Travel is one of the biggest things on most people’s bucket list. Seeing as much of the world as you can together creates amazing family memories. Travelling with children helps them to appreciate other cultures, and allows them to experience new countries, foods and activities. Don’t just plan a family holiday to the tourist traps of Tenerife and Mallorca though. Instead, why not add some more unusual destinations to your family travel bucket list, and have the trip of a lifetime that you and your children will always remember.
Canada
Have the ultimate white Christmas with a family vacation in Canada. Canada is a beautiful country with glaciers, mountains, lakes and forests to see. There are some lively cities to visit too, if you somehow tire of the incredible scenery of the countryside.
See some of the most famous natural wonders while you visit. Niagara Falls can be visited from Canada, as can the incredible Rocky Mountains. Visit stunning National Parks, drive the beautiful coastline, or hike through breath-taking forests. The children will be able to see some of the amazing places they’ve learned about at school, a memory that they’ll treasure forever.
Canada is home to some of the best ski resorts in the world, and is an amazing place to learn to ski or snowboard. You could also try out whitewater rafting, mountain biking or climbing. If you like something a little gentle, there are many fantastic places to go walking or camping.
Canada’s laid back attitude and reasonable prices make the country a great place to visit with children. With so many outdoor activities and a year round calendar of events like Vancouver’s Celebration of Light, the Calgary Stampede or Quebec Winter Carnival, you’re have a family holiday unlike any other.
British Virgin Islands
If you’re looking for a trip with a little luxury, you can’t go wrong with the British Virgin Islands. The BVIs, as they’re known, have consistently warm weather year round, and are very popular with the sailing community, thanks to reliable headwinds. The islands have the most beautiful sandy beaches in the world, with blue seas to swim in, or try out some water sports. It’s easy to escape the busier areas too for some relaxed exploring in privacy. You can pretend the whole island’s your own.
You can share the islands with the who’s who of the yacht owning world too. The bays are lined with super yachts, and the islands are popular with many celebrities. You never know who you might see as you’re admiring the boats.
The Virgin Islands are also well known for the incredible local cuisine. Of course, all those bays mean the seafood is excellent. You can enjoy fresh, local fish all over the islands. Lobster is popular, as is seafood chowder, shark and snapper. Other popular dishes include Roti, which is an East Indian flatbread filled with meat or vegetables, and Fungi, a dish made up of cornmeal and okra, usually served with seafood. Many fruits grow on the islands too, and you can enjoy some of the freshest papaya, mango or pineapple around. What better way to introduce the kids to eating more fruit?
New Zealand
If you’re more about mountains than super yachts, put New Zealand on your bucket list. New Zealand has some of the most spectacular scenery in the world, with incredible mountain ranges and stunning beaches. It’s a rare place where you can enjoy sunbathing and snow in the same day.
If you’re a family who loves to get active, New Zealand offers lots of opportunities to try some amazing sports. You can surf, ski, snowboard, go horseback riding, sail, swim and even try bungee jumping. The Kiwis are an active bunch, and you can try out something totally new while you’re visiting.
Enjoy a day out without the kids and sample some of New Zealand’s world famous wine. The country is known for its high quality wines. Tour a vineyard or go to a wine tasting to find out why their wine is so well loved.
Of course, New Zealand is also famous for its starring role in Lord Of The Rings. If the family are fans of the films, there are lots of the filming locations that you can still visit. You can explore the hobbit holes that are still built into the hillside at Matamata, or marvel at Mount Sunday which stood in for Edoras. Walk the paths of the dead at the Putangirua Pinnacles, or visit Mordor at Tongariro National Park.
Kenya
A safari in Kenya could be a dream vacation. Seeing incredible animals close up will be an unforgettable experience for kids, and could be a fantastic opportunity to teach them about conservation and animal welfare. What child wouldn’t be amazed by seeing elephants, lions and giraffes at touching distance?
Visiting Kenya is also a great opportunity to teach your kids about some of the world’s most interesting cultures. There are some great tours you can book where you can explore some of the native villages and participate in traditional ceremonies. Try the food and make jewellery and give the whole family an appreciation for a different culture.
Kenya also has miles and miles of white sand beaches and incredibly blue sea to enjoy. Sunbathe, swim and help the kids build sandcastles on the most beautiful beach you’ve ever seen. On the Kenyan Barrier Reef, there’s also amazing opportunities to dive or snorkel and see even more incredible wildlife.
Greece
Greece is an incredible beautiful country and the Greeks love children, making it a fantastic place to visit as a family.
It’s a great trip for foodies. You can encourage the kids to experience the sensational seafood, and the locally grown olives. Try local specialties like moussaka, Souvlaki and tzatziki. For the grown-ups, Greece also has an excellent array of local beers and wines to be sampled too.
For beach bums, Greece has a wide variety of beaches to suit all tastes. Relax under an umbrella on a sun lounger, or sunbathe on a secluded island beach. For later in the day, there are plenty of party beaches for anyone travelling with teenagers too. Of course, you can also try classic beach activities like kite surfing or sailing.
Teach the children some interesting history while visiting Greece’s incredible historical sites. Soak up some culture with a trip to see the Parthenon or the Acropolis.
Of course, the beautiful weather and gorgeous scenery could be enough of a temptation to lure to Greece, and the famous hospitality of the Greek people will convince you to stay.
Maldives
What could be more bucket list worthy than the turquoise waters of the Maldives? The relaxed vibe ensures a vacation that will leave feeling refreshed. Enjoy breath-taking beaches and glittering waters.
At night, you can see the famous glowing bioluminescence, a natural sight that children will find truly magical. Of course, during the day, you can keep busy with water sports like parasailing.
In the Maldives, there are over 1000 islands to explore. Island hopping is a great way to explore and see as much as of the natural beauty of the area as you can. Experience the culture and try out local foods as you explore.
The resorts in the Maldives are famous for their sensational service. Live the high life and recharge with resort life. Take a break from the children at the world’s first underwater spa at Lime Spa. Lie back with a cocktail, try out a yoga class or eat at a high-class restaurant. Resort stay is a memory you’ll never forget.
Norway
Kids obsessed with Frozen? Take them to see the real country that inspired the beautiful scenery from the movie and visit Norway.
Norway is of course a great place to ski, with the alpine mountain regions and dozens of ski slopes. Norway is also great for hiking, with miles of marked trails and great spots for camping. Get out and explore the stunning scenery.
For the real Frozen experience, visit some of Norway’s coastal towns. With intricate architecture, and houses in bright, pretty colours, the towns, including Alesund and Henningsvaer, look like they’ve come straight from a fairy tale. The kids will be enchanted.
Take a guided tour to see polar bears in the wild. These beautiful bears are amazing to see, and a knowledgeable tour guide will help the children and you learn all about these majestic animals.
Of course, soaking in the view of Norway’s stunning fjords is a must do. Visit Sognefjorden, the longest fjord in Europe. These natural wonders are a sight that will stay with you for years to come.
Travel is a wonderful way to spend time as a family. A vacation with amazing experiences rather than just lying by the pool while the kids hit the kids’ club will create incredible family memories. Visiting amazing destinations is a great accompaniment to your children’s education. A travel bucket list could help you all learn more about history, culture and languages.
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