Top Family Vacation Ideas: What are the Best Places to Travel with Kids?

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Last Updated on January 20, 2026 by Ariana Svenson

So, you are looking for the best family holiday destinations in the world?  You have come to the right place!  In addition to using our own experience we have put together a range of unique family vacation ideas, answering the question, “What are the best places to travel with kids?”

In short, there are two ways to ace traveling with kids

1. Pick A Great Family Travel Destination

That is what we are covering here by choosing places that are proven family travel destinations.  Easy to find good locations on a beach or near a pool, lots to do (and not too expensive), not too much travel required around a place, nice locals, and good food.  We are also interested to hear what others suggest!

2. Follow Tried And Tested Tips For Travel With Kids

As we are a traveling family, we have loads of tips to share.  Check out our Ideas To Ace Traveling As A Family & Travel Essentials For Kids.  This is a must-read post for anyone embarking on a family vacation.

This post may contain affiliate links, from which we would earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More info in my disclaimer.

Top Family Vacation Ideas: What are the Best Places to Travel with Kids?

Travel in Post Pandemic Times

It goes without saying that 2020 – and the pandemic that rolled into 2021 has changed us forever.  Never before will we take the annual family vacation as a given.  It is a privilege and we are lucky to be able to travel.  Also, given we’ve had so much time to dream and wanderlust!  I believe people are really considering the impact and benefit of their travel more than they ever have before.

For example, responsible tourism and providing a positive impact on the destinations we visit is not only recommendable but a must.  We also want to take our kids places that will not only be fun, but beautiful and educational!

By the time 2022 comes around, I believe that people will be thirsting for new and innovative family vacation ideas.  So I hope you enjoy these suggestions.  Here’s to amazing family vacation ideas post-pandemic – and into the future!

What’s on this List of Family Vacation Ideas?

I reached out to my family travel blogging friends and asked them what was their BEST family vacation ever?  In order to have some consistency, I asked for recommendations when children were aged approximately 6-12.

For me,  babies and toddlers are a totally different ballgame.  Though I am just moving into the tween years, I feel like that’s going to be different again as your kids could potentially be more active and adventurous than their parents (or not – as the case may be!)  So these recommendations were made by family travel bloggers who enjoyed holidays with their children aged 6-12.

What is Slow Travel?

Slow travel is as it sounds, going to a place and soaking it in, learning about its intricacies, exploring its food.  In our family’s experience, slow travel is the only way to explore a place and have happy kids.  They need downtime, time to play, time to process, and plenty of rest time.

As such, the suggestions here are for a 2 week holiday – or family vacation.  Some of these places are not big-ticket destinations, and that is why I love them.  These are family travel ideas designed to inspire, but also meet the post-pandemic need for connection rather than ticking off bucket lists.

What about Theme Parks?

Honestly, there is an enormous thrill visiting a theme park and both my kids and I have a ball.  In fact, I don’t know if I’ve ever met a child that doesn’t have a wonderful time at a theme park.  I do consider myself an experienced and discerning traveler – and yes, we have been way off the beaten track at times.  But would that mean we wouldn’t go to a theme park?  Hell no!  They are lots of fun for all ages and have a very solid spot on the best vacation ideas in the world.

What about Adventures and Very Active Family Holidays?

All of the family vacation ideas included on this list are for families that like to get out and about!  In addition to this list, if you consider yourself particularly active and adventurous then you might like to also take look here at our post Active Family Holidays: Adventure Travel with Kids.  We’ve covered Peru, Nicaragua, Great Barrier Reef, Western Australia, including Exmouth and Ningaloo Reef, Fiji, Bali, and Thailand!

If you are particularly interested in Australia then we have covered some of the Australian bucket list vacations here in Australian Bucket List Holidays for Families.  Also, a collection of the best family vacation ideas Australia has to offer.  The places might not be ‘bucket list’ worthy but certainly, make for a memorable vacation with kids – The Best Family Holidays Australia.

Dream Big!

We are all dreaming at the moment of where we will travel next…  in fact, for some of us dreams are what keep us going.  Here the Mumma Fairy shares her dream holiday destinations – and – they aren’t where you might imagine!

United States

The Smoky Mountains

Western Tennessee / Eastern North Carolina is a fantastic area for family vacations in the U.S., home to the famous Great Smoky Mountains National Park right alongside tourist-central-city Gatlinburg, Tennessee.  This region is within a day’s drive from several major cities and has something for everyone.  Within a two-hour radius, there are lakes and rivers for fishing and water sports, family-friendly hiking trails, waterfalls and mountain views accessible by foot or car, and typical tourist attractions.  The weather is mild year-round, driving is easy without big-city congestion, and grocery stores are close by for late-night snack runs.

Families interested in more traditional summer vacation fun will enjoy the rides and shows at Dollywood, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Ripley’s Believe it Or Not, and any of the putt-putt courses in the city.  For the outdoorsy family members, the national park is where it’s at!  Kids will be thrilled to keep watch for active black bears, deer, turkeys, salamanders, and coyotes.  There are waterfall hikes, long-range view hikes, and historical hikes exploring the old wooden cabins and town buildings.  The scenic drives with viewing pull-outs that make the beautiful nature in this area accessible to all.  On top of the wildlife, there are beautiful wildflowers along the trails in spring and summer as well as bright changing leaves for fall foliage season.  More adventurous families can try nearby river tubing, tree canopy zip-lining, and alpine coasters in the area.

Stephanie from Exploremorecleanless

The Big Island Of Hawaii

Beaches, waterfalls, delicious tropical fruits, and an Aloha culture.  There’s much to love about Hawaii, making it a bucket list family vacation for many.  The state of Hawaii is comprised of over one hundred islands.  Fortunately, you will only have to narrow down your choice from a handful that are best known to visitors.  For our family, the island of Hawaii, also known as the Big Island, was the natural choice for us.  It is the largest and youngest of the Hawaiian Islands and offers much to do within its ecological diversity and eight climate zones.

Here you can laze on the beach or pool one day and summit a peak over 13,000 feet the next day.  Snorkel with tropical fish, whale watch; visit black, green, or white sand beaches.  Trek through the rainforest to spectacular waterfalls.  Or, experience a true melting pot of culture and food.  There are so many reasons we think it is the best Hawaiian island for families.

The Kona Kohala coast is where you will find many family-friendly resorts with fun pools, beautiful beaches, and beautiful views.  Our family loved Kings’ Land by Hilton Grand Vacations for the lovely spacious apartments with everything you could need from full kitchens and large lanais, as well as the multiple wonderful pools.  Access to the Hilton Waikoloa was also a big perk.

We also love the Fairmont Orchid as an oceanfront luxury hotel with amazing restaurants, serene grounds, and a beautiful snorkeling lagoon.  Here the views and restaurants are pretty unbeatable.

Liana from Insider Families

Chincoteague Island, Virginia. 

One of the best family vacation destinations in the world is also an overlooked beach destination right in Virginia!  Chincoteague Island is a less crowded – and more affordable – beach vacation, perfect for families.

With over 37 miles of beach, there is plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the water.  Since we typically visit with over 40 family members, this is perfect for us!  There are plenty of places to stay on the island – from hotels to house rentals – all centrally located!

There is plenty of nature to explore if you need a break from the beach.  You can visit the Wildlife Loop Trail which is a great paved path for biking.  You can see a variety of birds but also the Assateague Ponies.  These ponies are unique to the island and are the stars of the annual festival – the Annual Pony Swim!  This event is held in July to raise funds to take care of the herd.  You can even get a beautiful view of the area at the Chincoteague Lighthouse.

Of course, a day at the beach isn’t complete without ice cream.  Maybe your family can settle the debate about which ice cream is better – Mr. Whippy’s soft ice cream and Island Creamery’s hard ice cream!

There are plenty of things to do in Chincoteague that every member of the family will have something to enjoy!

Pamela from the Directionally Challenged Traveller

National Park Road Trip –West Coast

One of our family’s favorite family vacations was taking a road trip to visit U.S. National Parks in the West.  Traveling from Seattle, Washington to San Francisco, California, and back, we decided to take a scenic route and visit Mount Rainier in Washington, Crater Lake in Oregon, and Redwoods National Park in California.  We also squeezed in some smaller National Park sites like Golden Gate Park and Muir Woods, both located near San Francisco.  This route took 2 weeks in all.

Taking a National Park road trip is perfect for young kids.  Compared to theme park vacations or beach holidays, visiting National Parks offers kids a chance to explore the beauty of nature and learn at the same time.  Many U.S. National Parks have visitor centers with educational exhibits and a Junior Ranger program with activities aimed at getting kids engaged in learning about the parks.

Our family loves camping at National Parks, but for this particular National Park trip, we decided to stay at lodges near the National Parks instead.  At Mount Rainier National Park, National Park Inn and Paradise Inn are both lodges where families can book stays while visiting.  At Crater Lake National Park, Crater Lake Lodge has rooms that offer views of the famous lake.  For Redwood National Park, the towns that span the National Park all offer lodging for families.  Remember that these National Park lodges are very popular so you should book well in advance.

Astrid from the Wandering Daughter

We are really excited at the idea of taking a road trip along the west coast, take a look here for inspiration for a stunning California Road Trip! 

Canada

Vancouver Island (Victoria to Tofino)

Vancouver Island is a family-friendly paradise.  Endless activities and attractions will keep the entire family entertained through its awe-inspiring old-growth forests, isolated beaches, and quirky shops to discover.  There is something new to experience every day, and many incredible hotels and restaurants to choose from.

Take a couple of days to explore the quaint waterfront city of Victoria.  Sleep in a castle at the famous Empress Hotel.  Take your pick from a variety of activities, like the Bug Zoo, the Royal British Columbia Museum, the Butterfly Garden, or high tea at the Empress.

Parksville is the most popular Vancouver Island beachside town for families.  Spend a night or two at Tigh-Na-Mara Resort to explore Parksville.  Rathtrevor Beach stretches out a kilometer at low tide and is great for beachcombing and a day digging at the beach.  Stop at the Little Qualicum Falls and Cathedral Grove, where you will find breathtaking towering trees and lush foliage.  At Coombs Market, you will giggle at the sight of the famous goats on the roof.

In Tofino, you will find breathtaking wild beaches and untamed nature.  Explore tide pools, try surfing, go on a whale watching tour, or visit Hot Springs Cove.  The best beaches are Chesterman Beach, Long Beach, and MacKenzie Beach.  Stay at the MacKenzie Beach Resort, a beachfront collection of rustic cabins, camping, vintage Airstreams, and RV sites.  Do not leave before trying the delicious and famous Tacofino, which started in the back of a surf shop parking lot in Tofino.  We definitely consider Vancouver Island as one of the best family holiday destinations in the world.

Debbie from the World Adventurists

Banff National Park

Banff National Park is truly a spectacular place to visit and one of the best holiday destinations with kids.  Even if your family isn’t super outdoorsy, you’ll have no trouble finding plenty of things to do in Banff with kids.  The mountain scenery will take your breath away.  In many instances, you won’t have to go very far to get some superb views.

One of the most popular things to do in Banff National Park is to visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.  You won’t believe the colors of these mountain lakes with their stunning mountain backdrops.  Parking can be an issue, so we always recommend getting shuttle tickets in advance or visiting at off-peak hours.  Each of these mountain lakes has an easy hike along the lakeshore, allowing you to further appreciate the true beauty of these locations.

Next up, we love the Johnston Canyon hike.  It’s an easy hike up the belly of the canyon with two sets of impressive waterfalls.  Kids will love to hike along the raised platforms plus a cave to get up close to the Lower Falls.

While those are the “don’t miss” attractions when visiting Banff, there’s so much more to see.  It is certainly one of the best places to travel with kids.  Between visiting the other mountain lakes, spotting wildlife, exploring the Banff townsite, and finding other mountain views on hikes, the biggest problem will be trying to fit it all in.

Celine from Family Can Travel  

United Kingdom

Yorkshire

Yorkshire is a fantastic destination for a family as it offers something for everyone.  The English county is packed with diverse affordable (or free) attractions ranging from historic sites, cosmopolitan cities to rural hiking trails and quiet beaches, all of which are in a relatively small area.  Explore the cobbled streets of York, visit the Gothic cathedral York Minster and learn about the city’s Roman and Viking heritage.

One hour by car or train west of York brings you to the Yorkshire Dales, a scenic landscape full of caves, waterfalls, and world-class hiking trails.  It makes for some of the best adventure travel with kids.  Don’t miss Malham Cove, a 230-foot-high natural amphitheater that featured in the Harry Potter movies.  Historic sites include Bolton Abbey, medieval Skipton Castle, and Fountains Abbey, the largest monastic ruins in England.

One hour east of York is the Yorkshire Moors and Yorkshire coast.  Hike or bike your way around the Moors or enjoy a ride on a steam train on the North York Moors railway.  The Yorkshire Coast is lined with dramatic cliffs and long sandy beaches which are less busy than other U.K beaches.  Hunt for fossils, see the seals at Ravenscar, the puffins at Flamborough, or walk a stretch of the stunning North Yorkshire Coastal Path.  Alternatively, visit the seaside popular resorts of Whitby, Scarborough, or Filey.  Stay in centrally located York at the highly-rated The Churchill Hotel.

Sinead from Map Made Memories

The Cotswolds

The pretty Cotswolds villages in the United Kingdom are definitely one of the best family vacation destinations in the world.  Compared to other family-friendly destinations, the Cotswolds is incredibly easy to get around as these picturesque villages are all located very close to each other.  If you rent a car, you can easily drive from some villages to others in just 5-10 minutes!

In addition, there’s a wide variety of family-friendly things to do in the Cotswolds that kids would enjoy.  The Open Air Swimming Pool in the town of Cirencester, for example, is a wonderful place for families to spend a fun day in the sun.  This heated outdoor pool is fed by fresh spring water and even has a children’s paddling pool and picnic tables.

There are also plenty of kid-friendly walks to do around the Cotswolds villages, and you can enjoy some fresh air and a gorgeous view of sheep in the countryside.  The Frome Valley Walkway is one of the best walks in the area and can be easily accessed from the village of Chipping Sodbury.  Kids will also love the Birdland Park & Gardens in the village of Bourton-on-the-Water, where they can spot flamingos and penguins.  They can also feed birds there and play in the obstacle course playground on-site.  The Cotswolds offers numerous fun family vacation ideas.

The Swan Hotel in Bibury is a great place to stay for families and it’s also right next to one of the most photogenic places in the Cotswolds: Arlington Row in Bibury.  They also have a restaurant on-site that serves delicious food.

Jiayi from the Diary of a Nomad

The Isle of Man

Visiting the Isle of Man is a treat for adults and children alike.  Sitting in the middle of the Irish Sea, the beautiful green island is perfect for a family holiday.  The island is small, only 33 miles long and 13 miles wide, but has plenty to keep the whole family occupied.

The Isle of Man has a mixture of beaches, sandy ones like Port Erin, Ramsey, or Douglas or pebbly ones that are perfect for rock pooling and crabbing with nets and buckets.

Getting around the island is easy.  You can take a trip on the steam train from Douglas out to Port Erin or the electric train to Laxey and then on up to the top of Snaefell where on a clear day you can see Scotland, England, Ireland, and Wales.

Younger children will love the hunt for fairy doors in Castletown or Ballaglass.  The castles in Peel and Castletown and the Rushen abbey ruins include interactive activities for children to learn about history.  Look out for the famous Manx tailless cats and indigenous Loaghtan sheep with their caramel-colored coats and four horns.  Take a trip to the Ballaugh Curraghs where if you are lucky, you might catch sight of wild wallabies.

Have a leisurely paddle on kayaks or paddleboards and see if you spot dolphins or basking sharks.  For something different, try the ax-throwing at Mad Jacks in Douglas.  Don’t forget to indulge in ice cream from Davidsons, the oldest ice cream maker on the island.  The Isle of Man is certainly one of the best places to travel with kids in our opinion.

Larch from the Silver Nomad

Middle East

Egypt

Egypt is one of the best family holiday destinations in the world for so many reasons.  Largely known for its world-famous landmarks including the Pyramids of Giza, the Nile River, the Valley of the Kings, and the Red Sea, to name just a few of the incredible highlights.  A place that truly brings school history books to life like no other!

The heat of the Middle East is no doubt what you may first think of.  Whilst summer temperature highs over 100F may make the idea of touring Egypt unbearable in summer, winter from October through to April you will find pleasant, even cold conditions if you plan your trip over the winter break.  The ideal time to still enjoy the warmth of the Red Sea but without the crowds of mid-winter is late October and November.

Your trip to Egypt will no doubt start in Cairo to see both the Pyramids of Giza and Saqqara (the even older Step Pyramids) and the Grand Egyptian Museum (opening 2021) before making your way by plane or train to Upper Egypt.  You can either start in Luxor and the Valley of the Kings, ending in Aswan to see the Aswan High Dam, and day-tripping to Abu Simbel or vice versa.

The best way to travel between these two ancient cities is by Nile Cruise, taking in the incredible sights of The Temple of Horus at Edfu and Kom Ombo on your way.  As an addition to this classic Egypt itinerary which can be completed in a week, you may also like to spare a few days to visit the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria and head to the Red Sea coast for diving and water sports. Stay at a family resort in Hurghada, or alternatively Sharm El-Sheikh or Dahab on the Sinai Peninsula.  With all these amazing sites, you can see why Egypt is one of the best places to travel with kids.

Egypt is a destination certainly not without its challenges for families, partly due to safety concerns parents might have, along with language barriers and the extreme heat of summer.  These are all things that savvy and adventurous traveling families can work around with careful planning.  It is a country we’d highly recommend families join a tour or hire a private guide and driver to help them navigate this incredible corner of the globe.  Having a trained Egyptologist with you will truly enhance your family’s experience of a lifetime.

Keri from Our Globetrotters

 

Europe

Istria, Croatia

Istria in Croatia has been the best holiday destination for our family because we had so much fun.  It was our top family vacation idea.  We spent 2 weeks there and every day there was something amazing to do or a new place to explore.  The younger ones especially enjoyed the days on the beach and the small amusement parks but also cycling around and our hiking tours had been lots of fun.  There is such a wide range of unique and kid-friendly things to do there and also the beaches are amazing, especially in the summertime!  If you are going to do a lot of cycling, you might want to pack cycling shorts!

The best way to explore all the interesting places is by car, and while driving around you will explore gorgeous beaches, fascinating hilly landscapes, and romantic mountain villages!  Really unique are the coastal towns, such as Pula, Poreč and Rovinj attract countless visitors from all over the world!

But Istria is not just only for sightseeing.  There are also lots of kid-friendly activities.  One of the main highlights is the Dinopark Funtana.  On an area of 80,000 m², this great amusement park offers a variety of life-size and movable dinosaur statues, which are guaranteed to amaze children.  Really cool is also a visit to one of the two main water parks: Istralandia near Novigrad and Aquapark Aquacolors in Porec.  Both a great fun for young and old!  The kids will love these family trip ideas.

What is also amazing in Istria are the many possibilities for sporting – or active family activities.  It is so much fun to go cycling along the coast but also in the green, hilly hinterland are amazing trails.  Or to explore the beautiful coast by kayak tours, by boat tours, or by SUB.  All in all, Istria in summer is one of the most recommended places for a family holiday and should be high up on any bucket list!

Martina & Jürgen, Places of Juma

Italy

Italy is at the top of our list of the best family vacation destinations in the world.  We visit every year.  While there are many other places love, few have matched Italy in terms of the variety of activities and the ability of the country to deliver something that is fun for all members of the family.  It is considered one of the best places to travel with kids.

In the space of few kilometers, in Italy, you have hilltop villages, big cities, stunning countryside, and even the beach.  This is fantastic for families with kids as you can, on the same day, match the interest of people with different tastes and wishes!  The areas of Puglia and Tuscany, in particular, are special for this.  Our favorite way to explore is by getting hilltop accommodation and take day trips by car from there.

The other thing that makes Italy wonderful for kids is how welcome families are.  The country is not the most organized for stroller accessibility but people love kids and they are welcome everywhere.  You never have to worry about picking a ‘family friendly’ place as simply all places are family-friendly!

A trip to Italy is especially suited to families who love sightseeing although the country also has a lovely coastline for swimming and mountains that are perfect for active kids who love the outdoors. You can find all our tips for a perfect visit in this guide to planning a first family trip to Italy.  There are so many family vacation ideas throughout Italy, planning is essential.

Recommended Accommodation: La Provenca Agriturismo, Tuscany.

Marta from Mama Loves Italy

Sicily

Italy has topped the list of best holiday destinations with kids for years.  However, its largest island, Sicily rarely gets mentioned despite easily being a top contender for the most family-friendly destination in Italy.

As a parent, one of the biggest factors when choosing a holiday destination is the weather, especially if you’re looking to travel outside of the summer holiday period.  Guaranteed heat without the exhausting long-haul flight is ideal for families.  Sicily is blessed with an average of 300 days of sunshine a year.  Even in off-peak travel months, you can expect warm temperatures in the mid to high twenties (degrees Celsius) which means you can still spend days at the beach even if you visit in early October.

Speaking of beaches, Sicily has a plethora of safe sandy beaches all around its coastline.  They are perfect for families traveling with children.  Many of its lidos have facilities and activities to keep children of all ages occupied from amusement games, playmakers, playgrounds, and discos.  Spend the mornings at the beach.  Then spend your afternoons exploring a hilltop picturesque town, a UNESCO gem, or an ancient Greek or Roman ruin, adding a dab of culture into the holiday and hands-on history lessons for older children.

Pair all of this with kid friendly cuisine (what kid won’t like pasta or pizza), some of the best gelato you’ll ever taste, a myriad of adventure experiences, many water and theme parks, AND an opportunity to see an active volcano up close (ticks the geography box too!).  There are so many great family vacation ideas in Sicily.  You’ve got yourself the perfect recipe for a fantastic family holiday that few other destinations in Europe can beat.

Samantha from the Wandering Wanderluster

Grindelwald, Switzerland

Grindelwald in Switzerland is one of the best places to travel with kids that our family has visited.  Not only is this alpine town located in one of the most pristine natural landscapes, but there are also so many things to do in Grindelwald for the whole family that you will never be bored.

Our active boys love being outdoors.  They enjoyed playing mini-golf, riding on the summer toboggan track, and riding Trottibikes (scooters with fat tires) down the mountain from Bort – where the adventure park was a hit – to Grindelwald.

As it is surrounded by the Swiss Alps, Grindelwald makes a great base for enjoying the many mountain excursions on offer.  Our boys particularly loved the cogwheel train ride to Jungfraujoch and the cable car ride to Schilthorn.  There are also plenty of family-friendly hiking trails where you can breathe in the fresh alpine air

Grindelwald is a good-sized town with plenty of shops and accommodation options.  Or, you can choose to stay in a nearby town such as Lauterbrunnen, which is where we stayed.  My husband and I had stayed in Lauterbrunnen previously and stuck with what we were familiar with.  However, we were pleasantly surprised at the excellent accommodation choices in Grindelwald.

The whole of the Jungfrau Region, in which Grindelwald is located, is connected by a fantastic public transport system.  You don’t need a car to get around.  You have the best of both worlds with the beautiful scenery of Grindelwald whilst larger cities such as Bern, are just over an hour away.

Carolyn of Holidays to Switzerland

Munich and the Alps

Munich and the Alps literally tick all the right boxes for families with little kids.  Both Munich and its surroundings offer tons of exciting activities for little children.  Germany, in general, has so many great family vacation ideas.  So we have chosen Munich and the Alps as one of the best holiday destinations with kids.

If your kids love cars, take them to BMW Welt where the latest BMW-Group cars and motorcycles are showcased.  They can even sit in the cars.  After this awesome experience, grab a roller and roll around in the world-famous Olympia Park.

There are countless family-friendly day trips from Munich such as fairy tale castles. Visit the Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace where your children will feel themselves fairy tale princesses and princes.

Make sure your kids step out of their comfort zone to experience Bavaria to the fullest.  Hit the roads and discover the magnificent Bavarian Alps for the best hiking trail and beautiful alpine lakes for all kinds of outdoor activities.

The most charming and unique lakes in Bavaria are Lake Königssee, Lake Eibsee, and Lake Walchensee.  Lake Walchensee is the place where you can do all kinds of outdoor activities with kids.  These include playing in the sand, swimming, cycling, hiking, and camping.

Are your kids animal-loving adventurers?  In the Bavarian Alps just about an hour from Munich, there are alpaca and llama farms in the mountains where your kids can walk with some of the cutest creatures on planet earth.  You may want to push the envelope further if your kids are really into adventure.  Try the alpine coasters, zip-lining, and climbing parks in the forests of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.  This makes for the best adventure travel with kids.

Last but not least, no family holiday is complete without amusement parks.  The most famous and fun amusement park little kids will totally love is Legoland.  Legoland is home to stunning Lego villages made from millions of colorful Lego bricks.

If they prefer water adventure, in Munich, in the world’s largest spa, in Therme Erding, enjoy sensational waterparks with exciting adventure pools with your kids.

The best way to get around Munich and the mountains with kids is by car.  But traveling by public transport is also extremely convenient.  Moreover, it’s quite affordable as there are group tickets available for people traveling with friends and family.

Diana from The Globetrotting Detective

Cyprus

What makes Cyprus one of the best spots for a family vacation?  The weather and accommodation options provide numerous activities for the family, right next to the sea!

When visiting the destination during school break, what made Cyprus stand out were the numerous stay options available that were spacious, like apartments and resorts that made accommodating the whole family easy and stress-free.  Most of these had pools, play areas, and even areas for sports.  Restaurants serving numerous cuisines, including traditional Cyprus meze, were a quick walk away and all of this was very budget-friendly.

Not only was the weather warm, so were the people and it was quite easy to book and find a place for a big family.  Food was tasty and most of it suited kids’ appetite as well, i.e. plate sizing was good.

Having a holiday here wasn’t stressful and almost everyone in the family could have a relaxing time.  If people were keen to explore, there were suitable options for everybody within a short driving distance.  We recommend the Elysium Hotel near Tomb Of The Kings. 

Lavina Of Continent Hop

Theme Parks

Europa Park, Germany

If you are looking for a family-centered adrenaline rush and day full of non-stop fun, then consider going to Germany’s largest amusement park, Europa Park.  But why should a family choose this particular theme park over the relatively nearby Disneyland Paris?  Several reasons!

Once again, with Europa Park being Germany’s largest amusement park, we aren’t talking about a small operation here.  In fact, most people will say that there is a wider variety of rides available here than at Disneyland Paris.  And while yes, it can absolutely get crowded, you will actually find that you get to more rides in a day because of the way the park is laid out and there are just simply fewer people than at Disneyland.  But when traveling with kids in Germany, one thing most families are trying to do is keep costs down.  Considering Europa Park is significantly cheaper than Disneyland Paris, it wins major points there as well.

And if you are wondering what the overall “experience” is like, sure Disney is fantastic.  But, how adorable is Europa Park!?  After all, it gets its name from all the different “Europe” sections of the park.  You can “go boating” in Scandinavia, take off to space in Russia, and more.  And the rides aren’t just themed.  The entire section of the park looks like you’ve been transported right into that country.  This something everyone in your family will find fun!

LeAnna from Wander in Germany

 Disneyland California

The Disneyland Resort is one of our family’s favorite places to visit because of its unique offerings.  It is much smaller than its east coast counterpart, Disney World.  However, it offers a lot of things that no other location does.  Disneyland consists of two theme parks, Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure.  The area also has Downtown Disney (a shopping and dining area), three resorts with amazing pools, and lots of restaurants.  Once you have been to Disney you can see why people consider it one of the best family vacation destinations in the world.

Disneyland really wins the day over other theme parks when traveling with kids because of its convenience.  All three on-property hotels are within walking distance of the parks.  You can even enter one of the two theme parks, California Adventure, directly from the lobby of the Grand Californian Hotel.  Our favorite on-property resort is the Grand Californian because of its luxury and convenience.

Disneyland’s unique highlights within the theme parks include a Finding Nemo themed submarine ride, an Indiana Jones themed adventure, Mickey’s Toontown, an area featuring the homes of the most famous Disney characters, and the Matterhorn bobsleds, a ride with Yetis that want you to get off the ride.

It also has some of the most popular things you can find at Disney World.  Such as Star Wars Land, a Haunted Mansion, lots of slow-moving dark rides, and an elaborate night-time show, Fantasmic.

The highlights of Disney California Adventure include Pixar Pier, a Toy Story-themed area with several rides, and Cars Land, an immersive area based around the Cars franchise.  This park also has a night-time show, World of Color, which cannot be seen elsewhere.

Adriane from Put On Your Party Pants  

Disney World

Disney World in Orlando, Florida is a vacation our son still remembers well and asks about, 6 years after.  For years he has told us that he wants to go to the Disney we have to fly to, not the one we can drive to.  The one with the water park!

What was so great about Disney World for our family?  The diversity in the parks, the fact that there are water parks, and that the hotels also offer so much to do – from Magic Kingdom to Epcot to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.  Each of these worlds caters to a different audience.

Disney is the leading theme in all, but Magic Kingdom is for the magical Disney feeling; Epcot for foodies, world travelers, and gaming-loving kids.  There is something for every family member so to speak.  Now even more with the new addition Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.  But that’s not all, our son’s all-time favorite is Typhoon Lagoon, which is one of 2 water parks, the other being Blizzard Beach.  He just loved playing with water all day long and going on the slides.

We stayed at Disney’s Pop Century Resort both times we visited and loved the price/quality experience and what there are on offer at the hotel.  For example; movie nights outside, pools, an arcade, and a restaurant.

Cosette from KarsTravels

 

The Verdict – Top Family Vacation Ideas & The Best Places To Travel With Kids 

We hope you have got some family travel inspiration from this list of top family vacation ideas!  There are so many wonderful places across the world that will make a memorable and beautiful family holiday, we had to limit our list to some experienced travel families ‘best-ever family vacation list”.

If you are trying to figure out how to afford traveling to these amazing locations, read Useful Ideas on How to Afford Travel and Family Travel on a Budget.

We would love to hear your opinion!  What are the best family vacation destinations in the world?  Drop us your suggestion in the comments, especially telling us why it’s a great place to travel with kids.

 

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