Confession: I am a total city girl.
I love living in a city. I love the buzz and pace and colour of cities, the people, the parks, the coffee shops, the constant stream of things to do and see and taste and smell. Cities are my boo, and the countryside, while sounding lovely in theory, tends to get on my nerves after about 24 hours. Tops.
This, of course, means that I also love to
travel to different cities for my holidays, and much as I can appreciate quaint villages and rolling hills and beautiful beaches, to me, few things can beat the feeling of discovering a new city.
And now, with a mini-me six-year-old and wilder-than-wild two-year-old in tow, we still like to indulge in our love of cities, and have actually discovered that far from being a terrible idea to take on a big city with young kids, it is actually (if possible) even more amazing than before.
Seriously; if you have yet to take your kids to a big city, you have been missing out. Not only is it a
ton of fun seeing cities through the eyes of children, there are also a pretty much unlimited amount of things to do there that children will love. I am talking museums, aquariums, ice cream, parks, playgrounds, ponds, fountains, funny buildings, toy shops, cool food and everything else in between.
And should
you be tempted to take the city plunge this summer, skip the boring (and terribly expensive) hotels, and check out these pretty awesome – and really child-friendly –
Kid & Coe properties for rent instead:
1. Paris
This spacious townhouse, steps from the buzzing Canal St Martin area, has a boho-meets-loft living vibe and sleeps up to two adults, four children. The kids rooms are full of fun, with bunk beds, toys, and games.
On foot, this large family home (gated, and very secure) is only five minutes from Place de la République and 10 minutes from the Centre Pompidou, so in other words, pretty flippin' central.
Oh, and should you want to, you can borrow bikes from the owners too.
2. Copenhagen
This beautiful yellow house in Valby, Copenhagen has three bedrooms and sleeps up to four adults and two small children.
The area, which is in a friendly suburb to the capital city, is choc-a-bloc with cozy cafes and bakeries, and the house comes with a large and well-shaded garden too. As for interiors, we are talking full on Scandi chic.
To take you into the city centre, all it takes is 10 minutes by bus or a 20 minute bike ride.
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3. Amsterdam
This warm and welcoming residence in Amsterdam suits families with up to five adults and two children or three adults and three young children, and is on a quiet family-friendly residential street in the heart of the city.
Here, you will pretty much have museums and galleries on your doorstep, or, you know, you could just tour the cobbled streets, pick up fresh food from the market then return home to cook it in the large kitchen – just like a local family.
Oh, and in the morning, nip across the road to 't Vlaamsch Broodhuys, one of the best bakeries in the city, for your baked goods breakfast. Swoon.
4. London
This charming 4-bedroom house in Lewisham has a lovely enclosed garden and offers easy access to central London plus a quiet family-friendly area to stay in. Just to the southeast of the center of the city, it is well connected by train and is walking distance from Blackheath and Greenwich.
The kids will love the large garden, complete with built-in coal barbecue, and should you want to venture further, Greenwich Park is a 10-minute walk away.
The house is baby-proofed with stair gates that can be added on request.
5. Antwerp
This elegant design-led penthouse apartment within a traditional building the heart of Antwerp’s historic centre sleeps up to seven plus a baby and is beautifully set up with luxury touches for a stay to remember.
Oh, and the chef in the restaurant downstairs is on hand to whip up customized child-friendly fare upon request.
The apartment is close to Antwerp’s historic centre, with shopping, dining, public parks, and a playground on your doorstep. And did we mention that the rate includes breakfast and daily cleaning?!
6. San Fransisco
This Victorian apartment in the vibrant Duboce Triangle district sleeps five + one and is a great spot for families visiting San Francisco. Grown-ups will love the picture windows and dreamy designer kitchen, while the kids will have a ball playing hide and seek in the back garden, and will no doubt nag for an evening grill under the atmospheric fairy lights.
Oh, and don't get us started on location. This safe laid-back suburb is described as a well-kept secret – close to everything you want to see but away from the noise and crowds. For those traveling with tiny tots, the area is just also below the insanely hilly slopes of Buena Vista – so manageable with a stroller.
We are still swooning over this incredibly cool nursery, by the way!
7. Melbourne
To all design-loving parents heading Down Under: This Melbourne home is chic, chic, chic!
It is set up for a family with a full nursery including an Oeuf Sparrow (swoon!) cot. There are comfortable lounging spaces, a secure courtyard, and an eat in kitchen to enjoy.
Oh, and the house is full of toys, a five-minute walk from Royal Park and the Melbourne Zoo, while Melbourne Aquarium is just a 10-minute car ride away. It doesn't end there even: The home is also close to cafés and restaurants, an organic supermarket and some of the best coffee in Melbourne.
As if that wasn't enough to tempt you: The hosts’ babysitter is available on request, as is a private chef and housekeeping service.
8. Los Angeles
Dreaming of LA? This amazing 4-bedroomed Santa Monica residence is less than 2km from the ocean, and sleeps up to six adults and two children. It’s a great vacation destination, within easy reach of the beach, and with a pool, jacuzzi, sports court, home gym and fantastic outdoor living space.
Can we get an AMEN?!
9. Barcelona
This bright and modern duplex penthouse apartment in the central Sant Antoni area of Barcelona has a lovely terrace with a hammock and small urban garden. A short walk from Las Ramblas and the city’s beaches, it is well set up for a family stay with a full kitchen and family-sized dining area.
And let's not forget that the Sant Antoni market and Parlament area, full of tapas bars, shops and restaurants, are two minutes away.
The kids will love it because not only is the house filled with toys, there is also a local playground nearby.
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10. New York
Oh, New York City. This quintessential New York apartment in a classic pre-war building is a short walk from the Hudson River Greenway and sleeps two adults and up to four children.
Not only is it filled with beautiful details, including a window seat for people-watching from the fifth floor, it also has landmark views and a roof deck open from spring to autumn with views of the Hudson.
As for the kids? The bedroom are stuffed with books and toys, Central Park is a 10 minute stroll away and the apartment also comes complete with a Bugaboo stroller (and toddler/child ride-along board), as well as three Micro-Kick scooters for an easy way to scoot the kids around town.
When can we go?!
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Where do YOU like to take the kids on a city break? Let us know in the comments!
For more great travel tips and ideas on where to go for the perfect family break, make sure you are following us on Pinterest too.
(Feature image via Love Taza/Instagram)
