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Christmas in Paris, London and Rome is a magical time and there are so many fantastic things to celebrate. Twinkling decorations light up the city, warm mulled wine and roasted chestnuts warm you as you browse the Christmas markets, and Yule Log cakes, Christmas puddings or panettone fill the windows of every bakery you pass.
But there are two questions that always come to mind as the Christmas season approaches.
– What can I do with my kids?
– Are there any guided tours or activities I can do at certain times of the year?
The good news is that there is plenty to do in these three cities with kids around Christmas. Read on to find out how to have the best Christmas time with kids in Paris, London and Rome.
Our favorite experiences during the Christmas season in Paris and surrounding areas
Christmas in Paris and the region can be truly magical. From mid-November, Paris, the City of Light, is transformed into a diverse winter scene, complete with dazzling lights constantly twinkling, whimsical decorations in department store windows, 12 Christmas markets and an ice rink. You won't know what to choose. That's why we've prepared a wish list for you.
Perform at the Cirque d'Hiver
The Cirque d'Hiver was opened by the newly crowned Napoleon III in December 1852. The patron, Louis Dejean, entrusted its construction to Jacques Hittorf, architect of the Gare du Nord and Place de la Concorde. In November 1859, Jules Léotard made history by performing the world's first trapeze performance, and Cirque d'Hiver became a world-famous temple of aerial art. Every winter, Cirque d'Hiver designs a new show. This is an event that no one, regardless of gender or age, can miss.
Paris Location: Cirque d'Hiver is located at 110 rue Amelot, 75011 Paris. Experience Type: Live Show.
Take a walk through the covered passageways of Paris
Wandering the covered passageways of Paris will suddenly make you feel transported back to the 19th century. In fact, this passage was created during this time when the streets of Paris were dirty and poorly lit. In addition to their dominant merchant role, Paris's covered passages became a favorite strolling place for the bourgeoisie, a place to socialize by popping up in endless cafes, traditional bistros or small theaters. Today these passages are a typical curiosity of Parisian architecture. Most of them are located in the Grands Boulevards district, from Passage Verdeau to Galerie Colbert. It feels like time travel to the Belle Époque era. These places are nicely decorated for the festive season. Our favorite is a visit to the must-see Gallery Vivienne.
Paris Location: Galerie Vivienne at 4 rue des Petits Champs, 75002 Paris is a good place to start. The walk lasts 2 hours.
Vaux le Vicomte decorated with wonderful Christmas decorations
André Le Nôtre, the king's gardener, at Vaux-le-Vicomte french garden, the French garden aesthetic that swept Europe in the 17th century. The strong lines and nobility of the garden design, the changing landscape and hidden charm, the symphony of fountains… All this combined with theatrical grandeur makes Vaux-le-Vicomte a masterpiece of French formal gardens. Nicolas Fouquet commissioned the most important artists of the time: the architect Louis Le Vau, the painter Charles Le Brun, and the landscape gardener André Le Notre to jointly execute the entire project. The result of this fraternal union was a work of incomparable harmony and beauty. Louis XIV hired the same team to build the Palace of Versailles.
Every Christmas season, Vaux-le-Vicomte celebrates the French art of living in a sophisticated and lavish setting, decked out in stunning decorations. There, you will be welcomed by palace staff and a professional private guide will give you a private two-hour tour to admire the grandeur of the palace.
Location: Located 50 km southeast of Paris, the site is easily accessible by car.
We almost forgot to mention it to you! A family twisted treasure hunt at the Louvre and a highlight tour of the Musée d'Orsay are also available.
Must-do activities in London during the Christmas season
Following in the footsteps of Sherlock Holmes
During this private tour, your guide's tales of Sherlock Holmes will not only send chills down your spine, but it's also a great way to learn more about London and its hidden treasures, as well as be enchanted by its Christmas lights. Your family will have the opportunity to see the exterior of St. Bartholomew The Great church, built in the 12th century. To keep children engaged and entertained throughout the tour, we will hand out game booklets designed to resemble Clue games such as Cluedo. They will have to open their eyes and ears to find out who the killer is!
Location: St. Paul's Cathedral meeting point. Experience Type: Private, 2-hour guided tour.
Borough Market Food Tour
Fully decorated during the Christmas season, Borough Market is one of London's most famous markets. Here a bewildering array of brilliant and passionate producers gather to sell their specialties to London connoisseurs and curious visitors alike. After meeting your personal food-loving guide, you'll be whisked into the heart of Borough Market by following your guide, who is also one of the very few hand-picked experts approved by Borough Markets to run tours. You will discover how the British prepare their Christmas dinner with the purest respect for tradition, such as Christmas turkey with redcurrant jelly, mince pies and Christmas pudding, without forgetting the unmissable Christmas crackers. With several stops along the way, you and your children can embark on a journey that will allow you to sample local produce and sample all the world's specialties at the same time. From fresh vegetables and fruit to delicious British cheeses and Indian cuisine, Borough Market has it all.
Location: Meet up at Rabot 1745, a chocolate restaurant in Borough Market. Experience Type: Private, 2-hour guided tour.
Explore the Tower of London
Meet your personal Blue Badge guide in front of the Tower of London and prepare for a fun-filled tour of the highlights of London's iconic monuments. For over 900 years, the Tower of London has dominated the city's skyline. Over the centuries it has been used as a fortress, palace, prison, jewelery shop and even a zoo! Other highlights include the memorial on Tower Green, the beautiful Royal Chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula, the famous Crow and its Master, the Traitor's Gate and the “Bloody Tower”. )”There is. To ensure the children have a great time, the guide will give each child a fun game booklet. From there you can enjoy views of the beautifully decorated riverbank and Tower Bridge.
Location: Meeting point at the Tower of London entrance. Experience Type: Private, 2-hour guided tour.
Don't forget! Family Twist Mystery at The British Museum and tours of Westminster and Buckingham Palace are also available this Christmas season.
Favorite Foods in Rome at Christmas
During the Christmas season, Rome turns into a wonderland. Christmas lights and decorations decorate the streets and squares, shops show off their best window decorations and churches prepare for one of the biggest festivals of the year.
Christmas Food Walking Tour
Enjoy a traditional Italian Christmas meal on a gastronomic walking tour while admiring Rome's spectacular light installations. Enjoy charcuterie, a rich and comforting pasta dish, and artisan panettone, a type of Italian sweet bread and fruitcake, paired with fine Italian wines at three carefully selected locations. Experience a festive time of year with a local guide who will show you what a traditional family-style Italian Christmas meal is like.
Rome locations: Trastevere, Piazza Farnese, Campo de' Fiori, Piazza Navona. Experience Type: Private, 3-hour walking food tour.
Design your mosaic masterpiece
Experience this wonderful Italian craft with your family at a truly professional mosaic workshop located in downtown Rome. It all starts with choosing the design or pattern you want. When you're ready, follow clear instructions from your private tutor, an expert in restoring old Roman mosaics and opening his workshop specifically to families, and learn all about the ancient art of mosaic making.
After cutting the tiles, carefully place them on the frame. Watch as motifs begin to emerge. Once everything is ready, add the finishing touches before creating your own beautiful mosaic!
Places in Rome: Meeting places in private workshops in Rome. Experience Type: Individual, 2-hour hands-on activity.
Escape from Castel Sant'Angelo
Castel Sant'Angelo (Castle of the Holy Angels, if we freely translate the name of this monument into English) is one of the most iconic monuments of Rome. Originally built about 2,000 years ago as a mausoleum for Hadrian, one of the five most revered emperors of ancient Rome, the fortress was used by the Pope and converted into a prison before becoming the monument it is today.
Meet a fully licensed private guide who will guide you through this enchanting fortress. Explore the Ponte Sant'Angelo and the small internal courtyard. You'll also hear about the Passetto di Borgo, a small elevated passage connecting the Castel and the Vatican that played a key role in Dan Brown's Angels and Demons (not open to the public). You will get a beautiful view of Rome and all its Christmas decorations.
Place in Rome: Meeting point at the entrance to Castel Sant'Angelo. Experience Type: Private 2-hour guided tour with skip-the-line ticket.
The splendor of Villa d'Este
Villa d'Este is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Tivoli, a small town nestled in the mountains outside Rome. The location makes it the perfect place to visit Rome during the Christmas season as the views of the city are breathtaking.
Meet your fully licensed private guide who will tell you everything about this beautiful 16th-century villa, the former summer residence of Cardinal d'Este. Follow your guide inside the villa and hear fascinating stories about its history, architecture, decoration, and furniture. Then head out and discover the true beauty of Villa d'Este. There are gardens and numerous fountains of various shapes and sizes. There’s even a musical fountain!
Location in Rome: Meeting point at the entrance to Villa d'Este. Experience Type: Private 2-hour guided tour with skip-the-line ticket.