How to Choose the Perfect Family Travel Destination

Traveling with kids can be stressful. Younger children, particularly toddlers, easily get bored and start to fret. (Long road trips are a classic example of this). And that’s before you even get to your destination! So how can you prepare for a family vacation that everyone, including kids, will love? 

Here are our 5 top tips on how to choose the perfect family travel destination.

Opt for a Kid-Friendly Mode of Travel

Half of the fun of travel is not in the destination but in the journey. Yet family travel sometimes fails to live up to the dream. That is because, far from being glamorous, family travel can be difficult. Most modes of vacation transport, like long flights, are simply not conducive to family travel. 

Yet, there is one mode of transportation that is sadly often overlooked. Cruise ships! Cruise ships are the ultimate family-friendly vacation solution. There’s no sitting around like on a plane, train, or car. Cruise ships also often have fun children’s activities on board, too. 

They also travel to exotic destinations. Even cruises to the Arctic are perfect for children. They’ll learn about the North Pole, and see polar bears, reindeer, and whales. An Arctic cruise is guaranteed to stimulate young minds and satisfy their taste for adventure.

Select a Destination That Appeals to Everyone

Of course, one of the most important things about being a family is considering everyone’s interests and abilities. While an adventurous vacation filled with hiking and trekking may sound like heaven on earth to you, your toddlers can’t exactly keep up. Neither can any older family members who you might want to have traveling with you.

Consider everyone’s mobility levels and interest when selecting a destination, so that it appeals to everyone. This is often easily achieved by going to a resort, and it’s why resort vacations are so popular with families. There are activities for everyone to enjoy, and most resorts have childcare facilities, too.

A seaside resort is usually a winner for all ages. If you decide to go to one that is not near the coast, choose one that has other kid-friendly attractions in the vicinity. Are there zoos or nature reserves in the area? These are some of the top summer activities you can do with small children.

Read Other Family’s Reviews

It’s always a good idea to do some thorough research online before planning a family vacation. If you’ve been reading through the reviews on a travel website, you’re off to a great start. It certainly helps to know what other people have thought of the destination, hotel or resort you have in mind. 

Read reviews from people who were also traveling with kids to get a more accurate picture of what you’ll be experiencing. Different travelers have different needs, and what works for a young couple with no kids might not work for a large family of several generations.

Don’t just stick to the reviews left on hotel websites, either. Check out reviews of restaurants, museums, and other places in the area. It will give you a more comprehensive view of what visiting the destination will be like. 

Get the Timing Right

Timing is everything, especially when traveling as a family. When you’re traveling internationally, check the season and climate in your chosen destination. What are the average temperatures, and is rainfall or snow expected? 

Online weather sites have this type of information, as well as any pertinent weather warnings. The last thing you need is to set off for an island getaway, only to be met by a tropical storm! Get the timing right, and you’ll all have a good time.

Infants and toddlers are much more sensitive to heat. If traveling in summer to a very hot climate, keep this in mind. Consider postponing your summer trip and opting for some autumn or springtime fun with the kids, instead. If you’ve already booked the trip and can’t delay it, remember to pack in sunscreen. 

Check the Stats

Check the local amenities and statistics of the place you intend to visit. Are there facilities that appeal to children in your kids’ age group? Are the restaurants child-friendly? What about the local crime statistics? 

If that last one took you by surprise, it shouldn’t have. Traveling as a family means choosing safe travel destinations, and crime rates for the area in question give you an idea of safety. Although every country has problems, try to avoid places where tourist muggings or kidnapping tourists for ransom are high.

If you have your heart set on visiting a place where such crimes are common, be responsible. Get the numbers for the local police, emergency services, and your embassy, and program them into your mobile phone.