If you have read one of my ramblings about holidays and travel in the past you will know that myself and my other half LOVE to travel and see the world. When I got pregnant with Izzy everyone told me that this would change as its just too hard with children but I see no reason to stop. You can read more about our travels here.The last year we haven’t been abroad at all mainly due to me having such a problematic pregnancy but we are really looking forward to lots of travels over the next year or two and can’t wait for our first trip as a family of four!

Pre baby in Paris…

Pregnant in Portugal..

We would like to go somewhere which isn’t too far to fly so perhaps 4 hours maximum.

With Baby Izzy in Lacanau, France..

When I was asked to collaborate on this post it got me to thinking about some really beautiful places that we are yet to visit which are also close to other destinations that we would like to go to and perhaps plan a trip visiting three of Europe’s most beautiful cities in a week.
Prague, Vienna and Budapest are all beautiful, rich in history and culture, with something to please all tastes and ages.

Prague

Beginning your trip in Prague, you can soak up the many museums, galleries and restaurants, in a heavily pedestrianized city that’s easy to get around. Keep your little ones entertained with a trip to Vytopna Railway Restaurant, situated on Wenceslas Square. Not only do they offer great food at affordable prices, but a 400m miniature railway runs around the whole restaurant, and even delivers drinks to your table.

A visit to the visually stunning Charles Bridge is essential, which is littered with street vendors selling food and trinkets – just my kinda thing. If we want to avoid the crowds, then we should get there for dawn and enjoy an amazing sunrise overlooking the Vlatva River. Petrin Hill is another area worth visiting, with its vast green space and its beautiful gardens. The Church of Saint Michael and even a miniature version of the Eiffel Tower.

Vienna

Famous for its classical music, ballet and architectural history, Vienna also welcomes children with open arms and most places worth visiting are made to appeal to youngsters as much as adults. You could spend an entire day at Schonbrunn Palace, which features a palace tour, the worlds oldest zoo and a childrens museum. Here, your children can dress up in imperial costumes and play with toys, and then take them outside to explore the Maze and Labyrinth.

Many of Vienna’s greatest experiences are only accessible by car, the majority of roads throughout are well-treated both in urban and rural environments.

“It’s a fact that driving around Vienna is very popular as many of the roads offer some of the best views in the whole of Europe. It would be wise avoiding using the vehicles horn in Vienna or near hospitals as you may easily receive a fine. It is illegal to overtake school buses when the yellow lights on the vehicle are flashing. Also know warning triangle, first-aid kit and reflective vest must be kept in the car at all times. They are considered essentials and there are chances to receive a fine”
according to Mike Callaghan a spokesperson and Head of Argus car hire

Budapest

If visiting Budapest for the first time, you may want to take a cruise down the Danube River, where you will enjoy panoramic views of the city. You can check out the crown jewels at Hungary’s Parliament building, and take a walk across the Chain Bridge, the first to connect Buda to Pest. Youngsters will be spellbound by The Palace of miracles, which is an interactive science museum designed for kids, located in the Campona Shopping Mall. Highlights include the simulated, low-gravity ‘moonwalk’ and the ‘miracle bike’.

Watch out for the pennies..

If you’ve had a busy day sightseeing with a group of hungry, restless kids in tow, the temptation to dive into the nearest restaurant is all too tempting sometimes. Try going off the beaten track a little, and you will find more authentic food at cheaper prices. Find somewhere with a free Wi-Fi connection and check out the top bars and eateries on Trip Advisor. When driving for extended periods of time, try grab some food from a local mini mart to avoid shelling out at petrol stations.

Avoid child road rage

Having one or more children in a car for an extended period of time can really test your patience, especially on foreign roads. If they don’t have access to a portable games console or tablet, there are other ways to keep them quiet, or at least entertained – we all know a quiet child is usually up to no good. Lots of tips on keeping some calm in the car in my post from earlier this year on car travel

As kids love to talk about themselves, ask them questions which will open up debate and stimulate their mind at the same time-this won’t work for babies obviously . Also don’t forget to download and print off our very own kids eBook packed with games and activities to keep them from uttering that famous, and very annoying question ‘Are we nearly there yet?’.

*This is a PR collaboration.