of accommodation for all budgets.
One of my favorite cuisines in Asia (well, it’s very personal…).

THE – :

Cities with very chaotic traffic. Be careful as a pedestrian.
I didn’t like Ho Chi Minh City and I didn’t find Sapa exceptional.

Practical information :

My favorites: Hoi An, Mekong Delta, Hanoi and then there is the Danang region which I would really like to discover / Halong Bay is more suitable for lovers than for families.
The season: from November to April.
Flight times: 11 hours outward / 13 hours return.

My final opinion: An easy trip to manage as a family. Don’t spend too much time in big cities. Travel by plane.

Thailand: a great classic, very popular with families…

The +:

Ease of organizing your trip as a country accustomed to tourism.
We come across many families traveling with children in Thailand.
A change of scenery and pretty islands.
Possibility of traveling by plane at low cost.
Large choice of accommodation for all budgets.

THE – :

Too many tourists on some islands in February.
I recommend avoiding the far north because of malaria.
Personally I didn’t like Chiang Mai.
Of course you have to see Bangkok but don’t stay there long because the city is a bit oppressive with children.

Practical information :

Visits that I recommend: Bangkok, Koh Phi Phi (off season), Koh Lipe, Koh Samui, Koh Tao…
The season: from November to April but possible in summer in the eastern islands.
Flight times: 11:15 hours outward / 12 hours return.

My final opinion: An easy family trip. I would favor the islands, with air travel.

Bali (Indonesia): an island on a human scale with beautiful traditions…

The +:

Cultural change of scenery, rice fields, lush vegetation.
Beauty of the temples, snorkeling, beautiful traditional atmosphere.
An island on a human scale.
Possibility of combining with the Gilis Islands (Lombok).
Very pretty villas or hotels with swimming pools at low budgets.

THE – :

Far too many tourists in the south of the island (Kuta area).
Beautiful beaches but not heavenly.
Be careful if you rent a car. It’s not easy to drive in Bali!

Practical information :

My favorites: Amed, the rice fields in the Munduk region.
The season: from May to September.
Flight hours: No direct flight. Go through Singapore or Kuala Lumpur so allow 16 hours at best.

My final opinion: An easy and very pleasant trip with small distances to cover.

Burma (or Myanmar): a more adventurous trip, for informed travelers…

The +:

The smile of the inhabitants!
The cultural heritage, the rice fields, the traditions more preserved than elsewhere.
The natural beauty of the country.
Not too many tourists.

THE – :

Family tourism not developed (so we found few accommodations with 4 beds).
Very long bus journeys. Difficulty moving around in general.
The beautiful beach area is not easily accessible (road in poor condition or plane rather expensive).

Practical information :

My favorites: Bagan! And then Inle Lake and the small towns around Mandalay.
Season: November to March.
Flight hours: no direct flight. Go through China or Kuala Lumpur, so a 15-hour flight at best, approximately.

My final opinion: I found that it was the least simple country for families in terms of logistics (because of journeys and accommodation). If you go anyway, taking a driver is probably a good idea.

Malaysia: more comfort than elsewhere in Southeast Asia and beautiful islands…

The +:

Multicultural country (Chinese, Indian, Malay, etc.)
Beautiful islands and towns with colonial architecture.
Country richer than the others therefore more modern infrastructure (cars, highways, modern buses, etc.).
Domestic journeys possible by plane at very low prices.
For more adventure, also explore the Borneo part (for the fauna and flora).
Possibility of combining it with a visit to Singapore.
Mmmm the kitchen!

THE – :

We haven’t always found nice accommodations.

Practical information :

My favorites: The Perenhtian Islands and Tioman Island.
The season: from November to March, but depending on the islands, also possible in summer.
Flight hours: approximately 12:30 hours.

My final opinion: A country which offers more comfort than the others, with fewer tourists.

Philippines: so many paradise islands!

We went there without children.

We loved the kindness of the locals, the many paradise islands and the volcanoes.
Easy because English is the official language.
Incredibly beautiful nature. Favorite in the Philippines: Camiguin island.
I would hesitate to go there with young children because of the many Jeepney journeys (not very comfortable and often long). And then, overall it’s very far away unfortunately. Let’s say it’s better to go there as part of a longer trip to this part of the globe…
Flight hours: minimum 16 hours with stopover.

Cambodia: an endearing country but not the most suitable for families…

With Ticoeur, we went to Phnom Penh.
Possible without worries to go to Angkor (and it’s magnificent!).
Really cheap.
For the rest, take a good look at malaria and the state of the roads…
No direct flight. Go through Kuala Lumpur for example.

Laos: nature and serenity but long journeys…

We went there without children.

We loved the kindness of the Laotians and the zenitude of the country.
Less touristy and calmer than other Asian countries. Laos is relaxing!
With children I would hesitate because of the length of bus journeys, on winding roads.
Very economical.
Also pay attention to malaria.
No direct flight. Go through Bangkok for example.

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I especially wanted to focus on Southeast Asia rather than Asia in general but I would still like to make an exception and talk to you about Sri Lanka which, in the same order of magnitude on the budget side, was a big blow of heart for us in Asia and a must in terms of an exotic country to discover with the family!

Sri Lanka: perfect for a first trip to Asia with children…

The +:

Scenic beauty in the tea region, beaches and cultural heritage.
Many animals especially elephants.
Distances not too great (to be done by car with driver and by train).
Nice accommodations a little more expensive than in Southeast Asia.

THE – :

Many beaches in the south-eastern part but not heavenly (unless you have any to recommend to us?). We would like to discover the west coast where it seems that the sea is more beautiful with nice depths.

Practical information :

My favorites: The Ella region, the atmosphere on the beach in Mirissa, Kandy.
The season: from November to March but possible in summer also in the tea region and on the east coast.
Flight hours: approximately 13 hours with stopover.

My final opinion: We loved our trip with children to Sri Lanka for the diversity of landscapes and the ease of logistics. We are thinking of going back. We preferred to manage our journeys at each stage by asking our accommodation to recommend someone to us rather than taking a dedicated driver for the entire trip (for the sake of freedom).

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Finally, without children, we traveled to China, Japan and India. We will happily return to the first two with our darlings. On the other hand, for India I am a little hesitant in terms of health conditions. Maybe in Kerala one day…

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I hope that our experiences traveling in Asia with young children will inspire you and if you already know Asia, I would be curious to know which were your favorite Asian countries for a family trip?

5 ideas for long weekends in Italy

Today I’m sharing with you all my ideas for long weekends in Italy, because it’s truly a country that’s a joy to visit all year round. Especially if, like me, you suffer from the dolce vita syndrome! Whether it’s for the beauty of the cities, the history, the architecture or the gastronomy, there’s no shortage of reasons to head to Italy for a long weekend as a couple or with the family!

Here’s my selection of the Italian cities we preferred:

1 – A long weekend in Venice as a couple or with the family:

It was to celebrate our engagement that we went to Venice for the first time, a few years ago now. I was pleasantly surprised to discover a city even more beautiful than expected! In fact, I’d always told myself that Venice was such a myth that I’d inevitably be disappointed because I’d expect too much. Well, no! Venice turned out to be magical, magnificent, unforgettable: yes, nothing less than that!

In August 2021, we went back to Venice with the family and the city of canals continued to charm us!

A few ingredients for a successful weekend in Venice:

When to visit Venice? Avoid peak periods such as Carnival or Easter. We went to Venice in June. We had bright sunshine; there were people about but not too many, even though we were there during the Biennale. We were also there in August and, surprisingly, it was calm (international tourism hadn’t fully bounced back). Also, in the height of summer, holidaymakers may be looking more for beaches than cities.
Get off the beaten track: if you stick to St Mark’s Square and the surrounding area, you’ll only find tourists and outrageously priced cafés. As soon as you get lost in the maze of little streets, you quickly find yourself away from the crowds. You then discover great little places, intimate wine bars, family-run and affordable trattorias. So you need to walk, walk, walk, without limiting yourself to the usual route that all visitors take. In fact, the first time in Venice, we even chose not to visit the “big monuments”, where entry prices are quite high. There are enough wonders to discover just by strolling, as the city is a living, romantic museum.
Venice in 3–4 days: you can take two or three days to wander around the city. And add a day for a boat trip to Burano, the little island I liked best (Murano impressed me far less). In fact, to make the most of Burano, and if you have the time, you can plan to spend a night in one of the lovely colourful houses. You’ll then get a calmer Burano once the tourists leave at the end of the day.
La Dolce Vita in Venice: have a Spritz at the end of the day by the water or on Campo Santa Margherita, a large square we particularly loved for its very local atmosphere.
Also read: Our 10 must-sees in Venice.

Burano

2 – A long weekend in Rome, for travelling through time:

I love Rome, where I went dozens of times as a child. Then we tried Rome with a baby (when Ticoeur was 4 months old) and finally with the whole little family. Find the article about our latest getaway to Rome: 4 days in Rome with the family.

Crossing Rome on foot is a wonderful trip through time. In no other city, as far as I know, do you come so close to the ruins of the past. The remains of the Roman Empire are right there before our eyes, along the street. I also love the city’s many squares, the incredible museums and the Tastevere district.

When to go to Rome? I’ve tried Rome at every time of year. I only advise against late July to late August because it can be far too hot to walk around.
Rome in 3–4 days: you’ll already get a great feel for the city, but you’ll want to come back again and again ;-). Don’t miss the Trevi Fountain, the Roman Forum, Piazza Navona, Piazza Mattei, the Colosseum and a few museums. To optimise your visits, choose the “Roma Pass”, which gives access to transport and several museums at a reduced price (sold at the airport, the station, etc.).
Accommodation: here is a lovely very Italian-style flat, located near the Vatican. You can easily walk to the Tiber and cross over to visit the historic centre or take the metro. Finally, the first time, we stayed in the Monti district, between the Colosseum and the station: see this nicely decorated flat. A practical area for visiting the city.
La Dolce Vita in Rome: to sample the dolce vita, nothing beats lunch on a terrace in Tastevere, a district full of charm.

3 – A long weekend in Ferrara to travel back to the Middle Ages:

Ferrara is a very pretty medieval town located 40 minutes from Bologna airport. The architecture is superb. It’s very pleasant to explore on foot or by bike, discovering the city’s historic buildings. It’s a trip back in time, straight to the 14th century. I could also have suggested a weekend in Bologna, Ferrara’s bigger neighbouring city. I’ll tell you more about Bologna when I get back next week… Ferrara has the advantage of a more intimate setting.

When to go to Ferrara? In spring or early autumn. The region is famous for its thick fog, which you’ll probably see in the evening.
Ferrara in 2 or 3 days: stroll around the old town on foot discovering its historic heritage, and keep one day for a bike ride along the river Po.
La Dolce Vita in Ferrara: dinner in one of the city’s very old restaurants, where you won’t fail to try the pasta specialities with pumpkin and sage.

4 – A long weekend in Florence for art lovers:

Our 2 weeks in northern Sardinia: beach paradise

Oh, how beautiful the beaches of Sardinia are! And there are so many of them! Sardinia was still unknown to us: as half of my family lives in Sicily, we have often opted for the Sicilian option. Over the past few years, we have also got into the habit of going to Corsica regularly, and the Island of Beauty has always delighted us; this year, for once, we tried Sardinia and it turned out to be yet another, very different experience. I will actually write a post comparing Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica for those hesitating between these three Mediterranean destinations. No suspense here: what impressed us most in Sardinia were the beaches, hence this post to share with you the ones we tested and approved last month.

I should point out that I haven’t retouched the photos below. Yes, the colours really are that beautiful, the water that clear, and at times it genuinely looks like the Maldives!

Cala Brandichi

To put things back into context in our round-the-world itinerary: we returned from Rio at the beginning of July on a flight to Frankfurt, then took a train to Stuttgart where we picked up my in-laws, before flying the next day to Olbia in Sardinia, the first stop of our little European tour that would round off our Round-the-World trip.

During our 2 weeks in Sardinia, we chose 3 bases from which we explored the area:

Costa Paradiso (in the north) -> I actually recommend our villa, as it was the best accommodation of our Sardinian stay. Edit 2021: unfortunately, this villa is no longer available to rent. Here is a similar one for 8 people.
Bosa (on the west coast) -> our accommodation is no longer available to rent. As an alternative, I suggest this charming address in Bosa: La Locanda di Corte or, as a more budget-friendly option, this house with a swimming pool, 4 km from the town (a car is required).
Posada (on the east coast) -> we stayed at Hotel Sale.

Our 3 bases in Sardinia

Discovering the beaches of northern Sardinia:

Beaches near Costa Paradiso:

The cove of Costa Paradiso, accessible via a pleasant path (10 minutes). The walk down is enjoyable as long as you avoid the hottest hours of the day. The children loved swimming in the river arm that flows into this beach.

Costa Paradiso beach

Cala Sarraina (very easy access, just a short walk from the car park). A lovely little beach bar.

Cala Sarraina

Lu Litarroni/Naracu Nieddu: several access points are possible. We recommend the one that brings you out near the restaurants/bars, with a small shaded path to reach the beach (10 minutes). Paid parking (2€/hour). A very large white-sand beach. Pleasant bar with a view over the beach. When we were there, there were a bit too many waves for the children.

Lu Litarroni

Best access path for Lu Litarroni

Beaches near Bosa:

Compoltitu beach: in fact, we tried three beaches near Bosa, but this one was our absolute favourite, so we went there every day and it’s the one we recommend! Note: getting down to it is a bit of a workout, but perfectly doable (allow about 10 minutes). It was Ticoeur and Titpuce’s favourite beach because the sea was very calm and the water deepens very gradually.

Compoltitu (Bosa)

Beaches near Posada:

Posada beach

Cala Brandichi

Isuledda (San Teodoro)

Porto Taverna

We also visited the following lovely beaches, but liked them less, mainly because they were too crowded: La Cinta and Porto Istana.

Practical information for enjoying the beaches with children:

Bring a parasol, as there is rarely any shade.
We favoured the beach in the morning before 11am and in the afternoon after 4–5pm to avoid the intense heat. What’s more, there are very few people in the morning (note: we were there in mid-July – I imagine there are many more tourists in August).
We made good use of the small kiosks and beach bars, which are cheaper than in France. Ideal for having a coffee and treating the children to ice creams.
As usual, don’t forget hats, water and sun cream.
I don’t know if it was just the beaches we went to, but none of them were supervised :-(. In any case, we never take our eyes off the children.

Cala Brandichi

I hope you enjoyed this little overview of the beautiful beaches of northern Sardinia! Don’t hesitate to also check out our itinerary in southern Sardinia.

Perhaps you already know northern Sardinia and its beaches? Any other spots to recommend?

Our week on Lake Lugano

The lakes region had been on my list for a long time: Lago di Lugano, Lago di Como, Lago Maggiore, Lago di Garda and the others… An area I didn’t yet know. At the end of August, we spent a week on the shores of Lake Lugano with the children and the grandparents. Lake Lugano lies on the border between Switzerland and Italy. Our house was on the Swiss side, 6 km from the Italian border, right on the lake. Staying on the border is quite fun because you cross it several times a day depending on the visits you have planned. In the end, we must have spent 50% of the time in Switzerland and 50% in Italy: an Italo-Swiss holiday!

Ticoeur’s age: almost 6
Titpuce’s age: 3 and a half

During this week on Lake Lugano, we organised a day trip to Milan to visit the World Expo, and we spent another day on the shores of Lake Como. Today, I’m presenting the shores of Lake Lugano, as it’s the area we explored the most.

Things to see/do on the shores of Lake Lugano:

the village of Porto Ceresio (Italy): romantic, full of charm, small but very lively. A lovely family atmosphere and a playground that’s ideal for children.

the village of Gandria (Switzerland): a picturesque village with its little lanes and old stone buildings

Monte San Giorgio (Switzerland): a UNESCO-listed site and it really is superb! We first parked by the Brusino Arsizio cable car. A return cable-car ticket costs CHF 20 per adult and CHF 12 for children (prices updated in 2025). Once at the top, we did an easy 1 hr 40 min hike to the Serpiano viewpoint. The children walked well. As usual, they prefer hiking to a stroll around town. The panorama on arrival is breathtaking!

a walk in the Breggia Gorge (Italy): a surprising place, I must say: you come across strange geological formations but also an old disused cement works.

the town of Lugano: a very airy, very clean, very orderly and very wealthy town. I especially liked the lakeside and the park.

the church and the baptistery in Riva San Vitale. The latter is the oldest building in Switzerland!

The Santa Croce church

the train museum in Mendrisio (Switzerland): it’s crazy how many model trains there are in this museum! A huge collection! On the other hand, the rooms are a bit boring… They should make this museum more lively because it has real potential. Ticoeur liked it and, as it was raining, it was handy to take shelter there.

the market in Ponte Tresa (Italy): very lively; it takes place every Thursday. You’ll find very good local products but also lots of uninteresting clothing stalls.
swimming in the lake: nice for adults but not suitable for young children. When you know that Lake Lugano is very deep (almost 300 metres in some places!), it’s intimidating – you think about it… Even with floats or armbands, we weren’t very reassured, so we filled a small inflatable paddling pool by the lake for Ticoeur and Titpuce. For adults, swimming is pleasant because the lake is huge and the view is superb. For my darling, the water is too cold (22°C when we were there). In the villages, there are small beaches, but the water remains deep.

Our jetty

Beach in Porto Ceresio

Apart from our walks around Lake Lugano, we never tired of our terrace, whose view was magical from morning to night…

One week in Lanzarote with children

If you are following us on Instagram, you know that we spent a wonderful week of family holiday in the volcanic setting of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands. Like every summer, we organized a trip with the grandparents. This time, we chose this land of fire that delighted us with its landscapes, its great spaces, its climate, its beaches, its little white villages with cubic houses, with blue or green shutters, not to mention the artistic heritage created by César Manrique. We were based in the centre of the island, in Nazaret, with a dozen of volcanoes in sight. Memorable lunar-like landscapes that will be etched in my memory. During a week, we had time to explore the island deeply. I don’t know the rest of the Canary Islands, so I can’t compare to Tenerife (* not true anymore – update below), Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera, Gran Canaria or even El Hierro, but there is no doubt that Lanzarote is a big crush that I recommend for a trip with the kids, or just as a couples gateway! Finally, I have been delighted to practice my Spanish, especially since we are going back to Spain in a couple of days for the 40h birthday of our friends in Valencia.

Age of Ticoeur: almost 6 years old

Age of Titpuce: 3 years and a half

Winning duo: cactus and volcano!

Playa Grande in Puerto del Carmen

View from our house

Program of the week:

D1: Arrival in Arrecife around 3pm. We get our car then go direction our villa in Nazaret. We enjoy the swimming pool with the view on the volcanoes
D2: Visit of la Cueva de los Verdes, a cave formed by lava. Beach near Orzola. Lunch in Arrieta. Back to the villa: nap and swimming pool.
D3: Craft market of Haria. Visit of la Casa César Manrique. Nap and swimming pool then visit of the César Manrique Trust. End of the day on the beach (Jablillo).

Our roadtrip in Sri Lanka with the children

Hello everyone! I’m back to tell you about our roadtrip in Sri Lanka with the children. We came back last night and with the jet lag I woke up at 5am, so I enjoy this opportunity to give you the details of our Sri Lankan family adventures. Clearly, Sri Lanka is a big crush! We are already thinking about going back there. I thought that this country offered a condensed version of Asia: a change of scenery, tea plantations, rice fields, beaches, temples, cultural sites, all of this without having to travel for many miles! A destination suitable for a family trip! I’m looking forward to share with you the enchantment we felt discovering this amazing country.

Train travelling over the 9 arches in Ella

Age of Ticoeur: 5 years and a half

Age of Titpuce: 3 years (that we celebrated precisely in Sri Lanka!)

Itinerary and good addresses:

Arrival in Colombo at 10.40 pm and departure to Bentota in taxi (about 2h).

Chill Island Villas ❤, very beautiful and charming bed and breakfast, nicely decorated and big swimming pool. Perfect to recover from the journey. We had a big double bedroom with a cot for Ticoeur and Titpuce between us in the huge bed.

Bentota (about 10km away) – 2 nights – to begin softly and rest not far from the sea. Accommodation: Chill Island Villas ❤, very beautiful and charming bed and breakfast, nicely decorated and big swimming pool. Perfect to recover from the journey. We had a big double bedroom with a cot bed for Ticoeur, and Titpuce was between us in the huge bed. Activities: visit of small temples, turtle centre and simply swimming pool! Booking: Chill Island Villas.

Turtle centre near Bentota

Chill Island Villas

Bus (between Bentota and Galle: 1h10) – lunch break in Galle then tuk-tuk (between Galle and Mirissa: 1h)

Mirissa – 1 night – nice ideal beach for children, very quiet, touristic but a nice atmosphere with a great restaurant of grilled fish on the beach by night. Accommodation: Palm Villa, ideally situated on the beach, delicious breakfast with sea view. We had a bedroom with a double bed, a single bed for Ticoeur and a baby bed for Titpuce. Activities: beach, visit of the colonial city of Galle.

Mirissa beach

Palm Villa

tuk-tuk (between Mirissa and Tangalle: 1h30).

Tangalle – 1 night – here, the beaches are wild and deserted, with big waves. Accommodation: Patini Bungalows ❤, with an adorable reception of Séverine and her family. The bungalows are very beautiful and high quality, with terrace. We had a double bedroom with two extra mattresses on the floor. Activities: beach and also an excursion to a stunning temple (Mulkirigala) not touristic although it is pretty extraordinary, like the Dambulla temple.

Tangalle beach on my birthday!

Patini Bungalows

Tuk-tuk (between Tangalle and Udawalawe: 1h30).

Udawalawe – 1 night – only purpose of this step: going on a safari with the children in the National Park of Udawalawe, famous for its many elephants. I will tell you all the details of this safari in a blog post dedicated to it. Accommodation: Superson Guesthouse, very simple but a very nice welcome from the family and our host booked everything for our excursion. We had a bedroom with one double bed and two single beds.

Elephant in the National Park of Udawalawe

Superson’s GH

Car with driver (between Udawalawe and the Morning Mist close to Ella: 2h).

40 min away from Ella (in the middle of nowhere 😉) – 3 nights (and we could have stayed 4): the magic of the tea plantations and the mountains, an exceptional panorama. Accommodation: Morning Mist ❤, not to be missed, for its beautiful location, and the excellent cooking of Pat’. For the family, there is a little individual villa with 2 bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen, so perfect in terms of space. Activities: visit of the neighbouring tea plantation of Amba State (very interesting because it’s a very small plantation which is selling its delicious tea to Fortnum & Mason in London!) Excursion in Ella (hiking at Little Adam’s Peak, waterfalls), and above all bathing in the river, down the Morning Mist and little walks in the plantations.

River close to the Morning Mist

The Morning Mist

Tuktuk to the station then 1st class train to Haputale (45 min).

Haputale – 1 night – Stroll in a tuktuk until Lipton Seat, wonderful point of view from where Sir Lipton loved to observe his plantations. Simple accommodation but with a beautiful view from the balcony: The Mist Holiday. We had a little bedroom with two double beds.

On the road to Lipton’s seat

The Mist Holiday, Haputale

1st class train (Haputale->Kandy : 5h).

Kandy centre – 1 night: we had read rather negative comments about Kandy but we really liked it. A lot of colonial buildings around the lake. Accommodation: Vino Villa (we wanted stay in the Mc Leod or the Queen Hotel but it was full), so, our accommodation didn’t have the charm of the colonial residences but it was comfortable, brand new (a double bedroom and two extra beds). Activities: Temple of the Tooth, botanical garden.

Botanique Garden of Kandy

In the street in Kandy

Tuk-tuk

1h away from Kandy (still in the middle of nowhere 😉) – 2 nights – in the enchanted setting of a tea plantation in the Madulkelle Tea & Eco Lodge ❤, a unique location for a charming break in the middle of our stay. Everything is perfect: amazing swimming pool with a view, the high quality lodges, restaurant diners and the reception. I will detail all this with pictures because this place was so magical! We had a lodge with a double bed, a single bed and an extra mattress. Activities: farniente in front of the plantations, visit of the Hatale plantation (it was very interesting because all of the engines were working), walks.

Madulkelle Tea & Eco Lodge

Tea Plantation

Tuktuk between Madulkelle Tea Lodge and Sigiriya (4h).

Sigiriya – 3 nights – we chose Sigiriya as a starting point to visit the cultural triangle, which is the zone with the main cultural sites of Sri Lanka. Accommodation: Lakmini Lodge, simple but adorable reception of the landlord who loves children and who is very impressive in terms of efficiency to organize all of your excursions for interesting prices! We had a bedroom with two double beds. This way, we visited : Sigiriya Rock, Dambulla cave, the old city of Polonnaruwa (all of this in tuktuk). Booking: Lakmini Lodge.

Sigiriya Rock

Dambulla

Polonnaruwa

Breakfast hut in the Lakmini Lodge

Tuk-tuk to the station of Hanarana then 2^nd class train (until Ragama: 5h) then tuktuk then bus until Negombo (1h).

Negombo – 1 night: this fishermen town is ideally located near the airport so it was perfect for a last night before we left. Accommodation: Green Wood Villa (nothing special but convenient, clean and comfortable + it’s easy to organise your transfer to the airport – however we didn’t see any swimming pool…). A bedroom with a double bed, a single bed and a cot bed.

Sunset in Negombo Beach

Our itinerary in pictures:

From Colombo anti-clockwise…

Practical information:

Season of the trip: February. We had 28-30 degrees and the weather was really nice every day, with a little rain sometimes by the end of the day twice or thrice, and gloomy weather the last two days. Because it was Winter Break, there were a lot of people in some areas.
Duration: 16 days
Plane: around 11h of flight with a call in a Gulf State (Oman for us because we travelled with Oman Air) or a direct flight with Sri Lanka Airlines. The children mostly watched cartoons. They didn’t sleep much, although it was a night flight, because there was too much light.
Jetlag: 4h30 with Paris – Since we arrived late and tired from the trip (no big sleep in the plane) we had no trouble adjusting to local time.
Equipment for children: only the Ergobaby for Titpuce but we didn’t use it much because she walked a lot. A few diapers (that we didn’t use either) and two waterproof protections in case one of them wet the bed (only happened once 😉).
Health: there are few cases of malaria in Sri Lanka, but not in its most severe form. It is recommended to take a treatment in case you stay more than 10 days but, in agreement with our doctor, we didn’t take any medicine. However, I used a mosquito repellent treatment on our clothes and I brought an anti-mosquito adapted for infested tropical areas. We mostly used long sleeves T-shirts and trousers, and of course, you have to be extra careful if you have a fever. Still following the recommendations of our doctor, the children were vaccinated against hepatitis A. Important: you should also check with your doctor before you leave.
Transport: it was the only unknown factor of our trip. Everything else was booked in advance. We improvised on the spot, following the advice of our hosts, or following our intuition. This way, on every step, we organized, with the help of our guest house or hotel the transportation to the next step. As you could read above, we travelled a lot in tuk-tuk. We felt at ease with this mode of transport, that seemed safer, more comfortable than the bus, and half the price of a car with a driver. Once again, you should experience to make your own opinion because I don’t want to say that, concerning security, it was perfect! (no seat belt). Be careful, by the way, if you are renting a car with a driver: if you are to pay a more expensive price, make sure the vehicle you rent has seat belts in the back (it’s not always the case!). Concerning the train, we didn’t make much sense out of the booking system. We had booked our tickets before, on the internet (at a tourist price) because it was said that the trains were overcrowded. But, once on the spot, there were plenty of places! For our last journey, we bought our tickets only a few minutes before we went on the train. In first class, there is air-conditioning and cartoons. In 2nd class, since the windows are opened, the heat is not overwhelming, except when the train stops. Thus, with a baby, I would advise you to travel in 1^st class.
Meal: Mainly, you have to like the chicken curry 😉. The children only ate the rice without the curry so, in restaurants, we ordered fried noodles for them. We loved the fresh fruits and fresh fruit juices! We also all loved the hoopers (some kind of pancakes with coconut milk). We found some sweetened plain yoghurts.
Budget: for information purpose, we spent:
600€ for the round trip flight per person
100€ on the spot per day, for the four of us, consisting of: 50€ on the accommodation + 20€ on transportation + 20€ on meals + 10€ on visits. We would have spent less on accommodations but we chose to focus on charm and comfort; we could have spent less on meals, but mostly we had diners in the bedrooms of our guest houses or hotels for an easier organization; we could have travelled only by bus (but it’s more complicated!). In a world, it could be possible to get to 70€/day (maybe less?). On the other hand, if, like many tourists, you choose to rent a car with a driver for your whole stay, you have to consider a 45€/day budget for this benefit. Finally, if my husband could have had an international driving license delivered, we would have rented a car, in spite of the advice against it (this is a personal choice, I will let you make your own opinion about it).

The « plus side » for the children? Many activities are suitable for children, especially when it’s about seeing animals, but also the beaches and some walks. We came across many families. Some of them even with small babies. I will soon tell you what the children loved!

So, are you tempted by a trip in Sri Lanka?

Portugal with kids : the Algarve and the Lisbon area

We loved our holidays in Portugal with the kids! I wanted the children to be able to enjoy the sea, I was looking for affordable holidays and great weather. That’s why we opted for Portugal, a very family-friendly destination! Another idea I had in my mind was to travel in a campervan. I had looked at the rental offer all over Europe and it’s in Portugal that I found the best prices, so the first week we hired a vintage VW campervan from the 70’s. For the second week, we stayed in a B&B near Sintra, and then we took an apartment in the center of Lisbon for the end of our portuguese roadtrip.

Some friends told me that there would be too many tourists and too much heat in Algarve. Well, it was neither too hot nor too crowded. As for the weather, it was 26 degrees every day. Just perfect! Regarding tourists: yes, the south side of the Algarve is full of tourists but we avoided them by choosing to travel on the west coast, along the ocean. There, except for a few surfers, you’ll see it on my pictures, it’s really quiet! It is more difficult to avoid the crowd in Lisbon and Sintra at some tourist sites but it was ok. In short, the Algarve on the west coast is very good during the Summer Holidays!

General information about our roadtrip in Portugal:

Kids’ ages: 4 years old for my son and 1 and a half for my daughter.

Period: mid-August, at the height of the tourist season and the heat, but as I said, we had 26 degrees every day except our last two days in Lisbon: it was 32.

Duration: 2 weeks. One week in the Algarve and one week in Lisbon and its surroundings

Transport: we flew to Lisbon, then we went from Lisbon to Faro (capital of the Algarve) by train (3 hours). To get around, we had the Volkswagen combi the first week. For the second week, we looked at car rentals but it was too expensive for us. So, we decided to limit our trip around Lisbon and to visit only the surrounding areas easily accessible by train.

Itinerary of our family vacation in Portugal:

1 night in Lisbon : It was the occasion to see again this city that we like a lot.
1 night in Olhão : from Lisbon we travelled by train to Faro where we took our campervan. We stayed in Olhão near Faro in this nice fishing village before leaving for the west coast (night in a campsite in Olhão).
1 night in Sagrès : it is the south-western extremity of Europe! Now the wild coast begins… (wild camping)
1 night in Aljezur : further north on the west side… Lots of beautiful beaches nearby (overnight in a campsite)
1 night à Odeceixe : it is the most northern point of our journey, still on the west coast… (wild camping)
1 night at Amado Beach : magnificent beach! My favorite of our holidays! (wild camping)
1 night in Salema : we are back in the south but in a quiet part of the Algarve (night in a campsite)
1 night in Olhão : because we liked it and it’s just next to Faro where we have to return the VW campervan (night at the campsite)
1 night in Cascais : We take the train from Faro to Lisbon then we go to Cascais, a very pleasant seaside town at 40 minutes (by train) from Lisbon.
3 nights near Sintra : a very charming B&B with a huge swimming pool (La Quinta do Scoto) – visit of the beautiful castles in Sintra
2 nights in Lisbon : walks, museums and a great trip to the oceanarium!

Portugal with kids: a week in Algarve

During our week in the Algarve, we alternated nights in campsites and wild camping near beaches. I would like to point out, however, that officially, wild camping is forbidden – so I warned you…

Here are some pictures of the west coast of Algarve. We loved that coast! Not touristy and so wild! Amazing beaches all along!

Aljezur village:

Odeceixe village:

The most southwestern point of Europe in Sagres:

Our great vintage Volkswagen campervan, alias “Apple”… We hired our campervan from Siesta Campers. We totally recommend them!

So happy at the beach:…

To give you an idea of the beaches in the south, more crowded with tourists but very beautiful and without big waves…

The characteristic cliffs of the region:

Portugal with kids: in the Lisbon area

For our second week in Portugal we visited the Lisbon area.

Here is Cascais, a seaside town near Lisbon…

One of the magnificent estates to visit in Sintra: the Quinta da Regaleira…

Last stop: Lisbon…

Our tips to visit Portugal with kids or babies

Baby equipment :

We just took our baby carrier (Ergobaby) and a buggy. The buggy was not very useful and it was not very easy to drive in the streets of Lisbon (big cobblestones and big differences in level). The car seats were provided with the campervan. The cot for our daughter was also provided by our B&B and apartement. In the campervan, the children slept together on the back seat which became a large bed. We put our daughter in the back behind her brother so she wouldn’t fall out, and to be on the safe side, we put our (soft) suitcases at the foot of the bed in case…

Places to eat and places to stay in Portugal:

The restaurant called A Sagrès, in Sagrès: excellent fish restaurant at a real good price!
The fish market in Olhao to buy fish for your BBQ
Our B&B Quinta do Scoto in Meleças, near Sintra (you can book here)
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The restaurant Tala Adega Tipica near the B&B in Meleças near Sintra
The bakery Casa Brasileira for a breakfast in Lisbon (fresh fruit and the homemade pasteis de nata)
The roof top of the Bairro Alto Hotel for a drink with an incredible view over Lisbon.
The restaurant Ponto Final in Lisbon (you go there by boat. Beatiful place and excellent fish!)

Why we think it’s great to visit Portugal with a baby or young kids:

The west side of the Algarve is famous for surfing so yes there are waves but it is still very suitable for young children as on the beaches the waves have allowed the formation of “paddling pools” where children have maximum water up to their knees. In addition, at several beaches there are river arms which reach the sea and where it is therefore possible to swim without waves. Families usually land along the river while surfers are on the ocean side, but both are within a few meters of each other so it’s very convenient!
Our kids loved eating sardines 😉
The children’s favourite outing in Lisbon was to the oceanarium, not to be missed!
The town of Cascais near Lisbon is very pleasant with children: large park and seaside.
You can find nappies, milk and potties in the supermarket (note: there is little choice for salty potties).
Our son loved travelling in our VW campervan as for him, we travelled in Fillmore, one of the characters from the movie Cars!
Portuguese people were so welcoming!

The only negative point:

Walking the streets of Lisbon with children is exhausting! Cobblestones, sloping streets and crowded trams. Plus, it was too hot.

What about you? Are you tempted to spend some family holidays in Portugal?