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Innsbruck, Austria
Gateway to the Alps and a perfect first stop. Visit the Golden Roof in the Old Town and take the Nordkette cable car for jaw-dropping mountain views — the 18-year-old will love the bike park at the top. Grab Tyrolean Gröstl for dinner in the Altstadt and stock up on a vignette for Austrian motorways.
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Zell am See, Austria
One of Austria's most beautiful lake towns, sitting right on the turquoise Zeller See with the Kitzsteinhorn glacier as a backdrop. The 8-year-old will adore the shallow lake beaches while the older kids can try wakeboarding or paddleboarding. Base yourself in the town center for easy walking to the beach, restaurants, and the gondola up to Schmittenhöhe.
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Hallstatt, Austria
One of the most photographed villages in the world, perched on a narrow ledge between a dramatic cliff and the Hallstätter See. Take the funicular up to the ancient salt mine — kids of all ages love the underground slides and miners' lamps. Stay in nearby Obertraun or Bad Goisern to avoid Hallstatt's parking chaos and enjoy a quieter lakeside base.
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Salzburg, Austria
Mozart's baroque birthplace is genuinely magical for families — the hilltop Hohensalzburg Fortress has interactive exhibits and brilliant views over the rooftops. Follow the Sound of Music filming locations (the kids will enjoy the scavenger hunt angle) and eat Salzburger Nockerl soufflé for dessert. The Mirabell Gardens have a playground right inside the formal flower beds.
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Munich, Germany
A city that works brilliantly for families — spend a morning at the Deutsches Museum (the world's largest science museum, perfect for the 18-year-old), then cool off at the Eisbach river wave where surfers ride a standing wave in the middle of the English Garden. The BMW Welt showroom is free to enter and genuinely thrilling for car-loving teens and adults.
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Füssen, Germany
The base for Neuschwanstein Castle — the real-life fairy-tale fortress that inspired Disney's Sleeping Beauty castle — which will delight the 8-year-old completely. The nearby Forggensee lake has a beach area perfect for an afternoon swim after the castle tour. Stay in Füssen old town for easy access to both the castle and the Romantic Road's most scenic stretch.
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Lindau, Germany
Lindau is a gem of an island town on Lake Constance where Germany, Austria, and Switzerland meet — wander the colourful harbour past the famous lion statue and lighthouse. The lake is warm enough for excellent swimming in July and regular ferry boats let the family island-hop between countries in a single afternoon. Try Bodensee Felchen (freshwater fish) for dinner at a harbour-side restaurant.
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Lucerne, Switzerland
Switzerland's most visitor-friendly city sits on a stunning lake with the Alps as a wall behind it — the Chapel Bridge is one of Europe's oldest covered wooden bridges and perfect for family photos. Take the cogwheel railway up Mount Pilatus (or the cable car for the more adventurous route) for unforgettable 360° Alpine panoramas. The 8-year-old will go wild on the Pilatus Dragon Trail adventure path, while the 18-year-old can try the via ferrata.
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Annecy, France
Often called the 'Venice of the Alps', Annecy sits at the tip of the cleanest lake in Europe — the water is so clear and blue it looks tropical, and the July temperature is perfect for swimming. The old town's canals, flower-draped bridges, and gelato shops will enchant the 8-year-old, while the 18-year-old can try paragliding off the surrounding mountains. Stay in Annecy-le-Vieux or Veyrier-du-Lac for a quieter lakeside apartment with parking.
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Cassis, France
A gorgeous small port town on the Mediterranean just east of Marseille, famous for the dramatic white limestone Calanques — deep narrow inlets of turquoise sea perfect for swimming and snorkelling. Take a boat tour into the Calanques (the 8-year-old will be mesmerised) and eat bouillabaisse or grilled sea bass at the port. This is the trip's Mediterranean payoff — pure relaxation, incredible light, and the best swimming of the whole journey.