subject: Top 5 City Breaks For Families [print this page] Half term is approaching and the kids are getting restless. Do you really want a repeat of last year's visits to the local decrepit theme parks and evenings of DVD marathons? Why not do something a little different and in the process open their eyes to a world of travel whilst enjoying time away as a family with a city-break.
1.New York
For those who are willing to go a little further afield, maybe you should consider the bold and brash U.S capital? Apart from icons such as The Empire State building and The Statue of Liberty, New York has plenty of attractions to keep your brood happy. Flights are cheaper in the first half of the year and it's well worth it when you can take in so many sights ingrained with great American charm. You could take a stroll through central park, or perhaps visit one of the many child friendly museums such as The Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum or The Natural History Museum filled with hundreds of stuffed beasts and plenty of interactive displays. If you want to see The Statue of Liberty in a different way, take a ride on The Beast; a thirty minute speedboat ride on the waters surrounding the famous monument.
2.Edinburgh
Edinburgh is easily accessible from anywhere in the U.K ensuring you avoid the tedium of your kids' agitation. Once there, you can entertain them with a visit to Edinburgh's famous castle, where you will be charmed by the magnificent surroundings and fun-filled walks around the grounds. For a great interactive exhibition that the kids can really get their paws into, visit the Camera Obscura and World of Illusions on Castlehill. The camera projects a moving panorama of the city onto a huge viewing table and you can watch the kids as they try to manipulate the images, moving traffic and squishing tiny people!
3.Rome
To really wow your kids whilst imparting some history lessons upon them, take a trip to Rome and to the Colosseum where young ones will stare in awe at the scale of the ancient theatre and charmed or disgusted by stories involving famous gladiators! There are plenty of museums in Rome aimed squarely at children, such as the Planetario where visitors can take part in a star-gazing programme and Explora, a children's museum aimed at the under-12s.
4.Berlin
This one may not strike you as an instant choice for the kids, but it boasts some of the most child-friendly attractions in the whole of Europe. The brand new Kindercity, is a huge kids play and learning centre that the kids will lap up and you can easily spend a day there. For a treat that will entertain kids and adults alike, why not visit The Legoland Discovery centre to reminisce of more youthful days or for the life aquatic take a visit to Berlin's sea-life centre.
5.London.
It's right on our doorstep, but this city should not be overlooked as a great place to take your children. There's so much to do and many attractions to keep your little ones entertained. Head straight to the London Eye to establish your bearings in this huge city, then hop over to Tower Bridge and The House of Parliament. To really give them some excitement, head to the imposing HMS Belfast, sat atop the great Thames river. Finish your trip with the London Dungeon tor maybe the London Zoo.
