Top 5 Kid-Friendly Travel Destinations for 2017
Traveling with kids is a passion for many, and the responses to our query for the best destinations for family travel in 2017 were overwhelming. From the enthusiastic responses, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 destinations:
1. Experience the Thrill of a Tuk-Tuk Ride in Thailand
Thailand tops the list as the favorite choice for a family holiday. This versatile destination offers a mix of city and beach experiences. In Bangkok, you can ride a tuk-tuk, visit Lumpini Park, explore temples and palaces, and cycle around the city. On Koh Samui, relax on Bophut beach, visit the child-friendly Fisherman village, or rent a car to explore other sites. Thailand is easy to travel through, has excellent healthcare, and is very child-friendly, making it a well-deserved number one destination.
2. Discover Wildlife in Costa Rica
Costa Rica, known for its astounding nature, represents South America on this list. The country offers amazing jungles, volcanoes, and beautiful beaches. It’s easy to travel through, and you can rent a car to explore the country at your own pace. Kid-friendly highlights include visiting turtle beach in Tortuguero, exploring the misty woods in Monteverde, plucking pineapples in Sarapiqui, and lounging on the beach of Manuel Antonio.
3. Island Hopping in Hawaii
Known for its stunning beaches, Hawaii offers much more than just sunbathing. Explore the volcanos with your kids, hike through the mountains, visit the turtles, or be on the lookout for dolphins. Hawaii is an archipelago, so don’t miss out on the unique experiences each island offers. Be sure to visit Maui, the ‘Big Island’, and Kauai to get the true ‘Hawaii’ experience.
4. Spotting Wildlife in South Africa
South Africa is a paradise for young animal lovers. Imagine your child’s excitement when they spot their first elephant! In parks like Kruger, you can drive around in your own car, spotting animals such as lions, bison, zebras, giraffes, and rhinos. But South Africa offers much more. Consider horse-riding through the parks, cage diving with sharks (for the older kids!), or visiting Table Mountain with the cable railway from Cape Town. And for the parents, don’t miss the chance to taste delicious wine in Stellenbosch.
5. Sailing a Wooden Boat in Vietnam
Vietnam is a versatile country that’s wonderful to explore with kids. The northern region offers beautiful hikes through the vast and luscious mountains of Sapa, or you can sail the waters of Halong Bay on a wooden boat. Travel down by train or overnight bus to visit small villages and explore amazing temple structures, or hitch a ride through the mountains on the back of a local’s moped. Vietnam is also known for its gorgeous beaches where older kids can take kite-surf lessons, or where you can simply relax.
That concludes our top 5 destinations for travelling with kids in 2017, based entirely on your inspiring responses! If you think we’ve missed a country, let us know! We’re planning on travelling to Cape Verde and Bali this year. Where will you be going? Keep on travelling!