Summer 2015: Family Friendly Destinations in Europe

It has been a while since we wrote the article about unique travel destinations to visit on a family vacation, and with summer just around the corner, it’s time for another article with amazing destinations for your upcoming family summer holidays. Now is the best time to start looking around for the perfect destination to take your family on vacation. There are fascinating places all around the world, but Europe is the place to go if you’re looking for diversity, history, excitement, and tons more all mixed together! An entire continent is a bit much to cover in one vacation, so we’ve helped you narrow the list down. Here are 5 of the most unique and interesting vacation destinations in Europe:

Sicily – Outdoor Adventures Galore

Home to Europe’s largest active volcano, Sicily is a great spot for you and the family to spend some quality time. Take a day to explore Mount Etna by hopping on a cable-car and zooming close to the top. A short hike after that brings you to some of the craters made by previous eruptions. The scenery is glorious and getting the chance to walk around the top of the volcano is exciting for those of all ages. Plan to go to some of the famous ruins as well to get a feel for some of the curious history of Sicily island.

Image source: Flickr

Switzerland – Spectacular Slopes Year-Round

Skiing and snowboarding are popular winter sports, but in Switzerland there are resorts which offer these activities as a way to beat the summer heat. Get out of the hot sun and into the snowy ski slopes for some great family fun. In your time out of the skis, there are plenty of other activities to keep you busy and warm you back up if you hit the snow a few too many times!

Image source: Flickr

Croatia – Thousand Islands for a Sailing Adventure

Numerous Islands around the coast of Croatia hold the perfect natural conditions for an incredible sailing adventure with your family. If you’ve never tried sailing before, sign up for some of the classes taught locally, get a boat by one of the Croatia charters and start exploring the hidden gems this beautiful country has to offer. If this is your first time sailing, it is recommended to take an experienced skipper with youon board and you should get familiar with these tips which might help you out during your sailing trip.

Image source: Flickr

Iceland – Nature’s Best Always on Display

It’s difficult to find another place in the world with so many dramatic, colorful, natural sights as in Iceland. You can see active volcanoes, lush forests, strikingly beautiful glaciers, and amazing natural parks full of more wonders than your eyes can take in. If you’re lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the elusive Northern Lights flickering in the night skies above your head.

Image source: Flickr

France – Follow the Trails Before You

The legendary Tour De France bike race follows a route which twists and loops all through some of the most famous cities in France, but you don’t have to be Lance Armstrong to ride these roads during the off-season. There are numerous bike tour groups that will take you and your family all around the country for an all-encompassing look at the beautiful views, quaint cities, historical places, and so much more. If tour groups aren’t your thing, rent a set of bikes and take a self-guided tour of the country so you can customize where you go.

Image source: Flickr

There are so many things to do around Europe that are great for the whole family, but these 5 spots are some of the best if you’re looking for the vacation of a lifetime! Each of these places have their own cultural appeals as well to go along with whatever activities you find to be the most fun. Food, music, dance, local sightseeing, and maybe some wine for the adults will all contribute to the most incredible summer vacation your family has ever taken. If you have a dog which is a important part of your family and want to take him with you on the trip, don`t forget to read one of our previous articles with tips how to travel with your dog.