Plan to visit outdoor markets when travelling in Europe with kids.
If you will be traveling in Europe with your family then definitely plan to take your kids to an outdoor market. It may not sound like it would appeal to kids but most village markets are a highly entertaining way to spend an hour or two even for kids who balk at going shopping at home. There’s just something about shopping outside with the crowds, wandering from stall to stall, that makes it seem more like a carnival than a shopping trip.
On a recent summer vacation we spent two weeks in Provence in the small village of Gordes and the two trips that we made to the weekly market were among the highlights of the trip for for my daughters.
We would head into the village with one of the large straw baskets supplied at the villa we were renting and start filling it with all sorts of delights – fresh baguettes and pastries, juicy mouthwatering fruit, delicious cheese and olives and whatever little doodads Emma had poked around and found.
It is a very simple but pleasurable activity that will keep the kids amused and even allow them to practice speaking a little bit of French (or whatever the local language is where you are visiting) while they conduct their business at the market.
Katie loved the fresh baguettes at the market in Gordes
Emma enjoying the market in Gordes, France
Sj
So cute. I agree our children enjoy going to outdoor markets. Excellent culture exposure.
Jessica
Love this post! I think markets are a great way to soak up the local culture and get some yummy food!
Lisa Goodmurphy
Thanks, Jessica! The food at this particular market was beyond delicious!
Becca@RWTYM?
MMMMM – those baguettes look yummy!!!
Mary @ The World IS A Book
We love visiting foreign markets and France has some of the best street markets. Glad your girls had fun!
Lisa Goodmurphy
The baguettes were amazing! It was funny when we looked at photos when we got home to see just how many featured Katie with a baguette in her hand. 🙂
Lisa Goodmurphy
Agreed – street markets in France are the best!!