This small country is absolutely jam packed full of amazing family attractions, great food and is just such an easy place to visit while still having the benefit of experiencing different cultures. From Universal Studios on the very family friendly Sentosa Island to the futuristic Gardens by the Bay to eating the local fare at a hawker centre, there are many things to do to keep the kids entertained at this best family vacation destination. The subway is efficient making it very easy to get around. English is the common language and it’s on signs everywhere to make things even easier.
No matter the age or size of your family, few travel destinations compare to Japan. It’s safe, clean, and rich with unique activities. In addition to Kyoto’s 17 UNESCO sites, the area has hiking, rafting and lessons in traditional crafts. Then there’s Tokyo, where past and future melt together like nowhere else. Kid-friendly museums and public events are all over town, many of them cheap (or free) for children. We’ve been in and out of Japan since 2002 and still find new places to explore.
Southeast Asia is a vast and diverse place. If you’re new to the East, or simply want to visit somewhere that’s easy to navigate and reflects some of the region’s best qualities, then head to Malaysia. Looking for parks, museums and city life? Kuala Lumpur has you covered. Keen for beautiful beaches? Langkawi and other islands await. Interested in history? The colonial origins of Penang and Malacca are fascinating. Moreover, if you believe in the importance of tolerance and multiculturalism, then consider Malaysia’s mix of ethnicities, religions and cultures an astounding opportunity to observe coexistence.
This little island seemingly has it all and is one of our best holiday destinations for families. Here you’ll find palm-fringed beaches, turquoise waters and laid back coastal villages. Sri Lanka is one of the best places in Asia for seeing wildlife, with over 100 protected areas home to leopards, wild elephants, sloth bears and much more. You can even spot blue whales off the island’s southern coast! For a more hands-on animal experience, kids’ can release baby turtles into the ocean or help bathe an orphaned elephant at the Pinnewala elephant orphanage. For active families, Sri Lanka also delivers with water sports galore as well as trekking, canoeing, mountain biking and white-water rafting opportunities.
Thailand is my pick for one of the best countries to visit with children. What stands out most is the friendly nature of the Thai people, especially in the North and especially in regards to children. You can enjoy snorkeling in the ocean, fire shows on the beach in the evening, trekking in the rolling hills of the north, visiting temples, chatting with Buddhist monks, volunteering to work with elephants, reveling in the celebratory nature of the people through festivities like Yi peng and Songkran and enjoy one amazingly delicious meal after another.
Although we are Australian visiting places here in our home country is a lifetime odyssey! So many people think that Australia is a small country that can be seen within a couple of weeks, but our country is HUGE! Here’s some reasons why Australia is one of the best family destinations:
Australia is very family friendly. Like most places, we can learn from others and can always improve but most of the time Australians are more than happy to help.
I’m not reinventing the wheel when I recommend New Zealand as one of the best family travel destinations. This is a country that has already been discovered, and beloved, for ages now. You will not find a more beautiful – and in fact, magical – country. There is something for everybody. For the adrenaline junkies, visit the Agroventures Adventure Park in Rotorua, where all in one place you can compete for a world record in the Schweeb (the world’s first human powered monorail racetrack), try bungee jumping or experience freefall. For the outdoorsy, nothing can match renting a campervan while staying in comfortable, safe, and kid-friendly camping sites all over the country.
Austria has a royal past, a progressive present, and some of the most stunning outdoor landscapes in the world. You can witness the opulence of the Hapsburg Royal Family who ruled the world for centuries and made Austria one of the best countries in the world for palace visits. Playgrounds are often creative, artistic spaces and you can discover exciting children’s museums, for example at Schönbrunn Palace or inside the modern Museumsquartier in downtown Vienna. Austria is home to some of the best music in the world and a great place to expose your kids to classical music and music history.
Croatia, the land of 1000 islands, with its laid back capital of Zagreb and UNESCO-listed Dubrovnik – it’s cliche but it’s true – there is something for everyone. Especially kids. Having lived in Croatia for more than three years now, I can tell you it has to be one of the safest parts of Europe and the most relaxed about travelling with kids. Here you enjoy kid-friendly activities like swimming under waterfalls, wild horse jeep safaris, making sand castles and spending the day in fun museums like THE Optical Illusions Museum in Zadar and Zagreb.
Paris is delightful for families with the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Notre Dame, but why not leave the city and explore the chateaus and caves of the Dordogne or the beautiful beaches of the Côte d’Azur? Don’t forget the lavender fields and Roman ruins of Provence, or the history lessons to be found along the coast of Normandy. The most difficult decision families must make is knowing which region of the country to explore first as they are all special in their own way.
After spending the first five years of my kids’ lives in Germany, and then moving back to the U.S. I have confirmed my thoughts that Germany is the ideal family travel destination. Take food, for example. My kids loved that there were sweets available everywhere. I appreciated that it was easy to find organic and healthy options at restaurants. My favorite places, though, were the Elterncafes (parent cafe). I would stop at one for a coffee and a snack, and my kids would play in an attached play area.
Iceland, land of fire and ice, is one of our favorite vacation destinations for families. The unique landscape of erupting volcanoes, waterfalls, geysers, glaciers and black sand beaches make this an unforgettable place to visit. There is no shortage of activities that include glacier walks, horseback riding, hikes along waterfalls, rafting along canyons, ATV rides along lava fields and wildlife watching.
Ireland is a land of magic and mystery, history and hauntings, faeries and friendly people, with no (ok, very little) language barrier. The country feels like it was custom made for family travel! The magic of Ireland is woven into everything – the culture, history, wonderfully fresh food, and the incredible welcoming of the people. Ireland is everything you’ve heard it is – and more and is one of the great family destinations in the world.
Stunning Italy is the perfect family vacation destination for your little bambinos. No matter where you travel in Italy, this scenic country provides the ideal mix of gourmet kid-friendly food, world-class art treasures, iconic landmarks and old world charm. Exploring the ancient city of Rome is a child’s delight. Tour the wondrous Colosseum, meander through the bustling piazzas and enroll your kids in gladiator school.
Vikings, trolls, roaming reindeer, polar bears, the Nobel Peace Prize, the midnight sun or the northern lights – what’s not to love for the kids in this long, thin country in the northern world? Norway is a very kid-friendly country. In fact, in Norway, kids come first. Norway is especially wonderful if you love the outdoors. Nature is all around you everywhere. In winter, tobogganing and skiing (cross-country and downhill) is easily accessible. Out west, quirky Bergen and the fjords attract families as well – whether on a cruise with Hurtigruten or on a road trip along spectacular (and slightly scary) roads, such as Trollstigen (The Troll’s Ladder) or the famous Atlantic Road.
Spain might have a king, but the kids are the ones who truly rule this country. Little ones are an intrinsic part of everyday life. And life seems to revolve around family. Kids are welcome just about anywhere – museums, restaurants, cafes, shops – and playgrounds crop up around nearly every corner. There’s no such thing as “kid-friendly”. Virtually nothing is off limits. Apart from being a super family friendly holiday destination, Spain is rich in culture and buzzes with energy. From the beaches of Costa del Sol to the Pyrenees, there’s plenty to explore.
It’s difficult to know all of Canada. As the second largest country in the world, its sheer size (5.5 time zones) makes it a challenge to travel round and visit all of its differing regions in one trip. But this should be seen as a family travel challenge and opportunity! No matter where you choose to visit in this vast land, Canada will amaze and delight with its jaw-dropping natural beauty and warm welcome that few countries can match.
Costa Rica is a country that has it all; wildlife, mountains, volcanoes, lush forests, excellent beaches on both the Caribbean and Pacific, and friendly people. Costa Rica is great for both families who are looking for family oriented vacation destinations where they can relax or families that want to have an adventure. There are numerous resorts where you can enjoy yourself without lifting a finger. Our favorite adventure was a family surf camp at Peaks N Swells where the whole family learned to surf.
Begin your family adventure in the lively Latin American metropolis of Panama City. Visit the Panama Canal, the chic cafés of historical Casco Viejo, and the Frank Gehry designed BioMuseo Diversity Museum. Use Panama City as a jumping off point to visit the indigenous Guna Yala. Follow this up with a stay in a Bocas del Toro treetop jungle lodge, where you can wake up to the birds, and watch a troop of monkeys swing by at sunset. Make your way back to Panama City via the cloud forest of the Chiriquí province.
We loved exploring this country with our young kids. In part, this is because the USA is a country made for road trips and I have found road trips to be the easiest way to travel with young kids. The USA is also great for parents with many places of interest from random places like the Unclaimed Baggage Centre to fabulous cities such as New Orleans. I can’t imagine ever running out of things to do. The people are also very helpful and friendly and it’s an easy destination for us English speakers.
