More than likely, a child’s first travel adventure beyond what is familiar will play out in a storybook. From an early age, books help establish a life-long love of reading and inspire curiosity about places, both real and imagined. They serve as a gateway to insatiable wanderlust. What child wouldn’t want to stroll through Madeline’s Paris or get a taste of Harry Potter’s world of wizardry?
To help you satisfy the insatiable wanderlust that your children’s favorite literary works are sure to inspire, we’ve put together some family-friendly itineraries to help you do things by the book at any age.
Young travelers (2-5)
Wander through Paris, France, just like Madeline
Duration: 3-4 days
Best place to stay with children: St. Germain/6th Arrondissement
The beloved 1939 children’s book Madeline takes readers on a stroll through Paris with a cheeky protagonist and her boarding school classmates. However, even if you don’t have Headmistress Miss Clavel as a tour guide, the center of Paris is compact and easy to navigate with children, whether on foot or by public transportation. The combination of iconic attractions, delightful cafés and leafy parks with playgrounds and activities make it a perfect kid-friendly destination.
Join Fat Tire Tours for a family-friendly cycling excursion past some of Madeline’s beautifully illustrated locales, including the Eiffel Tower, L’Hotel des Invalides, Place de la Concorde and Tuileries Garden. Baby seats, trailers, and tandems are available. Cruise the Seine by Batobus, which docks at several spots along the river, including the Jardin des Plantes, home to the La Ménagerie, where Madeline pooh-poohed the tiger in the zoo.
For a royally good time, ride ponies or the carousel at the Jardin du Luxembourg, the formal garden beyond the stately Palais du Luxembourg. Moreover, don’t miss an excursion to the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur atop Montmartre for a panoramic view of Paris, then explore the cobblestone lanes past homes covered with vines. You’ll find plenty of places to stop for a chocolate croissant or ice cream.
Seek out Wabi Sabi in Kyoto, Japan
Duration: 3-4 days
Best place to stay with children: Southern Higashimaya
In Mark Reibstein’s book Wabi Sabi, the titular character is a cat in Kyoto who goes on a quest to discover her name’s meaning, derived from the complex Japanese philosophy. At its simplest, this philosophy is all about finding natural beauty and authenticity in life’s imperfections. Therefore, it applies to traveling with children, embracing that they may not want to spend all their time in the temples and shrines of Japan’s former imperial capital.
Luckily, there are plenty of experiences that strike a balance between culture and playtime in the Higashimaya district, which has the largest concentration of sacred sites, plus historic lanes and alleyways densely packed with tourists playing dress up in traditional clothing.
Bring out your inner samurai at the Samurai Kembu Theater, where the whole family can learn the way of the sword and enjoy a performance. Alternatively, get outfitted in kimonos for the day at Okamoto Kimono, which has seven locations. Not-to-miss spots include the Kiyomizu-dera, a popular temple with hands-on activities for kids, and the crimson-red Torii gates of Fushimi Inari.
If you have a half day to spare, follow in Wabi Sabi’s paw prints to Mount Hiei, where she finally gets an answer to her question from a wise monkey. The journey by train, bus, cable car, and funicular offers panoramic views of Kyoto and Lake Biwa, plus there are hiking trails filled with wildlife, including monkeys. At the top, you’ll find Enryaku-ji, a temple complex considered one of the birthplaces of Japanese Buddhism, shrouded in the clouds atop the sacred mountain.
Early readers (age 5-8)
Explore Bogotá, Colombia like Juana and Lucas
Duration: 3 days
Best place to stay with children: Usaquén
With whimsical illustrations and heartfelt prose, Washington, D.C.-based illustrator and author Juana Medina revisits her childhood in the book Juana & Lucas. This autobiographical chapter book showcases the day-to-day life of a little girl growing up in Bogotá, extolling the virtues of Colombia’s capital city, especially its distinctive neighborhoods, plentiful parks, and year-round springlike weather.
Juana enjoys riding her bike every Sunday when many of the main thoroughfares close to car traffic for the Ciclovía, a city-wide pedal-powered street party for all ages. By basing the family in Usaquén, not only can you rent bikes from shops along Carrera 7 and 9, but you are also close to the Mercado de las Pulgas, the weekly flea market that takes place at Parque Usaquén. Nearby, the Tourist Train of La Sabana has weekend departures to the underground Salt Cathedral in historic Zipaquirá.
Seek a Song for a Whale in the San Juan Islands, Washington
Duration: 2 days
Best place to stay with children: Friday Harbor, San Juan Islands
The book Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly has captivated young readers with its heart-warming tale of a deaf girl named Iris who feels deeply connected to a particular whale whose song can’t be heard by his species. After inventing a way to communicate with him, she embarks on a journey to seek him out.
Notably, the San Juan Islands in Washington are perfect for families seeking out whale encounters in the wild. The archipelago is easy to reach from Seattle, and the surrounding Salish Sea is relatively calm, perfect for exploration. Base yourself in the pedestrian-friendly village of Friday Harbor—home to The Whale Museum, where you can learn all about the world’s largest mammal. Then take a three-hour boat excursion with Western Prince Whale & Wildlife Tours, known for their commitment to responsible whale-watching.
While it’s never guaranteed you’ll spot whales, a resident pod of orcas is known to feed on migrating salmon from June to August. At the same time, transient species like minke and humpback whales pass through the waters. Consequently, you don’t have to reserve a boat tour to spot these majestic animals. Just head to Lime Kiln Point State Park, where you can whale-watch from the shoreline overlooking Haro Strait. Volunteers and marine naturalists are typically on hand to answer questions about the wildlife.
Tweens (9-12)
Get game for adventure in Tromsø, Norway
Duration: 4-5 days
Best place to stay with children: Tromsø Harbour
If your kids are among the 112 million active players of Minecraft, they may be ready for an adventure in a real Arctic biome similar to the one featured in Stacy Hinojosa’s Minecraft-inspired Wild Rescuers series about a girl raised by wolves. Expedition on the Tundra takes her and the wolf pack to the far north. As inhospitable as it sounds, a trip above the Arctic Circle can be exhilarating, especially for older kids. Head to Tromsø, Norway, an ideal winter playground with a milder climate than other destinations at the same latitude.
While the coastal city has several indoor attractions worth visiting, such as Polaria, the world’s northernmost aquarium, the highlight will undoubtedly be the numerous outdoor winter activities ranging from whale-watching to dog-sledding.
Villmarkssenter can arrange dog-sledding trips, including overnight excursions that leave ample time for cuddling with the huskies and getting a good night’s sleep in a traditional tent on a bed laden with reindeer furs. If you’re fortunate, you might witness the aurora borealis during your stay.
Tour the UK like a wizard
Duration: 5-7 days
Best place to stay with children: Central London / Edinburgh Old Town
The biggest-selling book series in history continues to enchant readers worldwide. If your kids love Harry Potter, then it’s time to plan a trip to the UK to explore the source of his magic. To conserve time, consider booking an open-jaw airline ticket to London, England, and returning from Edinburgh, Scotland. After checking into a wizard chamber at London’s Georgian House Hotel, head to Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross railway station to kick off your journey. The sign and a trolley magically disappearing through the brick wall can be found in the departures hall.
Load up on Hogwarts gear at the Harry Potter Shop next door before taking the required selfie. After that, dive into the world of movie magic during the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. Leave ample time to admire the spellbinding props and sets, starting with Hogwarts’ Great Hall. It’s also one of the few places to try butterbeer.
When you’ve seen everything you want to in London, rent a car and head north to Edinburgh, stopping along the way at Alnwick Castle for flight training in the same spot Harry took his first lesson. Once in Edinburgh, check into The Balmoral, where J.K. Rowling worked on her manuscripts, then meet at Greyfriars Bobby to join the Potter Trail walking tour of the city.
Finally, take time a scenic tour of the Scottish Highlands on the Jacobite Steam Train, also known as the real Hogwarts Express, which operates from April to October. The 84-mile round trip journey passes through familiar landscapes including Loch Shiel and over the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
Teen / Young Adults (13-18)
Delve into Yoruba Culture in Nigeria like the Children of Blood and Bone
Duration: 7 days
Best place to stay with children: Lagos’ Ikoyi or Vancouver Island
Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone may be an Afro-futuristic fantasy novel—but the storyline and its mythical African kingdom of Orïsha weave in elements rooted in Nigeria’s Yoruba spirituality, culture, and language.
Journey to the continent of Africa by way of Lagos, the steamy-hot capital city that boasts an exciting art and nightlife scene. The city provides pockets of relative calm in places like the Lekki Conservation Centre, an expansive coastal nature park featuring a canopy walkway suspended above crocodile-infested wetlands.
After a few days, venture north to Oshogbo and Ile-Ife, the cradle of Yoruba culture. On your way, make a stop in Abeokuta, famed for Olumo Rock, where you can climb a giant mound of igneous rock that once served as a refuge for the Egwa during inter-tribal warfare in the 19th century.
The patron saint is revered as a Yoruba deity, and you may encounter remnants of animal sacrifices. When you reach Oshogbo, the main attraction is the Osun Sacred Grove, believed to be the dwelling place of Osun, the Yoruba goddess of fertility. In nearby Ile-Ife, the National Museum features an extensive collection of archaeological artifacts. The town is also home to the traditional king, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, a direct descendant of Oduduwa, the father of the Yoruba.
Find the Fountains of Silence in Madrid, Spain
Duration: 3 days
Best place to stay with children: Chamberí
Ruta Sepetys’ Fountains of Silence takes young-adult readers on a literary pilgrimage to 1950s Spain, shedding light on dark secrets that still haunt the country even after Francisco Franco’s dictatorship ended in 1975. The Madrid of today has emerged from the shadow of Franco’s rule to become a vibrant and trendy European city featuring stunning architecture, picturesque plazas, and world-class cultural institutions, appealing to kids of all ages.
Many of the sites featured in Sepetys’ historical fiction still exist today, including the former Hotel Castellana Hilton—now the Intercontinental Madrid—nestled in the Chamberí neighborhood, where you can feel like a local.
Follow in the characters’ footsteps to the must-see Museo del Prado to view one of the most renowned art collections globally, but also make time to visit the Sorolla Museum, an oasis of calm in the bustling city. Spend a Sunday in the iconic Parque del Buen Retiro, where you can picnic, relax in the gardens, and rent a rowboat on its manmade lake. History buffs may appreciate a guided bike tour that explores major historic sites, highlighting Spain’s transition from dictatorship to democracy.
