Six activities to try with your family in Europe this summer

Make (and eat) your own gelato in Florence

Gelato was invented during the Renaissance by Bernardo Buontalenti, an employee of the Florence's ruling Medici family; and the iced dessert remains an important part of the city's culture to this day. The Tuscan capital is home to some of Italy's best gelato shops, and it hosts a major gelato festival every spring.

That makes Florence the perfect place to learn the secrets of gelato making. At a cooking class in the San Lorenzo food district, the whole family can roll up their sleeves and create frozen treats under the expert direction of a local chef.

No sweet tooth? Don't worry, pizza is also on the curriculum—and the menu.

Feel huge at LegoLand Windsor

LegoLand in Windsor, just outside London, is a theme park with 20 different themed areas, all devoted to the brightly coloured plastic bricks from Denmark. Kids of all ages love it: there are rides, movies, remote-controlled Lego boats, a haunted house, a Star Wars section and even a 4D version of the Lego Movie.

But LegoLand is not just for kids: The people who seem to most enjoy the park’s Miniland area, which features versions of the world's major landmarks made from more than 42 million Lego bricks, are the adults. Is it possible that the Lego Big Ben is more impressive than the real thing? Head to London and find out.

Visit Europe's biggest science museum

If you’re looking to squeeze in educational moments for your kids while abroad, the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie provides a hands-on learning experience geared toward children as young as two.

Established in 1986, the museum features a dizzying range of permanent attractions, including a nuclear submarine, a planetarium and a working television news studio for children, as well as temporary exhibits. For the science-minded, this museum is a must-visit while you're in Paris.

Explore the alleyways of Venice

Get to know Venice by heading into its winding alleys with an experienced local guide. The city is famous for iconic sights like the Piazza San Marco, Grand Canal and the Rialto bridge – but the real Venice comes alive down the side streets and small canals.

As you wander, you'll see artisans at work, Venetians enjoying a cappuccino at their local café and hundreds of years of history. A guide will help you avoid getting lost and can take you on the vaparetto (water bus), a cheap and family-friendly way to see the city. Make sure to visit the island of Murano, where Venice's famous coloured glass has been made for more than 1,500 years.

Try the original custard tart while exploring Lisbon

One of the best ways to explore Lisbon is through a hop-on, hop-off bus ride. The Portuguese capital is practically bursting with castles, villas, convents, cathedrals and palaces.

Make sure one of your first stops is Belem—the medieval port area that launched some of history's most famous voyages of exploration. Look out for Pasteis de Belem, the first Portuguese custard tart bakery in the country. These sweet delicacies were invented by Hieronymite monks, but they passed on the original recipe to the bakery, which has been making them since 1837. The bakery makes thousands of tarts daily, served on blue and white china or for take away in cardboard sleeves −just the thing to keep the gang's energy up during all that sightseeing.

Step back in time at Madrid's Royal Palace

The Royal Palace in Madrid is the ceremonial home of Spain's royal family, comprising 3,000 rooms built in ornate baroque style. Inspired by Versailles, it's the largest royal palace in Europe still in use.

The interior of the building is like a portal into Spain's glorious past, with gold everywhere and works by old masters like Velazquez and Tiepolo. Even the kids will be impressed by the sumptuous decoration, historic weaponry, medieval-style kitchen and manicured gardens. And if you're traveling with Air Canada Vacations, you can skip the line with a qualified guide.

The easy way to do it all

These experiences and many more are included in Air Canada Vacations' family-friendly European break packages. Destinations include London, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon and Italy.

Designed with families in mind, these itineraries take the hassle and worry out of family travel, and make Europe closer than you think. They feature activities, accommodation and destinations that have proven to be safe and reliable, and include flights, hotels, meals, transfers and other logistics. They're also economical, with early booking savings, connector rates and a free registered bag per person. Find out more at Air Canada Vacations.