London

Whatever age your children are, there's enough to keep them occupied throughout as many family vacations or breaks as you choose to take in the British city, beginning with simple pleasures like a trip on a classic red London bus or a black cab. There are also world-class museums and iconic landmarks, the powerful river and lovely parks, a fantastic selection of family-friendly restaurants and cafés, and an incredible assortment of accommodation for all budgets. Your only real issue is figuring out how to fit it all in.

Begin with the London Eye, which is both a must-see and a must-see-from: on a clear day, it gives amazing views of the Thames and many of London's attractions, including the arch of the new Wembley Stadium and Windsor Castle. The London Aquarium, London Dungeon, Shrek's Adventure, and Namco Funscape are all located right next to the Eye in the ancient County Hall building. Take a boat ride from the Eye to marine Greenwich or even the huge Thames Flood Barrier, which will take you through many of London's most iconic attractions. Explore the Royal Observatory, which houses Greenwich Mean Time and a state-of-the-art planetarium, the National Maritime Museum, which has interactive galleries about the history of seafaring, and the Cutty Sark, the world's only surviving tea clipper, which has a kids' trail, backpacks, and lots of family activities. Take a picturesque journey in one of the gondolas of the Emirates Air Line cable-car between Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks while you're in London.

Children will enjoy exploring the city's parks and public places. The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens is particularly popular with families, but if you go on a calm weekday afternoon outside of the holidays, you should be able to get in without having to line, and it's always free. The other Royal Parks are also ideal for youngsters, with plenty of space for them to run about and explore. The fountains are turned on throughout the spring and summer, and our little guy liked running through them and being splashed. In the winter, an ice rink is installed in the courtyard between November and January. Traveling about London is one of the more costly things to do in Europe, and the cheapest way to do it is with an Oyster card. Some stations are not stroller-friendly, although buses typically seat two people.

Location: United Kingdom