Travelling with children is not always an easy task because some destinations will be more suitable than others to these demanding and sometimes tough travel companions.
That, and the difficulty that sometimes parents have in finding a destination that is more suitable to family activities, are the reason why we have come up with this list of suggestions to live an unforgettable journey anywhere in the world. You can choose.
1. Florence, Italy
Discovering the wonders of one of the most beautiful cities in the world is one of the best options for your family trip. This is a city that has always had children in mind, offering visits to museums with family benefits, events, wonderful gardens, libraries, among many others.
Comparing to other Italian cultural destinations, Florence has the advantage of being a living museum when considering its incomparable beauty, where main attractions are at walking distance from each other. The fact that its artistic heritage is concentrated in its historic center makes it perfect to visit with the children. Florence should be explored on foot and that should be done slowly, because it is really worth it.
One of the city’s most characteristics spots is the Ponte Vecchio, here you can wander about the old bridge and appreciate the shops, the street artists and, of course, the view over the Arno river.
Where should we take our children?
- Museo dei Ragazzi – discover secret paths in the different museums, all designed by educators and actors.
- La Bottega dei Ragazzi at the Museo degli Innocenti – with over 70 playful and creative laboratories on history of the art and the history of Florence. An adventure for children from 3 to 11 years of age;
- Planetarium – In Florence, underneath a dome measuring 8 meters in diameter and with 54 seats, you can enjoy a starry night with over 6000 stars, where children and adults can travel through time and space among constellations and planets. At weekends, the planetarium is open to the general public (with the minimum age for admission being 6 years). The show offers a general view of the most important astronomical events.
- During winter you can still ice skate with the children at Firenze Winter Park.
Florence is a city of continued discovery for which if you choose to stay longer, it is always worth it to visit Vinci and Pistoia, them too child friendly. Vinci will teach a lot all about the genius Leonardo da Vinci, who was born 40km west of Florence on the hills of Montalbano.
2. Sentosa, Singapura
Sentosa is an island in Singapore, southeast Asia. Your children will love this island where they can visit Universal Studios Singapore, the Aquarium, among others. Sentosa is the true island of phantasy where a visitor can enjoy activities enough for four days.
Due to its multiple attractions, this is a paradise for the children.
Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom is one great attraction where you can bring your children. It is a garden with over 15 thousand living butterflies representing more than 50 species.
Along with this one, you can still visit the Insect Kingdom, home to more than 3 thousand species of rare insects from all over the world.
On the other hand, the Sea Aquarium and the Dolphin Island are an oceanarium in the west of Sentosa that can’t go unmissed because the kids will love it! The oceanarium is underwater and has an 83-meter elevator. Throughout the submersed glass tunnel you can observe a vast amount of ocean life, including a coral reef, turtles, sharks and other fish. The live museum has over 2500 marine and sweet water animals of 250 species from different parts of the world.
There is also a program for adults to “dive with the sharks”.
3. Portugal dos Pequeninos, Coimbra, Portugal
This Park-Garden is representative of Portugal’s architectonic heritage, not only of its architecture styles but also of the building typology built according to each region’s geo-morphological characteristics, where also traditional crafts are on display.
This space puts all kinds of public, either children or adults, in contact with different cultural aspects of Portuguese ethnography and that of the African countries of official Portuguese language, namely furniture, customs and crafts, together with the different architectonic typologies of Portugal, all shown in small-scale, adequate to the entertainment of its smaller visitors.
4. Barcelona, Spain
Here programs for tourism with children can be countless: the cable-car to the Montjuic Park, L’Aquarium, the Amusement Park of Tibidabo and the children’s bookshops such as Casa Anita. The options to take your kids to a brave new world are vast.
Barcelona is a very influential city in all fields of world economy, culture, trade and tourism. Its singular architecture imagined by Gaudí delights anyone visiting, making children think that these houses come out of a cartoon. It is very worth a visit.
5. Amazon, Brazil
With the world’s largest territorial extension and biodiversity of a rainforest, the Amazon is considered the Earth’s Lungs.
For such reason, knowing this region and have the opportunity to show your children what of most value we have in this world is important to inspire them and this guarantee a better future for all of us.
There are special routes to travel to the Amazon with children. The largest rainforest on Earth houses the most incredible adventures for the whole family.
- Activities, games and histories, developed and applied by an educator at various moments of the journey, aiming the cultural enrichment of the children and ties between parents and children
- Journeys by the rivers of Amazon, stopping at strategic locations
- Visit to some of the main attractions of Manaus and its region
- Walk some interpretative tracks in the forest to learn curiosities about the Amazon’s biodiversity
- Visiting an indigenous village to contact with their culture and their way of life, dances and exotic food traditions
- Visit to the river communities to know how they live
- Canoeing, listening to the sounds and enjoying the nature that open at each turn
- Journey along to see the meeting of the rivers Negro and Solimões, which waters of different colors do not mix, making it look like a magic trick
- Boat tour to enjoy the sunrise in the Archipelago of Anavilhanas, a truly spectacular show
- Fishing with traditional bamboo canes, learning with the local communities about their food
6. Orlando, USA
The north American city of Orlando is famous as a tourist attraction as it offers a vast array of wonderful places where you can bring your kids.
Disney World is the most visited entertainment resort in the whole world, located at Bay Lake, Florida, close to the city of Orlando, is a magical place that will leave any child fascinated. On the other hand, do not miss the Seaworld, these theme park of the ocean life, you just cannot escape.
It’s a group of theme parks for sea mammals where whales and dolphins are a highlight.
Go to Universal, one of the largest and oldest cinema studios in the world. The film recording and production is done in California and the visit is fascinating for either children and adults.
In Orlando, do not miss Celebration, a region known for being “Walt Disney City”. Do the boat tour of Winter Park, know the history of Saint Augustine, explore Daytona and Cocoa Beach and do visit the indispensable Kennedy Space Center, mainly for those kids fascinated with the sky or who want to be astronauts, this place is absolutely magical. Here you can know more about NASA, it will be truly unique.
The only danger is your children not wanting to leave from there.
7. New York City, USA
Still in the United States of America, we come to New York. Midtown Manhattan and Times Square are some of the places that are now an icon in the busy city life.
For the children, going to Central Park and visiting its zoo could be an unforgettable experience, also because it was here that most of the movie Madagascar, released in 2005, was recorded, and entrance is free under 2 years of age.
Go atop the Empire State Building, the most iconic building in New York went through structural reform and has included activities for children in its experience. Of course, you have to visit the King Kong Room, almost at the entrance, ideal for photographs and to live funny moments with your children.
Another highlight is Broadway. Famous for its incredible super productions, although most shows is recommended only to adults, you can take your children to the Disney musicals, true masterpieces, inspired in the history and original characters of the animated films, made for all ages. Alladin, Lion King and Frozen are some of the examples of shows that have been enormously successful.
Another family trip in New York would be in the cruise ships of Circle Line. Considered the most safe and desired in the whole city, these are ideal for children of all ages.
The trip lasts for an hour and a half and it’s ideal to know the many touristic sites from a different angle. For the families that want to enjoy a memorable tour, I recommend the option for cruise with lunch, or a brunch as served on Sundays.
The panoramic boat, totally closed with insulated glass, provides for a tranquil trip of New York’s rivers. The boat line allows the entrance of children with a discount in the booking.
During the tour, you will be served a meal with a view to the main sites including the Statue of Liberty. Surrounded by centers of fashion, art, music, technology, commerce and entertainment, travelling to New York with your children cannot be missed.
8. Los Angeles, USA
Go to the City of Angels, the second largest in the United States and the one showing off the famous Hollywood sign. There are many beaches, circuses and shops all over.
It is the creative capital of the world, where professionals of all fields of entertainment abound, for if your children enjoy the show business, arts and the industry of entertainment, few are the places in the world that are better to take them.
Theme parks and incredible views are other wonders that LA has to offer. A trip that can be done with children and which assumes as completely unforgettable.
9. Cancun, Mexico
The diversity of tours offered in Cancun call in honeymooning couples and families looking for fun. The beaches are magnificent and calm and its resorts are very good to have a rest and be with your children. The themed eco-parks are another great option, such as X-Caret, Xel-Há, X-Plor or El Garrafón. There, children can choose from many activities such as water sports or adventure which they will love.
Besides the fun, Cancun has a very rich history with beautiful Maya ruins in the city itself and its outskirts, such as Tulum, Chichén, Cobá, Itzá and Ek Balam. A destination that is well worth it.
10. Bariloche, Argentina
In South America, San Carlos de Bariloche, in the province of Rio Negro, it is one of many access points to the Cordillera of the Andes. The region of the lakes is surrounded by an indescribable landscape composed of belvederes and fantastic national parks where you will be able to do some unforgettable tracks. It is known for its alpine style and for the delicious chocolate.
Here, hotels guarantee a good structure to welcome families with their children. Make sure to take reall warm clothes to face the cold winds. Take a chance to teach your children how to ski or snowboard, which are on offer and which children will love.
The resort has over 60 lanes for all the practicing levels, spanning over 120km skiing area. The slopes here are breathtaking, just as your trip with your children to any of the places hereby listed.
Venture further, with no fear, create memories with them, giving yourselves the tranquility that you need by proportioning adequate activities to your small yet great companions.
