Below, you’ll find a family-travel playbook packed with inspiration and guidance from our forums, reviews, and experts. There are road-trip ideas that promise to tear your teens away from TikTok. There are city guides that help you maximize time so that you’re not still stuck on the Brooklyn Bridge at nap-time. There’s insight from our community about nailing trips with little kids, trips with older kids, and trips with senior parents. You’ll also find ideas for getting your next adventure into motion—even if you’ve got no idea where to go.
India
Seeing that we lived in Bangalore for a year, I would have been rather peeved if India hadn’t made their list. The boys were 1 and 3 when we first moved out there.
I miss this place sooooooo much! Yes the bureaucracy drove me nuts, but anyone who’s been to India knows this is a county that gets under your skin and awakens the senses. Every day was an adventure and I would kill for a decent kadai paneer right now!
Namibia
To think that we only decided to go to Namibia at the very last minute (as in the night before), seems crazy now. We were on our big overlanding trip through Southern Africa and camping for the night in Zambia, close to the Botswana and Namibia border, getting ready to cross the border into Botswana. But news of washed out roads in Botswana made us change our plans. We had been on the road for over 2 months, and had had enough of bad roads.
So to Namibia we went, and I swear our tyres were singing when they sailed along the fresh tarmac!
For anyone who asks me where to take kids on their first African adventure, Namibia is always my answer.
But for the boys, Namibia was more than the incredible and easy wildlife spotting on safari. There are hundreds of stinky seals to see, shipwrecks and abandoned mines to explore, huge crimson sand dunes to run down. Plus a German bakery in every town! And the roads are much easier for self driving – though be warned, the distances are huge!
Nepal
The full days sat on a bus, navigating winding, pot-holed roads means the can be challenging Or maybe just fly between destinations?
But when you’re carried around the Himalayas in a doko (basket used by porters) it makes hiking at altitude so much easier . This photo is one of my favourite family travel memories, so I absolutely love that the boys put Nepal.
How much should you eat?
You should eat the right amount of calories for your body, which will vary based on your sex, age, and physical activity level. Remember that some healthy foods, including oils and dairy, can still have a lot of calories. Some fruits can have a lot of natural sugar, especially when they are dried. Develop a personalized food plan at You can visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s has information about healthy eating and recommendations for healthy eating patterns.
Use up at least as many calories as you take in.
- Start by knowing how many calories you should eat and drink to maintain your weight. Nutrition and calorie information on food labels is typically based on a 2,000-calorie-per-day diet. You may need fewer or more calories depending on several factors including age, gender, height, weight, level of physical activity and whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity (or an equal combination of both) each week. Ideally, your activity should be spread throughout the week.
- Increase the amount and intensity of your physical activity to burn more calories.
Regular physical activity can help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight, keep off weight that you lose and reach physical and cardiovascular fitness. If it’s hard to schedule regular exercise, look for ways to build short bursts of activity into your daily routine such as parking farther away and taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Try incorporating muscle-strengthening activity at least twice a week. You can do these workouts separately from your cardio activity or add resistance to an existing workout.
Eat an overall healthy dietary pattern that includes:
- A wide variety of
- Whole grains and products made up mostly of rather than refined grains
- (Shift from meat to plant sources like beans, peas, lentils and nuts, regularly consume fish and seafood, select low-fat or fat-free dairy products instead of full-fat dairy products and if you like meat, choose skinless and lean cuts, minimizing processed forms and portions)
- Sources of unsaturated fat such as non-tropical liquid plant oils in place of sources of saturated fat found in foods like coconut oil, butter and fatty meats.
- Whole foods and minimally instead of ultraprocessed foods
- Minimized intake of from beverages and foods
- Foods low in sodium and prepared with little or no
- If you don’t drink alcohol, don’t start and if you do, limit your intake.
Building a Healthy and Balanced Diet
Make most of your meal vegetables and fruits – ½ of your plate.
Aim for color and variety, and remember that potatoes don’t count as vegetables on the Healthy Eating Plate because of their negative impact on blood sugar.
Go for whole grains – ¼ of your plate.
Whole and intact grains—whole wheat, barley, wheat berries, quinoa, oats, brown rice, and foods made with them, such as whole wheat pasta—have a milder effect on blood sugar and insulin than white bread, white rice, and other refined grains.
Protein power – ¼ of your plate.
Fish, poultry, beans, and nuts are all healthy, versatile protein sources—they can be mixed into salads, and pair well with vegetables on a plate. Limit red meat, and avoid processed meats such as bacon and sausage.
Healthy plant oils – in moderation.
Choose healthy vegetable oils like olive, canola, soy, corn, sunflower, peanut, and others, and avoid partially hydrogenated oils, which contain unhealthy trans fats. Remember that low-fat does not mean “healthy.”
Drink water, coffee, or tea.
Skip sugary drinks, limit milk and dairy products to one to two servings per day, and limit juice to a small glass per day.
Iceland
Thanks to Hey Iceland hosting us for two separate press trips, we have all fallen in love with Yes it’s an expensive destination, but there are ways to keep costs down – such as bringing food with you on the plane from home, visiting off season (such as the October half term), visiting the free activities (there are lots of them), and self-driving! And pre-pandemic you could always find a good deal on flights.for more money saving tips.
As the boys have visited here fairly recently they have lots of amazing memories from Iceland:
- Swimming in geothermal pools
- Riding icelandic horses
- Whale watching
- Walking inside a glacier
- Mum giving lots of Geography lessons
Why Choosing the Right Family Vacation Destination Matters
Picking the right place is the first step toward a successful family trip. The best family vacation destinations in the world offer a mix of fun, comfort, and safety that makes travel easier and more enjoyable for everyone.
Here’s what to keep in mind when choosing a destination:
Ease of travel: Look for places with good infrastructure and safe public transportation.
Variety of activities: Choose destinations with options for every age group—from toddlers to teens.
Family-friendly accommodations: Hotels and resorts with amenities like kids’ clubs, play areas, and babysitting services can make a huge difference.
Affordability: The best family vacation destinations in the world often offer free or low-cost attractions and family meal deals.
Learning opportunities: Many spots combine fun with cultural or educational value, which adds depth to your trip.
With a little planning and the right location, your next family vacation can be both exciting and stress-free.
Make your next family trip stress-free—use this guide to discover which destination suits your family best!