Our 11 best long-haul destinations for families
TripBlogs
When it comes to planning a long-haul family holiday, choosing the right destination is key. If you get it right, you’ll come home with delighted kids and memories to treasure forever.
The make-or-break of a great family trip boils down to plenty of variety, a realistic pace, and some quality time to relax. It can feel almost impossible to tick all of those boxes in just a couple of weeks, but we can help.
We’re a company of keen explorers, so we’ve taken our kids on all kinds of long-haul adventures. Here are 11 of the best long-haul destinations for families, based on our own personal trips and experiences. I hope they’ll inspire you to plan an unforgettable family adventure!
1. Tanzania
For me, this Tanzania is the ultimate once-in-a-lifetime family holiday destination. It’s worth pushing the boat out here to experience the extraordinary mainland wildlife, be well taken care of and then enjoy the Indian Ocean islands of Zanzibar or Pemba. While these trips aren't cheap, they are unforgettable experiences that make any family richer.
I’ll never forget driving down into the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania for our first African safari experience. The anticipation and excitement were off the chart! That day, we saw lions, elephants, flamingos - you name it. It was an amazing thing to do as a family. Our kids also loved learning about the local Maasai way of life, so be sure to build in some culture as well as wildlife.
2. Sri Lanka
It's not cheap travelling with kids but Sri Lanka delivers real value for money. You’ll find great accommodation, a huge variety of wildlife, exciting train journeys, tasty local cuisine, tea plantations, and glorious beaches. Every day will offer something different, keeping everyone entertained.
Sri Lanka is a destination that works brilliantly with younger or older kids. Ours loved the food, the scenery - the amazing infinity pools at the hotels. Taking the beautiful train ride from Kandy to Ella, the kids were fascinated by what was going on outside the window and enjoyed trying the snacks from the local hawkers. We loved it!
3. Seychelles
If you have slightly older kids, the Seychelles is a gorgeous holiday destination. It’s perfect for island hopping and there’s lots of variety. Hike to hilly viewpoints, snorkel with tropical fish, meet giant tortoises, and relax on the world’s most beautiful beaches.
One of my highlights was hiring bikes in La Digue as a family and then walking to deserted Anse Cocos Beach, ranked as one of the best beaches on the planet. It was pristine - the stuff of dreams. We spent a magical afternoon with the beach almost to ourselves and it’s something that I’ll never forget.
4. Thailand
Thailand is always a winner when it comes to family holiday. With great cities, exotic wildlife, beautiful beaches, brilliant national parks and delicious food, it really does tick all the boxes. The excellent transport network makes it super easy to get around, allowing you to cover some serious ground in just a couple of weeks. On top of that, the standard of accommodation is high, and the locals are welcoming.
If you want to include a real family adventure on your trip to Thailand, try booking a stay at Elephant Hills in Khao Sok National Park. Their Jungle and Lake Camp Safari tour includes an ethical elephant experience, with time for you to observe and feed them. It’s an incredible family experience. Besides the elephants, you can swim in the lake from your floating camp, join a guided kayak tour, or try a jungle and cave trek.
5. Borneo
Best known for its resident orangutans and ancient rainforest, Borneo is also blessed with fabulous resorts, unspoiled beaches, and amazing coral reefs. If you’re looking for a family wildlife adventure that ends with a beach break, it’s a no-brainer. Explore the colourful markets of Kota Kinabalu, take a boat safari on the Kinabatangan River, follow dizzying walkways through the rainforest canopy and see turtles hatching on Selingan Island.
There’s an endless list of activities to keep the kids excited in Borneo, and more animal magic than you can possibly imagine. After an action-packed family adventure, you can head to the beautiful beaches of Gaya Island for a few days in the sunshine. Even better, July and August are amongst the best months to visit Borneo, making it the perfect destination for a family summer holiday.
6. Canada
If you’re looking for the ultimate family road trip, look no further than Canada. In British Columbia, you’ll find the Great Outdoors at its very greatest. Either hire a car and stay in hotels along the way or rent a motorhome and explore at your own pace. Both options are brilliant for kids, who will love the wilderness, the wildlife, and the sense of space.
Follow hiking trails, spot whales and look for bears on Vancouver Island, relax on the shores of Lake Louise, kayak on clear waters and explore the Athabasca Glacier. Get lost amongst the larger-than-life landscapes of the Rocky Mountains and barely set foot indoors for weeks. For active families, there’s nowhere better.
7. Fiji
When it comes to hospitality, Fiji takes the top spot. The gentle local people will open their homes and hearts to you from the moment you arrive. Safe, beautiful and welcoming – what more could you want from a family holiday destination? Learn about local culture with a homestay on Viti Levu, hop between beaches and paradise islands, and try your hand at traditional crafts.
Fijians love children, and they love entertaining even more. The culture in these islands revolves around the family, so all Fijians are focused on the village traditions of sharing and support. It's a nation with a huge heart and a fun-loving spirit, making it perfect for families.
If your kids are water babies, Fiji is a great place for them to learn to snorkel or dive. In the castaway Yasawa Islands, there are many protected reefs and lagoons that make perfect training grounds for snorkelling. The visibility is clear, and the currents are very gentle, so you’re (literally) in safe waters.
9. Australia
Famously, North Queensland is David Attenborough’s favourite place, and it’s easy to see why. Home to reefs, rainforests, beaches and mountains, it’s a natural playground packed with fascinating wildlife. If your kids are budding naturalists, there’s nowhere quite like it.
Explore the Great Barrier Reef, discover the secrets of the Daintree Rainforest, set off on a crocodile safari and spot koalas in the treetops. Wherever you go, you’ll be greeted with laid-back Aussie charm and made to feel right at home.
11. South Africa
A sensational destination for a self-drive, South Africa is a brilliant option for a family escape. See penguins on Boulders Beach, take the cable up Table Mountain, and drive along the gorgeous Garden Route to the Eastern Cape. Along the way, relax on white sand beaches, spot whales, hike to waterfalls, and meet ostriches.
We recommend ending your family trip to a South Africa with a Big Five safari, taking thrilling game drives at dawn and dusk. There are plenty of reserves that offer malaria-free safaris for families with youngers kids or, for the ultimate South African safari, fly up to Kruger National Park.
11. Vietnam
Vietnam is a riot for the senses, so you can be sure that your kids will never get bored. Sail between karst mountains in Halong Bay, meet the friendly tailors of Hoi An, take local cooking classes, relax on tropical beaches, and learn about the history of Vietnam War. Along the way, slurp steaming bowls of Pho and munch zingy fresh spring rolls.
A long and skinny country, it’s easy to combine cities, beaches, and rural destinations in one Vietnam trip. The comprehensive train and domestic flight network make travelling around the country a straightforward affair. It’s easy to fly into Ho Chi Minh and out of Hanoi (or vice versa), so you don’t need to double back on yourself.
Ready to plan a long-haul family holiday?
Our tailor-made family holidays have been created by parents, so they are based on the personal experiences of real families. Most of our travel consultants are parents themselves, so they understand the importance of finding a balance between relaxation and adventure.
We’ll offer first-hand advice, expert knowledge, and honest opinions, helping you to choose the perfect destination for your clan. Simply give us a call on 1273 320 580 or send us a quote request by email, and we’ll get to work.
About the author Jonny Goodall
Managing Director
Not ready to settle down after university, Jonny headed out on his travels. His stand-out travel highlights are self-drive through Namibia’s photogenic red dunes, a pit stop to visit the Moai statues on remote Easter Island and a month spent off-grid by a lagoon in Moorea, French Polynesia. Jonny joined Travel Nation in 2005 as a round the world specialist and is now our Managing Director. When he’s not working, you can find him playing tennis, planning his next family holiday or tending to his veggies.
