If you’re like most families, your travel plans may have been sidelined over the past year. As the world continues to open back up, more and more families are considering the idea of planning their future travels, beyond the road trips and beach getaways that they may have taken or are planning in the near term.

So many of us are ready to stretch our legs and explore the world once more, especially our energetic young ones. What better way to recalibrate and recharge than through a thoughtfully-planned family adventure.

Traveling Beyond the Conventional

What do many families think of when it comes to traveling with kids? Beach destinations and theme parks. Perhaps you've already traveled or are planning to take a road trip or head to the beach domestically or in the Caribbean or Mexico during this pandemic time. These types of vacations are definitely worthwhile, especially to relax, decompress, and simply enjoy the “fun” of a vacation. (It can also be a good way to ease back into travel after a year spent mostly at home.)

Beyond the sheer “fun” of it, traveling to new and exciting destinations can have many benefits for kids

As you think about your future travels, we’d encourage you to look beyond beaches and theme parks. Consider destinations that can expand your kids’ horizons to exploration of the world at large, whether the natural world or other cultures. And, if you really can't go without any beach time, there are even some destinations that can combine it all. Your kids will love it! Keep reading below for a few of our favorite family destinations and experiences.

The Case for Traveling with Kids

While a less traditional family travel destination is sure to mix things up for you and the kids, the case for traveling with young ones is important for a multitude of reasons beyond the sheer “fun” of it.

When looking ahead at your travel options, what better way to stimulate the minds of kids than through travel to new and exciting destinations? Every family is different, but travel has a universal ability to foster growth in kids that’s hard to achieve anywhere else (even school). And the benefits of travel aren’t exclusive to older kids and teens. Even the youngest of kids can learn flexibility, patience, respect, awe, and even a little bit of resilience through travel with their families.

I am a strong advocate for travel for children. Travel develops and educates a child in a way that simply can’t be replicated in the classroom (or their own backyard). Experts agree that travel can significantly boost development in a number of areas.

Travel is good for our well-being (no surprise there), but it’s also fantastic for the well-being of our kids. Travel can even have a long-lasting impact on your kids’ happiness. According to child psychotherapist Dr. Margot Sunderland, “An enriched environment offers new experiences that are strong in combined social, physical, cognitive, and sensory interaction … Think: family together in the pool, walking together through the forest, touching long tall grasses waving in the wind, toasting marshmallows on campfire, hanging out together under warm sun, feeling sand between the toes."

As you think about future travels, the opportunities are endless, from traditional options to less conventional options that can be just as fascinating for young ones as for adults and older teens

Travel undeniably expands kids’ worldviews, introducing them to other cultures and helping them to develop curiosity and empathy toward other people and ways of life different from their own. They might rub shoulders with kids whose socioeconomic experience is unlike anything they’d see at home. They may learn that access to an education, clean water, and food on the table is not a given for many. They could play with other children who teach them something new or introduce them to a different way of viewing the world.

Exploring beyond their own lived experience can also help kids to become more adaptable and resilient. They build confidence and curiosity when navigating challenging new situations, like a new language or food or social custom.

On a personal level, from traveling with my cousin and his family (my niece and nephew), I have seen them gain new perspectives, and now they love to travel to new destinations whenever they can.

For great ideas on planning a fun, enriching, character-building adventure for the whole family, check out our top five tips below.

5 Tips for a Family-Friendly Experience to Remember

1. Strike a Balance

Stretch kids by helping them step outside their comfort zone when it comes to experiences, visiting new sites, and trying new things. It’s good for them!

At the same time, make sure to intentionally carve out time for things they enjoy. Maybe that’s including a meal with special foods they like. Or getting out to do something active that the kids will enjoy. Or perhaps even enjoying some down time (especially if you’re traveling with very young kids!).

Depending on your family’s unique needs and interests, we recommend choosing destinations that offer a healthy mix of more traditional family experiences and more unconventional, offbeat ones.

Another important element balance involves doing things that the kids like and doing things that you like. It’s easy to underestimate how much your kids might enjoy things that may seem “adult-focused” (and vice versa). After all, vacation should be about everyone, and that includes you, too.

2. Have a Plan

Whatever you do, don’t wing it! Have a plan. It’ll save you so much stress in the long run. I work with families to curate trips that satisfy both the interests of the kids and the rest of the traveling party.

Planning (and looking forward to the trip!) is often one of the most enjoyable parts of the process. And if your children are old enough to offer their input on what they’d like to see and do, consider involving them, too! Kids develop a sense of ownership and become genuinely excited when they’re able to participate in the planning process.

Kids (of any age) will find the sight of a koala in Australia irresistable

3. Think Outside the Box

As mentioned before, when choosing a destination, you should definitely consider tried and true favorites. But don’t be afraid to think outside the box for your family. Here are a few of our favorite destinations and experiences that may not be on every family’s radar.

Wildlife Experiences

Who doesn’t love a fantastic experience with wildlife? Think safaris in Africa, tours of the Galapagos Islands, and adventures all across Australia.

I especially love Australia for families because there is so much diversity in the experiences you can have! From exploring coral reefs to discovering Australia’s bizarre and wonderful indigenous wildlife, Australia is a delight to travelers young and old.

Learn more about why we love the Land Down Under so much here: A Glimpse of Western Australia.

South Africa is another great option because you can mix a safari experience with adventures on the coast (whale watching, anyone?), in Cape Town, and even in wine country!

A journey in Africa is a wonderful options for families

Kenya is also a top choice for families traveling to Africa. Many of the lodges here go out of their way to cater to children, and loads of experiences can be (or already are) very family-friendly.

For more info on why Africa might be a great choice for your next adventure, check out 8 Reasons Why Your Next Escape Should Be to Africa.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a prime candidate for family travel. The geography is incredible, and the biodiversity is nearly unmatched. From beaches and reefs to mountain rainforests, your kids will love the rich animal life and exciting landscapes this corner of the world has to offer.

And with ample opportunities for active adventure, beachside relaxation, world-class activities, and everything in between, you can be sure that everyone in your group will have a shot at getting something truly memorable out of this trip.

To learn more about what makes Costa Rica so special, check out Sustainable Luxury: 7 Reasons Why We Love Costa Rica.

Europe

Europe offers a host of family-friendly destinations and experiences. We especially love Italy, Spain, the U.K., and Germany.

Of course, Europe is chock-full of tasty food, fascinating history, and rich culture. Top it all off with fairytale castles and other kid-friendly interests, and you have the makings of a perfect family vacation.

What’s more, Europe is a great place to plan interest-specific journeys. If your kids are Harry Potter fans, for example, we can plan an entire journey around Harry Potter! Or if your family is into cycling, we can build an entire trip around biking. Countless options abound for kids and families that love hiking, being on the water, rock climbing, etc.

Another favorite European destination for families is Switzerland. There are so many active, outdoor options, and the scenery is incredible. Plus, who doesn’t love world-class cheese and chocolate!

For more inspiration on family travels through Europe, take a look at this post: These 11 Essential European Experiences Deserve a Place On Your List.

Japan

If you have especially curious kids, they’ll absolutely love Japan. There’s so much here to stimulate the energy and minds of kids! From the rich culture and centuries of history to the mouth-watering ramen and sushi, Japan is a feast for the senses.

Japan is also famously clean, safe, and easy to get around. So if traveling abroad with kids feels a bit daunting, Japan may be the perfect choice for you!

For more on why we adore Japan, check out Immersive Experiences Not to Be Missed in Japan.

Surprising Destinations

Four of our favorite destinations that might come as surprise choices for family travel are Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, and Vietnam.

Fascinating temples, including Ta Prohm wrapped up in Banyan Trees, are just one reason why Cambodia could serve as a surprising but appealing destination for travel with kids

An experience in Cambodia can be profound, whether you’re an adult or a child. And there’s so much more to the country than just the temples (though they are certainly fascinating!). Kids will love taking in sites like the various floating villages. Or how about the 12th-century Ta Prohm Temple (also known as “the Tomb Raider Temple” for its feature in the Hollywood film). The temple has been overtaken by massive, twisting banyan trees, a sight not to be missed.

Thailand and Vietnam offer wonderful experiences with floating markets, railway markets, cooking classes, and more. For a special nighttime treat, consider a family stroll through one of many vibrant night markets. And for a quintessential experience of ancient Vietnam, consider traveling to Hoi An. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a vibrant, historically rich town, and fun family activities abound, including cooking classes, lantern-making workshops, boat excursions, and more.

Another destination worth considering is Singapore. Kids will love exploring the contrasts between the lush Singapore Botanic Garden and the high-tech “Supertree Grove,” an illuminated vertical “garden” that resembles massive trees. Singapore is also home to a Universal Studios theme park and other attractions in Sentosa, so it’s a great choice for a mix of traditional and unconventional experiences.

These are just a few of the more unique, exciting destinations we love for families (all of which can be combined with stays at the beach, by the way). Keep in mind that when traveling to these destinations, well-curated itineraries are essential to navigating the logistics and making the most of your invaluable time.

Cruises

Depending on the destination, cruises are a great option for families. And we’re not talking about a Caribbean cruise here. One of my top family cruise destinations is Alaska. Other great options include the Mediterranean and the Baltic Sea.

A cruise on the Baltic Sea typically includes Scandinavian ports like family-friendly Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Helsinki, as well as possibly the Baltics and Germany.

With cruises, families can explore on land by day, and the kids can have plenty of entertainment on the ship at night while parents take a kid-free break.

For more on why Alaska ranks top of our list, check out Unforgettable Moments in Alaska. And, although most river cruises tend to be adult-oriented, there are a few family-friendly options out there. To learn more about river cruising in general, here’s What to Know About River Cruising.

4. Focus on Experiences

With any family travel journey, experiences are absolutely key. That’s why we recommend you consider private guides and curated experiences. Guides can make an enormous difference for kids. Instead of trying to explain the history of a medieval castle (or the wallowing habits of elephants and rhinos) to your kids, why not have an expert explain? With curated experiences tailored specifically to your family, you’ll avoid a cookie-cutter tour that isn’t designed with kids in mind and could very well leave them bored and disengaged.

Outdoor activities such as biking, hiking and being on the water can be a wonderful way to enhance a trip in a way that both adults and kids can enjoy

Several other elements can really enhance your family’s adventure together, like

engaging and interacting with kids in the communities you visit,
participating in volunteer-type activities,
enjoying cooking classes and food tastings (learn how to make your own spring rolls!),
creating hands-on art,
riding bikes in the countryside,
hiking and boating,
and taking in a music, theatre, or dance performance.

5. Have Fun!

Above all, remember to have fun! Enjoy the look on your kids’ faces as they discover something new. Savor the laughter and all the memories you’re making together. And know that wherever you are in your family’s travel journey, you’re well on your way to expanding their worldview, enriching their minds, and nurturing their hearts for a life full of curiosity and discovery.

Start Dreaming Today

Curious about planning your own custom-tailored family vacation? Schedule your complimentary consultation here! I’m working with clients now to plan travel into 2022, and now is a great time to start the planning process. We expect demand to be high as the global outlook of the pandemic continues to improve in the new year.

So go ahead! Start planning a family adventure to look forward to!

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