Family travel It has a way of sticking. There’s nothing that sticks in your mind like watching your kids snuggled up next to a lioness, her cubs and a pack energetic African wild dogs. It could be using a kitchen blowtorch together to char the pork for a ramen making session, releasing sea-turtle hatchlings to a sea that is tinged with sunset, hiking to waterfalls or jumping into lagoons along local children, or boarding a wooden boat to cruise through an idyllic city.
The times I’ve turned work into a trip with my family have been some of the most memorable for me as a travel writer and globetrotter. It’s true that there are places and times for only adults to travel. But I have personally found the presence of my two daughters makes it feel even more magical, slower and tuned in. And it’s more meaningful.
There are many family-friendly countries and places to visit, but not all are suitable for family trips. My four-person team and I have discovered places that ignite something in us all, are easy to navigate and inspire endless curiosity and amazement. Find my top seven family vacation destinations in the world below. Each is full of magic and waiting to be explored.
British Columbia, Canada
With an abundance of wildlife—humpback whales and orcas, grizzly bears and elk, bald eagles and otters—and some of the most breathtaking and untouched natural environments anywhere, British Columbia has a lot to offer families, especially those who thrive outdoors. There are so many ways to enjoy the outdoors, whether you’re looking to hike, bike, ski, walk, boat, or explore, that it can be enough to change your life. Our trips to B.C. always make us want decamp there).
There’s plenty to do on a vacation, from Whistler mountain retreats to Vancouver Island wilderness adventures (think Clayoquot Wilderness LodgeHaida Gwaii is known as the Galapagos Islands of the North, and offers a variety of First Nations immersions. Vancouver is a must-see on any trip. Fairmont Pacific Rim makes a fantastic basecamp for experiencing the city in all its glory—bike rides and picnics or even First Nations–led forest bathing walks at Stanley Park, Capilano Suspension Bridge jaunts, and FlyOver Canada’s awe-inspiring virtual flights.
United Kingdom
Traveling to another country is easier if we speak the same language. United Kingdom It’s easy to navigate with children, but there are some differences. This is a good thing. There are many reasons that the UK is so popular with families. London is a great place to start. Its dozens of attractions—museums, parks, palaces, the London Eye, fancy tea parties, the West End, and historical sites everywhere—plus fabulous hotels (One AldwychIts Charlie and the Chocolate Factory The city is easy to visit with afternoon tea.
