When planning a family trip, most of us immediately think of places like Disney World, which are very obviously family-orientated and where we know that there will be lots of things for every member of the family, whatever age they may be, to do. There is nothing wrong with this, and Disney World, for example, is undoubtedly one of the best places to vacation with the whole family on the planet, however, there are lots of other destinations, which although less obvious, still offer tons of family fun. It is worth exploring them if you want to do something different and expand your horizons a little.
Sound good? Here are some of the best unexpectedly family-friendly vacation destinations around the world for your consideration…
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is a fast-paced city, so it might not be the first place that you think of when it comes to planning a family trip, but it really does have a lot to offer. As well as having its own Disneyland and DisneySea, which are just as good as Disney World in their own ways, the city is home to fabulous attractions including the National Museum of Nature and Science, Ueno Zoo, Legoland Discovery Center and of course the Ghibli Museum where the kids can see some of their favorite characters from movies such as My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away. Pretty cool, right?
Rio de Janiero, Brazil
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Rio has a bit of an adult party image thanks to it’s fabulous, and often boozy carnival celebrations and the popularity of cocktails, salsa, and often topless, beaches. However, there is far more to it than that, and it is possible to have a wonderful time with the kids in Rio. What is there to do? Obviously, you’re going to want to spend a lot of time on one of the many pristine beaches, tanning, trying the numerous watersports on offer and swimming in the beautiful blue seas. Then, there are cable car rides that will take you into rainforests teeming with wildlife, train journeys to the amazing Christ the Redeemer statue, and multiple amazing restaurants, which you can find at https://www.eater.com/maps/best-new-restaurants-rio-heatmap to keep you entertained. Oh, the weather is pretty amazing too, so you won’t have to worry about being holed up in a hotel with a couple of bored kids on your hands either!
Java, Indonesia
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Again, this is a location that is not often thought of as a family destination; it is much more commonly considered to be a popular place for backpacking, but it is actually a really great place to visit, especially if your family are the adventure/outdoorsy type. Not only is property in Java very cheap, as you can see at https://www.rumah.com/rumah-dijual/di-area-semarang-idjt28/dibawah-200juta-rupiah, which means you can rent a pretty great apartment or villa cheap, but wherever you are in Java, you will never be too far away from amazing attractions such as visiting the beautiful Buddist Borobudur Temple, the beach at Batu Karas, which is ideal for surfing, Mount Ijen which offers a fun, yet challenging climb and beautiful views from above, and so much more. If you want to ensure that your family will never be bored, it’s the ideal place to visit.
It is also home to a beautiful canal system, which is so much fun to travel on, as well as endless opportunities to break out the hiking boots and explore the many cheap and exotic markets.
Atlantic City, New Jersey
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Atlantic City has a similar reputation to Las Vegas due to the fact that there is lots of gambling to be done and big shows to be seen, but you shouldn’t let this fool you into thinking that it isn’t a suitable place to take the kids. Yes, there are lots of casinos and more than a few showgirls to be spotted in the city, but in the past few years, there has been a real push to bring in the families and this has resulted in far more attractions that will appeal to little ones just as much as the adults. There are hotels with pools and specific programs for kids, which will keep them entertained on a budget, as well as beautiful beaches where you can surf, kayak and swim ‘til your heart’s content, and best of all, a boardwalk which is home to lots of fun roller coasters and other rides, as well as the obligatory cotton candy and hot dogs. It’s really hard not to have fun when you’re in Atlantic City!
Wales, UK
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When people from the States think about visiting the UK, they almost invariably think about visiting London, which kind of makes sense because it is the most well-known place there and there are lots of museums, shops, theatres and attractions concentrated there in such a small space. However, London is an expensive city and it can be pretty crowded too. That’s why you might want to consider wales instead. Wales is not only far cheaper, but it is arguably far more beautiful too if you like nature at least. Home to countless rolling hills and awe-inspiring views as well as some of the friendliest people you are ever likely to meet and endless opportunities for camping, glamping, mountain climbing, and other outdoor activities, it is sure to keep you all happy, even if it does rain a little more than you might like.
Panama, Central America
If Panama isn’t on your radar, then you are certainly not alone, but that is set to chance because the Central American location is fast becoming the next big thing, especially with family travelers, This is not at all surprising because the place is teeming with beautiful exotic wildlife, who live in equally as beautiful jungles. It is also home to a beautiful canal system, which is so much fun to travel on, as well as endless opportunities for biking, hiking, and exploring the many cheap and exotic markets. If you’re looking for a chilled out vacation with plenty of weather and lots to do, you absolutely could do far worse than booking a trip to Panama.
I hope this has given you some food for thought and pointed out a few great destinations that you may not have considered before. Have a great time wherever you choose to vacation next!
*This is contributed post
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