Paris is one of the most romantic cities in the world. But amid all the love-struck couples, Paris also happens to be an idyllic destination for families. Filled with lush green parks and kid-friendly museums, glittering palaces and a seemingly endless supply of pastries, Paris offers families a fairytale-like magic all their own.

To give you an idea of how you can enjoy the City of Light with your little ones, here’s a sample three-day itinerary that hits all the right notes for families. Of course, you can contact our agency to plan this trip or personalize your Paris journey to fit your family best.

DAY ONE
Treat the kids with breakfast at iconic Café de Flore, where they can revel in fresh-baked croissants and bowl-like cups of steaming chocolat chaud. Afterward, walk to Luxembourg Gardens and spend the morning sailing wooden sailboats in the famous Grand Bassin, taking in a marionette show and riding on the city’s oldest carousel. Then take a short ride to the banks of the Seine to board one of the glass-domed boats that depart every 30 minutes. Next stop: the Eiffel Tower, preferably in the early evening when the wait is shorter.

DAY TWO
For the second day of you trip, embark on a private tour. The first could be a tour of the city in a classic Citroen, listening to your driver and guide entertain you with stories about the city during a 90-minute Paris Highlights itinerary. For art lovers, head to the Louvre for a private tour designed especially for families. The tour caters to the kids’ short attention span and allows you to skip the museum’s long admission line—a win-win for everyone.

DAY THREE
On your last day in Paris, begin with a walk along the Champs Elysees. Starting at the Arc de Triomphe, where you can ride the elevator to the top to take in the panoramic views, head toward the famous patisserie Ladurée for pastel-colored macarons. Then jump on the Metro and travel to the picturesque Montmartre neighborhood. Lunch in the garden at Le Moulin de la Galette, a restaurant housed in one of the last remaining windmills in the neighborhood, before taking on the 300 steps of the Sacré-Coeur (the view at the top is totally worth it). Afterward, stop by Trocadéro Square and enjoy watching the street acrobats and skateboarders who take over the monumental plaza.

There are some wonderful land tour itineraries created with kids in mind! 

Barcelona’s seaside beauty, sprawling beaches, world-class shopping, eclectic architecture, incredible tapas and Tempranillo and all-around zest for living one’s best life is no secret. The city famously presides over global travelers’ lists of “must see” destinations, inevitably enticing them with days filled with as much energy and discovery as the pulsating nightlife. Barcelona’s treasures are many and diverse, and have drawn attention beyond that of culture-seeking travelers. In fact, nine important sites in the city have earned the esteemed acclaim of UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Since the city is fairly easy to navigate, whether on foot or by the abundant tourist and public transportation options, one can certainly plan to see all or most of these treasures during a visit to Barcelona. And with more than a dozen luxury cruises calling there in 2018 and 2019 – many with overnight stays – I'm happy to give you plenty of choices and opportunities to check these remarkable sites off your bucket lists.

Fun Fact: Of the nine Barcelona UNESCO World Heritage Sites, seven are works by the city’s most famous son, architect Antoni Gaudí. They are listed collectively on UNESCO’s register as one enduring treasure, but are separate sites, boasting individual character and the signature style of the master, found throughout the city.

Perhaps you've already stood inside the storied walls of the Colosseum or marveled at the chiseled lines of the statue of David. Maybe you’ve cruised through the most romantic of ancient canals. Even if you’ve experienced the highlights of Rome, Florence and Venice, there’s an entire country of diverse regions, people, traditions and cuisine you haven’t seen, experienced or tasted in Italy. And there is no better way to get to these picturesque towns, than with the insight and expertise of a local guide and ease of transportation; than on the right tour.

Touring is the best way to rediscover Italy. In the last year alone, not only did I go myself, but I sent several clients back to Italy to find these undiscovered places. Because I believe it is the best way to see Italy, I used tours that focus on those out-of-the-way cities.  These itineraries really get you to see the beauty of Italy often missed when you only visit Rome, Florence, and Venice.  Even if you have experienced the highlights of Rome, Florence and Venice, there's an entire country of diverse regions, people, traditions and cuisine you haven't seen or tasted in Italy.  It is not a "visit once and done" destination.  Italy is a place you can go to repeatedly and still want more! I'm already planning my next trip back!!

​ALBEROBELLO
Take in views of the "Trullo," white-washed conical-roofed houses. Created out of local limestone, these homes, which once housed peasants, could be easily dismantled and moved

​RIOMAGGIORE
The largest of the five fishing villages that make up Italy's Cinque Terre, Riomaggiore is one of its most romantic sights.Enjoy the dramatic scenery, colorful houses, and harbors filled with fishing boats. ​

​You don’t have to go far to find an adventure and nothing proves that better than a visit to one of the U.S. National Parks. Each park has its own striking natural features, dramatic landscapes, and unique attractions. But it can be tricky to know how one park varies from another, or which you might like to visit most.

Yosemite is home to diverse alpine terrain, stunning waterfalls and lakes, and perhaps most notably, some of the world’s best rock climbing areas. The landscape is guaranteed to delight thrill-seeking travelers who can descend the granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half-Dome, should they wish. Or, if scaling a sheer rock face isn’t really your speed, there are plenty of other activities to engage in – hiking, fishing, gold panning and biking.

While Yellowstone is home to many famed geothermal features, it is also home to the largest concentration of mammals in the United States. Its most notable inhabitants are grizzly bears, bison, elk, wolves and bighorn sheep. Here, it’s not uncommon to see bald eagles soaring overhead or for a family of bison to be strolling alongside the road, making it the perfect national park for those looking to safely interact with wildlife.

A few hours outside of San Francisco lies Redwood National Park, home to the world’s tallest trees. This park is the perfect escape for San Fran or Sacramento’s city-slickers (because we ALL need a break from the hustle and bustle sometimes). There are a lot of great hiking trails but if you’re not the most outdoorsy, this park is a great choice because much of the sightseeing can be done from the comfort of your shuttle bus or motorcoach.

Aside from being one of the most iconic U.S. landscapes, the Grand Canyon, and it’s many unusual natural features, is a photographer’s dream. The dramatic colors, ever-changing light, and burning sunsets make the Grand Canyon an ideal place to capture nature’s raw beauty. Try these few favorite spots to get the perfect snapshot -  Yaki Point, Horseshoe Bend, and nearby Antelope Canyon!

​There are a lot of beautiful mountain ranges in the U.S., but perhaps none quite as striking as the jagged peaks of the Grand Tetons. While the park is open year-round, a wintertime visit offers an equally serene and adventurous experience, giving outdoor lovers the opportunity to snowshoe, cross-country or downhill ski or snowmobile against an incredible mountainous backdrop.

There is still time!  Contact land tour specialist ChrisRakes@totalexperiencetravel.com to help you knock one off your bucket list! She'll make it both easy and enjoyable.