Travel With The Family
Dolly Parton once said, “Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.” And today, that speaks so much volume and sense. We’re all trapped inside this big adult jail, rarely getting rest and if we do it’s mostly just spent inside wrapped under our blankets watching The Office for the nth time, laughing at a joke Michael Scott just cracked. It isn’t really much of a life as we work hard to pay the bills, our retail therapy, and our payday treats. There aren’t many vacation leaves and lots of uncompensated work. And this pretty much sums up the corporate slave way of living and somehow we might end up doing it all our lives.
We see this happening now.
We work and work and work that we forget that we deserve a bit more than just online hauls or payday treats. We deserve a quality life spent with ourselves and our loved ones.
One thing that alleviates stress aside from exercise is travel. And it’s always worth the money. Vacationing or travelling with the family is a good way to take a break from all the routine and just have some good and fun time.
The Statistics
According to a 2019 data by the World Tourism Organization, global tourism is on a record high with 1.4 billion people travelling — that is an astounding 6 percent jump from the 2017 record.
Family travel accounts for around thirty one percent of outbound tourism and is expected to boom in the coming years. GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company has projected a 4.6% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for outbound family travel market. That is an estimated increase from 300 million people to 376 million by the year 2022. Although we might be seeing differences in the numbers as the pandemic hit the travel tourism the hardest with countries imposing lockdowns.
Why travel with the family?
There are a lot of benefits when you travel as a family. First off the list is travel offers a great bonding experience by creating memories together whether it’s trying out new things or enjoying food together. This is especially great for busy families whose only time to bond is a few hours of dinnertime chat. Family trips or adventures can also be educational. For kids and adults alike, travel promotes independence and self-confidence. It also helps one to become more socially adept and open minded to other cultures.
The only daunting task when travelling with family is… the kids. Going into another state or country is one thing but kids? They’re on a whole new level.
So we have compiled a list of family-friendly destinations you could try for your next travel!
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all!”
FRANCE
In the World Economic Forum (WEF) ranking of countries most equipped to welcome tourists last year, France garnered the second spot next to Spain. It is also one of the most visited countries in the world with Paris topping the U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Vacation Destinations ranking.
France is a diverse country that offers exquisite taste of the arts from beauty to architecture and of course, fashion! It also offers gems in the culinary world. France has also a very rich culture that adults and kids will both be excited to explore!
Its capital, Paris, although has a very romantic reputation also offers a wonderful family vibe. The Luxembourg Garden and Tuileries Garden are a must-visit aside from the very popular, Eiffel Tower. A cruise on the Seine is also a good way to enjoy Paris and its landmark all the while enjoying and resting yourselves.
LONDON
This UK capital is a family favorite among family travel bloggers. London may be an expensive place to travel to but it offers a lot of free amenities as well such as parks, museums, and historical landmarks that the kids and kids at heart will definitely enjoy.
The Natural History Museum is one of the favorite museums to visit in this area and is a very educational one, too. Most schools in London visit this museum as part of the school’s activities. It is also a famous location for a lot of films like Jupiter Ascending and The Mummy!
The Museum of Childhood is also a good and enjoyable place to visit although some bloggers who have already visited this noted that it could be gruesome for some. But all in all, this museum is a must-visit as well.
Aside from the museums, the family can also enjoy and take pictures in front of Buckingham Palace and adults can relive their childhood while visiting London Disneyland with their kids.
GREECE
Greece has a very wonderful reputation as a tourist destination and one of its many popular places to visit is the capital itself: Athens.
Athens is for the culture vultures and is definitely a good educational and enjoyable destination. It’s the home of Percy Jackson and the Greek mythology and the Acropolis which is an awe-inspiring site where the ruins of the Parthenon Temple and Theatre of Dionysus stand.
Aside from that, Athens also hosts a flea market where you can find a lot of souvenirs to take home. Kids and adults can both take a shot at bargaining which I must say is a good practical skill!
JAPAN
If you’re planning a trip into Southeast Asia, Japan should definitely be on your list. It’s the home of bullet trains and manga and anime and any kid or kid at heart will definitely enjoy touring Japan. Aside from those, there are also a lot of themed cafes that everyone can enjoy.
Japan is popular for its breathtaking views and while taking in the cityscape, you might want to try on a kimono as well for the full experience! Every city in Japan has a view and experience to offer. Popular among tourists are feeding the deers in Nara and the famous Arashiyama bamboo groves in Kyoto which you can never not see on instagram of people who visited Japan.
INDOCHINA
If we’re talking Southeast Asia, delve into the rich culture and food of Indochina. Recently, backpacking across Indochina has been very popular among solo and group travelers. Indochina is composed of the three popularly-visited countries namely Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. It’s the perfect SEA adventure that is relatively cheap and you get to visit three countries in a short span of time. There is a lot of movement though with this type of travel and might be challenging for families with toddlers.
Nevertheless, it’s a good family destination. First, Thailand has its famous floating market, a must have experience when visiting this country. It also features delicious Asian cuisine of noodles and curry which are distinctly spicy. It’s also rich in culture and religion showing its devotion to Theravada Buddhism.
Jumping to Cambodia (which is also listed in many travel blogs), it offers khmer food known to be rich in herbs and condiments. Unlike Thailand, Cambodia has a milder flavor in food. A definite must-see in this country is the famous Angkor Wat!
If you’re a fan of pho (chicken or beef broth with thin rice noodles) and good coffee, Vietnam is the place for you. Did you know that Vietnam is the second largest coffee exporter in the world? Adults can take their much needed coffee break here.
INDONESIA
The first thing that might’ve popped up in your head is Bali, and yes, you’re right! Bali is a definite family travel destination. Bali is an Indonesian island famous as a nature spot with its forested volcanic mountains, rice paddies, beaches, and coral reefs.
If you’re up for a good culture and nature trip, you can go to the Uluwatu Temple and Ubud Monkey Forest which the kids will surely like. You can also rest and enjoy the beaches or go snorkeling!
Family travel bloggers have pinned this as one of the destinations that children of all ages will enjoy and many have visited this more than once!
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Regarding Traveling with Family…
These are just a few of family favorites and there are a lot more to explore. Some places feature a colorful and rich culture and heritage. Some are popular for their food. Some countries take pride in the adventurous activities that families can enjoy. Go wherever your vibe tells you to go.
Just a note, if it’s your first time traveling solo, with a group or your family, it’s always good to read up on the place and be familiar with it. Know the culture and how to respect it, the do’s and the don’ts. Plan your travel wisely and make the most out of it! Honestly, people try to squeeze in so many places to visit and activities to do that they actually take the fun out of the vacation and just end up exhausted! I hope you don’t do that. Let you and your family enjoy your time.
Travel is not free, it can be really expensive as well. And to some, it can even be just a privilege and luxury they can’t have and afford. So if you’re reading and you’re planning one because you can, I hope you really enjoy every bit of it. And to those who can’t, I hope it’s just for now. Although it’s difficult, I hope you can travel when you can because it’s definitely one of the best therapies out there. So strive for that.
