Option A
Copenhagen, then Garda
Bakeries, harbour baths, and 125 public playgrounds. The kid-friendliest city in Europe.
01
Thu 16 Jul · Travel
overnight
Ottawa → Copenhagen
Evening flight, one stop through a European hub.
02
Fri 17 Jul · Arrive
Into the city
Metro from the airport, settle into the apartment, playground before bed.
03
Sat 18 Jul · Neighbourhood
Fælledparken + cardamom buns
Bakery walk, park with paddling pools, picnic, nap, home to cook.
04
Sun 19 Jul · Highlight
Tivoli Gardens
The park Walt Disney copied. Gentle rides scaled for the 2- and 5-year-old.
05
Mon 20 Jul · Adventure
Byggelegeplads + harbour bath
Danish adventure playground where kids hammer nails. Swim at Islands Brygge after.
06
Tue 21 Jul · Water
Canals + Reffen
Canal boat from Nyhavn. Street-food lunch at Reffen with a big open playground.
07
Wed 22 Jul · Day trip
Bakken
World's oldest amusement park, free entry, tucked in a royal deer forest. Gentler than Tivoli — scaled for small kids.
08
Thu 23 Jul · Last day
Den Blå Planet
One of the best aquariums in Europe. Right by the airport — a perfect recon run.
09
Fri 24 Jul · Transit
travel day
CPH → Milan → Riva
Morning direct flight (~2h), rental car, ~2.5h drive down to the lake. Home in time for a late dinner.
Option B
Santa Cristina, then Garda
Alpine village at 1,428m. Sensory paths, adventure trails, and stroller-friendly meadow hikes — the whole valley built for small legs.
01
Thu 16 Jul · Travel
overnight
Ottawa → Venice
Evening flight, one stop through Frankfurt, Munich, or Amsterdam.
02
Fri 17 Jul · Arrive
Up into the Dolomites
3-hour drive from Venice, final stretch through the valley. Groceries, early dinner.
03
Sat 18 Jul · Settle
Village rhythm
Bakery walk, cappuccino, road-train up to Monte Pana for the first mountain picnic.
04
Sun 19 Jul · Highlight
PanaRaida adventure trail
Ten stations: water playground, tree houses, giant forest swing, Kneipp path. Pram-friendly loop.
05
Mon 20 Jul · Walk
La Ferata promenade
Flat old-railway path linking the three villages. Playgrounds and gelato stops en route.
06
Tue 21 Jul · Altitude
Col Raiser meadow
Gondola to 2,100m. Cows, wildflowers, dumplings at a mountain hut. Down before the afternoon storms.
07
Wed 22 Jul · Day trip
Alpe di Siusi
Europe's largest alpine meadow. Flat paths, farm animals, mountain huts. An all-day wander.
08
Thu 23 Jul · Last day
Vallunga + sensory trail
Flat valley walk, barefoot sensory path at the entrance. Pack after dinner.
09
Fri 24 Jul · Transit
travel day
Drive to Riva
2.5 hours via Bolzano. Coffee stop in Piazza Walther. Afternoon arrival at the lake.
— Both paths converge —
Riva del Garda, 24–31 July
Same lake week either way: gelato on the promenade, the Ponale cycle path, ferries to Limone and Malcesine, Varone waterfall, lazy beach afternoons.
· · ·
Sat 1 or Sun 2 Aug · fly home via Verona / Venice / Milan