7 Best And Exciting Family-Friendly Destinations Around the Globe
Family holidays make for the best memories! It’s so much fun to look back on those cherished moments while browsing through travel photo albums. And how much more unforgettable would those snippets be if you and your loved ones struck a pose against some of the most stunning settings across the world! Read on to know about gorgeous destinations you can visit, where there’s unending fun for your whole brood, with scenic locales to match.
BY SHUVAJIT PAYNE AND KUNAL BHATIA
Los Angeles, USA
The nostalgia of much-loved movies and TV shows draws families across all age groups to stylishly saunter down the City of Angels’ Hollywood Walk of Fame, take a tour of the Dolby Theatre, or spend the day at Universal Studios Hollywood for a special behind-the-scenes view of the glam world. Couples and seniors can appreciate an art-walk at the Getty Center, while kids will enjoy playing sailor and scrambling across the Battleship USS Iowa Museum. The young-at-heart can try the waves at Venice Beach. Disneyland at Anaheim is only a short distance away and makes for an ideal day-trip to a ‘magical kingdom’. Being the showbiz capital of the world, nightlife options include dance and drink venues such as The Crocker Club, live comedy at Laugh Factory, and concerts at the GRAMMY Museum. Now that’s a blockbuster of a holiday!
Insta Diaries: Head to Griffith Observatory for a photo-op in front of the iconic ‘Hollywood’ sign.
Paro, Bhutan
Whether you’re a couple on a honeymoon or family with kids, this part of the ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’ invites you with its sprawling, majestic, and great wilderness. Head out on gentle hikes through lush forests to the grand Rinpung Dzong, a fortress rich in history and mesmerising vistas. Children can engage in hands-on learning at farms (easily booked at local home stays), discovering agricultural practices and rural life first-hand.
Young couples will enjoy cycling along picturesque routes through the valley’s green landscapes, or riding a horse up to the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery, dramatically perched on a cliff. Finish your escapade with a relaxing menchu (hot stone bath) that is a uniquely Bhutanese speciality.
Insta Diaries: Embark on an easy and comfortable horse ride through the countryside.
Tbilisi, Georgia
Cathedrals, cobblestone alleys, and charming cafés are the hallmark of this capital city. Couples with kids can enjoy easy walking tours starting at the Anchiskhati Basilica, through Gudiashvili Square, and ending at the Bridge of Love.
Ride up Mount Mtatsminda on a funicular train, or step into a hot-air balloon at Rike Park for breathtaking city views. Outdoorsy families will delight in the Leghvtakhevi waterfall and sulphur bath options, right in the middle of town! Top the adventures with scrumptious khachapuri (cheese bread), tasty gobi (a bowlful of classic dishes), and indigenous wines. Cheers to your vacay!
Insta Diaries: Strike a pose in front of the magnificent Narikala fortress overlooking the colourful city.
Okavango Delta, Botswana
With a labyrinth of waterways, lush islands, and floodplains, this wildlife wonder is an expansive oasis to behold. Couples as well as families with kids can witness this UNESCO World Heritage site come alive with elusive creatures like the African wild dog and semi-aquatic Sitatunga antelope—all the while gliding through the water in a traditional mokoro (dug-out canoe)!
Another option includes game drives through the Moremi Game Reserve’s dense jungles, where elephants and hippos wade in crystal-clear lagoons, while rare avian species such as the African fish eagle and Pel’s fishing owl soar above you.
Insta Diaries: Enjoy evenings at the camp, while the distant calls of lions and hyenas remind you that you’re in the heart of the wild!
Munich, Germany
One megalopolis, many moods! Kids will have a gala time tinkering with vintage airplanes and space rockets at the interactive Deutsches Museum, and art- enthusiasts shouldn’t miss the diverse collections on display at Pinakothek der Moderne.
Young couples will love the quirky Beer and Oktoberfest Museum. Head to the impressive Frauenkirche Cathedral in the Old Town and climb atop its soaring towers for a view of the city, and then escape into the lush English Garden close by for an idyllic afternoon stroll.
Insta Diaries: A two-hour drive will take you to Neuschwanstein Castle, a romantic fairy-tale style palace that makes for a gorgeous backdrop for pictures.
Jaisalmer, India
Dappled in sunshine and rising like a mirage, the Golden City’s magnificent living fort is a sight that will leave anyone totally awestruck. Roam through the winding lanes of the fortress and explore the temples’ intricate carvings and beautiful havelis with striking architecture, while regaling the young ones with tales of kings and queens of an era gone by.
In the evenings, go boating in the Gadisar Lake to take in the breeze and sunset views. Extended families can choose customised desert safari tours complete with energetic folk dances around a bonfire and glamping under the starry skies. It makes for a lovely escape from the town, while being surrounded by open nature and bonding with loved ones. Shopping is a big draw for visitors and the local markets are brimming with textiles, handicrafts, jewellery, miniature paintings, and more. Time to holiday like a royal!
Insta Diaries: The regal cenotaphs at Bada Bagh make for stunning shots in the late afternoon light.
Singapore
The ‘Lion City’ is the perfect holiday spot for families of all tastes and kinds. Don’t miss a chance to feed zebras, get splashed by sea lions, and opt for the night safari to see Asiatic Lions at the Singapore Zoo. Retail therapy awaits at the many designer stores along Orchard Road, while Haji Lane boasts indie boutique shops.
Head to the Lau Pa Sat hawker centre to feast on a variety of street food options from chicken satay to laksa. Finally, head to the nightclubs around Raffles Place for a veritable end to a grand vacay!
Insta Diaries: Gardens by the Bay is a riot of natural colours and is a great setting for a picture!
Related: 7 Unforgettable Holiday Spots From Around The World for a Love-Fuelled Adventure
