Map & Family

A Family Travel Resource

Top interrailing tips for teenagers planning a summer trip to Europe without parents

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When school exams are over many UK teens plan a summer trip with friends around Europe using an interrail train pass. It’s often their first holiday without family and is a great opportunity to explore before going to university or starting work. Here are our top tips for families whose teens will be interrailing this summer from how to plan your route, the pros and cons of interrail seat reservations and the best backpacks for interrail. Read more

Antipaxos Beach Days on a Paxos villa holiday with family and friends

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If you’re staying on the Ionian island of Paxos in Greece then a day trip to Antipaxos is a must.  This tiny and secluded island has sheltered bays with crystalline turquoise waters and lovely tavernas for lunch too.  We caught a shuttle boat from Gaios to Antipaxos with friends to check out the beautiful Antipaxos beaches. Read more

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  • This is Corricella, a fishing village on the island of Procida. It seems to be a hidden gem in the Bay of Naples because it was quiet and serene on a sunny weekday in September. Perhaps all the other visitors were on nearby Capri. Film crews know about it (see The Talented Mr Ripley and Il Postino). And so do the people of Naples who bring their boats or hop on the ferry for the short crossing. We hope it stays this way. Check our blog post ⬆️ link in profile, for where to go for a swim and lunch 🌊⛱ #familytravel #procida #visititaly #naplesitaly . . . . .
  • Westminster Abbey looking glorious in the London sunshine this week. The Abbey is on my must-see London sights list in our mega-post on 105 Things to do in London with Teens (not just teens of course, lots of the tips are relevant for anyone visiting London). Link in profile ⬆️. A big thank you to all the travel exhibitors I chatted to at the @travmedia_uk event at the @QEIICentre where I got the chance to snap this photo. We talked about cultural exploring, travel with teens, travel with grown-up children and multi-generations, that unsatisfactory term ‘empty nesters’ and lots more about destinations all over the globe. Very inspiring and lovely to have the opportunity to talk to these experts and travel bloggers together. #familytravel #westminsterabbey @lovegreatbritain #mycityloves . . . .
  • El Drac, a large mosaic lizard fountain, presides over Park Guell in Barcelona as well as featuring on a thousand postcards. It’s just one of the many colourful creations of visionary architect Antoni Gaudi that won’t fail to stop you in your tracks when you visit Barcelona. Whether you admire them from the pavement or explore the fantastical interiors, Gaudi’s buildings make Barcelona a very special place. As you stroll between the shops look out for curvy Casa Mila and the gorgeously ornate Casa Batllo - which seems to have a dragon sitting on the roof. And a visit to the still unfinished but glorious Basilica of the Sagrada Familia is a must-do. Check our post to see the surprise that awaits you inside and our round up of 5 unmissable Gaudi sites in Barcelona. The link’s in my profile ⬆️. #familytravel #travelwithteens #visitbarcelona #parkguell . . . . .
  • Dramatic Predjama castle in Slovenia, built in the mouth of a cave, is the former home of a legendary Robin Hood-style robber knight of the 15th century called Erazem. Beneath the castle lies the huge natural cave system of Postojna. A little train carries visitors 2km underground to see chambers big enough for a symphony orchestra to perform and amazing stalactites. The caves are also home to amphibians called olm which can live up to 100 years. Back in the day locals believed they were the young of a dragon who lived under the castle. It adds up to a great family day out that should keep teens amused too. Click the link in my profile ⬆️ to find more ideas for a summer family trip to Slovenia that includes hiking and biking in the glorious Julian Alps. 📸Thanks to Sarah-Jane and family for the photo and for telling us about their trip. #familytravel #travelwithteens #predjamacastle #ifeelsLOVEnia . . . . .
  • This is lovely Turin in northern Italy. A friend spent a few days there with her family on a road trip to the Italian lakes and says it was a bit of a revelation. Elegant architecture, beautiful wide streets, grand arcades of shops, historic cafes and airy piazzas. The landmark here is the Mole Antonelliana, now home to a cinema museum, restaurant and a viewing platform (with a glass lift!). There’s a post about this family summer trip with teens around the Lakes, including Turin, up on the blog, link in profile ⬆️ #familytravel #travelwithteens #turinitaly #moleantonelliana . . . . .
  • When the volcano Vesuvius obliterated the Roman town of Pompeii, Italy in 79 AD under dense layers of ash it became frozen in time. Now 2000 years later visitors can see the roads, shops, bakeries, bath houses and the interior decor trends of the poshest establishments. There’s graffiti on street walls, astonishing mosaics plus some unexpectedly explicit art! Check out the blog, link in profile⬆️, for tips on whether or not to take a guided tour and our own highlights of a half day visit in September. #familytravel #travelwithteens #pompeii #visitnaples #campania . . . . .
  • An unexpected warning to find in Central London, but these immaculate turned out mounted sentries traditionally stand guard at the entrance to Horse Guards on Whitehall. Look out for them in my latest blog post too, it has 105 ideas and inspiration for things to do and see in London with teens. My boys have grown up here, embedded in London life, from posing as toddlers with grandma and a guardsman on Whitehall to football matches at Wembley. They’ve made some great suggestions for the post and it’s been a lot of fun to put together. Give it a read and let me know if I’ve missed out any of your favourites? Link in profile ⬆️. The sentry in the picture is a mounted trooper of the Household Cavalry. They’re all active infantry soldiers who also take on these ceremonial duties, ultra patient too given the constant stream of onlookers. By the way, you can watch the Changing the Life Guard ceremony at Horse Guards Parade - it’s less busy than the Buckingham Palace guard change! 🇬🇧 #familytravel #travelwithteens #horseguardsparade #londonbylondoners . . . . .

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