Summer Travel Series: Traveling Europe with Kids

I didn’t have a Passport until I was 19 years old. To say my children’s traveling adventures will be different from mine is a bit of an understatement. But, we’re living in Germany and we are going to make the most of it and that means visiting and exploring countries I never imagined I’d see as an adult, let alone as a child. My kids are definitely too young to truly appreciate all they’re experiencing, but that won’t stop us from packing up and hitting Europe.

Bruges, Belgium

Our first overnight adventure outside of Germany was to Bruges, Belgium. My husband and I visited Bruges about seven years ago when we lived in Germany before, but this was our first time with kids. It was different. To say the least. But in a wonderfully crazy, loud, kid kind of way.

Bruges’ history lies in its location: it served as a through-way between northern and southern Europe. The city’s heyday was in the 14th and 15th Century, and admiring buildings that old puts into perspective just how young The United States is. The system of canals throughout the city earned Bruges the nickname “The Venice of the North” and its beautiful sites, good food and art museums have earned the affection of tourists.

Family-Friendly Destination Details

• Hotel: Hotel Cordoneanier. This 22 room hotel was perfect for us. We had a “triple room”, which in Europe means one double bed and a twin bed so the room was pretty tight by American standards. The hotel was clean, the staff was great and it was in a perfect location. We loved the free breakfast and the attached hotel bar was the perfect place to grab a Belgian beer after a long day.
• Favorite Meals: The Flemish Pot (order the beef stew!), De Hobbit and Laurenzito Waffels
• Must Do Activities: Tour Bruges by boat, hang out in the Markt, eat fresh chocolate (we like Dumon and The Chocolate Line), take a horse-and-buggy ride through the city.

Baby Gear We Used

• Carrier: ERGObaby
• Stroller: Joovy Ergo Caboose (now shipping free to many countries in Europe!)
• Diaper Bag: Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack
• Travel Crib: BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light 2

Through Our Lens

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Photos taken with my new camera and iPhone using Instagram – follow me!

This post was submitted by ErgoMama Kate Marsh Lord as part of our Summer Travel Series.  This post originally appeared on Kate’s blog, The Shopping Mama.  See the original post here.  After graduating law school and moving around the world with her Air Force husband, Kate settled down and had two beautiful little ones. The children changed her online motivation from researching legal issues to tracking down the best in everything for kids from strollers to monogrammed onesies.