SPAIN AND FRANCE BY TRAIN, PLANS FOR FAMILIES …Museu Marítim, with its old vessels and...

SPAIN AND FRANCE BY TRAIN, PLANS FOR FAMILIES TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN

SPAIN AND FRANCE BY TRAIN, PLANS FORM FAMILIES TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN /02

INDEX

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01. SPAIN AND FRANCE BY TRAIN, PLANS FOR FAMILIES TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN /03

02. EXPLORE OUR DESTINATIONS /05

1. THE BEST SUGGESTIONS WITH CHILDREN IN BARCELONA /05

2. ENJOY A FAMILY TRIP TO PARIS /08

3. THE LITTLE ONES VISIT MADRID /10

4. DISCOVER MARSEILLE WITH YOUR CHILDREN /12

5. EXPLORE THE COSTA BRAVA WITH CHILDREN /14

6. TOULOUSE AND ITS ACTIVITIES /16

SPAIN AND FRANCE BY TRAIN, PLANS FORM FAMILIES TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN

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SPAIN AND FRANCE BY TRAIN, PLANS FOR FAMILIES TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN

In Renfe-SNCF joint services we seek to create experiences so that traveling with your little ones between Spain and France becomes a pleasant adventure. That’s why we offer you full comfort to make a trip of this nature with children as smooth as possible.

• Menus adapted for the little onesThe cafeteria has a large offer of products and menus for children, so that eating away from home doesn’t involve any change in their routine.

• Seats with tablesAll seats in our trains have tables, to make your travel with children more comfortable. These tables help them spend travel time drawing, playing, or eating. And they’re very conve-nient to just leave there the kids be-longings on them.

• All cars have a restroomAnd most have a changing station.

Please note that changing stations are available onboard trains AVE S-100 and cars 7 or 17 of TGV Euro-dúplex trains.

• Special rates for childrenWe offer special rates for the little ones. Children under 14 get 40% off the Flexi and Esencial rates.

• Free tickets for children under 4Children under four years of age can travel for free sharing the seat with the accompanying adult. That is, they won’t get a reserved seat.

• Children can travel by themselvesAlso, with Renfe-SNCF children can travel without an adult as long as they carry an authorization from their parents or legal guardians.

Our high-speed trains take you directly to the city center of the destination you choose, which saves traveling time and

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money, and makes your journey extra convenient by helping reduce extra trips.

And don’t forget that in Renfe-SNCF we have several trains a day that connect the different destinations, which can help you get organized based on your needs and pick the times that better suit you.

Our goal is to make Spain and France more accessible than ever for you—So all you have to do is enjoy your family, discover the area, the landscapes, and the activities, and take in all the charm these countries have to offer. Come discover them!

SPAIN AND FRANCE BY TRAIN, PLANS FORM FAMILIES TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN /05

EXPLORE OUR DESTINATIONS

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Let’s look at some plans with children in some of our destinations. In Ren-fe-SNCF we want you to enjoy each and every city and the activities that are offered there.

1. THE BEST SUGGESTIONS WITH CHILDREN IN BARCELONA

Barcelona is a popular destination for families. The city has a lot to offer to children and we want to help you dis-cover it. Get on board our high-speed Renfe-SNCF joint services trains and visit the capital of Modernism. Make the most of all the incredible family ac-tivities available in the city!

When we think of Barcelona, the first thing that comes to our mind may be sunscreen lotion, walking barefoot on sand, beach days, nice weather, or enjoying a glass of wine in a summer terrace. This is all possible when the

weather is nice, but the city’s charm does not disappear during fall and winter. Barcelona is full of life all year around, even in winter. Many activities are offered all year around for all ages and tastes.

Barcelona Tourist BusDiscovering Barcelona on board a tourist bus is a pleasant activity both for kids and parents. It’s the simplest and most convenient way of taking a thorough tour of the city. You can hop on and hop off at any time. Also, the staff will be happy to help families with and without strollers. Itineraries are marked with colors. We recom-mend the red and the blue ones, that are the best. Buses stop at the main hi-ghlights. If you wish to visit the city by foot, the subway is a fantastic way to do so. However, our little ones’ legs can get tired, and they will surely apprecia-te seeing the city comfortably seated on the bus.


Museums Adapted for ChildrenOne of the museums that works best at catching children’s attention is the Museu Marítim, with its old vessels and audiovisual screens. The Museu de la Xocolata, devoted to chocolate, the fun statues at the Museu de Cera (was museum), and the CosmoCaixa, an in-teractive spot for children all ages, are other options. CaixaForum is a con-temporary art space featuring exhibits and workshops for children that can make their parents lives easier. There is also the MIBA, the Museum of Ideas and Inventions, originally conceived for adults. There, you can always find cle-

ver and surprising inventions that make us think of a future where everything is possible.

Parc GüellBarcelona has nine spots classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, thus offering an outstanding cultural diver-sity. The genius of the amazing Moder-nist architect Gaudí is expressed in the Parc Güell, a fairy tale place, like the Hansel and Gretel’s houses and the ornamental dragons found there, or the shade offered by trees. All in all, a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the amazing views of the city.


Cable CarsThe city is flanked by mountains. Mont-juïc is the closest one to the sea. There are two cable cars from Montjuïc, one that goes above the sea and leads to the Barceloneta neighborhood, and another one that takes you to the old castle. Both offer breathtaking views of the city. A sure hit with children.

Tibidabo Amusement Park The access to the park itself is a sports outing on its own right. Located atop the mountain, we recommend it for ol-der children wanting to have fun. The-re are many rides, like the roller-coas-ter located amid the nature.

Barcelona’s AquariumAn extraordinary place. Go inside Eu-rope’s largest maritime tunnel and watch sharks, stingrays, and sunfish.

Come expand your knowledge on the sea world thanks to the different exhi-bits. And don’t forget to say hi to the penguins before leaving!

Two steps away from the Aquarium, you’ll find the Imax theater where 3D films are screened. Children will be delighted, and grown-ups won’t be disappointed. You have the option of buying a combined ticket that includes an Imax film and a 3D film.

Barcelona ZooIts most popular inhabitants are the hippopotamus, rhinoceros, elephants, giraffes, lions, and tigers. A farm with its animals has been recreated for the youngest, and children can ride a pony or take a little train if they get tired. The whole family will surely be happy about the picnic areas.


2. ENJOY A FAMILY TRIP TO PARIS

Now that the romantic tours along the Seine River while falling in love are a thing of the past and the family has ex-panded, if we plan to go back to Paris because we simply love it, we have to return to a different Paris, Paris for chil-dren. Paris is one of the most versatile French cities, a destination offering a host of family activities.

If we think of Paris and children, we can’t ignore the two most popular amusement parks in the city—Parc As-térix and Disneyland. But we now want to suggest you other plans beyond vi-siting those two magical places.

Also, we want to mention that Paris is a very well-connected city, there is an ex-tensive public transportation network (both between Paris and other cities by train, and within the city itself), so you’ll have no problem getting around.

This said, if you want your children to enjoy this great city, there are some places that they shouldn’t miss:

A Visit to the MénagerieBuilt in 1794, it’s the oldest zoo in Pa-ris and the second oldest in the world.

If your children enjoy nature and ani-mals, they’ll surely love this place. It is located in the heart of Paris, inside the Jardin des Plantes, and houses over 1800 animals.

You can get there by foot from Notre Dame, walking along the Seine River (it takes about 15 minutes) or through pu-blic transportation, metro, taxi or bus.

Admission is free for children under 4, and those aged between 4 and 16 pay a reduced admission of 9 euro.

Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (National Natural History Museum) Also located inside the Jardin des Plantes, we want to emphasize this museum because children tend to go crazy about its dinosaurs themed building.


In this museum, children and grown-ups can discover everything about the world of dinosaurs, see their bones and skeletons, and get lost in the Galerie des enfants, where an exhibit specially conceived for children awaits them.

You can purchase tickets for one single room or a combined ticket for seve-ral. We recommend a combined ticket to two rooms, the Grande Galerie de l’Evolution and the Galerie des en-fants. The price is 9 euro, and the visit is totally wort it.

Musée GrévinLocated in the Grands Boulevards (Montmartre), the wax museum in Paris has around 500 wax figures of historic

characters and current celebrities. You will find figures of politicians, athletes, singers, and actors.

Also, the building that houses the mu-seum is pretty peculiar, featuring a no-ticeable and striking style, and is divi-ded into different areas. The visit starts with the Palais des mirages, something like a giant kaleidoscope. The tour is enlivened by different sets of lights and sounds that make you feel like you’re inside the setting of the figures (a palace, a temple or a jungle)

You can get here easily taking Metro li-nes 8 and 9. New sculptures have been added recently, so we’d like to encou-rage you to discover them!


3. THE LITTLE ONES VISIT MADRID

Madrid is a cosmopolitan city that com-bines the most modern infrastructures with its status as the country’s econo-mic, financial, and administrative hub. If has an amazing cultural and histori-cal heritage, a legacy from centuries of fascinating history. Renfe-SNCF joint services wishes to propose some acti-vities to help you spend some happy family days in this wonderful city.

Parque de atracciones (Amusement Park)With over 30 rides for children and adults, it’s one of the most popular spots during the weekend among lo-cals and tourists. In the area reserved for children you’ll be able to take a boat tour through the jungle, ride on the mini roller-coasters, or even get on an airship! Older children may go for more intense thrills in the Tornado or the Lanzadera.

Warner ParkLocated in the outskirts of Madrid, in this theme park you’ll find all Looney Tunes characters and have the chance of taking pictures with them and asking them for autographs. If you like intense thrills, its six roller-coasters won’t disa-

ppoint you. Children will find dozens of rides waiting for them. If you need to take a break, you’ll find plenty of res-taurants, as well as shops in case you want to take home some souvenirs. You can also enjoy theater shows and workshops. The fun is guaranteed!

Parque del Retiro (Retiro Park)A historical garden that spans 118 hec-tares, hosting 19,000 trees belonging to 167 different species. The mere fact of being in such a large and green park makes us want to walk or run under the shade of its beautiful trees. Finding yourself in the Retiro is like traveling in time, its small kiosks selling sweets and nuts are truly charming. You shouldn’t


miss the Palacio de Cristal (Glass Pala-ce), often featuring exhibits. An activity that will surely be enjoyed by children is getting on board one of the row boats in the Retiro’s famous pond.

Museo de Ciencias Naturales (Natural Sciences Museum)You’ll be surprised by the treasures kept in this museum: dinosaur fossils, African elephants, and extinct species. The museum is currently divided into 3 areas: Natural History, the Medite-rranean, and a third area that is a re-production of the old Royal Cabinet. Children will have lots of fun with the activities that are specially designed for them, like the experiments lab, an

interactive, game-like visit to the mu-seum, or the diverse educational wor-kshops that are organized.

Coffee shops adapted for childrenHaving a quiet cup of coffee while chil-dren play and have fun in a safe spa-ce is a luxury that one doesn’t come across that often. In the Barrio de las Letras there is a coffee shop with a toy store, a bookstore, and a workshop area for children all ages. Another si-milar spot is Baby Deli, an organic food store that offers advice on nutri-tion and natural cleaning products, in addition to organizing workshops for parents and children. The store has a café and a play area.


4. DISCOVER MARSEILLE WITH YOUR CHILDREN

Probably Marseille’s most distinct trait is the mix of cultures found in its streets. This mix makes the city exude a special magic. A blend of traditions that makes Marseille one of those ci-ties with a unique aura.

Also, there are plenty of green areas where you can make outdoors plans with your children. That’s why this city becomes a perfect place to spend some days with your family, away from the racket of big cities and the work stress that we are used to.

We now tell you about three places that you must visit to enjoy your family trip to Marseille.

Marseille Mardi GrasWithout a doubt, one of the most im-portant highlights in this French sou-thern city is its amazing Mardi Gras. A traditional festivity where everyone dresses up wearing masks and typical costumes.

The best thing about Marseille’s Mar-di Gras is that the festivity lasts all day long, so your children will have the chance of sensing that joy in the air and being part of it. We advise you to


dress up with your children and go out to experience the feeling of parading in this mythical event.

The Coast of Marseille by Boat A few shipping companies offer tours of the coast of Marseille and some of its islands, allowing us to see the city from a different perspective. This will give your children the opportunity to learn some geography in a much more fun and interactive way.

Every company offers different rou-tes showing different things, but the most common route is the one touring

around the Castle of If and the Frioul islands.

Now you’ll be able to say that you’ve seen all of Marseille!

Dipping in a Swimming PoolMarseille is also known for its leisure activities. If you check any activities calendar you’ll find plenty to carry out with kids, but we decided to hi-ghlight this one—dipping in one of the many swimming pools in the city! This plan will give children a change of setting and the option of getting some exercise.


5. EXPLORE THE COSTA BRAVA WITH CHILDREN

If you wish to spend your holidays in the Costa Brava, don’t think twice! Renfe-SNCF joint services connects France and Spain and can take you to Girona, “the Florence of Catalonia”, in a few hours.

You shouldn’t miss the splendid city of Girona, known for its Call Jueu (Jewish quarter), one of the best preserved. You may continue your visit at the cathedral with its beautiful staircase, where seve-ral scenes of the famous series Game of Thrones were filmed. We are now very close to the Costa Brava, offering many interesting activities for kids. The region fascinated famous artists like Dalí, Miró, and Picasso, who left their mark there that we can admire nowadays.

The landscapes in the Costa Brava chan-ge constantly. A short trip inland unveils Tuscan-reminiscent hills and Medieval villages with winding, cobble-stoned streets where markets happen often.

The Costa Brava is synonymous with family holidays. Let’s take a tour of the secret and ever-interesting spots in the Costa Brava:

Discover the Casa Museo de Dalí (Dali House-Museum)The Surrealist artist Salvador Dalí lived and worked in Portlligat from 1930 to 1982, and his house is now a museum, as well as a good place to get acquain-ted with his work. It’s easy to unders-tand why the artist picked this small and picturesque place. It can be inte-resting for children, and a stop at the Dali Museum is really a must. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Portlli-gat is located in the north of the Costa Brava, it can be accessed by a winding road. Along the route, we recommend a stop in Cadaqués or the Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes, to get a privile-ged view of the Costa.


Dalí Museum in FigueresThe museum will catch children’s at-tention, as they’ll have to work out what they see, and what the artist is transmitting. The paintings, as well as the unique and singular objects, won’t leave kids indifferent. The museum’s patios and various spaces are an end-less fantasy.

Museo del Juguete (Toy Museum) in FigueresThis trip down to memory lane starts just a few steps away from the Dalí Mu-seum. It will for sure make the whole family daydream.

The collection is organized in different sections: Playing in Ancient Times, Ga-mes in Catalonia, Parallel Collections, a Tribute to Toymakers, Audiovisual Room, and Toys and Games to Test.

Taking a Boat RideAlmost a third of the extension of the Costa Brava is a protected area, inclu-ding the impressive Cap de Creus. The best way of enjoying the beauty of the Costa is by getting close to the water. We can take a cruise on board a catamaran from the port of Roses and dock at any of the beautiful inlets for a swim.

Eating Like a SpaniardChildren are welcome in Spanish res-taurants and bars. We want to suggest a few local specialties that you shouldn’t miss: Tapas (small dishes to share that may include cured meats, seafood or cheese), a fantastic way of having chil-dren sample different foods. A freshly made paella, Spanish tortilla, and the Catalonian specialty of “pà amb tomà-quet” —bread rubbed with tomato and sprinkled with olive oil— are generally dishes that can be appreciated by chil-dren and the rest of the family.

Girona and its Costa Brava will leave a good taste and many memories that will make us want to return to the region.


6. TOULOUSE AND ITS ACTIVITIES

Toulouse is a city located in the center of France, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, and has many charms to offer.

Also, it is an ideal city to visit with chil-dren, as it offers various activities for our little ones to have a blast.

You shouldn’t visit Toulouse without enjoying some of the activities that we want to propose to you:

Garonne and Pyrenees AquariumThis aquarium is 150 meters away from the Garonne River and opens up a door to discover the marine world. Inside an 18th century mansion, you’ll be able to observe huge aquariums containing several types of fishes —both tropical and river fishes, as well as freshwater fishes— of different co-lors, sizes, etc. Also, there are species from many continents: America, Africa, and Asia, so it is an ideal place to learn.

Please note that the aquarium is made up of four universes: the aquarium it-self, a park, a farm, and a children play area. All this makes it an ideal place for kids.

Cruising the Garonne on Board a Bateaux Toulousains.A fun and exciting way of getting to know the history of Toulouse is by ta-king a boat tour. Children love it, and as an added bonus, they’ll learn a lot during the tour.

Thanks to the crew, these cruises teach you about the history of Toulouse and allow you to see the different monu-ments in the city: the Pont Neuf, la Grave, the docks, the Bazacle structure and the Hôtel-Dieu, among others.

They run all year round and offer different itineraries. You can find all the information about timetables and iti-neraries on their website:www.bateaux-toulousains.com

https://www.bateaux-toulousains.com/gb/


Japanese Garden in Toulouse This is no doubt one of the most plea-sant and relaxing spots in the city. Every detail is cared for, as prescribed by the Japanese tradition. One feels carried away to Japan in the long fa-mily walks along this bucolic corner of the city. It spans an outstanding 10 hectares that are divided by waterfalls, spaces for reflection and harmony, Ja-panese bridges, and even a tea house.

Toulouse Zoo and African SafariOne of the activities that children enjoy the best is being in contact with ani-mals. That’s why we suggest that you take them to visit the African reserve by car, where they will be able to watch ani-mals in total freedom and experience an exciting adventure. Please note that it is very easy to rent a car in Toulouse.

Here they’ll be able to become fami-liar with around 600 animals from 80 different species that live in 20 hecta-res. A total experience for your chil-dren and for you. It is high time to get a first-hand look at giraffes, zebras, ti-gers, hippopotamus, kangaroos, and many more members of the animal kingdom!

Cité de l’EspaceThe outskirts of the city host one of the most fun activities for the little ones and those who are not that little any-more, the Cité de l’Espace. This exci-ting and instructive theme park is per-fect to learn about outer space and the space race. You’ll be able to see real scale rockets like the mythical Ariane 5, the modules of the spaceship Soyuz, and the renowned Mir space station. A large planetarium and an IMAX 3D film theater are some of the activities that will provide great enjoyment for the youngest members of the family.

On your way back home, comfortable installed on board a Renfe-SNCF joint services train, you watch the faces of your loved ones, they’re asking you something—When are we traveling again? Just pick your destination. We do the rest.

www.renfe-sncf.com

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SPAIN AND FRANCE BY TRAIN, PLANS FOR FAMILIES …Museu Marítim, with its old vessels and...

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