4 Exceptional Deluxe Family Travel Experiences
What’s on your family travel bucket list? Maybe you’ve got a snapshot of the African plains stuck to your fridge. Or you collectively dream of a trip to Italy during your weekly pizza nights. Whatever and wherever those travel dreams take you, I’m here to tell you to make it happen!
While traveling with kids poses unique challenges, the rewards far outweigh the difficulties. And you’ll be talking about your family’s big trip for years to come. Stuck on ideas? Here are a few of my favorite family travel bucket list experiences that everyone will surely love.
Visiting an Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand
Elephant Nature Park in northern Thailand is an ethically run sanctuary with over 75 elephants. These were rescued from exploitative tourism or being abused for labor. The elephants roam free alongside a menagerie of other animals, including cats, dogs, horses, warthogs, water buffalo, and more.
Visitors to the sanctuary have a few options, with both single-day and overnight stays available. Volunteers (aka visitors) help prepare fruits and vegetables for the elephants, as well as food for the other animals.
Making Pizza in Italy
In Italy, pizza-making is more than a culinary skill—it’s a revered tradition. Countless pizzaiolos, or pizza chefs, dedicate their lives to perfecting the art of creating the ideal pie. Embarking on a pizza-making adventure in Italy offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in this passion. Start by visiting family-run wineries to select the finest local ingredients for your dough. Enhance your experience by learning the intricacies of gelato making, as there’s nothing quite like enjoying a slice of pizza paired with a scoop of creamy gelato.
The finest cooking classes emphasize small group sizes to ensure personalized attention—private sessions are especially valuable. These classes often take place in the chef’s own kitchen, where you’ll work with the freshest local ingredients. This hands-on approach not only teaches you the techniques for crafting delicious pizza but also provides an authentic glimpse into Italian culinary culture. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, these classes promise a delightful and educational experience, allowing you to create and savor the essence of Italian pizza.
Riding the Rails Through the Rockies
Do you have a family full of train enthusiasts? If so, a scenic journey on the Rocky Mountaineer through Canada’s Rocky Mountains is in order! Beginning in Banff, Alberta, explore one of Canada’s most famed National Parks before heading west to Jasper, where you’ll board your train.
Expect quintessential Canadian vistas to pass you by, all while enjoying the comforts and gourmet fare of your first-class Gold Leaf dome train. The clear glass walls and roof provide stunning views of the Continental Divide, the river valleys of the Monashee and Cariboo Mountains, and Mt. Robson, the highest peak in the Rockies. Continue west, and witness the landscape shift to more desert-like conditions, before lush vegetation reappears and you arrive in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Counting the Big 5 on Safari
Gracing the bucket lists for travelers of all ages, an African safari in Kenya delivers thrill and adventure in a spectacular setting. Located in East Africa and bordering the Masa Mara National Park, renowned for its rich wildlife and annual Great Migration.
Visit a giraffe sanctuary in Nairobi before heading to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy – with some of the best wildlife viewing on the continent. Learn Swahili from the locals, explore in a bush plane, or ride a camel across the plains. A highlight of a Kenyan safari is a visit to the Masai Mara National Reserve, where if you haven’t yet – you’ll be able to cross all of the Big Five off your list through wildlife watching and nature walks with expert guides.
If you’ve been dreaming of having a deluxe family travel experience with your kids, let’s talk! The Trip Atelier takes the stress out of vacation planning. Schedule a consultation to plan your adventure!
