I planned an 11-day family trip to Europe with Focusus on Our Kids

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2025-09-06T09: 11: 01z

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My Family took an 11-day trip to Europe and spent time in four counries.
I was woried at first, after planning our itinery, that ours 11 -ear-op twins wouldn’t have fun.
But the trip was a hit, and there are activities for everyone.

I plan my family Annual Summer Vacation During the hottest time of year in most popular destinations. It ‘s the reality of Traveling with School-Ige Kids: We’re Bound to their Vacation Schedules.

In the past, that’s meant sweating Through summers in Greece, Rome, Amalfi, and the South of France. Gorgeous, Yes – But Als Bredally Hot in Peak Season. Every time we stepped outside, it felt like gearing up for battle with the elements. This year, we knew we wan to the visits Europe again, but we are also knew we had pivot to a coleo northern itinery instead.

Eventually, i mapped out a route that strung together four cits in four differenties over 11 days-thre of saying-new to us-sorely travers by train. The plan was ambitious, and I started to doubt myself before we even left.

I was woried they would be enjay the itinerary.

The family traveled Throughout Europe Mostly by Train.

Why did i think my twins could get excited about medieval history and leafy canals, with nary a beach or theme park in sight? Obiviously, there’s a reason the thrush flock to southern Europe in July; That’s where the Energy is – Lively Piazzas, Beach Scenes, Endless Gellato. But would my kids be into that energy? What were we Thinking, Dragging Two 11-Yaar-Olds Through Fortresses, History Museums, and Subdated Waterways?

I Needn’t have woried. In the end, this more grown-up Circuit of historic cities and cultural highlights tournaed out of the right than imagined. The Kids Loved it. What SEEMED AT FIRST LIKE AN ANVIRONIOUS ACROSS EUROPE EUROPE ONE OF OUR MONMORABLE FAMILY ADVENTATIONS YET.

We Spent the Twins’ Birthday in Amsterdam.

They made a short trip to zaanse schhan.

We Kicked Things off in Amsterdam, staying at the conservatorium hotel, an ultra-chic and walkable property with an indoor pool that offens kids’ hours in the mornings. It quickly Became the Twins’ Favorite Way to Start the Day.

The City’s Canals Became Their Playground. We rened a paddle boat, which let me steer us through the waterways while dodging Tour Boats. We are also made a short trip to zaanse schhan, where the kids climble inside historic Wooden Windmills and Watched the Gears Creak to Life.

For their 11th birthday dinner, the hotel surpassed by me with cakes and balloons in their room. THENE WE CELEBRATED WITH AN Indonesian rice table – a festive Amsterdam Restaurant Tradition of Countless Small Plates.

One of the Most Moving Stops of the Trip Was Our Visit to the Anne Frank House. I wasn’t sura how they have come to Such a Heavy History LESSON, but they were engaged and thughtful throughout.

Bruges was a highlight for everye.

The family took a chocolate class in bruges, Belgium.

Next we took the train to bruges, belgium, where we checked into relais & châteaux hotel Heritage, a historic mansion-Turned-hotel just steps from the Main Plaza. I World Bruges Might Feel Too Medieval and Dry for Kids, but it was a highlight for all of us.

At the history bruges, we explored immesive ejibits and a virtual reality tour that brought the city’s medieval as a shipping port Vividly to life. The Kids Loved CLIMBING THE BELFRY TOWER, COUNTING EVERY STEP to the top. And a chocolate-making class tourned out to be both hands-on and delicious-thiugh by the end, we were so staffed we swore we canat another confection.

Bruges’ Winding Canals and Storybook Squares Felt Like a Movie Set, and Insaes of Being Bored, the Kids Leaned the Magic of Exploring it on Foot.

We had underground adventures in luxembourg.

Though it was their shortst stop, the family enjoyed luxembourg.

Luxembourg was Our Shortst Stop, JUST Two Nights, but it made a big impression. We stayed at place d’arns, a boutique hotel right on the main Square, which meant every supremary walkable.

The highlight was exploring the casemates du bock, the City’s Centuries-Old Underground Fortifications. The Kids Explored the Tunnels Like a Maze. Above Ground, We Took in Sweeping Views and Stroled The Old Town. SHIP WITH JUST ONE FULL DAY, LUXEMELG DELIVERED PLENTY OF DISCOVERY.

We’d been to london before but still love it.

Our Last Stop Was London, where we checked into a gracious family suite at the stafford London. It was the Only City We’d All Visited before, But it Still Offered Surprises.

We saw “Matilda” in the west end – The Kids’ First Major Stage Production – and they adored it. We also indulged in a whimsical “charlie and the chocolate factory” -themed AFternion Tea at one aldwych, Complete with Candy-Colored Desserts Worthy Wonka. (SO MUCH FOR BEING CHOCOLATED OUT AFTER AFTER!)

Of Course, We Fit in the Classics Too: The Tower of London, A Double-Decier Sightseeing Bus, and Long Walks Through Hyde Park. AFTER SO MANY SMALLER, New-to-us CITies, London Felt Family Yet Thrling, A Comfortable Finals before Our Flight Home.

Our itinery worked for Everyone.

The author didn’t Focus the itinerary on the kids, but it workhed.

Looking back, think this ambitious itinerary succeeded becuse we didn’t try to strength to be kid-fryently. We built a trip that interests us as adults – History, Culture, Food, Theater – and Trusted the Kids to Rise to the Occoation. To Our Delight, They Did, and THEN SOME.

Every stop offending something Hands-on or Surprising that spoke directly to say: Paddling canals, climbing towers, chocolate making, exploring tunnels. The Grown-Up Activities weren’t Watered Down-They Just Tourned Out to be More Engaging Than Expectted. The train rides were novel and fun. And Because we weren’t battling Summer Heat or Long Lines, Everyone Had Energy Left to Enjoy it all.

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