Bath

Farleigh Hungerford Castle

Farleigh Hungerford Castle, located 9 miles from Bath, offers visitors a glimpse of life in the fourteenth century. An audio tour will tell the stories of the Hungerford family, who occupied Farleigh Castle for 300 years. Exploring the castle grounds, visitors will be treated to rare medieval paintings in the chapel, exhibits of past excavations, the chapel gardens and intricately carved lead coffins in the crypt.

Farleigh Hungerford Castle by Nick

Roman Baths

This 2000-year old Roman structure was built around the only hot spring in Britain, extending well under the streets and buildings of modern day Bath. The Roman Bath offers a 2-hour tour with features including the Sacred Spring, the Roman Temple, the Bath House and the Museum. The museum boasts artifacts including Roman coins, signet ring gems and the head of the goddess Sulis Minerva. Visitors can dine or have coffee and tea in The Pump Room Restaurant overlooking the baths.

Royal Victoria Park

Royal Victoria Park was opened in 1830 and consists of 57 acres with many attractions that can be enjoyed by all ages. The park includes a large play area for children, an 18-hole golf course and a crazy golf course, a boating pond, tennis courts and beautiful botanical gardens. For refreshments, the park boasts a cafe and numerous ice cream stands.

Royal Victoria Park, Bath by ToNG!?

Bradford-on-Avon

Abbey House Gardens

The Abbey House Gardens in Malmesbury offer a beautiful 5-acre wonderland of over 2,000 roses, as well as herbs, irises and tulips. The gardens boast a Celtic knot garden, a laburnum tunnel, a woodland walk that features waterfalls and fish ponds, as well as a quaint tea room overlooking the garden.

Lacock Abbey, Village and Museum

The Abbey was founded in the thirteenth century and was dissolved in 1539. The museum offers the architecture of several time periods, including medieval cloisters and the eighteenth century Gothik hall. After visiting the abbey, take a relaxing stroll through the village and enjoy shopping and dining.

Lacock Abbey, England, UK by Brian Marshall

Longleat Safari & Adventure Park

Voted as the #1 adventure park in the UK, Longleat Safari and Adventure Park will provide a full day of family fun. The park features many wildlife attractions including a meerkat enclosure, cheetahs and a zebra crossing.

Longleat House

The grand Longleat House offers exquisite Elizabethan architecture and opulent gardens. A romantic venue popular with brides and grooms, the Longleat House also offers lodgings to travellers, making it a popular choice. The Old Manor Hotel near Trowbridge is another popular choice for families as the large grounds in which the hotel it finds itseld is ideal for children who need to let off steam . Longleat House features The Green Library with floor to ceiling bookshelves and a grand chandelier, colourful gardens, The Great Hall with sixteenth century features and The Orangery, which overlooks rose-filled gardens.

Longleat House, England, UK by Nigel’s Europe

With much, much more to see in Bath and Bradford-on-Avon, visitors will need weeks to see everything. For visitors with a cultural inclination, Bath is home of the Victoria Art Gallery as well as the Theatre Royal. Bradford-on-Avon offers canal tours and walks, grand historical buildings and the Wiltshire Music Centre.

Jonathan Dedman is a freelance writer based in Canterbury. He loves history and architecture, and can often be found roaming around the grounds of one of the UK’s many beautiful abbeys and cathedrals.

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Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn is a favourite with cruise ships, and a big draw for tourists looking for a mix of old and new. The Old Town, which is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is a curious hotchpotch of twisting cobblestone lanes and dramatic spires, framed with old-fashioned iron streetlamps and home to bustling mediaeval markets. The old-fashioned ambience of this beautiful part of the city is juxtaposed by the coffee shops with free Wi-Fi, perfect for a spot of people watching after wandering the Old Town.

Tallinn, Estonia by XisPics

Also part of the Old Town is the Cathedral of Saint Mary the Virgin and the bell tower, which you can climb if you are up to ascending the steps. It’s well worth it if you do manage the climb; the view across the city is spectacular and it’s absolutely free.

Out of the Old Town, Tallinn has plenty to offer in the autumn. If it’s warm, a wander around the Japanese Garden at Kadriog Park is a must, or a visit to The Estonian Open Air Museum in the Rocca al Mare part of the city, where you’ll find a fascinating chunk of Estonian history complete with thatched cottages and traditional Estonian crafts. It’s also a good place for eating al fresco. If a bit of retail therapy is on the cards, Rocca al Mare also houses a huge shopping mall. Art lovers will love the Kumu Art Museum – don’t expect Old Masters though, as this gallery is more for the modern art connoisseur.

To get around the city and see as much as you can, it’s advisable to invest in a Tallinn Card that gives you access to all of the city’s public transport network; buses, trolleybuses or trams. The card also gives you free entry to many of the city’s attractions, including the Open Air Museum and Tallinn zoo.

Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Autumn and Edinburgh are the perfect combination, offering a period of calm between the frenetic Festival shenanigans and the joyful revelry of Hogmanay. The atmospheric streets of the city lend themselves perfectly to cooler, darker months, and the bounty of pubs and restaurants make Edinburgh the perfect hiding place if the clouds should burst.

Edinburgh, Scotland, UK by a_marga

Edinburgh has no fewer than five Michelin-starred restaurants if you want to indulge your foodie leanings, including Restaurant Martin Wishart in cosmopolitan Leith, which serves beautifully presented and exquisitely tasteful French cuisine… but the prices are eye-watering, so it’s definitely a treat.

When the weather is good, make the most of a walk to Arthur’s Seat and the amazing views across the city. For rainy days, there are galleries galore, or the offbeat shopping streets of Stockbridge, which are perfect for finding one-off boutiques, quirky shops and delis. Grassmarket, in the Old Town, is a great place for anyone looking for vintage clothes or individual fashion shops.

Edinburgh Castle has to be top of everyone’s tourist agenda, with its Stone of Destiny and the Scottish crown jewels to see. If you love your art, take your pick from the Scottish Galleries that offer everything from modern art to old masters.

Not into culture? You don’t have to be! You can play at being a spy and head up to the famous Camera Obscura – see what people are up to down below from the vantage point of the rooftop periscope, which was actually Edinburgh’s first ever official tourist attraction. The Edinburgh Pass will get you admission to the galleries, zoo and many other tours and attractions, from just £30, which is well worth it considering that admission to the Camera Obscura alone is £11.50. When you’ve filled yourself full of sightseeing and you just want to put your feet up with a coffee, the Elephant House is famous for being where J.K. Rowling wrote a rather famous first novel…

Stockholm, Sweden

Another must-see for any autumn tour of Europe worth its salt is Stockholm, ‘The Green and Blue City’. Stockholm is actually 14 islands connected by 57 bridges, a little like a Nordic version of Venice. Wherever you go in Stockholm you’re never too far away from water. Although Sweden starts to cool down after August, early autumn in Stockholm is beautiful; the lush green landscape changes to browns, reds and oranges, and although it can feel chilly, the skies are clear.

Stockholm, Sweden by Mark Doliner

If you’re looking for a culture-infused autumn city break, this one’s for you. Not only is the city packed with world-class museums and attractions, but they are mostly accessible on foot, so you can get around a fair few of them on an average short break. The Stockholm Card is amazing value for money and gives you free admission to 80 of the city’s top attractions, as well as free travel on all public transport.

For one of the best views of the city, head to the City Hall and take one of the scheduled guided tours. The view from the tower is worth the effort of the climb. If you’re in the city at the right time, and love vintage, there’s a vintage street market in Stockholm city every two weeks, and a classically designed hidden gem – the Birger Jarlspassagen – is a haven for designer label aficionados and luxury beauty emporia. Take in the picturesque Old Town too, where you can wander the streets hunting for photo opportunities.

For a taste of Swedish history, it’s almost obligatory to pay a visit to the Swedish Royal Palace in Gamla Stan, close to the Old Town. You might just catch a change of the guard! Take in some of the museums too – the amazing Vasa Museum with its preserved shipwreck, the Nordic Museum, which is a museum of cultural history by day and a centre for music and events by night, or the National Museum of Art.

City breaks in the autumn are perfect if you like to explore without trampling other tourists, or get into attractions without heaving queues. The heat is off and you can tour some of Europe’s loveliest cities at your leisure.

Written by Katharina Kraetzer, a blogger who loves to travel in Europe. This summer she will visit Italy and Slovenia.

The post Three Great Autumn City Breaks In Europe appeared first on Europe Explored.

London

Possibly the most famous city in the world thanks to the recent birth of the future King George VII, London has tourist attractions aplenty. Using the underground tube, you can travel the city with ease, seeing landmarks like Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the Shard, and the many shopping districts, as well as have easy access to the bounty of museums and galleries.

Take the family for a walk along the Southbank, a hub of culture that has many attractions standing along the banks of the river Thames. Here, you can go for a ride on the London Eye to see a beautiful panorama of the city, or pop into one of the many waterside art galleries, including the Tate Modern, to introduce the world of art to your children.

The London Eye on the Southbank by DAVID ILIFF. License: CC-BY-SA 3.0

Bristol

The tenth largest city in Great Britain, Bristol is commonly known as one of the friendliest places in the UK and has plenty of family friendly activities to offer this summer, including a science museum and aquarium. Currently, the city has seen 78 Gromits from the Wallace and Gromit franchise spread across the city (with 2 more in Cheddar Gorge and Paddington station, London). The Gromit Unleashed art project runs until the 8th September and touring the city in search of Gromits is a great way of finding out what else the city has to offer.

In aid of The Grand Appeal charity, you can download the Unleashed app, or head to their website for a trail map to find where the celebrity and artist designed dogs are hiding!

At the Bristol Aquarium by shellac

Snowdonia

For families that are looking to escape and have a holiday that lets them get closer to nature, head for a camping holiday in Wales. The Snowdonia region has a wide range of outdoor activities to keep your family entertained during their holiday, with centres offering kayaking and canoeing hire, rock climbing sessions and organised walks of the region. Home to Wale’s highest mountain, Snowdon, families can head visit the summit either by walking or by the Snowdon Mountain Railway.

Whether you want to stay by the sea and have a beach break, or head inland for a countryside retreat, there are plenty of pretty campsites in Snowdonia, as well as some lovely local guesthouses. The picturesque village of Beddgelert is popular amongst visitors due to its many guesthouses, ice cream shop, nearby campsites and idyllic nature.

Snowdon Mountain Railway by Porius1

Cheltenham

On the edge of the Cotswolds, lies Cheltenham, a spa town in the Southwest of England. The town gets busy during the annual literature, science, and music festivals which have plenty of events that are suitable for families and children. The collective festivals’ website will give you a full listing of events and it is also worth checking out their free Sunday Family Fun Day events in Imperial Park.

Outside of the festivals, there are still plenty of fun things to do and places to visit. The Holst Birthplace Museum gives a musically and historically educational day out as you visit the home of the famous composer and see how an English Victorian house was run. Other town highlights include the Sandford Parks Lido, which is the perfect place to go on a hot summer’s day. With slides, children’s pool and paddling areas, the outdoor heated lido will provide a day’s worth of fun for all the family.

Sandford Parks Lido, Cheltenham, England, UK by Iain Barton

Beth Stubbings works for Holiday Inn Express, a comfortable hotel in Cheltenham. She thinks that Britain is a wonderful destination for your family holiday!

The post Great Destinations For Your Family Holiday In The UK appeared first on Europe Explored.

Gorgeous views

If you’re heading into Somerset from the north then one of the first places that you’ll come to after crossing the border of the county will be the small village of Cheddar. While there are some lovely shops in the area, it is the stunning Cheddar Gorge and caves that bring most people to the area. Take time to explore the amazing stalactite caverns and find out where Britain’s oldest skeleton – Cheddar Man – was discovered. Travel up the prehistoric riverbed and gaze up at the wonderful cliffs, formed many millions of years ago.

Cheddar Gorge by Anup Shah

Glastonbury

Just a few miles down the road from Cheddar is the town of Glastonbury, a place where myth and magic can be found everywhere. Take a walk up to Glastonbury Tor and gaze out onto the town and surrounding countryside, enjoy a tour of Glastonbury Abbey and visit Gog & Magog – two oak trees supposed to be the last remains of a Druidical avenue which winds its way up to the Tor. The music festival which has taken the name of the town is held close by near the village of Pilton.

Glastonbury Abbey by Elliott Brown

Coleridge Cottage

Head further into the county and aim for the coast. Arrive at the village of Nether Stowey and you’ll find 35 Lime Street – a cottage that was home to the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge at the end of the 18th century. Some of Coleridge’s most famous works including The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Kubla Khan were penned here.

Coleridge cottage, Somerset, England, UK by Andrew Riley

Minehead

Follow the road further along the coast and you will come to the town of Minehead – a must for anyone who is looking for a traditional seaside holiday filled with days out on the beach and quaint tea rooms. There’s also plenty of attractions in the area including Exmoor Owl and Hawk Centre and Combe Sydenham Country Park.

Minehead, Somerset, England, UK by Wsupermain2

Porlock

The chocolate-box village of Porlock won’t fail to charm you and have you checking in the window of the local estate agent to see how much you could snap up one of the wonderful cottages for. Take your time to wander round the independent shops, and perhaps enjoy a walk along the sands to Porlock Weir a few miles down the coast, finishing up with a well-deserved pint of cider in the Ship.

Porlock Weir, Somerset, England, UK by Timkevan

Woolacombe

If you’re in the mood to spend some time on the beach – and let’s face it, why wouldn’t you be, then consider a trip to the sands at Woolacombe. You can while away the hours hunting through rock pools, stretching out on the wonderfully sandy beach, eating ice creams, splashing in the surf and of course if you’re brave enough you can always take a dip!

Woolacombe, Devon by Phil Whitehouse

Article contributed by Lauren Belfield, a regular visitor to Somerset, particularly booking her holidays with https://www.holidayparkoffers.co.uk/ or local cottages to really take in all the delights Somerset has to offer on holiday.

The post Discover The Delights Of Somerset During Your Next Holiday appeared first on Europe Explored.

No, Magaluf is a hardcore party town aimed at the young 18-30 contingent. The make-up of the accommodation in the town also caters to this demographic on the most part. Here, we will explore more about the prices and type of villas you will find in Magaluf.

Magaluf resort Fiesta Jungla, Mallorca, Spain by David Locke

Prices, Villas Mallorca – Magaluf

In general, villas on the island can be quite expensive but in Magaluf prices of as little as £60 per night for 3 bedroom accommodation, which sleeps up to 7 is common. This allows for lots of university students and school-leavers to afford staying in apartments with friends.

Better quality villas are on offer for those with slightly deeper pockets. A beachfront apartment with 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom can set you back a reasonable £385 per week. The suite is still quite humble in decor but you do have your privacy and there is nice swimming pool to share with just a handful of other villas.

Villas Mallorca – Luxury High-End, Magaluf

Magaluf villas and accommodation for the real high-end market are quite difficult to find online as the destination really does cater for the sub-set looking for a cheap booze-fuelled sunshine break. However, some digging and enquiring with your tour operator with unearth some gems!

Magaluf sunrise, Mallorca, Spain by Neil Sweeney

Villas Mallorca – Magaluf Bar Scene

Magaluf is about the nightlife and the beach – not the villa! Night revellers certainly won’t be disappointed with Magaluf’s main bar street, known as Punta Ballena. It is home to absolute feast of bars and the mega-club BCM – you won’t escape without a hangover at some point!

Punta Ballena bars have crazy drinks offers on cocktails, spirits and beers of all kinds. Your money will go a long way here – but it WILL go!

Villas Mallorca – Magaluf Daytime Fun

Depending upon your villa accommodation you may decide to spend your days nursing a hangover beside the pool or down at the beach.

For the adrenalin junkie you will find plenty of action in terms of water-sports. Banana boat rides, jet-skis, parasailing and more are all on offer down at the beach.

For the shopaholics? Well, yes Magaluf itself does fall a little short in this regard if you are looking to do some serious designer spending. However, never fear – the island’s capital is only a 20 minute bus ride away and there you will find all the top fashion houses from Milan, New York, Paris and London.

Again, Magaluf is really catered for the 18-30 crowd. Please don’t expect villas with designer interiors and, beautiful swimming pools and a quiet night’s sleep. For that, there are plenty of other resorts on the island of Mallorca so make sure you do your research before you travel!

Kristian is a writer that has worked alongside Holiday Home Nation for a long time. He regularly frequents Mallorca. Therefore, he understands a lot about the country.

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This is what is great about Trip Advisor’s Travellers’ Choice Destination Awards, which honour those destinations voted by millions of tourists across the world. So when it comes to planning a school trip or weekend away as a couple, you can check out the winners of the places which lie fairly closer to home.

Eiffel tower, Paris, France by Derek Key

The leading travel site has already published its results for 2013, with some surprises as well as the popular destinations featuring at the higher end of the European list.   If you have decided to travel somewhere in Europe this year to get a closer look at its history, culture and learn something from the expedition, it would be worth taking a look at the top 25 destinations in Europe – with the winner no shock to most people.

Paris was not only the leading destination in Europe, but it also pipped New York to the highest global accolade too. London had many reasons to be pleased with itself, taking the second spot in the European honours. A spokesperson for the site, Angus Struthers, explained: “These awards honour the world’s best destinations as decided by those judges that really matter – travellers themselves.

Now that the Jubilympics are over it’s vital that UK tourism continues to flourish so it’s great news that London is rated so highly among the world’s and Europe’s best destinations.”   It was good to know that the English capital had so much to offer tourists to these shores, with events like the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games doing no harm in raising the country’s profile last year.

The top 10 for Europe also included the likes of Barcelona, Berlin and Prague, with Italian cities featuring quite heavily (Rome, Venice and Florence).

Old town square, Prague, The Czech Republic by Claire for Europe Explored

There is so much to learn about the nations around the UK, while a trip to one of these breath-taking cities is certainly affordable. Whether you choose to travel on your own, as a couple or as part of a larger group, you can decide on any of these places and not be disappointed.

See what makes France’s capital such an appealing destination for global travellers and enjoy the ideal Paris experience. Stroll along the Seine and take in famous attractions like the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower, not forgetting to savour the fine exhibitions at the Louvre and explore the rich history of the place.

Alternatively, pick somewhere else on the list and find out why each country has its own distinctive charm and appeal to tourists. Use this guide as a starting point and explore Europe even further whatever your age or interests.

Christian Hewlett is a travel advisor who recommends packages for individuals and groups travelling throughout Europe and the rest of the world. For school trips he’d suggest you try speaking with the team at Encounters Europe.

The post Top European Destinations Recommended By Fellow Travellers appeared first on Europe Explored.

Children in Algarve, Portugal by Carlos Baquero / License: Creative Commons

Children will also get much more out of any holiday if you involve them in some of the planning stages – sit them down with a map of the region and explain where you’re going and what you’re likely to see and do. You can be sure that will start a debate! Building up excitement prior to the trip is not only all part of the experience, but will also keep them going should you encounter any hitches such as flight delays. Take their interests into account too – if one child loves the outdoors while the other has more fun exploring castles and playing king over ramparts, make sure you’ve built in both options for the trip. Ultimately, whether your child wants to be a pirate or a princess, some fun preparation will help you get more out of your adventure.

The Region in Brief

If you haven’t yet visited the Algarve – and even if you have – you may think that this southernmost stretch of sandy shore is no more than a gaggle of golf courses, villa complexes and cheap and cheerful beach resorts. Up to a point, you’d be right, but Faro airport is the gateway to so much more than just the manicured greens and spotless sands of resorts such as Vilamoura, Albufeira, Quarteira and Portimão.

Head all the way west, and in a surprisingly short space of time (less than a 90-minute drive from Faro) you’re on the wild west coast, a region of endless sands, spectacular coastlines and Atlantic surf.

Praia da Marinha, Algarve, Portugal by Klugschnacker

Take off in the opposite direction, and in only half an hour you’re in Tavira or Vila Real de Santo António, gorgeous historic towns that haven’t turned into booming tourism resorts because they’re not right on the coast – but both of which have splendid sandy beaches just minutes away.

Push on a little further east and you can be across the border into Spain’s ‘sherry triangle’ and the stunning historic cities of Seville, Jerez and Cádiz, and a whole different culture of gypsy violinists, flamenco dancers and prancing stallions – and of cutting edge adrenaline water sports.

Or go inland, across the rolling plains and winding river valleys of the Baixa Alentejo. Spattered with scarlet, purple and yellow wildflowers in spring and early summer, the Alentejo’s prairies bake under endless sun in summer, but the region is dotted with dozens of freshwater reservoirs, including Europe’s newest and largest artificial lake, that are super, uncrowded family picnic spots. If you go a little further to north, you can visit the capital of Portugal, the beautiful Lisbon.

Lisbon, Portugal by Miguel Vieira

This is a region that seems a world away from the busy coast, but that is very easy to get to. And all of the holiday honeypots of the Algarve, the Alentejo and Andalusia’s western corner are packed into a remarkably compact space: none of the attractions and destinations that we have highlighted in this book is more than two hours from Faro airport, at maximum. With buses and trains linking everywhere along the coast and inland, you don’t even need a car to explore.

Further south, Monchique, around an hour’s drive from Sagres and about half an hour from Lagos or Portimão, is a pleasant enough little town for a break to let the family stretch their legs and grab a cold drink if you’re tempted to take a drive through the hills inland from the coast – but from the point of view of parents with children it isn’t really a destination worth making a special trip to.

Yes, go to the Algarve for some of the most spectacular beaches in Europe, for lovely villas and excellent family resorts – but go too to explore wild Atlantic beaches, flamingo haunted wetlands, traffic-free historic town centers, cool river valleys and the big skies of the back country. There is much more to the Algarve than the world of the holiday brochures.

Bispo is a Portuguese young man that lives in Algarve and loves to travel.

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Not all UK road trips need to look like this; instead you can get that seaside image back. Here are some destinations for the ultimate road trip in the UK:

The Lake District

The Lake District has to be one of the most beautiful areas in the UK. Nestled in the far north west of England, this is the area that many of our hard workers drive off to for a weekend away. Whether you are planning on driving their and not using the car until your journey home, or you plan to drive your way round the lake district, it is the perfect holiday.

The Lake District national park is home to England’s highest peaks and some of its most striking scenery. The encapsulating views you will see on your journey will stay with you forever. It is known that The Lake District is often the home for inspiration for aspiring writers – Wordsworth and Coleridge.

Lake District, England, UK by Maciej Lewandowski

The Yorkshire Moors

Another of England’s national parks, and yet another beautiful area of the world. The Yorkshire Moors are not quite as popular as The Lake District – but for this reason, it can make it an even better place for a road trip.

The roads tend to be quieter and you will get to enjoy some time to relax and soak up the beautiful views. As well as the attractive national park to visit, you can also visit some of the seaside towns on the east coast of England.

The Cotswolds

The Cotswolds is one of the most beautiful parts of the UK, now currently homing many A-list celebs. More celebs are discovering the beautiful scenery that The Cotswolds have to offer.

As well as having the opportunity to cruise down some spacious, scenic roads. You can also get the time to relax in some of the most stunning areas in the world. Sit back, and watch the world go by as you adjust to nature.

Cotswolds, England, UK by W. Lloyd MacKenzie

The No Entry Roads

As well as considering the must go road trip destinations, it is also worth mentioning the places you should avoid.

Some roads in the UK are nothing but havoc, such as the M6 from Birmingham to London – by using this road, you are running the risk of sitting in standstill traffic for hours on end. To avoid getting stuck in hours worth of traffic or in the dingiest areas of the UK, here are the areas that you should avoid:

London & Birmingham

Although London is a beautiful city and the home of our Royal Family, you do not want to be driving into London City Centre. There are great transport links around the city, the bus and the tube, that will offer tourists an easy way to get around the city without having to wait.

If you decide to drive through London, you are putting yourself at risk of sitting around in traffic for hours on end as well the risk of someone carelessly bumping into your car as they fight their too often road rage.

Quite similarly, the second city of England, Birmingham, is another no-go area. The city will offer nothing but one way complicated roads, as well as traffic in every direction possible. If you are after a city visit, you are much better dumping your vehicle for good old public transport.

Kerry planned a road trip for the summer. Rather than taking her unreliable motor, she chose a personal car leasing option from UK Car Contracts Ltd. She drove her luxury car with joy through the Cotswolds for the week.

The post The Ultimate UK Road Trip appeared first on Europe Explored.

Around the city of Aberdeen

Head to the Granite City itself for a day or two and you’ll find yourself – and the kids – spoilt for choice in terms of things to do.

Kids can get hands-on with science at Satrosphere Science Centre, an interactive museum with changing exhibits featuring anything from planetarium shows to demo experiments. Barely ten minutes from Castlegate, this is a good option for a fleeting visit.

Aberdeen Castlegate, Scotland, UK by Steve Tiesdell Legacy…

Older kids will love the gruesome stories and terrifying instruments of torture at the city’s Tolbooth Prison, a unexpectedly attractive 17th century building which is also free to enter. Or for some good old-fashioned seaside fun, get down to Aberdeen Beach, where the stately Victorian promenade will impress the grown-ups and the kids will be endlessly entertained by the rides at Codonas Amusement Park. There are also lots of cafés and restaurants along the seafront from the harbour to the Bridge of Don.

A little further out of Aberdeen lies a faraway land known as Storybrook Glen, an imaginative theme park for kids and fairytale fans everywhere. There are 28 acres of Royal Deeside woods and gardens to traverse, while spotting characters like Old MacDonald or braving the crossing to the Land of the Trolls.

Alternatively, take a picnic up to Doonies Farm out of the city towards Cove village, and enjoy the views overlooking the North Sea. Warm layers are a must on a family visit! The children can bring their own feeding supplies for the seventeen rare breeds of goats, cows and sheep within the farm, including the Norfolk Horn sheep and the vivid orange Tamworth Boar.

Aberdeen Beach, Scotland, UK by Bernt Rostad

Aberdeenshire attractions

Even if you’re here for a few weeks or looking to explore the countryside in depth, you won’t run out of places to visit!

Try the National Trust’s Crathes Castle if you have any history buffs in the party, as this is one of the most well-preserved estates in the country, with a stunning arrangement of gardens and nature trails in the surrounding area. For the more adventurous at heart, there’s also a ‘Go Ape!’ adventure course in the nearby forest at Banchory, where children can climb, scramble and take a zipline through the trees.

Crathes Castle, Scotland, UK by Oyoyoy

Head north to the coast and you’ll find MacDuff Marine Aquarium, a must-see for its showcase tank, which is more than 40,000 litres in capacity and allows visitors to see the kinds of creatures only usually glimpsed on deep-sea missions! Look out for feather stars, lobsters and bright anemones floating around the natural kelp reef.

Or just take the family for a ride on the Alford Valley Railway, a steam train which has been running on the narrow-gauge track to Haughton Park for over 150 years. You can take the 40 minute journey between April and September, chugging through the epic scenery of the Bennachie hills as you go.

Alford Valley Railway by Colin Smith

Aberdeen and its county are extremely well-stocked when it comes to children’s attractions; from farm parks to ancient castles, deep-sea exploration to tree-top adventures. Whether your kids are into science, nature, history or transport, there’s something to keep everyone happy in and around Aberdeen.

What’s your favourite Aberdeenshire attraction?

Ellen Holt lives with her family in Aberdeen. She writes about family travel for a digital marketing agency.

The post The Best Kid’s Attractions In And Around Aberdeen | Scotland, UK appeared first on Europe Explored.

Helsinki for a Weekend | Finland

If you can spend several days in Helsinki, make sure to visit the Helsinki Cathedral and take a photo sitting on its steps, like masses of people do. This beautiful piece of architecture, built in the 19^th century, is an Evangelic Lutheran church, but it is also a symbol of Helsinki, so missing it could make your trip feel incomplete. For the ones interested in military architecture – or for the ones interested in UNESCO World Heritage sites – the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress is something not to be missed. Built to guard the entrance to Helsinki, this fortress dates back to the beginning of the 18^th century and attracts many visitors every year. Finally, if you still have time, try to visit the Seurasaari museum, which is on an island a couple of kilometres outside Helsinki. It is an open-air ethnographic museum with a scenic route leading to it. There are special events at Seurasaari during Christmas, Easter, and Midsummer, so make sure to put it on your list if you happen to be in Helsinki around those times.

Helsinki Orthodox Cathedral, Finland by Adrián Pérez

Destination: Stockholm | Sweden

If you are in Stockholm, Gamla Stan is something that is impossible to miss, and for a good reason. It is one of the biggest and best-preserved city centres in Europe, dating back to medieval times. With narrow streets that are home to lovely shops of handicrafts and souvenirs, cosy bars and cafés, what else can you ask for in a weekend escape? A royal palace, perhaps? The Royal Palace of Stockholm is the official residence of His Majesty the King of Sweden and is open to public. This lovely Italian Baroque-style building has more than 600 rooms and five museums, so you can spend quite some time there admiring the building and its treasures. If you have time left, definitely go to Skansen, the oldest open-air museum in the world, which also has a zoo.

Skansen, Stockholm, Sweden by Jack Torcello

Reykjavik for the Weekend | Iceland

A weekend in Iceland can be one of the most incredible weekends of your life. If you feel like taking a half-day break after your trip, go to the Laugardalslaug Geothermal Pool, which is the largest pool in Iceland. It also has the best facilities, including an outdoor pool, an Olympic-size indoor pool, a steam bath, and even a 86-metre water slide. Enjoy the water temperature, which is kept at a nice 29°C by the volcanic water. After your relaxing time in the pool, definitely hit the museums. There is the National Museum and the Saga Museum, so you can learn more about the Vikings and how people used to live in the older days in the Reykjavik City Museum (Arbaejarsafn), which is the biggest open-air museum in the country.

Reykjavik, Iceland by Daniel

Scandinavia Awaits

With all these attractions waiting, wonder no more. Although perhaps not the sunniest places, these destinations have their charm, and so does the UK city breaks. Ready. Steady. Go.

This is an article written by Lilly Sheperd, a freelance writer and gastro-blogger who shares her experiences on various blogs.

The post City Breaks in Northern Europe: Three Top Destinations to Consider appeared first on Europe Explored.