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Amsterdam, Netherlands
Fly into Amsterdam Schiphol Airport — great direct flights from Dubai/Abu Dhabi. Explore the Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank House (book tickets in advance), and take a canal boat tour which kids love. Use trams and metro for getting around; buy an OV-chipkaart for the family for easy public transport.
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Berlin, Germany
Take the Flixbus or Intercity train from Amsterdam Centraal to Berlin (about 6 hours by train — scenic and budget-friendly). Visit the Brandenburg Gate, East Side Gallery, and Tiergarten park for a relaxed afternoon with the kids. Berlin is very affordable — street food like currywurst and döner kebab are cheap and child-friendly.
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Zurich, Switzerland
Take the train from Berlin to Zurich (around 8-9 hours, book in advance for cheaper fares on Deutsche Bahn). Walk the old town Altstadt, visit Lake Zurich for a free swim, and take the Uetliberg hill train for panoramic views — a big hit with children. Note that Switzerland is pricier, so picnic lunches and supermarket meals (Migros or Lidl) help keep costs down.
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Paris, France
Travel from Zurich to Paris by TGV high-speed train (about 4 hours, very comfortable and scenic). Must-sees with kids include the Eiffel Tower (book ahead for budget tickets), Trocadéro gardens, and a Seine river walk. Use the Paris Metro with a carnet of tickets for the family; kids under 10 travel free on public transport in Paris.