The best family vacation spots around the world

Iceland

When we think of Iceland family vacations, adventure instantly springs to mind. It’s a magical place (and one we know very well), famous for its unusual landscapes and mesmerising natural beauty. Such surroundings lend themselves to exploration and discovery, so budding and experienced explorers alike are sure to find plenty to enjoy.

When it comes to Iceland family vacations with very little ones, it’s unlikely they’ll be able to take part in or make the most of all the activities and experiences Iceland has to offer. We’ve found it’s often better suited to families with slightly older kids – but it’s something to look forward to when they’re a little more grown up. For more immediate suggestions, have a look at our post dedicated to family vacations in Europe.

This luxurious adventure brings together the best of what Iceland has to offer family travelers. From private access to the warming waters of the Blue Lagoon to taking quad bikes across countryside filled with lava fields, hot springs, black sand beaches and volcanic craters – it’s the adventure of a lifetime. You’ll also snorkel in Silfra Fissure: an ever-changing underwater site where the water is so clear that visibility continues over 100 meters down. This special spot marks the gap between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates; it’s certainly not every day you can say you’ve been swimming between them. Future scientists in the family? This Field Trip experience is another treat for inquisitive minds as you visit a ground-breaking geothermal energy plant to learn how Icelanders have made their country one of the most sustainable in the world.

Iceland’s hotels tend to make the most of the landscapes they’re set in, too. Hotel Ranga in South Iceland is perfect for families – and does exactly that. A luxurious lodge set in stunning countryside, just minutes from the hotel lies its own observatory, where guests can look up to skies saturated with the brightest stars and – at the right time – the elusive, mesmerising northern lights.

Take me to Iceland

Italy

Family vacations in Italy are infatuating, intoxicating; and infinitely customisable. With opportunity for both activity and relaxation – keeping adults and kids of any age entertained – Italy offers so much. There’s cuisine and coastlines; history and heritage. A touch of la dolce vita awaits here for all the family. And what’s more, many of the main school vacations happen to be some of the best times to visit – read our guide for more ideas on how to plan a family trip to Italy.

This family trip to Rome, Florence and Puglia makes the most of this tempting trio. From learning the art of making fresh gelato together to some relaxation overlooking the beautiful terracotta skyline of Florence – there’s a little bit of everything, for everyone. If you really want to bring Rome to life, then a hands-on day at gladiator school should do the trick. Step into the arena together, swords and shields in hand, as you attend your very own practical combat class with a gladiator and learn about some of the world’s most famous fighters.

When it comes to where to stay on your Italian vacation, Borgo Egnazia is one of our favorite hotels, an amazing place perfect for families. Its own little authentic Puglian village, the four outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, reading rooms, and beach club ensure that you’re never short of choice when it comes to how to spend your days. With service that leaves nothing unthought-of, you can relax and truly press the reset button.

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Japan

Few countries in the world serve up such a cool cultural hit as Japan. This nation of islands (some 14,000 in fact) is crammed with things to do. From the thrilling bright-lights of the cities to serenity in the misty mountains, as well as sun-soaked beaches and perfect-powder ski slopes, it’s a land that ignites all the senses, creating family travel memories that’ll feel very different to the rest. There’s plenty for younger children to love here (it’s the home of some of the world’s best amusement parks, including Disney World and Universal Studios), but really, it’s a place for any age. If you have tweens and teens, you could join them sampling new flavors and textures on city food tours, playing in video game centers that leave home consoles in the dust, or swimming in crystal-clear waters off idyllic islands.

We adore Japan, and our years of experience traveling north to south and east to west with our families has helped us put together the very best adventures there – all of which can be completely tailored to the wishlists of you and your closest crew. This 10-night ultimate family tour digs deep into Tokyo and Kyoto, uncovering parts of the cities that you’d have never known existed. It’s crammed with experiences that are wildly different to those back home: like being buried in warm volcanic sand as a way to relax (don’t worry, it’s a tried-and-true Kyushu tradition) or martial arts lessons from one of Japan’s most legendary sensei. “This bruise,” you’ll say, “is from training with a real-life Ninja on vacation.” That’s some souvenir.

Naturally, your hotel stays make up a huge part of your experience. Japanese cities are home to some of the most stylish stays in the world, but a really Japanese experience would also include a night or two at a Ryokan Inn. We love Ginyu Hakone, a tranquil mountain escape where every room has an open-air onsen for in-room rejuvenation, plus traditional sleeping setups with futons and tatami floor mats. It’s comfier than it sounds, we promise (and the private butler sure does help).

Take me to Japan

Costa Rica

Taking a Costa Rica family vacation makes for a trip that’s all about adventure. But these are adventures that look exactly as you want them to – after all, one person’s interpretation of ‘adventure’ is very different to the next. For some, an adventure is seeking out an empty, palm-fringed stretch of sand and jumping for hours in the waves as monkeys swing through branches nearby (Manuel Antonio Beach is spot on for that). For others, it’s cramming your days with heart-racing activities – like rafting down Pacuare River rapids that are more terrifying than tame, before leaping out to check out that night’s jungle digs. Often, it’s a heady combination of both.

As parents ourselves, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to craft family vacations in Costa Rica that will exceed any expectations you may have. And we can work with you to tailor-make your trip to the things you all want to do; that’s not just about bucket list activities but your plans to switch off, bond, and laugh long into the night, too.

Our family adventure through Costa Rica is a brilliant starting point for exactly that. It’s 13 nights of exploring one of the most wildlife-rich nations in the Americas, with over 500,000 wildlife species calling it home. You’ll explore its edges and inland, from surf lessons with a pro instructor in the Pacific Ocean to the roaring rapids of the Pacuare River, where the rainforest is filled with toucans, monkeys, and blue morpho butterflies that float gracefully through the air. Meanwhile, in the Arenal region (regarded as the country’s “adventure capital”), you’ll follow hiking trails over old lava flows and zipline over volcanic craters and emerald-green forests. It’s here that you’ll sleep alongside your kids beneath canvas at Nayara Tented Camp, where safari-inspired tented suites have private infinity pools with sleepy sloths as your forest companions (something our own kids loved). Later in the trip, you’ll visit a family-owned Hacidena, or cattle farm, exploring a research center for sea turtles before saddling up with cowboys to ride along wild, deserted beaches. Believe us when we say this is the smallest glimpse into what your family vacation in Costa Rica could look like. The reality? Even better.

Take me to Costa Rica

Canada

For some of the greatest adventures on the planet – just a short and handy direct flight from home in the US – make Canada your next family vacation spot. This vast nation has so much to offer kids and parents of all ages, like the cosmopolitan city of Toronto with its restaurants that rival those in NYC, postcard-perfect Quebec (gateway to thrilling winter pursuits like ice climbing and ice canoeing), polar bear spotting in Churchill, Manitoba, plus there are dozens of national parks to explore.

When it comes to really uncovering a place on a spring or summer family vacation, we always say to opt for a road trip – where the things you see along the way are as memorable as the final destination. In Western Canada, that’s particularly picturesque stuff: wide, empty roads curve through deep-green forests and snow-dusted mountains provide the backdrop to your time on the road.

This trip, which we’ve created on the back of our own family vacations in the region, will have you starting out in Calgary before you put your foot on the gas to journey through Alberta and British Columbia. It begins by exploring the glacial lakes of Banff National Park on horseback, before pushing on for head-clearing hikes in Jasper, deep in the Rocky Mountains. You’ll whizz through Whistler on a zipline, whitewater raft down the Cheakamus River, and explore the buzz of downtown Vancouver on a bike before crossing the strait to peaceful Vancouver Island. By the side of your expert local guide, you’ll head into the woods to track grizzly bears in their natural habitat, watching as they hunt for crabs at low tide. Then you’ll speed across the water in a Zodiac, scanning the horizon for grey, humpback, and killer whales, before sleeping soundly in a luxury lodge built on a clutch of rocks literally touching the Pacific Ocean. As a family, you’ll return home with a whole new appreciation for wildlife and wilderness – and long car journeys.

Take me to Canada

Argentina

We think a trip to Argentina is your family’s perfect introduction to South America – with enough Latin spirit to ensure you’re experiencing something entirely new, but with a capital city that can feel like some of the most sophisticated in Europe, thanks to its leafy boulevards and exciting restaurants and bars.

Our Argentina family vacation begins there, in that capital of Buenos Aires, where you’ll get the inside track on two of Argentina’s greatest passions – great food and tango. You and your family will take part in a private cooking class, making delicious empanadas, the country’s famous snack, before a chance to make helados, the country’s take on ice cream. That night, you’ll dine in a much-loved neighborhood restaurant with a side serving of live tango. You’ll stand alongside canary-yellow murals in the neighborhood of La Boca, and meet with a local Fileteado artist who will commission your own piece of custom-made art drawn in a style officially recognized by UNESCO – how’s that for a vacation memento? And you couldn’t possibly take a trip to Argentina without time spent enjoying the beautiful game. You’ll watch a Boca Juniors soccer match in the home of Argentinian football, witnessing fandom at its finest.

From Buenos Aires you’ll journey south to a region that feels very different to the capital. Barioloche is located in the northern stretch of Patagonia, and it’s here that you’ll appreciate the pristine nature that Patagonia is so famous for. Kayak to secluded picnic spots, take a private yacht trip across the sapphire-blue waters of Lake Nahuel Huapi, and, if you really want to immerse yourself in the wilderness, we can arrange a private overnight camp out on the water’s edge – and anything else you fancy, for that matter.

And if that’s not for you, Villa Beluno certainly will be. Perched on a precipice overlooking the lake, the 13-suite hotel is one of the most sumptuous stays in the country – with a promise of relaxation in the spa, bedrooms, and loungers that line the forest-fringed infinity pool. Inhale, exhale, and relax.

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Norway

For a family vacation of hours upon hours in the great outdoors, soaking in one of the most mesmerising landscapes on earth, we’d also suggest Norway, in northern Europe. Trips here could include a visit to charming port towns like Bergen, time spent checking out the arty districts and floating saunas of Oslo, the towering glaciers and deep-blue fjords, and – if you’re really lucky – the elusive Northern Lights.

We’ve crafted a 10-night family vacation in Norway that will leave your entire group reenergised from long days beneath the midnight sun in one of the most unforgettable natural environments you’ll ever encounter – the Lofoten islands. It’s a chance to truly switch off, as you take on a bucket list adventure. First up? A meeting with Torkil and Tove, master mushers who will get you up to speed – quite literally – on the ancient tradition of dog sledding in the Narnia-esque northern reaches of the country, Tromso. That night you’ll slumber beneath the stars in an aurora camp, relishing the chance to camp out in the wild while waiting to see the neon-green auroral borealis dance across the sky.

Pushing on, you’ll head to one of Norway’s oldest fishing villages, settling into a fishing-cabin-with-views for the night before heading off-grid to paddle through Reine’s world-famous fjords by sea kayak. Mountain climbs, thrilling rides in rib speedboats, and a chance to glide through the northern fjords on a traditional sailboat all follow. Finally? Time to reconnect with your family on a remote island, where you can snorkel in sapphire-blue fjords, rock-climb up cliff faces, or simply soak in your private seawater hot tub in total isolation, before evenings of card games, drinks, and conversations, celebrating one of the most memorable family vacations in a truly magical place.

Take me to Norway

Greece

There’s so much fascinating history to uncover on Greece family vacations. But it’s also a picturesque place to unwind and spend some quality time stepping back from the hustle and bustle of busy home life. It’s the timeless classic of family vacations, boasting stunning scenery and an irresistibly warm climate. Except the way we do it is far from the kids clubs and all-inclusive resorts of traditional family travel.

This luxury family getaway to Greece will have you uncovering the myths and mysteries of ancient Greece together across Athens, Mykonos and Crete. There’s lunch in a traditional mountainside tavern with delicious dishes baked in a wood-oven, a private yacht trip to explore the archaeological jewel of Delos, and an interactive family tour of the world-famous Acropolis. There’s adventure in spades, and plenty of balmy beachside relaxation to go with it.

Greece is ideal for multigenerational travelers. There’s something for everyone, at every age. And when it comes to where to stay, larger villas in some hotels and resorts allow the space and time for everyone to do what suits them. Amanzoe in Porto Heli, surrounded by rolling olive groves and overlooking the sparkling waters of the Aegean Sea, is a perfect example of this. With private villas of varying sizes, it’s ideal for big families looking to reconnect – Villa 20 is its largest, with nine bedrooms. ‘Amanzoe’ translates to mean ‘peaceful life’; we know it’s exactly what you’ll find on a luxury family vacation to Greece.

Take me to Greece

South Africa

Family vacations in South Africa are for those once-in-a-lifetime moments. From cosmopolitan Cape Town to spellbinding national parks, vacations here are a special in their scope – and adaptable for all age groups and dynamics. The list of why we love South Africa goes on. And on.

This unforgettable adventure brings together the very best of South Africa and Mozambique. You’ll explore Cape Town like locals. You’ll stay in a fairy-tale forest lodge. You’ll dine on great food alfresco in our favorite picnic spots. You’ll spot the big five in the wild at sunset. You’ll snorkel in pristine coral reefs. It’s really a trip none of you will forget in a hurry.

The range of properties in South Africa is broad, and in our many years as luxury travel company we’ve built close relationships with guides on the ground, ensuring your experience can be utterly personalized? Hidden away on the banks of the Mabrak River in Sabi Sands (a prime kid friendly safari location if ever there was one), lies Dulini Moya: one of our favorites. Comprised of just six stylish villas, every stay is an extraordinary, tailored experience – from stories shared around the fire and bright morning breakfasts together under the trees to spotting leopards and elephants on private game drives. The lodge in Grootbos Private Nature Reserve at Walker Bay is also an idyllic haven for family travelers. It’s your choice how wild you go here, right up to horseback rides on the beach and diving alongside great white sharks.

South Africa is also home to two of our endlessly engaging Field Trip classes. This masterclass in wildlife photography from Chris Fallows, one of the world’s most renowned photographers of bush and marine wildlife, will see you take a boat ride out to sea to photograph its creatures, and learn from Chris about how to properly use a camera to best capture wildlife and landscapes. Or, for future sociologists and historians – an afternoon spent exploring the life and times of Nelson Mandela. With his prison guard turned close friend Christo Brand as your guide, you’ll leave with a first-hand understanding of Mandela’s life and fight to dismantle apartheid. On family vacations in South Africa, you’ll see and experience things you just can’t get from inside the four walls of a classroom.

Take me to South Africa

Mexico

If we had to pick one word to describe Mexico family vacations, it would be ‘vibrant’. Closely followed by ‘venturesome’, ‘bold’, ‘relaxing’, ‘colourful’ and ‘cultural’. Really, they can be anything. Mexico is a place where you can choose to do everything, or to do nothing at all. It all depends on what makes your family tick.

Beginning in the city of Merida, this family trip to Mexico will have you learning about ancient sacrificial rites, swimming alongside a flock of 2,000 flamingos, exploring local shops and eateries, and relaxing in a hacienda set right in the heart of the jungle. One of our favorite luxury travel experiences on this trip is a private tour of Chichen Itza: Mexico’s most famous Mayan ruins dating back almost 1,500 years, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bypassing the queues and the crowds, one of our expert guides will reveal the secrets of the storied El Castillo del Serpiente Emplumado as you clamber along the ruins together – and you’ll have all the time in the world for asking questions. The last few days of your Mexican family adventure will take you to the coast of the Riviera Maya to unwind on soft white sandy beaches, with an extra dose of culture exploring nearby Sian Kaán, a sublime area of natural beauty home to thousands of flora and fauna species.

The flexibility of an itinerary such as this one in a country such as Mexico, means it’s perfect for families of all ages and dynamics. Whether you’re needing a break with the very little ones or going on a big, multigenerational trip to remember – there’ll be something for everyone here.

Our stand-out Mexican property for families is Chable Yucatan. A large private estate on an old Hacienda in the tiny town of Chicola on the Yucatan Peninsula, it’s the perfect location from which to discover the mysteries of the Ancient Maya World. Its suites are all thoughtfully designed with privacy and an appreciation for the surrounding nature in mind – like its spa, which is built around a cenote. Two lavish villas for larger traveling groups are ideal for families looking to switch off and enjoy some quality time together.

Take me to Mexico

The USA

The possibilities for luxury family vacations in the USA are as broad and vast as the country itself. From national parks like the Grand Canyon to the kid friendly beaches of Florida, your kids are certain to find their new favorite place. For families from the US, it’s the ease of a staycation filled with adventure on your very own doorstep (with direct flights to boot). For families from further afield, it’s the exploration of dramatic landscapes and iconic cities vastly different from those at home.

You can also read our luxury travel guide for more ideas and inspiration on the best family vacations in the US.

Take me to the USA