European Road Trip: Barcelona, Graz, Provence & Beyond with children

After two years of working full-time, balancing 101 different plates, and constantly questioning life choices, I finally decided to step back. Resigning from my job and taking a month off from normal life meant one thing: planning our summer escape.

Summer 2026 inc. Barcelona, England (various locations clocking up 1,000miles on the hire car), Graz, Lake Garda, Monaco, France - Aix-en-Provence, Verdon, Cassis, Annecy, Limoux, Aix-les-Bains, Stuttgart, Vilnius

As soon as school finished, the girls headed off to Barcelona for a birthday treat, while the boys escaped to Finland for karting. From there, our month turned into a great family adventure, road-tripping through Austria, Italy, France, and Germany.

Part 1: Barcelona Girls’ Trip (Gluten-Free & Vegan Friendly!)

Barcelona was the perfect start to the summer. If you suffer from food allergies, this city is a dream. Whether you are gluten-free, vegan, or navigating specific dietary requirements, Barcelona has you covered with incredible options.

Where We Stayed:

• Meliá Barcelona Sarriá (The Level): Upgrading to ‘The Level’ rooms gave us access to a delicious breakfast, evening drinks, and canapés. The room was large and spotlessly clean, and public transport was right outside. We highly recommend Meliá hotels and upgrading your room—take a look at the various options at www.melia.com.

City Highlights:

• Gothic Quarter Architecture & Passeig de Gràcia: Simply walking around and looking up yields stunning architecture.

• Parc de la Ciutadella & Arc de Triomf: A relaxing green space perfect for family time.

• Park Güell: Get there early to beat the crowds and the midday heat.

• El Triangle Sephora Flagship: A huge hit with a 10-year-old girl (it has a giant slide inside!).

• Palau de la Música Catalana: A breathtaking building. Time your visit right if you want to capture photos without crowds.

• Sagrada Família: Beautiful from the outside, but controversial opinion: I wouldn't pay to go inside again. It was extremely crowded. The best views are actually from the nearby park or as you emerge from the subway station.

Gluten-Free Food Highlights:

• Chok: The ultimate spot for an iced chai latte and a sweet treat—check them out at www.chok.shop.

• Jansana Gluten-Free Bakery: A must-visit bakery for anyone with dietary restrictions (www.jansanaglutenfree.com).

Part 2: Reconnecting in the UK

Before kicking off our European road trip, the kids and I spent time in the UK catching up with family and friends. Between gymnastics in the garden, fishing trips, coffee dates, and breezy nature walks around Buxton, it was a reminder of how important quality time with special people is. Being back in the UK made managing food allergies effortless with easy-to-read labels and accessible products!

Part 3: Road Tripping Through Austria, Italy & France

We met my husband, Dave, in Poland to start our driving route through Austria, Northern Italy, and France.

1. Graz, Austria

Chosen simply as a convenient overnight stop, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was a wonderful surprise. We wandered along the river, crossed the Hauptplatz (main square), and climbed the winding staircase up to Schlossberg to watch the sunset past the Uhrturm Clock Tower.

2. Lake Garda & Driving Monaco

We made a quick pitstop at Lake Garda for ice cream, though southern spots close early during peak afternoon hours. We then drove down to Monaco via Menton to admire the views from above. The boys were thrilled to drive along part of the official F1 circuit!

3. Aix-en-Provence (5-Day Base)

While Dave worked, the kids and I explored the region in blistering 43°C heat:

• Aix-en-Provence: Strolled down Cours Mirabeau and enjoyed a delicious brunch and friendly hospitality at Maison Nosh (www.maison-nosh.com).

• Montagne Sainte-Victoire: A serene area for walking through olive groves surrounded by beautiful nature.

• Gorges du Verdon & Lake Sainte-Croix: Kayaking the turquoise waters of the Verdon gorge was incredible. We hired our kayaks from www.verdoncanoe.com—book ahead of time to guarantee your place and avoid the queues!

• Cassis Beach: Packed, but brilliant for cliff jumping (which gave me heart-palpitations, but made my son’s holiday!).

4. Limoux & Reconnecting

En route to visit friends, our accommodation choice was a bit of a wild card at www.dreamhomeinfrance.com/en/. It was a quiet, welcoming bed and breakfast in a great location, lovingly renovated by the owners. Catching up with our old UK neighbours here was the absolute highlight of our French trip.

5. Aix-les-Bains & Annecy

• Annecy: We took the train to Annecy (which felt like riding the Hogwarts Express!) and hired a pedalo to enjoy the crystal-clear waters.

• Mont Revard: Spectacular mountain peaks and panoramic views.

Part 4: Homeward Bound via Stuttgart

On our return route, we stopped in Germany to visit the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart (www.porsche.com). It was a massive hit for the car enthusiasts in our family, packed with historic models, interactive simulators, and great photo ops.

Best Hotel Choice of the Trip:

• Throughout our journey, we stayed at various ALL Accor level hotels (www.all.accor.com). The Aparthotel Adagio Stuttgart Neckarpark was technically our cheapest option, but it became our absolute favourite—new, clean, spacious, modern, and very welcoming!

Key Lessons Learned for Future Family Road Trips

Every great family adventure comes with a learning curve! Here are my top takeaways for our next trip:

• Pack a Roof Box: Less luggage inside the car equals far less moaning from the backseat.

• Book Self-Catering: Staying in hotels made managing dietary restrictions difficult. Apartments with kitchens are much easier for food allergies.

• Pace the Driving: Less time behind the wheel means more quality family time. Factor in the hidden costs of European tolls and fuel when planning your route.

Returning home to Lithuania reminded us how beautiful life is when you take the time to slow down. From exploring Vilnius old town, Užupis, and Paupys to embracing new routines, we are ready for the next chapter!

(Now I just need to find a new job to fund my expensive travel habits!)