Where to go for the New Year: TOP-5 best cities in Europe for families with children

Less than a month is left before the New Year holidays, and many parents are searching with might and main for interesting directions where they could go with their children. There are no plans for a long vacation in Ukraine, but for two weeks in a row there will be three-day weekends, so you can take a couple of days off at work and arrange a full-fledged vacation. If you are interested in a beach holiday - then you here. We have prepared a selection of inexpensive warm countries to celebrate the beach new year. If you want to travel around Europe, then catch the list of the most "child-friendly" cities in the EU, which will definitely have something to do for you and your child.

Berlin, Germany)

Berlin has been ranked number one among the best cities for families on several occasions. Everything here, from large shopping centers to street cafes, is aimed at children. In every tourist place there is, if not a children's area, then at least a drawing table. And the children's menu in Berlin is always present in all catering establishments.

You will not be able to get bored in Berlin, here you can find entertainment for every taste. You will spend at least a day visiting Legoland Discovery Center, the same amount of time will be needed for the most the largest zoo in Europe (Zoologischer Garten Berlin) and one of the largest water parks in the world called Tropical Island". Also in this city there is an amazing Machmit Science Museum, in which children not only look at the exhibits, but take part in real experiments.

Berlin weather for the new year is usually soft and good for walking. During the day, the air temperature fluctuates at + 2-4 degrees, light frosts are possible at night (up to -2 degrees). It rarely rains here and is usually short-lived. And there was practically no snow in January in recent years.

Entry regulations to Germany as of the beginning of December, travel with a tourist purpose is allowed, but only with a vaccination certificate (the second vaccination must be done no later than 14 days before entry). Children under 12 years of age do not need a “covid passport” yet. Four vaccines are recognized: Pfizer / BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson (CoronaVac is not listed). If you are vaccinated with one of them, you do not need to take a PCR test or go through quarantine. The only thing is that before leaving Ukraine, you must register on the website einreiseanmeldung.de.

Prague, Czech Republic)

Prague will definitely appeal to children who rave about the Middle Ages and theaters. Every street here breathes with antiquity: it seems that a rider on a noble horse is about to jump out from behind a turn. Boys can feel like real knights, and girls can feel like romantic princesses. And theatrical art lovers will definitely “visit” the ultra-modern light performances at the Image Black Light Theater and Black Light Theater Prague Metro.

All the rest of the guys in Prague will also be interested. Firstly, there is a whole Children's Island here - it is located on the Vltava River, and you can get there only by ferry. It is the smallest of the Prague Islands, but it is completely dedicated to children's entertainment. Secondly, you can go to the unique Prague Zoo, through which a funicular runs. By the way, there is the world's only zoo cinema. In addition, there are many museums in Prague that will not leave indifferent any child. Consider, for example, the Chocolate Museum with obligatory tasting, or the Toy Museum to play with.

Weather in Prague the new year is usually colder than Berlin. During the day there is a slight minus (from 0 to -3 degrees), and at night it can be -7-10. However, in recent years, the Czechs have noticed a warming trend, so it is likely that this new year in Prague will be met with above-zero temperatures. It often rains and snows in Prague in January, so it is worth bringing an umbrella with you. In general, however, chilly winters are rare here, so you are unlikely to freeze.

Entry rules: The Czech Republic is open to Ukrainians who have completed a full course of vaccination (children under 12 can travel without vaccinations). Like Germany, it recognizes four vaccines: Pfizer / BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson. Everyone else will not be allowed into the country for tourist purposes. Before entering the Czech Republic, all tourists must fill out a form on the website plf.uzis.cz

Lodz (Poland)

Many Ukrainians have been to Poland - few people can now be surprised by the old streets of Krakow or the avenues of noisy and smart Warsaw. But there is a city in this country where, until recently, a Ukrainian tourist hardly ever set foot. This is Lodz, the third largest city in Poland. It is worth flying here if only because it is fast, convenient and inexpensive: now, direct flights have been launched from Kiev with Lodz. In addition, this city is very comfortable for families with children: there is a lot of entertainment, and accommodation and meals cost about the same as in Kiev, Odessa and Lvov.

The first place to go in Lodz is Petrkowska Street. It stretches for 4 km and is considered the longest street in Poland. Here you will find restaurants and knipes at every step, as well as souvenir shops and simply atmospheric establishments. On this street you can get into the Looking Glass - the unique Rose Passage, which is lined with pieces of mirrors. Also, here you will meet a unicorn - this is a monument that, according to popular belief, grants wishes.

During the New Year holidays in Lodz, you can profitably buy up - here is the largest shopping center in Eastern Europe Manufactura. Believe me, children will not be bored here: in addition to boutiques, there are several children's entertainment centers in Manufactura. In addition to shopping, you and your child should visit the EC1 Science and Technology Center, which contains more than 150 achievements of modern science. Finally, the Lodz Zoo will delight children, where you can meet Indian elephants, Malay bears, orangutans and Anoa buffaloes.

Weather in Lodz for the new year does not differ much from the weather in Ukraine. Usually in January there is a slight minus in the daytime and frosts down to -5 at night. However, for several years in a row, January made Lodz residents happy with above-zero temperatures. Therefore, you will need to decide whether you need a down jacket immediately before departure.

Today regulations entry to Polandallow fully vaccinated tourists to cross the border. Vaccinations are not needed only for children under 12 years of age. You can also enter this country if you have had a coronavirus within six months before the date of entry, and you have a document that confirms this. Do not forget that you must fill out a form on the website plikacje.gov.pl/app/klp/#/home before departure.

Rome, Italy)

If you've dreamed of visiting the eternal city, it's time to do it for the new year. Moreover, one can and should fly to Rome with a child. First, Italians are very fond of children. So do not be surprised if absolutely strangers give sweets and souvenirs to your little one during the holidays on the streets. Secondly, in Italy from December 24 to January 7, it is incredibly noisy and fun. Here you will definitely get a positive charge for the whole year and find a lot of opportunities for entertainment.

Children in Rome may not like historical locations. There are too many of them, and, frankly, all the Vatican museums are for little ones. But with the kids, you should definitely visit the Explora Museum, where you will become participants in scientific experiments, go to the famous zoo at Villa Borghese, find the Trevi fountain (where you must throw a coin) and swim with dolphins in the water park Zoomarine. Well, and where without the famous Italian pizza - without exaggeration, you can eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In addition, you will have to spend a lot on ice cream - in Italy it has an unforgettable taste.

Weather in Rome on New Year's holidays will pleasantly surprise you. From the cold and damp "underwinter" you will be transported into a warm, and sometimes quite hot spring. In the afternoon in January, the thermometer here usually does not drop below +12 degrees. Moreover, it happens that the sun is hot up to +20. It can be cooler in the evenings, up to + 7-8 degrees. However, you will definitely not need down jackets. You can take an umbrella with you, it rains here at times.

According to the rules of entry into Italy, tourists must have a certificate of vaccination, as well as the results of a negative PCR test or antigen test. Children under 17 do not need vaccinations, but they still have to take tests. In this case, you will be allowed into the country without requirements for self-isolation. Also, before leaving for Italy, you must fill out a form on the app.euplf.eu website. If you are not vaccinated, you can also get into the country, however, you will have to go through a five-day quarantine, and then pass a PCR test.

Valencia (Spain)

The Spanish town of Valencia compares favorably with the bustling Barcelona and Madrid. It is quiet and peaceful here, you can breathe in the sea air (the city is located on the Mediterranean coast) and enjoy the incredibly picturesque nature. And also there are a lot of establishments where you can go with children. It is worth going to Valencia just for the sake of one Oceanografic aquarium: it is the largest sea in Europe a complex that is built so that visitors can travel across all the seas and oceans of our planets. It also houses the world's largest dolphinarium and underwater restaurant where you can dine surrounded by sea animals.

The Oceanarium is located in the City of Arts and Sciences of Valencia. There is also the Prince Phillip Science Museum, where you can touch and feel all the exhibits, and the huge Emisferic planetarium with a domed screen 24 meters in diameter. You can take a break from excursions in Gulliver Park, which is built right on the figure of a sleeping giant. Also, be sure to visit Bioparc Valencia, a unique place where animals live in natural conditions. Kids will love watching jaguars, giraffes, hippos and rhinos in their natural habitat.

A separate bonus to rest is the weather in Valencia. In January, it is stably warm here: during the day the air temperature is kept at + 13-15 degrees, but it may well reach +20. For the evening you will need a windbreaker - a light breeze often blows from the sea. However, you will definitely not see either rain or even more snow here.

Entry rules Spain is simple for tourists: only vaccinated Ukrainians are allowed into the country. However, along with the four main vaccines, the Spanish side recognizes Coronavac / Sinovac. Vaccination is compulsory for adults and children over 12 years of age. Before leaving Ukraine, you must fill out a form on the website spth.gob.es. It is impossible for unvaccinated citizens to enter the country for tourism purposes.

P.S. Please note that entry regulations for any of the listed countries are subject to change. Due to the spread around the world a new strain of coronavirus "Omicron" The EU Commission in early December recommended that all EU members review the rules of entry daily and change them taking into account the epidemiological situation.