“It was the best of times…” Dan and I had the opportunity to celebrate our 10 year anniversary in Paris and London two years ago. We loved it so much, we decided to take Avery to Paris and London for spring break this year. As you can imagine, the trip this time around was much different than our last trip and in this blog, I will help compare and contrast the differences and similarities between a romantic adults-only trip vs. a family fun Spring Break trip to Paris and London.
Paris
Where we stayed
Kid-free
Saint Germain: Charming, romantic, and walkable to cute shops and cafes on the left bank and even the Louvre. This is an area that seems like quintessential Paris – what you think about in movies. We stopped by many little cafes for a drink along our strolls. We stayed at the Pavillon Faubourg Saint Germain, a chic boutique hotel on at the edge of St Germain.
Kid-full
Grands Boulevards: On the right bank, this urban neighborhood is walkable to Galleries Lafayette Haussmann, Palais Garnier and several covered passageways called “Les Arcades”, which helped us get out of the rain a few times. In the heart of the 2nd arrondissement, Hotel Adele et Jules was surrounded by a variety of restaurant options including French (obviously), Italian, Thai, Chinese, and even American.
What We Did
Kid-free
Champagne Tour: We got off the plane and were whisked off on a tour of the Champagne region, just outside of Paris. We spent a night in the adorable city of Reims, where we had our first taste of France and champagne. We learned about the wine-making process and enjoyed tastings at local boutique champagne houses as well as the champagne giant that is Dom Perignon. Pro tip: Ship your champagne home – it comes with insurance and you don’t have to worry about bottles bursting in your suitcase! Ours had to be resent twice because they exploded in transit.
Louvre: An iconic, architectural masterpiece that also happens to be an art museum that houses some of the most renowned paintings of all time. Though Avery loves making art, spending hours admiring art created by others would not have captivated her interest. It was great for our adult-only trip though!
Eiffel Tower: Inspired by the Olympics, we climbed up 674 steps of the Eiffel Tower to the second floor to see Paris from above. It was pretty cool to see the Olympic rings on the Eiffel Tower and the event venues from above.
Michelin Dinner Cruise: We enjoyed an exceptional Michelin-starred culinary experience aboard the Don Juan II, a dinner cruise on the Seine that perfectly paired french wines with masterful, high-quality french cooking prepared from the kitchen of Frederic Anthon. Not only was the food delectable (one of the top 3 meals I’ve ever had), but the sights from the cruise itself were amazing. We ended the tour with a view of the Eiffel tower twinkling in the night sky.
Shopping: When in Paris, I like to splurge on luxury items. With names like Hermes, Goyard, and Louis Vuitton for hundreds of dollars less than in the US, who could resist? Pro-tip: If you’re doing the Paris to London trip, finish all of your shopping in Paris because the exchange rate on the Euro is much lower and the UK no longer gives VAT refunds.
Kid-full
Parks and Gardens: Traveling with an 8 year old, we had to plan less and go with the flow more. The only thing a kid on break from school wants to do is run around and play. Luckily, Paris is truly a city that just lets a kid be a kid. We spent most of our time getting lost in the city and stumbling upon parks with playgrounds, carousels, and just open space to run around. Tuileries Garden and Luxembourg Gardens are two very kid-friendly gardens that were Avery approved!
Versailles: While art museums would not have captivated her, taking our princess to a real life palace definitely was something that would pique her interest. It was such a neat experience to be able to see and learn about how the kings and queens of the past lived. The private family tour with transportation was the perfect way to travel with a big group.
Eiffel Tower: Instead of going up this time, we saw the Eiffel Tower from the comfort of our seats on the Big Bus Hop On/Hop Off tour. As an added bonus, we got the ticket with the the Arc de Triomphe entrance to see different views of Paris.
Family Friendly Dinner Cruise: We opted for a simpler dinner cruise that our picky eater could enjoy as well. Aboard the Capitaine Fracasse, we each had a full-course meal in a covered boat on the Seine, which was perfect during our March trip as temperatures only reached the 50s. Avery enjoyed bread, a burger, and dessert, while Dan and I had a 3 course meal paired with wine. It wasn’t quite the Don Juan II, but still a fun experience to be able to share as a family nonetheless.
Shopping: Just like mommy, Avery got in on the shopping too! As a kid, I loved stopping in souvenir shops on all our vacations and it turns out that Avery has taken after me with this interest. I also learned about a stuffed animal craze called Jellycat on this trip – each Jellycat location has a unique experience specially designed for that city. The Jellycat in Paris was located in Galleries Lafayette Haussmann (the most beautiful shopping complex I’ve ever been to btw) and it had a macaron-making experience that Avery really enjoyed. She even got to take home a macaron stuffy souvenir!
From Paris to London
For both trips, we opted to take the train from Paris to London. The short 2.5 hour train ride coupled with comfortable seating, wi-fi, and a meal definitely beats fighting through airport crowds. Pro-tip: Usually traveling by train across Europe is super quick and easy, but since the UK is no longer in the European Union, make sure you get to the train station at least one hour in advance to clear French customs, British customs, and security before boarding your train.
London
Where we stayed
Great Scotland Yard: Located right off Trafalger Square, the this hotel was a central location walkable to Covent Garden, Soho, Westminster, Big Ben, and the London Eye. It was right by the Charring Cross tube station, providing access to essentially anywhere you else needed to go in London!
The hotel itself was also really neat. It was the original headquarters of the Metropolitan Police and a British Army recruitment office. The rooms are beautifully appointed with ornate details all around and they even have a cool speakeasy! The service was also spectacular – on our departure day, they stored our bags in the morning and called a taxi had it loaded with our luggage when we needed to leave for the airport. We loved it so much, we stayed there for both trips!
What we did
Kid-free
British Museum: We had been to Athens a few years before and were excited to see the pieces of the Greek Parthenon that we were only able to see replicas of in Greece. Dan was also really excited to see the Rosetta Stone. Admission to the museum is free, but you still have to book tickets to reserve your entry time.
Wandered and Explored: Since our hotel was so central, we spent most of our time just wandering around the city by foot. We explored Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Big Ben, and even moseyed over to the Tower Bridge.
Sipped and Savored Our Way Around Town: We also wandered into some local pubs to check out their cask conditioned beers and Guinness, which is one of Dan’s favorite beers and comes in an extra cold varietal in the UK. We also found a neat bar called The Alchemist that had cool science-inspired drinks. Of course, being in London we had to check out local curry at Dishoom. Fun Fact: While most think of fish and chips in the UK, did you know that the national dish of the UK is Chicken Tikka Masala?
Wembley Stadium: And of course, the main reason we even went to Europe for this trip was to see the one, the only TAYLOR SWIFT. This has to be the best concert experience I’ve ever had. The stadium is quite a hike from the middle of the city so plan for ample time to get out there and back if attending an event at Wembley.
Kid-full
Tea so nice, we had to have it twice! Avery has recently gotten into tea so of course, when in London we had to try afternoon tea on the London Eye. It was a really unique experience to see the London skyline from the giant ferris wheel while sipping on Earl Grey (and champagne for Mommy). We also had to try a proper tea so we went to the Savoy Hotel for a more traditional English tea experience before we left.
Harry Potter Studios: The studios where the Harry Potter movies were filmed is ~1 hour outside of London and we didn’t have a day to spare last time we were in town. Luckily, Avery has been reading Harry Potter and was excited to tour the studio with us this time. She learned about the movie-making magic behind the films and got to try her first Butterbeer!
Skygarden: When we booked our trip, I asked Avery to research London to find things for us to do. She found the Skygarden, the highest public garden in London perched atop the Walkie Talkie building. This indoor garden features 2 bars and 2 restaurants from which you can enjoy the views. Great find, Avery!
London Theater Experience: Six is one of my favorite musicals. We always listen to the soundtrack together in the car so of course, we had to see it in the country where the show was born. This was my 4th time seeing it live and it was by far my favorite – from the cosy Vaudeville Theatre to the fun merch to the real British accents, it was truly a treat!
More Jellycat: Jellycat was born in London so of course, we had to bring one home from the birthplace. We went to the Jellycat Airline pop-up in Harrods to pickup a pilot version of their most popular bear, Bartholomew. Fun Fact: London has TWO Jellycat experiences. In addition to the Jellycat Airline at Harrod’s, there is also a Jellycat Fish and Chips experience at Selfridges.
London and Paris take on completely different personalities depending on how you experience them. Traveling with kids turns the journey into a lively, memory-filled adventure, while a kid-free trip invites a slower, more indulgent way to soak it all in. Both versions are equally rewarding—you just need to plan with intention, shaping your itinerary around the pace, priorities, and possibilities that come with a family getaway versus an adults-only European escape.
Traveling for Tomorrow 
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