Europa Park, Paragliding Over a Castle, Paris & More: A Family’s Spring Break Adventure
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Imagine running off the side of a mountain and soaring over a castle as you paraglide back down to the ground. That’s just one of the many experiences Caitlin, her husband, and their 8-year-old son had on their spring break trip to Germany and France.
Caitlin used our DIY Germany Travel Planner to find attractions and hotels along their road trip route and packed their trip full of theme parks, paragliding, a Paris day trip, kid-friendly hotels, and some of the best under-the-radar gems the region has to offer!
Listen to the episode below or keep reading for Caitlin’s trip report, including her recommendations for family friendly experiences and tips for fitting a lot into a week without wearing everyone out.
This article is also available as the Germany Travel Planning podcast episode #.60 Use the player below to listen or continue reading the article below. See episode transcript on Apple podcasts.
Planning a Germany and France Family Trip That Works for Everyone
Caitlin’s son has been in a German immersion school since kindergarten and after three years of classroom German, the family was ready to put that learning to work in Germany.
Their itinerary was ambitious but Caitlin is a planner and it all worked out wonderfully. She booked most activities in advance and built in some flexibility for things she was happy to skip if time ran out. That approach paid off. They saw almost everything on the list and still had room to relax and just enjoy.
Her top tip for families putting together a similar trip: mix the big cities with smaller towns. The contrast made both feel more special.
Europa-Park with Kids: Is It Really as Good as Disney?
If you have a theme park kid, Europa-Park in the Black Forest region of southwestern Germany belongs on your radar. Caitlin’s son had watched the Ed and Edda Grand Prix of Europe film and was fully primed for a Europa-Park visit. His verdict? Best stop of the trip!
Caitlin’s take as a self-described Disney family: it holds its own and is worth visiting. The attention to detail across the park’s themed country zones impressed her, and the food stood out as something Disney could learn from.
Planning notes for Europa-Park:
- A day and a half in the main park felt like the right amount of time for their family.
- Families with kids who love rides could easily fill two full days.
- A new Monaco-themed area had just opened during their visit and was a big hit.
- Europa-Park offers an express pass that helps you move through lines faster.
- Book tickets in advance, especially during school holiday periods across Europe.
Rulantica Water Park: What Families Should Know
Attached to Europa-Park is Rulantica, a large indoor water park with an outdoor adventure river and a swim-up bar. Caitlin enjoyed it, but found it less immersive and magical than Europa-Park itself. They arrived on a Sunday evening when it was quiet, knocked out everything they wanted to do in a few hours, and called it a perfect add-on without making it a full-day commitment.
Things to Do in Füssen with Kids Beyond Neuschwanstein Castle
This part of the trip was the standout for Caitlin and her husband. They arrived in Füssen in the evening, hiked up to the Marienbrücke (bridge) at around 7:30 PM, found maybe five other people there, and watched the sun set over Neuschwanstein Castle. It was the kind of moment that makes all the trip planning worth it!
The next morning brought one of the trip’s most memorable experiences: paragliding off Tegelberg mountain! Caitlin and her son both loved soaring over Neuschwanstein Castle and said it was a highlight of their trip (her husband took the cable car up to cheer them on from solid ground).
Back at the base of Tegelberg, there is an Alpine coaster that her son rode several times.
Walderlebniszentrum: The Nature Park Locals Love
Just outside Füssen, the Walderlebniszentrum (Forest Experience Center) is one of those spots that feels local. When Caitlin’s family visited, the park was full of German families having picnics and walking the trails.
The water trail was the highlight for her son: bridges over streams, a raft kids can operate themselves across the water, a stream to wade through, and big slides alongside cascading waterfalls. There is also a free nature center with exhibits.
Ehrenberg Castle Ruin
After the nature trails, the family crossed into Austria and drove about 20 minutes to the Ehrenberg Castle Ruin. They arrived later in the afternoon, so they took the funicular up to the ruins rather than hiking (highly recommended if your group has already had a full day).
The highlight of their visit there was the Highline 179, a suspension bridge connecting two parts of the ruin. It moves as you walk across, which is either thrilling or a personal challenge depending on your relationship with heights!
What to Do in Munich with Kids: Festivals, Theater, and Under-the-Radar Finds
The family bookended their trip with two nights in Munich at each end. On the first stay, they chose a hotel within walking distance of Frulingsfest, Munich’s spring festival. Think Oktoberfest, but in April, with rides for the kids and beer gardens for the adults.
They also visited the Auer Dult antique market, which was a short drive from where they were staying.
Pippi Longstocking at the Residenztheater
This was the under-the-radar gem that surprised everyone. Caitlin’s son had been reading Pippi Longstocking in German at school, and when the family noticed the show was playing at the Residenztheater, they snapped up tickets immediately. The performance was entirely in German, with no English subtitles, and the audience was almost entirely local families with young children. Her son navigated it like a pro!
The Residenztheater sometimes offers shows with English subtitles, so it is worth checking the schedule if you’re visiting with kids who don’t speak German. Either way, the interactive playbill and the breakfast bar setup before the show made it a full experience beyond just the performance.
Where to Stay in Munich with Kids: The Amarone Motor World Hotel
For car-loving kids (and honestly, plenty of adults), the Amarone Motor World Hotel in Munich is worth knowing about. The hotel is built inside an automotive museum, with cars driving through displays in the lobby, a Bugatti in the showroom below the windows, an Indy car hanging from the ceiling, and an elevator that makes engine noises. The sinks are shaped like tires. Her son declared it his favorite hotel of the trip.
One Day in Paris with Kids: What to Prioritize When Time Is Short
The France portion of the trip included a day trip to Paris by train from Strasbourg, as well as time in Colmar and Strasbourg themselves.
In Paris, the Eiffel Tower was a natural stop: her son had studied Gustave Eiffel in school, so seeing his apartment inside the tower was a real moment for him. They also made time for the Luxembourg Gardens, where kids can rent small sailboats to push around the fountain. Caitlin described it as one of the most genuinely kid-focused experiences of the whole trip, simple but totally magical.
They also fit in the Louvre, which several people had told them was impossible to do meaningfully in one day. Caitlin’s response: even an hour to see the Mona Lisa cost less than a trampoline park back home. She recommends not letting logistics talk you out of a quick visit to something your family actually wants to see.
Germany Family Travel Tips: What to Know Before You Go
A few things Caitlin would pass along to families planning something similar:
- Mix big cities with smaller towns. The contrast made both feel more special. Füssen brought a completely different energy than Munich.
- Tailor the trip to your family. The Pippi Longstocking show and the paragliding were specific to what her son loves. Think about what your kid is into and look for those kinds of hooks.
- Book in advance, but build in flexibility. Caitlin had a few activities penciled in as optional, and that kept the trip from feeling too rigid.
- Don’t skip something because you can’t do it perfectly. A one-hour Louvre visit or a partial bridge walk still counts.
- If your kids are learning German (or any language), lean into it. The language moments were some of the most memorable parts of the trip for their whole family.
About Caitlin Barry
Caitlin is an adventurous mom on a mission to raise a future global explorer. She believes in experiencing the world firsthand and fostering a love of different cultures.
