Back in the Fall of 2019, we embarked on a 2-month whirlwind adventure across Europe! We visited more than a dozen cities across 11 countries and loved the ease of travel from having Eurail Global Passes. Train travel tends to be much simpler and affordable than flying, so we took advantage of the flexibility we had by moving as quickly as possible. With that said, here are some of our favorite cities from our Europe trip!
5. Budapest, Hungary
Honestly, we didn’t know what to expect when we arrived to Budapest. We were warned that, compared to other capital cities in Europe, Budapest had a “rougher” feel to it. What we actually found was that the city was actually quite accommodating to visitors, and it offered one of the more scenic landscapes in our travels. I mean, gazing at the Hungarian Parliament Building from the other side of the Danube river on the Fisherman’s Bastion is pretty spectacular! And while I do agree that the thermal baths in the city are a little overrated, there is still plenty to keep the whole family occupied on a trip to Budapest!
4. Paris, France
While many love Paris for its romantic feel, we appreciated it more for its wide variety of open and public spaces! As parents, it’s always a relief to be able to let your kids run around freely in a big city without fear that a cyclist or driver will be nearby. As such, it was amazing to be able to wander around the Jardin des Tuileries outside the Louvre, and take in the sights of the city, including the Eiffel Tower! We were also impressed by their transportation system, which made it very easy to traverse the city by taxi, bus, and train. And oh yeah, Disneyland Paris is there, which is basically the kids’ dream day so that’s a big plus!
3. Munich, Germany
Munich might be most renowned for its annual Oktoberfest celebration, but unfortunately we arrived 2 weeks to late to that party! However, we found the city’s proud Bavarian heritage and jawdropping landmarks to be some of the best we have seen in our travels. I still remember the sense of awe when we stepped into Marienplatz and gazed upon the New Town Hall. I loved how walkable the city was, and we were also smitten by the Munich Zoo, which utilized its forest setting perfectly throughout its exhibits. This was one of the cities that we were not prepared to leave, and definitely plan on returning to.
2. Edinburgh, Scotland
The first thing that caught our eyes in Edinburgh was its beautifully structured city center. The Edinburgh Castle towered over the landscape, while gardens, churches, and monuments are spread across the city. However, what truly captured our hearts was the city’s people. We were welcomed with kindness and smiles, and that made a lasting impression on our visit. Also, as fans of Harry Potter, it was a revelation to see some of the sites that inspired J.K. Rowling as she wrote the first novel, and my son was so excited to revel in the magic that permeated the city.
1. Seville, Spain
Seville is the capital city of the autonomous community of Andalusia in Spain, and we were floored by its beauty during our stay there! One of the main draws of the city is the Plaza de España, which is actually our favorite plaza in all of Europe. The sprawling landmark, accompanied by its intricate architecture made it a perfect place to relax and enjoy an afternoon as a family. But that’s not all! The Alcazar of Seville, previously a Moorish Palace, has a wonderful garden to admire. Also, Las Setas de Sevilla, a unique mushroom-shaped wooden structure in the middle of the city, provides from some pretty magnificent sunset views from its rooftop. We also watched a live flamenco performance, sampled a variety of tasty tapas, and cooled off with a fresh sangria. Ultimately we look back on our adventure in Seville very fondly and we would be thrilled to return to the city on our next trip to Europe.
This post was produced in partnership with Eurail, who provided us with 2-month first-class passes for our family. Despite working with them, all views and opinions are our own.
