Why travel alone when you can take your family with you? It's always more confusing in a group! Instead of traveling in several cars, it might make more sense to rent a minibus. This way, the whole traveling party is together and you don't have to worry about where or when to meet up again. Long journeys are also more interesting for children when they can talk or play with each other. For adults, however, the advantage is sharing the driving duties and a good opportunity to make changes to travel plans on the fly.
Day 1 – Baltics (daily mileage 467km)
If you are traveling with adults, you can easily reach Poland, but with children it is a bit more difficult. A stop in both Latvia and Lithuania makes the trip much more enjoyable. Sigulda is a good place for the first longer stop. Gutman Cave and the cable car are a perfect place to take a break and enjoy lunch. The next stop is in Lithuania – Ristimägi, and you could choose a place to stay somewhere between Ristimägi and Kaunas, if it is clearer where you will reach in one day.
Day 2 – exploring Poland (478km)
As you leisurely make your way through Lithuania towards Poland, your first longer stop might be at the Suwalki Water Park. There are no children who wouldn't enjoy having fun at this center. If you want a more cultural approach, you can continue towards Warsaw and spend the night there. There is also the wonderful Warsaw Zoo. Not too big and not too small, there is also a nice children's playground and, of course, well-exhibited animals. On a bad day, an alternative is the Copernicus Science Center or the Warsaw Uprising Museum. However, those who have already gotten to know Warsaw well enough can head further towards Germany and spend the night in a town called Ostróda, for example.
Day 3 – Road to Germany (485km)
It takes just seven hours to get from Ostóda to Berlin by train, but the journey is no fun. The Polish city of Poznan is basically halfway there. For refreshment and activity, the largest water park in Poland, Termy Maltanskie, is suitable with its slides and sauna world. But what to do when water fun doesn't appeal? For example, making lollipops at the BonBon café, taking a walk in the old town, taking a sledge or tube ride at Malta Ski, or taking a ride on the Maltanka mini railway. In any case, you could reach Germany by evening, and Frankfurt am Main is right on the border.
Day 4 – Berlin, the capital of Germany (422km)
If you start early in the morning, you can reach Berlin in an hour and a half. Considering how many different green areas there are in Berlin, you should definitely plan to have a picnic in one of Berlin's many parks. Popular places are the riverside green areas and the lawn in front of the Reichstag. After your morning meal, the LEGO Discovery Center near Potzdamer Platz awaits, where there is plenty of activity and discovery for both young and old. And of course Fassbender & Rausch, which, in its own words, is the world's largest chocolate shop. In the evening, you should head towards Hanover. North of Hanover is Serengeti Park Hodenhagen, where you can end the day and choose from interesting overnight options: savannah, jungle or luxury tent? An unparalleled experience for everyone!
Day 5 – Serengeti Park Hodenhagen (76km)
The long drive the day before means that you can wake up in the morning and start exploring the wonderful Serengeti Park. A piece of Africa in Europe! The 10km safari provides a unique opportunity to see giraffes, zebras, white tigers, rhinos and many other animals up close. You can end the day with high adventure trails and playgrounds. And when evening comes, it's time to head towards Bremen.
Day 6 – Bremen, familiar from fairy tales
The star of Bremen is definitely the Bürgerpark, which has a lot of different activities especially for families. A playground, mini zoo, mini golf and the possibility of renting a rowboat. A cultural approach or puppet theater "Mensch, Puppe!", which is also suitable if you don't speak German. The whale-shaped science center Das Universum is suitable for indoor activities, while outdoors you can also explore Bremen by walking along the waterways. If you want a completely car-free day, you can also stay in Bremen for a second night.
Day 7 – Hamburg and return (212km)
You can't leave Hamburg without visiting Miniatur Wunderland, and you can easily spend a whole day there. The history of Hamburg's port may not be of interest to children, but the giant ships, cranes, canals and bridges will captivate any traveler. Hamburg's cafes, however, offer a great way to rest your feet after a long day and enjoy the city life at the same time.
And then it's time to drive back. The usual option is to go through Germany, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia again, but it's also worth considering a ship. The ship traveling between Travemünde and Liepaja is an interesting experience for children, and the driver can rest from the long drive. The time spent on the ship can be filled with board games, weaning off the smart world, and, for example, compiling a travel memoir together. It is possible to choose between different departures, but the easiest is probably a late-night departure, which allows you to spend a long day in Hamburg and then fall asleep in your ship cabin.
You can rent a minibus for your trip. www.rendibuss.ee