Three weeks, six countries, three kids, and a monster-sized spreadsheet of possible activities. That’s what we signed up for. What we actually got? A highlight reel we’ll be talking about for the rest of our lives—and a few “must-see” tourist traps that proved, once again, that the best memories aren’t always where the crowds (or guidebooks) tell you.
We traveled chronologically from Greece to Germany to Switzerland to Italy to France and finally the UK, so I’ll share these in the order we experienced them.
For the folks at home thinking about their family adventure to Europe, here’s a rundown of the 30 things that truly earned their spot on our favorites list.
Below you’ll find a mix of places we stayed, food we ate, experiences we loved, and a few other random things we stumbled into. Hopefully, you’ll scroll through and find a few things to add to your future itinerary!
1. Vedema Resort, Santorini – The Real Greek Island Life
I know, everyone tells you to go watch the sunset in Oia. But after about 30 seconds in that sea of elbows and selfie-sticks, you might be looking for a quieter spot in Santorini. Fortunately, tucked away in Megalochori, a medieval village where actual Greeks live. Vedema, a Luxury Collection Resort had all the whitewashed walls, sunset views, blue domes, and epic meals you could want—minus the chaos. The kids roamed the stone streets, we enjoyed dinner in their 400-year-old winery, and for a few days, we felt like we were part of the neighborhood, not just passing through on a tour bus. This is one place where pictures truly don’t do justice to the beauty.
2. Sunset Dinner at Penelope’s, Santorini – Oia Without the Crowds
Penelope’s restaurant in Pyrgos delivered what was probably our favorite meal in all of Greece, especially when you combine the world-class sunset view with the peaceful atmosphere. Compared to visiting Oia the night before, the lack of shoulder-to-shoulder crowds was a welcome change that let us actually relax and enjoy the experience. We even stumbled upon a local neighborhood concert and dance event at the nearby park when we walked back to our car, and we felt like the only tourists in the entire audience. It was one of those magical moments where you realize you’ve found the authentic Greece that most visitors never see.
3. Symposion Cultural Center, Santorini – Ancient Greek Music Experience
We’re not really a musical family, but we had a blast at the interactive music presentation with Yannis Pantazis at the Symposion Cultural Center. He demonstrated various ancient Greek instruments, many of which he built by hand, and got us involved playing percussion and harp alongside him. It was an excellent combination of laughing and learning, set in the beautiful Megalochori Village just a short walk from our Vedema resort. Sometimes the most memorable cultural experiences happen when you say yes to something completely outside your comfort zone.
4. Tomato Factory, Santorini – Industrial Heritage (For Real)
If you only think of blue domes and sunsets when you picture Santorini, you’re missing out. We spent a couple hours learning about the island’s tomato paste industry at the old D. Nomikos factory, now called the Tomato Industrial Museum. Our guide’s family worked there, so the stories were personal. It was a cool reminder that these islands were home to regular people long before the Instagram crowd arrived.
5. Cliff Jumping in Santorini – The Not-So-Secret Swim Spot
Okay, technically it’s “not allowed” (there’s a sign), but plenty of people were swimming and cliff-jumping just past the gate in Amoudi Bay. The water was freezing, the views were insane, and the kids are still bragging about their jumps. Sometimes, the rules are more like guidelines.
6. Athens Exclusive Tour – Sights AND Street Food
We’ve done our fair share of “walk past the ruins, snap a picture, move on” tours, but this one mixed in actual Greek life. We went on the Shore Excursions Athens & Plaka Tour that included time with a guide at The Acropolis. After the Acropolis, our guide led us through Plaka for a pita-souvlaki lunch that I’m still dreaming about. Plus, she gave us tips on which neighborhoods to skip and which ones to explore. It felt like an adventure, not a checklist.
7. Haircut in Athens – Local Life, 10/10 Fade
I skipped my usual pre-trip haircut so I could get one on the road. Walked into Peaky Barbers in Athens, had a great conversation with the owner, and left looking (slightly) less like a scruffy American tourist. It’s funny how a small thing like this can make you feel part of the place, not just passing through.
8. Outdoor Cinema in Athens – Movies Under the Acropolis
On our first night in Athens, we watched an old Jimmy Stewart movie at Cine Thision, with the Acropolis glowing in the background. Warm night, popcorn, and the Parthenon lit up above us—honestly, it was one of those “where else but here?” moments that travel is all about.
9. Staying with Friends in Germany – Recharge Like a Local
If you have even a distant friend living in Europe, visit them. We crashed with an old exchange student friend in Berlin for a few days—no sightseeing agenda, just hanging out, eating good food, and seeing the city through a local’s eyes. It was a much-needed recharge after weeks of hotels and tourist spots. Although there was a language barrier with some of the family, we found that a card game of Uno is a universal language.
10. Swiss Travel Pass – Kids Ride Free, Parents Save Big
If you’re doing Switzerland with a family, just get the Swiss Travel Pass. Kids under 16 ride free with a parent, and it covers trains, boats, buses, and even some mountain lifts. We used it everywhere, barely had to touch our wallets, and saved hundreds. It was the rare travel purchase that actually paid for itself by day three.
11. Lake Brienz Boat Cruise (with Luggage) – Swiss Efficiency
The Swiss Travel Pass covered a scenic boat cruise across Lake Brienz, so we jumped on board with all our luggage before our Grindelwald Airbnb was ready. Blue water, waterfalls, castles, mountains… it was a “commute” that felt like a sightseeing tour. Switzerland just keeps winning.
12. Lauterbrunnen Valley Waterfall – Swiss Alpine Paradise
We stayed in the picturesque small town of Grindelwald, which proved to be a fantastic base for exploring the Jungfrau Region. Our first day trip took us by train to Lauterbrunnen, which gets pretty busy with tourists these days, but once you see the towering mountains and cascading waterfalls surrounding this valley town you understand exactly why. The scenery is so dramatically beautiful it almost looks fake – like someone designed the perfect Swiss postcard and then built a town inside it. Even with the crowds, standing in that valley surrounded by those waterfalls is absolutely worth the trip.
13. Grindelwald First Mountain Cart – Worth the Wait
Switzerland is expensive, cold, and occasionally feels like one giant line. But when we finally hopped into these gravity-powered carts and barreled down the mountain through alpine meadows, all the waiting was instantly forgiven. The First Mountain Cart kids lost their minds (in a good way), and even my risk-averse dad instincts had to admit: this was the most fun we’ve had on wheels in a long time.
14. Bernina Express (Regular Train) – Same Views, Less Hassle
Hot tip: you don’t need to splurge on the official Bernina Express. The regular regional trains run the exact same route, are covered by your Swiss Travel Pass, and are just as scenic. No reservations, no crowds, same jaw-dropping glaciers and mountain passes. Sometimes the “fancy” option is just marketing.
15. Gimmelwald Village – Honesty Shops & Porchside Crafts
You know those places in Europe that feel like they haven’t changed in 100 years? Gimmelwald is that. You get there by gondola, and the “shops” are little wooden huts where you pick your cheese, drop your francs in a box, and move on. We bought bookmarks from a woman weaving on her porch. There’s nothing to “do” and that’s the whole point.
16. Staying in Trastevere, Rome – The Sweet Spot
After a lot of trial and error with neighborhood picks, Trastevere won us over. Walkable to the big sights, but actually quiet at night. Cafes, bakeries, little piazzas—basically the Italy you hope for. Our Airbnb was on a side street, so we got the local vibe but still had peace and quiet when we needed it.
17. Trastevere Food Tour, Rome – Real Food, Real Neighborhood
If you’ve ever dropped €100 on a “local food tour” and ended up eating microwaved lasagna in a room full of Americans, you’ll understand why I was skeptical. But this one? Our guide took us down alleyways where grandmas were hanging laundry, and the only English word on the menu was “pizza.” Supplì (fried rice balls) changed the way our family thinks about snacks, and every bakery and wine bar felt like a secret. We left full, happy, and with a list of spots to try for the rest of the week.
18. Haircuts for the Boys in Rome – Nervous Kids, Perfect Results
The kids were nervous about getting haircuts in a foreign country – they’re pretty particular about their hair, and with the language barrier they were worried they’d end up looking “chopped.” We found Kiss Me Darlin’ in Trastevere and it turned out to be probably the best haircuts they’ve ever had in their lives. The shop had an incredible vibe, and despite not sharing a common language, the stylist took her time and did an absolutely amazing job on all three boys. Sometimes taking a little risk on local experiences pays off in ways you never expected.
19. Colosseum with Arena Floor Access – The Right Guide Makes It
The Colosseum is always crowded, but booking a tour with floor access (and a guide who actually knows their stuff) took it to another level. We learned more in two hours than we could’ve in a week on our own, and the kids still talk about being “down where the gladiators were.”
20. Trenitalia Frecciarossa, Business Class – Italian Train Upgrade
It turns out, you can ride business class on Italy’s fast trains for about the price of a couple Big Macs extra per ticket (if you book ahead and score deals). Wide seats, free snacks, power outlets, and a quiet car—honestly, it made the trip from Milan to Rome to Venice feel like a treat instead of a chore. Look up the Frecciarossa family deals in business class and thank me later.
21. Dolce by Wyndham Versailles – The Spa That Saved Our Sanity
We’d been in Europe for almost two weeks at this point, and let’s just say the “family bonding” was starting to wear a little thin. Enter: The Dolce Versailles hotel by Wyndham. Heated pool, steam room, acres of space for the kids to run wild… it was basically a reset button. Plus, it was about 40 minutes from the heart of Paris by train, so we could do the Eiffel Tower thing by day and then retreat to a quiet, leafy oasis at night. In terms of being family-friendly, behind the meticulously kept grounds and high-end furnishings, they also have billiards, table tennis, and foosball available, which our boys certainly appreciated.
Pro tip: the steaks we had at La Toile (pictured above) made for one of the best meals we had in Europe.
22. Disneyland Paris – Same Mouse, New Magic
I’ll admit, going to Disney in France felt a little weird. But it was just different enough—French beignets, Crush’s Coaster, Sleeping Beauty’s castle with a European twist—that it felt fresh for all of us. Disneyland Paris lines were manageable, the park was clean, and seeing our kids light up in a “new” Disney park was worth it. Plus, it’s a safe bet when you need a morale boost in the middle of a long trip.
23. Destination Movie Nights – Hollywood vs. Reality
This one started by accident. We watched Gladiator in Rome, Notting Hill in Notting Hill, and a few others. The next day, the kids would point out movie spots or compare Hollywood with the real thing. It became a running joke and a surprisingly fun way to connect what we were seeing with stories we already knew.
24. Changing of the Guard, Buckingham Palace – The Insider Route
Here’s the deal: if you just show up and fight the crowds, you’re going to see the backs of a thousand heads and maybe a fuzzy hat in the distance. But our guide from See The Sights Tours hustled us to three different “secret” spots, timed perfectly for every part of the ceremony. We were so close to the guards we could see the whites of their eyes (and the sweat on their brows). Worth every penny, and a heck of a lot less frustrating than standing on your tiptoes for an hour.
25. Cotswolds Day Tour – The Stress-Free English Countryside
The idea of renting a car and driving England’s one-lane roads with three kids was a non-starter, so we hopped on a small-group coach tour instead with Shore Excursions Group. Burford, Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water… it all looked like a movie set, and we never had to worry about finding parking or where to eat. Lunch at the Swan Hotel was a highlight, but honestly, the real win was having a professional do all the driving while we just soaked it all in.
26. Westminster Abbey Evensong – Free and Unforgettable
Why pay £20 a head to shuffle through with tour groups when you can slip in for Evensong, sit in the choir stalls, and hear the Abbey as it was meant to sound—for free? Even our kids were spellbound by the music and the history echoing off those ancient walls. Sometimes, the best experiences are the ones that cost nothing.
27. MJ The Musical – West End Buzz
Even if you’re not a die-hard theater person, catching a show in London’s West End is an event. We saw MJ The Musical (trying not to sing-a-long too loudly the entire time) and made a night of it—grabbing dinner nearby and then checking out the lights of Picadilly Circus after the show. Check out Today’s Tix if you’re in London and looking for last minute ticket deals.
28. Dinner at The George Inn – London Pub Goals
We wanted the real London pub experience, and The George delivered—16th-century beams, beer garden, and fish and chips that lived up to the hype. Even the nachos were better than expected (and I don’t say that lightly). We liked it so much, we came back again before we left town.
29. London Black Cabs – The Classic Ride-Share
Uber and Bolt let you request a black cab in London, so of course we tried it. Same price as a big Uber, but way cooler. Spotless, roomy, and the drivers are basically London encyclopedias. If you’re going anywhere in a group, this is the only way to do it.
30. First Class Flights (on Points) – Points Hacking Victory
This one still feels like a magic trick. Emirates First Class to Europe, Virgin Atlantic Upper Class back—all on credit card points after reading a $7 e-book from a page I saw on Facebook called “Just Get Out of Town”. The key was using Seats.aero to find availability and getting creative with transfers. It wasn’t easy, but it made the 9-hour flights a whole lot more fun (and comfortable).
The Bottom Line
If I had to sum it up: The best things we did in Europe weren’t always the priciest, or even the most “famous.” We mixed a few big splurges with lots of small smart moves, took time for local routines, and weren’t afraid to skip the “must-sees” when they felt more like obligations than adventures.
