| chool bell has rung, the chalk dust has settled, it can | | | | drawings at the splendid Museu Picasso and the |
| only mean one thing-it’stime to start planning the | | | | interactive exhibits at Fundacio Joan Miro will have mini |
| perfect school holiday escape! With Europe’s | | | | Miros and pint-sized Picassos reaching for the crayons |
| cities buzzing with lively events and attractions during | | | | and paint boxes. Of course there are plenty of other |
| the school holidays there’s no better time for | | | | non-cultural attractions on offer in the city, including the |
| children to get an extra lesson in culture, history and | | | | fun Tibidabo Amusement Park, set in a stunning |
| fun. | | | | mountain location, overlooking the city. |
| 1. Copenhagen: | | | | Things To Do Outside of the City: |
| Topsy-turvy towers, elegant royal palaces, colourful | | | | After all that walking, a day-trip by hire car is a special |
| marching guards… simply walking through the | | | | treat for tired little feet. Barcelona is convenient to a |
| streets of this city is like stepping into the pages of a | | | | number of fine beaches. Casteldefells, situated within a |
| storybook. That’s before even mentioning | | | | half hour’s drive of Barcelona is a pleasant |
| marauding Vikings, jolly Lego folk or the magical Tivoli | | | | sandy beach, that is guaranteed to keep the bucket |
| Gardens. For children, a city break in Copenhagen is | | | | and spade brigade amused for a few hours at least. |
| guaranteed to captivate enchant and enthral. | | | | 3. Paris |
| What To See in the City: | | | | Paris’s stunning attractions have long |
| Copenhagen is one of Europe’s most child | | | | captivated city break tourists. However, with children in |
| friendly cities, offering plenty to keep the little ones | | | | tow, you’ll get to see the city from a whole |
| amused. In Copenhagen, there’s no escaping | | | | new point of view. With two world-class amusement |
| Danish fairytale writer Hans Christian | | | | parks on its doorstep and a range of child-friendly |
| Anderson’s legacy. A visit to the city’s | | | | spots to be found around the city, there’s no |
| iconic Little Mermaid statue on the waterfront is a | | | | reason why children can’t get in on the City of |
| must, as is the captivating ‘Wonderful World of | | | | Light’s charms. Besides, it’s the perfect |
| Hans Christian Anderson’, a child-centred | | | | place for the petit enfants to brush up on their French! |
| interactive museum on Rådhuspladsen. To see | | | | Things To See in the City: |
| real-life tin soldiers in action, be sure to catch the | | | | The city’s iconic Eiffel Tower is a definite must |
| impressive midday changing of the guard ceremony at | | | | see attraction. Even if you’ve seen it before, |
| Amalienborg Palace. | | | | it’s worth visiting the impressive 276-metre |
| What To Do Outside of the City: | | | | structure just to see the look of awe it inspires on the |
| A hire car allows you to explore all of the attractions | | | | faces of the young. Meanwhile, river cruises on the |
| of the city’s surrounding countryside. In | | | | Seine offer the chance to see the city from a watery |
| Copenhagen there are plenty of options open to you. | | | | perspective and will surely ignite the imagination of |
| A whole-day excursion to Legoland makes for a | | | | wannabe pirates. |
| fun-filled day out for all the family. Situated in Billund | | | | To truly feel like the king of the castle, be sure to |
| (240km west of Copenhagen), Legoland is one of the | | | | make a visit to the delightful France Miniature |
| safest and most well-planned theme parks | | | | Park-you’ll get the chance to play Gulliver in a |
| you’ll ever visit. Meanwhile, nearby | | | | Lilliputian land where the Palace of Versailles is |
| Roskilde’s excellent Viking Ship Museum (32 | | | | knee-high and the Arc de Triomphe is nothing to shout |
| km west of Copenhagen) is where the imagination can | | | | about. |
| really run amok. | | | | Things To Do Outside of the City: |
| 2. Barcelona | | | | Situated 32km to the east of Paris, a day-trip to |
| Bright and breezy Barcelona, with its quirky Gaudi | | | | Disneyland Resort Paris is guaranteed to be number |
| buildings, vibrant cultural scene and blissful beaches is | | | | one on the wish list of every kid on vacation in Paris. |
| the half-term city break that appears to have it all. | | | | The enchanting theme park is currently celebrating its |
| Things To See in the City: | | | | 15th anniversary and now boasts hundreds of |
| One of the best ways to familiarise children with the | | | | attractions. A whole day should be allocated to seeing |
| city is to take them on a walking tour of | | | | its main highlights. |
| Gaudi’s most stunning buildings. The crazy, | | | | Meanwhile, heading north, a 30km drive will take you to |
| fantastical architecture of Sagrada Familia Cathedral | | | | Asterix Park, a charming homegrown amusement |
| and Parc Guell is sure to leave kids spellbound. | | | | park which features a range of exciting attractions |
| Meanwhile, Picasso’s discombobulated | | | | based on the diminutive French cartoon character. |