There’s no better time to hit some of Europe’s best water parks than during the summer months. The kids have plenty of time off school and the heat of the sun beats down, creating the perfect weather for hitting up a waterpark. Whether you want to be inside or outdoors, Europe offers some incredible water park opportunities. Check out these five locations for inspiration! 

Tropical Islands – Brandenburg, Germany

Surf, swim or raft on the Whitewater River, all without leaving the premises of Tropical Islands! Both kids and adults alike will enjoy splashing down the Whitewater River, which is Germany’s longest at 820 feet. Pretend you’re in Hawaii and surf the waves in the new outdoor area, Pororoca. Slide down one of Germany’s tallest waterslides on the waterslide tower. Swim in the tropical sea or lounge in the lagoon. If you’re more into relaxing, find a spot to sunbathe or hit the wellness center for a massage. Whether you want to be inside or outside, there is no shortage of water activities to keep you cool at this incredible water park. 

Galaxy Water Slide World – Erding, Germany

If the family prefers to be active when going to the water park, this is the place for you. With 27 water slides and three difficulty levels, there’s enough thrill to entertain everyone. Try the Magic Eye, the longest tube slide in the world at 1,198 feet! For something faster, try the X-Treme Faser, which tops out at speeds of 44 mph! Younger guests will love the Sunny, Moon and Star slides, which are geared toward children ages 3 - 6. There’s also a wave pool to splash around in. The spa here offers oriental hammam treatments once you’ve had your fill of water slides. 

Aquaworld – Budapest, Hungary

You can pretend its summer all year long at Aquaworld, one of Europe’s largest indoor water theme parks. Here you’ll find 11 water slides, 15 pools including a wave and surf pool, saunas and thermal baths. Young kids will enjoy the aqua spray park, which has shower gates, tilting buckets and other interactive water elements. Parents can enjoy the oriental spa and wellness center, as well as sauna world. With 11 sauna units for regenerating mental and physical strength, you’re sure to leave here feeling refreshed! 

Aqua Dome – Längenfeld, Austria

Surrounded by imposing mountains, this getaway is top-notch. Though this location is perhaps more suited for adults, it still earns a place on the list of best places to hang out in the water in Europe. Here you’ll find thermal baths, 12 basins, a spa, seven saunas and the perfect atmosphere for relaxation. Plan on spending a night or two at the 4-star hotel connected to the Aqua Dome for the perfect getaway. Relax in the pool while you admire the stunning landscape and contemplate never leaving this incredible paradise. 

Aquariaz - Avoriaz, France

Located in the French Alps, this little slice of paradise is not to be missed! Here you’ll find a water playhouse, paddle pool, climbing wall and an open-air hot tub. Check out the hybrid concept of merging the waterpark with the natural vegetation in surrounding mountains. The surrounding landscape alone is reason enough to come, but the fun at the water park will keep you coming back!

Are you ready for a vacation of water-filled fun? Any one of these water parks is sure to have you squealing with joy at the prospect of cooling down during the summer. Try one or try them all, there’s no limit to how many times you can enjoy the perfect water park on your vacation!

Coronavirus disease 2019 restrictions are beginning to relax. However, many parents are still working and teaching their children at home. And that can be exhausting. The Department of Defense is committed to helping you manage. Add some new activities to your toolkit. Try some apps for self-care. And reach out for support if you need it. Here are resources to help you stay the course.  

Activities resources

For preschool-age children: 

• The National Head Start Association has ideas for learning at home. 
• Sesame Street for Military Families has many resources. Find videos, items to print, mobile apps, games and activities. There is even a section on health emergencies.  
• ZERO TO THREE is about babies and toddlers. Try the At-Home Activity Guide. See “Explore Our Topics” on the homepage. Check out videos and articles. Learn about early learning, play, sleep, discipline and more. 
• THRIVE provides free online parenting support. It comes from the Department of Defense and the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State. The new program helps with raising children 0-18. It features healthy recipes, online family support and much more.

For youth and teens: 

• You may be schooling at home. Your children may be finishing the year online. But free online learning resources can help. The Morale, Welfare and Recreation Digital Library, for example, has resources for all ages.
• Another resource for military youth and teens is Military Kids Connect. It lets children connect to an online community of other military kids. It has teen-led tours, a message board and more. Try this link they suggest for some fun NASA activities to do at home.

Resilience resources

Military families know that life challenges can inspire us to be our best selves. This time at home lets us practice stress-management skills and try new tools. These resources can build resilience: 

• These recommended wellness apps are free. You can use them on your mobile device. So they can go with you anywhere. Some are designed for service members and parents. Others are designed for children, like Parenting2Go, and Sesame Street’s Breathe, Think, Do. 
• he Department of Defense provides free, confidential, non-medical counseling to service members and their families. Licensed counselors are available 24/7. Learn more or call 800-342-9647. Online chat and OCONUS call options are also available.

Stay up to date on all the latest information on COVID-19. For updates and information specific to your location, visit your installation’s official website. You can also follow your installation’s Facebook, Twitter or Instagram platforms. For Department of Defense updates for the military community, visit Defense.gov, follow Military OneSource’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram platforms, and continue to check the Coronavirus Updates for Our Military Community page for updates.

On the northwest coast of Portugal, along the banks of the Douro River, sits historic Porto. Dating back to the 4th century, Porto is the second largest city in Portugal and boasts a UNESCO World Heritage Site city center. The streets of Porto are bustling with tourists and locals, while the banks of the Douro Valley are filled with vineyards that produce the city’s namesake wines. Since the 17th century, port wine production has been a major attraction and export for Porto. A long weekend is plenty of time to explore this historical city.

While Porto is a charming historical city, it also has evolved into the 21st century. Harry Potter fans can visit the hot spots that J.K. Rowling frequented while living in Porto. Inspiration was all around her as she wrote some of the first books in the series at the unique and charming Majestic Café. It’s the perfect stop for afternoon tea and a snack. Livraria Lello, one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, is a must-see location that will make you wonder how you ended up in Dumbledore’s office.

PORT WINE

You cannot leave Porto without discovering the food and drink of Porto’s people. Port wine is unique to Porto. Though the Douro Valley’s topography and climate pose challenges for growers, the environment produces the perfect grape for fortified wine. You can taste different types of port wines at local wineries. Taylor’s and W. & J. Graham’s are the most popular cellars to visit in the area. You can also book a wine cruise that takes you on a boat tour of the Douro Valley vineyards.

A visit to W. & J. Graham’s will take you on a historical tour of the cellar by an experienced winemaker who explains the process of making port wine as you stand among thousands of wooden barrels. The tour ends with a tasting of white, rosé, tawny and ruby port wines. The differences and tastes of these fortified wines depend on the type of grapes used and the aging process. You won’t be hungry, thirsty, or disappointed if you make a dinner reservation at Graham’s restaurant, Vinum. It is a true extension of the winemakers. The local cuisine is paired flawlessly with port wines.

LOCAL CUISINE

The best way to get to know the people of Porto is through the food they eat. Taste Porto Food Tours can help you understand the cuisine by stuffing you full of it.

Bring your walking shoes as you go down hidden streets to explore delicious bites of favorite local dishes. On this tour, you receive 10 generous food tastings. A highlight of the tour is a visit to Mercado (or Mercearia) do Bolhão. This two-story market is full of fresh food, small shops and eateries. The market is filled with vibrant colors from all the fresh produce. The smells from the restaurants will make you want to come back later for a quick meal. Schedule your food tour at the beginning of your trip, so you will know the places to go and eat.

OLIVE OIL

A gastronomic experience of Porto cannot be complete without tasting Portuguese olive oils. A trip to a little shop called Oliva & Co will show you the distinct differences in the country’s olive oil. Once you walk in the store, the knowledgeable owner will take you through a vast selection of olive oils. You can’t help but leave with some. They come in the perfect airline size for travelers.

FISH MARKETS

If time permits, a quick ride out to the Matosinhos fish market will be well worth it. Matosinhos is located on the outskirts of Porto. Restaurants line the street by the beachside markets, where fresh catches are grilled on the street in front of patrons. You can pick your fresh fish straight from the case and dine on a large meal for very little money. O Lusitano was an excellent find among the many restaurants. After you fill your belly, you can take a walk on the beautiful beaches or tour the fish markets

The stress brought on by the coronavirus pandemic presents challenges for everyone and may affect relationships. This can be especially true of intimate partner relationships.

Stress may come from couples spending more time together due to stay-at-home orders. Being separated due to travel restrictions can also cause stress.

It’s normal to go through ups and downs in your relationship. But if you are feeling frustrated or tense, it’s important to know you are not alone. Military OneSource offers a variety of virtual relationship resources that can help.

Take time to see if they are right for you, and share them with others who may benefit from them.

Strengthen your bond with your partner from home

There are a variety of counseling options and tools available to help military couples work through the stress brought on by the pandemic. Take advantage of these resources through Military OneSource and Military Community and Family Policy:

• Receive coaching sessions, practical tools, resources and problem-solving techniques through the Building Healthy Relationships specialty consultation. This resource from Military OneSource helps you deepen relationships with family, friends and others through an education-based consultation. Meetings are designed to be flexible and personable. They are available to you by phone or video.
• Talk through your situation or concerns by accessing confidential, non-medical counseling services through Military OneSource via telephone and video sessions.
• Access counseling via telephone and video sessions and webinars through the Military and Family Life Counseling Program.
• Develop and practice good communication through Love Every Day, an interactive digital tool. Love Every Day is a fun and text message-based way that helps you improve relationship communication in only a few minutes each day.
• Check out these webinars that address relationships. One even zeros in on dual military couples.
• Meet with a FOCUS provider along with your partner or spouse through video teleconference as part of FOCUS and TeleFocus Services.

Tips for couples to manage relationship stress

Military OneSource offers tips for couples to help them cope with the stress and pressure brought on by the pandemic. These include:

• Come up with a plan to deal with the new normal.
• Give each other space, which could mean going to a different room, or maybe just wearing earbuds or headphones.
• Practice good communication, starting by setting aside a time to talk when you aren’t too stressed.
• Check in with each other by video or phone if you are separated.
• Find time to be active by building physical activity into your day. Try a personal health and wellness coach or even a mobile coach.
• Take time to breathe, and remember why you and your partner love each other.

Another factor regarding the stress you may feel in your relationship could be related to the stress the entire family is facing.

Above all else, when stress is high take care of yourself so you’ll be there for your spouse or partner.

If your spouse or partner has made you feel unsafe or afraid, help is available through the Family Advocacy Program. Speak to a victim advocate to explore next steps, or call or chat with the National Domestic Violence Hotline 24/7, at 800-799-7233 or thehotline.org.

Stay up to date on all the latest information on COVID-19. For updates for the military community regarding the virus that causes COVID-19, view the following sites:

• Visit Coronavirus.gov, CDC.gov, USA.gov and Defense.gov.
• Follow Military OneSource’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram platforms.
• Continue to visit the Coronavirus Information for Our Military Community page for updates.
• Check Move.mil for PCS-related updates.

With a wonderfully eclectic mashup of Dutch, French and Flemish influences, Belgium is a fantastic melting pot. From delicious foods such as “gaufres” (waffles) and frites, complex and rich brews to unique cultural traditions, there is so much to discover. However, step away from the bustling metropolis of Brussels and a whole different world opens up. With lush forests, sandy beaches and marshlands, here are five Belgian nature preserves worth checking out.

Blankaart Nature Reserve
In a less densely populated part of Belgium, about 25 minutes inland from the North Sea, is Blankaart Nature Reserve. Visitors can walk along wooden boardwalks through a flood plain surrounding a large pond. Bring your binoculars, as it’s home to plenty of birds — notably geese, ducks, herons and swans. During the winter months, the pond freezes and ices over creating a beautiful wintry landscape.

Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen
Just a few kilometers to the northwest of Ghent is the Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen Nature Reserve. This tranquil park has plenty of walking trails, including wheelchair-accessible pathways. Be sure to bring a pair of binoculars to check out the waterfowl and nesting birds aloft in the trees lining the natural canals.

High Fens – Eifel Nature Park
Located along the German border, High Fens – Eifel Nature Park actually merged with Eifel National Park in Germany in 1971. One of the oldest and largest reserves in Belgium, it offers diverse landscapes such as lakes, undulating hills, bogs and forests. Beautiful, colorful blooms in the spring and frost-covered grass in the winter make it a great place to visit year-round.

Vallei van de Zwarte Beek
Also known as Valley of the Black Brook in English, Zwarte Beek is one of the largest nature reserves in the Flanders region. Located approximately an hour north of Liège and 90 minutes east of Brussels, this forested and boggy park is great for families. There are plenty of trails to explore, including an interactive footpath the kids will love.

Zwin Nature Reserve
If sand-swept dunes and quiet sloughs are your happy place, you’ll fall in love with Het Zwin Nature Park. Tucked away along the North Sea bordering the Netherlands, this serene spot was once a busy thoroughfare connecting various ports to Bruges and Sluis. With paths crisscrossing throughout the park, it’s great for hiking, cycling and horse trekking.

Honorable mention: Hallerbos
A mere 20 kilometers south of Brussels will bring you to Hallerbos — The Blue Forest. Filled with oak and beech trees, the forest floor explodes with colorful bluebells and hyacinths for approximately 10 days in the spring. Blooming any time between late March and early May, the unpredictable nature makes it a little difficult to plan the perfect trip. However, the vibrant hues of cobalt and violet are worth it.

Dust off those hiking boots and explore the beautiful nature of Belgium.