Traveling with kids opens up a whole new world of adventure, and experiencing a Euro Trip through their eyes is incredibly rewarding. While elaborate trips have their own charm, sometimes the most enriching travel experiences come from exploring new corners of the world together. Just like those memorable family road trips and camping adventures, a euro trip can instill a lifelong love for travel, culture, and new experiences in your children. Don’t let the thought of traveling with young ones deter you from exploring those dream European destinations. With the right approach, a euro trip with kids can be an unforgettable adventure for the whole family, and Biarritz, France, offers the perfect blend of culture, fun, and family-friendly activities to make it a reality.
One of the keys to successful family travel, especially on a euro trip that might involve time changes and new environments, is paying attention to your children’s well-being, particularly their diet. We’ve found that maintaining healthy eating habits significantly impacts how well our kids adapt to travel. Sugary and processed foods can lead to energy crashes and fussiness, making travel challenging.
On the other hand, when our children eat wholesome foods and maintain a good routine, they are much more adaptable and enthusiastic travel companions, ready for anything a euro trip throws their way. Our secret weapon for happy travel kids is minimizing sugary, processed foods. If your children are accustomed to these foods, consider a dietary reset before your euro trip to prepare them for healthier eating habits while traveling. This simple change can lead to smiles, energy, and happy adventures throughout your entire euro trip, whether you’re skating, surfing, hiking, or exploring a new city.
Before embarking on any euro trip, we get our kids excited by talking about the destination, showing them maps and books, and explaining the new experiences that await them. We emphasize the importance of respecting different cultures and understanding that a euro trip is a chance to learn and grow. Keeping them informed, well-fed with nutritious food, and ensuring they get enough rest are essential for a smooth and enjoyable euro trip experience.
We also prioritize probiotics and stock up on whole foods at local markets wherever we go on our euro trip. During our summer euro trip, we noticed Europeans embrace late nights, and our kids adapted surprisingly well. We believe that healthy, whole foods played a significant role in keeping everyone healthy and energized throughout our travels. While we allow treats, they are always balanced with nutritious meals, starting with a wholesome breakfast – no sugary cereals or juices allowed!
Biarritz holds a special place in our hearts. Having lived in France previously, returning felt like a homecoming. It’s a city rich with culture and tradition, embodying that quintessential French charm that many seek in a euro trip.
Biarritz beautifully blends French elegance with a relaxed surf vibe, creating a unique and captivating atmosphere. Imagine a French town with a castle overlooking the ocean, a stunning cathedral, charming cafes lining the streets, and a bustling traditional market filled with local delicacies. Adding to its allure is a vibrant surf culture, making it a fantastic destination for a euro trip, offering waves for all skill levels, from beginners to experienced surfers. Every corner reveals delightful shops and restaurants, making Biarritz a place you could explore for weeks and still discover something new. Its location also makes it an ideal base for day trips along the stunning Basque coast, extending your euro trip adventures into Spain and beyond.
Accommodation: Your Biarritz Base for Euro Trip Exploration
Having stayed in Biarritz before, we opted for a more central location this time, perfect for immersing ourselves in the city during our euro trip. We discovered an excellent Airbnb hosted by a friendly local named Phil. His spacious apartment comfortably accommodated our family and even included private parking, a valuable asset in Biarritz. Its central location, just a block from the market, was ideal for our daily explorations.
The market, open every morning during the summer, became a daily ritual. We loved strolling through with the kids, selecting fresh fruits and a baguette for the day – quintessential euro trip experiences. The figs were an absolute highlight – incredibly fresh, sweet, and juicy, a taste of France I couldn’t resist. I made it a personal mission to grab a bag of these figs every morning before the kids awoke! Our son Tama, on the other hand, developed a love for cherries, easily consuming a kilo each day.
Skate Adventures: Keeping Kids Active on Your Euro Trip
Skateboards became our constant companions in Biarritz. Knowing that skateboards guarantee fun for our kids, we brought them everywhere. Whether exploring the city streets or waiting at a restaurant, skateboards kept them entertained and happy during our euro trip. Many European cities, including Biarritz, are incredibly skate-friendly, and scooters are also a popular choice for families.
France, in particular, seems to have a skate park in almost every town, making it easy to incorporate skating into your euro trip itinerary. For our kids, skateboards transformed city walks into exciting adventures, making distances seem shorter and travel days more enjoyable.
Skate Park 1: Labenne
Located a short drive north of Biarritz, Labenne Skate Park was a nostalgic return for us. We discovered it years ago and remembered it fondly. It’s a smaller park featuring a decent bowl suitable for intermediate to advanced skaters. A separate, smaller ramp provided a safe space for younger kids like Ira to play. The pump track was a standout feature, even manageable for Ira on his knees. We spent a whole afternoon here, the boys thoroughly entertained and active during our euro trip day.
Skate Park 2: St. Jean de Luz
St. Jean de Luz Skate Park offered a larger and more varied terrain, perfect for kids with different skill levels. While it boasts a large bowl for advanced skaters, its gradual entry allowed both Ira and Tama to enjoy it safely. A central pyramid and a half-bowl at the entrance provided additional features for the boys to explore and master, adding to the fun of our euro trip skate adventures.
Skate Park 3: Biarritz Skate Park
Biarritz itself has its own skate park, providing another convenient option for families looking to incorporate skating into their euro trip activities. This park is easily accessible and offers a local skate scene experience.
Riding the Waves: Surfing in Biarritz on Your Euro Trip
For surfing in Biarritz, we rented wetsuits and boards, even a tiny wetsuit for Ira, from BTZ Proshop. This rental shop is highly recommended for its friendly owner and staff, quality gear, and affordable prices – making it easy for families to enjoy surfing during their euro trip.
Beach Days: Euro Trip Surf Spots near Biarritz
Zarautz
A scenic hour’s drive from Biarritz, Zarautz in Spain offered a fantastic surfing detour during our euro trip. Initially planning a hike, the rain redirected us to the beach, a spontaneous and rewarding change of plans. Zarautz boasts a beautiful sandy beach with shallow waters stretching far out, ideal for families and beginner surfers. We rented kid-friendly boards from Moor Surf Eskola Zarautz and enjoyed playing in the whitewash. Even just riding the smaller waves close to shore was a blast for Ira and Tama, a reminder of their love for the ocean after a brief time away – even a short break from the ocean makes you appreciate it more on a euro trip!
Grand Plage
Tip: “Don’t Surf Between the Green Flags”
Grand Plage, Biarritz’s main beach, is beautiful but can get crowded. However, early morning sessions, especially when the tide and swell are right, offer uncrowded and fun waves, perfect for starting a euro trip day. With multiple peaks to choose from, we enjoyed surfing the middle peak in front of the Casino. The waves here are generally soft and gentle, suitable for both intermediate and experienced surfers. While sometimes slow, a larger board helps cruise through the softer sections. Shortboarders can also find fun, punchier waves closer to shore. We spent a whole day here, alternating between surfing, beach play with the kids, and enjoying snacks at nearby cafes overlooking the beach – a classic euro trip beach day experience.
Cote Basque
Tip: “Beat the crowds & Surf Schools with early morning Sessions”
Cote Basque is another excellent surf spot in Biarritz, especially great for learning. Surf schools frequent this beach, but early mornings or evenings, when classes are less common, offer quieter sessions if the swell and tide are favorable. The waves here are generally soft and forgiving, ideal for longboards and funboards. With the right conditions, shortboarders can also find enjoyable rides. For kids, the inside section is perfect for catching smaller waves close to shore. Tama and I ventured further out, enjoying long, gentle waves all the way to the inside, making it a fantastic family-friendly surf spot on our euro trip.
Foodie Delights: Eating Well on Your Biarritz Euro Trip
Les Halles Market
Staying near Les Halles Market was a culinary highlight of our Biarritz euro trip. Waking up early to visit the market as it opened became a cherished ritual. During fig season, the figs were simply irresistible! The market bursts with fresh, locally grown produce, making it a perfect place to shop for healthy and delicious meals to prepare in our Airbnb.
Bali Bowls
Bali Bowls provided a fantastic option for a quick and healthy breakfast or lunch during our euro trip explorations. Our family loves smoothie bowls, and this centrally located spot offered delicious and affordable options for a refreshing and nutritious meal or snack any time of day.
Letandem
Letandem became our go-to restaurant for lunch and dinner. With consistently positive reviews, it lived up to its reputation. The menu offered diverse options, including several vegan and vegetarian choices, catering to our family’s preferences. The kids loved the food, a crucial factor when dining out with a family. Beyond the excellent food, the service was exceptional – fast, friendly, and welcoming, making us want to return again and again throughout our euro trip.
Boqalice
Boqalice, conveniently located across from our Airbnb, was a great cafe with gluten-free and vegan options. Its proximity made it perfect for quick and easy bites, especially when we needed a convenient and healthy meal option during our euro trip days.
Embarking on a euro trip with your family, especially to a destination as vibrant and welcoming as Biarritz, creates memories that will last a lifetime. From surfing and skating to exploring markets and enjoying delicious food, Biarritz offers a diverse range of experiences perfect for families seeking adventure and cultural immersion on their euro trip. Start planning your unforgettable family euro trip to Biarritz today!
