Family Travel: Amazing Ideas for a Family Vacation!

Have you already thought about where to go with your family this year? No matter if it is a city break, a round trip, a family adventure, or culinary delights – everybody family has their preferences. But above all, it is difficult to decide which country is great to travel as a family.

In this article, we show you our selection of amazing travel ideas for a family vacation in 2024! Additionally, you will get of tips & information that will definitely help you create your personal bucket list!

Switzerland

Switzerland is an ideal destination for a family vacation, offering a blend of natural beauty, adventure, and cultural experiences. The Swiss Alps are perfect for family-friendly skiing and snowboarding in winter, with resorts like Zermatt and St. Moritz catering to all skill levels. During summer, these mountains transform into hiking and biking paradises, with trails suitable for children and adults alike.

Switzerland’s scenic train journeys, such as the Glacier Express, provide breathtaking views of the country’s landscapes, making travel both relaxing and exciting. Families can also explore charming cities like Lucerne and Zurich, where attractions such as the Swiss Museum of Transport and Zurich Zoo captivate young minds.

For thrill-seekers, activities like zip-lining in Interlaken, tobogganing on Mount Pilatus, and boat rides on Lake Geneva offer memorable adventures. Switzerland’s commitment to safety, cleanliness, and hospitality ensures a stress-free and enjoyable experience for the entire family.

Vietnam

A real travel highlight is certainly Vietnam in South-East Asia. Here, a great cultural variety and a massive selection of breathtaking sights inspire. Nature parks, mountain ranges, dream beaches and cities – countless highlights await you here.  Also for history enthusiasts, there is a lot to discover here! Here you will find many incredible landmarks that are listed as Vietnam UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In any case, don’t miss doing a tour at Ha Long Bay – probably Vietnam’s most popular tourist activity and a great fun for all the family. This famous bay is known for its spectacular limestone monoliths, which form a stunning landscape!

Tip: For more information, check out this outstanding guide about traveling with kids in Vietnam!

Scotland

Scotland is located in the north of Great Britain and has a lot to offer as a travel destination! Especially families, which love nature spots, will be amazed by this travel country. Here the almost surreal landscapes like the Isle of Skye are fascinating, which especially photographers find extremely fascinating. Especially amazing are the ancient castles, which give Scotland an extra portion of charm. But also the cities of Scotland are beautiful and absolutely worth seeing. 1 or 2 weeks in Scotland, or even a bit more, are just the perfect amount of time to visit all the outstanding places!

Singapore

One of the coolest cities to travel to with your family is Singapore in South East Asia. Here you will experience the perfect combination of modernity and tradition. Founded in 1819, Singapore has been an independent country since 1965. This green, modern city has its finger on the pulse, so it never stands still. With each new trip, there are new discoveries, or new attractions have opened, or new areas are emerging. There are so many things to do in Singapore with kids and so many hidden gems in Singapore that one trip might not be enough to explore all the wonderful places!

Singapore is all about diversity, so here you’ll find the skyscrapers of the Financial District, as well as colorful Little India and the lively Arabian Quarter. One of the landmarks is the Marina Bay Sands hotel, where there is a huge swimming pool about 200 meters high, which offers wonderful views.

Tip: For more information, check out this fantastic guide about the best things to do in Singapore with kids!

Malaysia

Traveling to Malaysia with kids is an exciting adventure that offers a wide range of family-friendly activities and attractions. From vibrant cities to stunning natural wonders, this Southeast Asian country has something for everyone. Explore the bustling capital city of Kuala Lumpur, where you can visit the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, enjoy a fun-filled day at one of the theme parks, or wander through the vibrant streets of Chinatown. For a cultural experience, head to Penang, known for its UNESCO-listed George Town and mouthwatering street food. There a great Penang food tours by the way. In any case, don’t miss visiting the green Cameron Highlands!

Nature lovers will be amazed by the lush rainforests! Don’t miss visiting Borneo with kids, where you can spot orangutans and other unique wildlife in their natural habitat. A great choice is also a visit to Langkawi with kids, an archipelago of beautiful islands, offers pristine beaches, thrilling water sports, and a cable car ride with stunning panoramic views. With its diverse culture, delicious cuisine, and warm hospitality, Malaysia is an ideal destination for a memorable family vacation. Ensure a smooth trip by planning ahead and choosing child-friendly accommodations and attractions. Create lasting memories as you discover the wonders of Malaysia together as a family.

Tip: For more information, check out this incredible guide about spending 2 weeks in Malaysia!

Indonesia

Astounding beaches, a breathtaking underwater world, dreamlike islands, amazing locals and spectacular landscapes – Indonesia is a great place to travel with your family! However, keep in mind, this island nation is huge, and so you should consider where to go even before you travel. Hard to believe, but Indonesia consists of more than 17,500 islands.  And with 250 million inhabitants, this country is not tiny either. More than half of the inhabitants live on the island of Java. Indonesia is world-famous especially for Bali, probably one of the most impressive islands on earth where you can find actually a paradise for a family holiday! Interesting are also the many waterfalls in Bali, which are a highlight for all the family. Another fantastic tip is to take a Komodo island dragon tour, where you can meet the gigantic lizards.

Portugal

Portugal is one of the most incredible summer destinations in Europe and a fantastic idea for traveling with your family next year! Here you can camp freely, surf the Atlantic Ocean and experience nature, culture and party. Because it is also breathtaking just for relaxing and lazing around in nature. And the country also has a lot to offer historically and culturally – due to its exciting history and the influences of different cultures! There is such a wide range of amazing travel highlights in Portugal. If you are visiting Portugal and you love palaces, then you should visit the famous, colorful Sintra Castles. One of the coolest cities to visit is definitely Lisbon, also called the city of 7 hills. But also the smaller towns, like there are so many things to do in Faro, Porto, Lagos, or Albufeira are worth a visit!

Tip: For more amazing information, don’t miss checking out this complete Portugal itinerary with kids!

France

France is popular all over the world and also a great country for a family vacation. A great mix of culture, history, art, landscapes, sea, great food but also plenty of fun things to do with your family awaits you here. But keep in mind, you can’t explore France all at once! The best thing is to choose a region and get to know it better. For example, why not visit Bordeaux with kids, or there are so many things to do in Nice and surroundings, enough to plan a family trip to South France. Paris for the first time is an unforgettable experience, and this city is actually also the best place for starting to explore this wonderful travel country. Nevertheless, there are many, many more places to start a trip. Anyway, don’t miss showing your kids Disney World Paris and buy them a Disney World family shirt – they will love it!

Turkey

Turkey is one of the most popular family vacation destinations and also a perfect choice for a beach holiday with toddlers. But also with your teens, this country is worth a visit because Turkey also has numerous cool things to offer. Just think about the glamorous metropolises like Istanbul or stunning Antalya, which is one of the most amazing bathing regions on the Turkish Riviera. And yes, the beaches in Turkey are absolutely worth visiting – but there are so many more recommendable places, national parks and historical attractions to visit! No matter if beach vacation, sightseeing with the kids or backpacking with your older ones – this country is a popular travel destination and high up on any bucket list!

Australia

Australia is known for its unique attractions, like the Sydney Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef and the Ayers Rock. On a family trip, you have the chance to explore the modern metropolises such as Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Canberra, Cairns or Gold Coast as well as the breathtaking regions like South Australia and Queensland. Especially fascinating are the different landscapes of Australia, which are spread over the whole continent due to the different climatic and geographical conditions. Only in this one country, you will find tropical rainforests but also deserts, colorful coral reefs but also mighty mountains, incredible beaches. Fascinating is also the wildlife in Australia, like the kangaroo, koala and cockatoos!

Mexico

Mexico is a very popular destination on any bucket list. Families love beaches, but also deep jungle and ruined cities is a highlight for your teens. And not to forget the many outstanding surf spots and dive spots in Mexico, which are a guarantee for lots of action! Numerous hotels and all-inclusive resorts make a family trip here perfect. One of the most popular vacation destinations is definitely Cancun. Here you will find wonderful white-sand beaches, and also a wide offer on attractions! Another perfect spot for a holiday is the Riviera Maya, with its numerous all-inclusive resorts and popular towns as Playa del Carmen and there are also plenty of things to do in Tulum.

Italy

Italy is probably one of the most famous destinations in the world and also a great choice for a family vacation. Riding a gondola through the magnificent canals of Venice, celebrate a Carnival in Italy with kids, visiting the famous Colosseum in Rome, or climbing the Leaning Tower in Pisa, there are so many outstanding things to do with your kids! But also the spectacular Italian landscapes inspire and invite you to an exciting road trip! Just think of the many seaside towns in Italy, the breathtaking Amalfi Coast with its fantastic beaches or the charming Tuscany, a picturesque region that adorns countless posters and pictures. And of course, all the perfect places for where to stay in Sardinia, that will make a family holiday unforgettable.

United Kingdom

When thinking of the United Kingdom, many people think of London and the famous attractions such as Buckingham Palace or Tower Bridge. However, when visiting this amazing country, there are so many other interesting places to explore—actually a fantastic choice for a family with older kids. Oxford, Stonehenge, Canterbury Cathedral and Hadrian’s Wall are just a few of them and there are also many outstanding destinations in the United Kingdom! The cities of York, Winchester, Salisbury, Liverpool, Manchester, Bath, Brighton and Birmingham with kids are also worth it. If you have kids, you will find plenty of lovely picnic locations in the UK. In addition, England offers over 900 km of breathtaking coastline, with many lovely places worth seeing.

Spain

Spain is a true highlight among the most beautiful travel countries in the world and a real insiders tip for families. On a vacation on the Iberian Peninsula, you can enjoy a whole wealth of different possibilities. Starting with road trips by car or camper, beach vacations on beautiful beaches, or active vacations with sightseeing and sports – in Spain there is guaranteed something for everyone. Beautiful is the capital Madrid, but of course also Barcelona with the world-famous Sagrada Familia as a landmark, both great cities, which you should not miss on any city trip. In addition, there are the stunning places to visit in Andalucia in the south, such as Seville, Granada and Córdoba, which impress with rich history.

Along the Spanish coast there are many dream beaches. Impressive is the Costa Blanca, where there are numerous wonderful resorts. But also the island world of Spain is extremely charming and holds numerous surprises. Wonderful in the south is Málaga and the Costa del Sol with coastal town like Marbella, where you will find beautiful landscapes, fabulous beaches and delicious food.

Hawaii

Hawaii, the outstanding chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean, is the 50th state of the USA and one of the most popular travel destinations for families. On each of the 8 main Hawaiian islands, there is a lot to experience and discover. For example, a visit to the still-active volcanoes in Volcanoes National Park – an absolute must-see on any holiday to Hawaii, or a visit to Waikiki Beach – one of the most beautiful beaches on the islands. Unique in Hawaii are also the spectacular waterfalls, which can also be found in the Akaka Falls Park.

Japan

Japan is simply incredible, and probably one of the coolest ideas for an exceptional family trip next year! Especially teens often love this outstanding travel country. It is a mix of modern and old traditions, skyscrapers and untouched nature, having a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and enjoy exciting nightlife. A country of contrasts that you definitely have to see once in a lifetime. Japan is also well-known for its megacities! Don’t miss seeing Osaka, Tokyo, Kyoto, and Yokohama. For the special experience, visit Japan for the cherry blossom, a wonderful spectacle that takes place until the end of April.

Tip: You want to visit Japan off the tourist path? Take a look at this fantastic travel guide about 3 weeks in Japan!

Why to Travel with the Family

Traveling with family can be an exciting and rewarding experience. It allows us to visit new places, explore different cultures and make unforgettable memories with our loved ones. Whether it’s a family reunion, a special event, a family cruise or just a vacation, traveling with our family can bring us closer together and create lasting memories that will stay with us forever. A fantastic idea is to plan your family activities together by first creating a personal family travel bucket list.

Traveling with family also helps strengthen our relationships with our relatives by giving us the opportunity to get to know each other better and spend time together. It can also be an educational experience as we learn more about different cultures and traditions in the places we visit. No matter the reason, a family vacation is always an adventure that everyone in the family can enjoy.

Special tip: Check out this useful guide about traveling with a baby. Also, don’t miss bringing some baby and toddler toys if you are planning a family vacation with smaller kids!

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