Nature provides a great backdrop and many opportunities for life changing adventures.
Travel helps us see the diversity of our world, and exploring natural areas with our kids provides rich opportunities for growth and understanding. Visiting natural and diverse places with your kids helps turn them into Global Ambassadors, who will embrace and protect our way of life, our cultural history and our natural resources.
Here are our top picks for family vacations that will strengthen your family and turn your kids into Global Ambassadors!
AFRICA
You may immediately think of animal safaris, however a trip to Africa also educates families about the essence of life. Visiting local villages gives kids a radical lesson in “the rest of the world doesn’t live like we do”, and provides great opportunity for cultural understanding and growth. Seeing an elephant or giraffe in its natural habitat is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and is truly unforgettable! Experiencing the diversity of animals and actually standing in their native habitats helps kids understand the complexity of ecosystems and the importance of conservation. If you have animal lovers in your tribe, Africa should definitely be on your ‘bucket list’! We’d recommend at least a two week trip to Africa, splitting time between a safari and city/village stays. Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa or Namibia would all be great choices, that would leave your family with unforgettable experiences and lifetime memories!
GALAPAGOS
The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the rarest animals on this earth. This very special place will give everyone in the family an unmatched hands on learning experience. And the learning will come easy when you are studying a hundred year old giant tortoise just a few feet away! And when it comes to snorkeling, there is no more exciting place. Sea Lions are endlessly curious, and love to zip above, under and around snorkelers. Harmless small reef sharks, rays, and penguins are also frequent snorkeler companions. There are also some unique land experiences – from descending through lava tunnels, to walking through mangroves, and exploring long sandy beaches. For budding photographers, there are incredible photo opportunities around every corner! Your family can choose from a land based adventure or ship based trip. Either one will give you with unforgettable experiences and perhaps even spur a naturalist or biology career path for a young one.
COSTA RICA
This beautiful Central American country is known for its beaches, volcanoes, rainforest and biodiversity. Although a small country, Costa Rica hosts over 500,000 different species (5% of all species on earth). And a quarter of the country’s land is protected. For active, outdoor loving families, a Costa Rica vacation is an excellent choice! There are adrenaline pumping activities everywhere. From zip lines through the jungle, whitewater rafting, jungle hikes and surfing, there’s something for everyone. The local residents are welcoming and kind, and live the “Pura Vida” (pure life) lifestyle. Costa Rica gives you the chance to enjoy both a relaxed beach vacation, as well as exciting jungle adventure. And since its easy and convenient to get there, as well as affordable, Costa Rica may be the perfect next vacation place for your family!
AMAZON
Visiting the Amazon is truly a trip of a lifetime. The river flows nearly 4,000 miles, and is the second longest river in the world. You will find pink dolphins, piranhas, and crocodiles. There’s so much to explore in the Amazon rainforest, which accounts for more than half of the world’s remaining forests and 20 percent of the world’s oxygen. The vibrancy and variation of green colors in the forest is something you have to see to believe. And something you will never forget! Life in the Amazon is different than anywhere else in the world. Over 400 indigenous tribes call the Amazon rainforest home, and the way of life and customs of the people are very unique and special. This all provides an unmatched learning experience for your kids. And surely one they will never forget!
ANTARCTICA
Adventure is what Antarctica is all about. A trip to the “Great white continent” is a true expedition, and allows you to explore one of the most untouched places on the planet. If your family is fascinated by the idea of traveling to an uninhabited world, Antarctica is the perfect choice! Being uninhabited means the wildlife, particularly the penguins have no fear of humans. They’ve never had predators on land, so they are confident and very curious. This makes daily adventures a lot of fun! For budding scientists, Antarctica is a great choice. A favorite spot for astronomers and scientists studying climate change, the South Pole is one of the best places in the world to look at the sky. You will also be amazed at the size, shape and numbers of Icebergs — which will be surrounding you from all sides! Imagine the opportunity to kayak in and around Icebergs. For the photographer in your family, Antarctica is a dream come true.
