Put together by Scott Dunn travel specialist Chen Kang Hsu, who has travelled to 42 countries and is also a proud father of a bubbly 5-year-old, this is the ultimate holiday list.
The travel specialist dad included some of his personal favourite family holiday destinations that were also a hit for him and his son.
6 Family-Friendly Destinations By Travel Specialist Chen Kang Hsu
1. Aya Niseko, Japan | Jan-Feb
Image source: Scott Dunn
Aya Niseko is a ski-in ski-out hotel offering luxury apartments, residences and penthouses on the slopes of Grand Hirafu Resort. It features a kids club for little ones and incredible views to enjoy as you soak in the traditional hot spring onsens.
Image source: Scott Dunn
Key Highlights:
– Niseko Kid’s Club for children aged 12 months to 6 years, great for families as the adults can have some ski time to themselves while knowing that the kids are cared for
– Culturally rich experiences nearby such as:
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Visiting the Okhotsuku Ryuhyo Museum and Prison Museum
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Head to a local farm and enjoy potato harvesting and try your hand at making potato chips – a great activity for families.
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Reconnect with nature as you visit Onuma National Park, known for its bird life and an abundance of diverse vegetation.
- Apart from skiing, try your hand at deep powder cat skiing, snowbiking, reindeer sledges, snowmobiling, horse rides, snow rafting and snow shoeing
2. Six Senses Laamu, Maldives | Dec-April
Image source: Scott Dunn
Six Senses Laamu is the only resort on the virtually uncharted Laamu Atoll in the Maldives, deep in the Indian Ocean. The island is known for its outstanding natural beauty, powder white sand, lush tropical vegetation and crystal clear waters.
Villas are carefully designed to complement the outstanding natural beauty of the island, they offer utter privacy, comfort and luxury. True to its philosophy of environmental protection, the villas are made from local and sustainable materials along with every possible thought for the comfort of their guests.
Key Highlights:
– Junior Marine Biology Program where budding conservationists can join the Maldives Underwater Initiative team (MUI) and experience real-world conservation at work and explore diverse fields in marine biology.
– Children have a choice of outdoor and indoor games. If they are able to swim well, and with the permission of their parents, they can go snorkelling to see the wide variety of sea creatures in the island’s house reef.
– Other fun activities for children include:
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outdoor games (ball games, frisbee, swings, climbing ropes, monkey bars)
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indoor games (puzzles, blocks, cars, darts, board games; movies)
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beach play
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cookies, cupcake and pizza making
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arts and crafts (paper bead jewellery, coconut shell turtles, wind chimes, zoo animals, sail boats, hand-print craft, painting, drawing)
3. Marataba Safari Lodge, South Africa | March-Oct
Image source: Scott Dunn
For families who love wildlife, enjoy a trip to South Africa, where the Marataba Safari Lodge is set in the bushveld, on a quiet river with dramatic views of the Waterberg escarpment in Marakele National Park.
There is a diverse combination of fantastic mountains and gorges, bush and plains, rivers and ponds to explore, with abundant plains game, healthy populations of big cats, elephants, and both white and black rhino.
Game drives here are full of excitement and species lists are quickly filled.
Image source: Scott Dunn
Key Highlights:
– Family Suites at Safari Lodge include a children’s bunk bedroom, giving the kids (and you) your own space. It’s en-suite and thoughtfully kitted out for them, with toys and games, their own gown and slipper sets, bedside hot chocolate mugs, and storybooks to leave them dreaming of Africa.
– Private Safari at Marataba with a personal safari vehicle, guide and tracker team to watch exotic wildlife like lions, leopards, elephants, white and black rhinos in their natural habitats.
– Spend a night out under the stars in the natural beauty of the Marakele National Park in the Thabametsi Treehouse. Offering complete exclusivity, privacy and stunning views, this Treehouse offers luxury and comfort for an unforgettable night.
4. Lake Garda & the Dolomites, Italy | June-Sept
Image source: Scott Dunn
Leap into this fantastic world, where the lakes meet the mountains, the ideal playground for outdoorsy families in the summer. Northern Italy offers some of the country’s most magnificent scenery and is perfect to indulge in adventurous fun with all the family.
Explore beautiful Lake Garda before escaping to the fresh mountain air of the Dolomites, where a plethora of outdoor adventures await.
Image source: Scott Dunn
Key Highlights:
– The Dolomites is a haven for active families, with its many hiking and biking trails and plenty of other activities
– Try your hand at E-biking, an easy way to reach higher altitudes and admire the most incredible panoramic views across the mountains
– Sail the open clear waters of Lake Garda and take the cable car from Malcesine to Monte Baldo for breath-taking views over the lake
– Reside in hotels like the Du Lac et Du Parc Grand Resort, equipped with everything you could need for an ultimate family stay
5. Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum & Dead Sea, Jordan | March-May or Sept-Nov
Image source: Scott Dunn
A fun-filled family adventure through plenty of action packed activities in Jordan is the perfect opportunity to mix soft adventure in a country that stimulates the imagination and offers so much more than a week in a beach hotel.
Image source: Scott Dunn
Key Highlights:
– A superb family itinerary, ideal for children 8 and up
– Ideal times to visit are during Easter Holidays, May Half Term or October Half Term
– Spend a night as a family under the stars camping out in the desert in Wadi Rum, and why not enjoy a camel ride amongst the dunes
– The children will love floating on the Dead Sea at the end of the holiday
6. Lapland, Finland | Dec-March
Image source: Scott Dunn
A trip to Finnish Lapland is an unforgettable experience full of treasured memories you will keep for a lifetime. Here, we bring the fairy-tale stories of Lapland to life with enchanting encounters with elves, reindeer, huskies and of course, Father Christmas.
Image source: Scott Dunn
Key Highlights:
– Enjoy a private visit to Father Christmas in his Lapland home
– Dash through the snow on the back of a husky sled or reindeer sleigh
– Stay in a private chalet where a cosy log fire awaits, perfect for warming up on cold evenings
– Keep a lookout for the elusive Northern Lights and, if you find them, watch the vibrant colours dance through the night sky
– An action-packed itinerary with fun activities for the whole family
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