Best Adventurous Vacation Ideas for all Families

Typically, family vacation itinerary is about relaxing, sightseeing and a bit pool/beach time. However, to get the best out of your family bonding time, it’s best to add a few thrilling high octane activities. This creates a lot of excitement and would want your family members to not hit that ‘decline’ button next time. Most importantly, you get to take home valuable memories. Therefore, to make your travel planning easier, we have listed a handful of best adventurous vacation ideas for all your family trips.

Hiking in the Alps

Climbing a mountain and exploring further is not just for backpackers and adrenaline junkies. Families can also immerse into this soul-shifting experience.

If you’re planning a European trip, definitely add to your list. It is one of world’s greatest trails. This breathtaking nature +of this roughly 105-mile walking path will get your blood flowing while calming all your senses with its majestic surroundings. Since this mountainous range passes through Alpine nations such as France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria, the accessibility is at peak for European travellers. It’s quite a beginner-friendly hike. So your kids, parents and you can easily enjoy the views of glaciers, pointy peaks and “augilles,” and the snowy dome of Mont Blanc.

Wildlife Spotting in Alaska

Taking kids to Alaska means they get to enjoy the Northern Lights, cruise past glaciers and also be mesmerized by the beauty of wildlife. You could easily spot the Beluga Whales on the shore during Summer. Then, if you visit the Eagle River Nature Center or Potter Mash, you can watch eagles, moose, beavers and bears.  Also, a long guided family trip Denali will take you through the Kenai Fjords, where sea lions, orca and gray and humpback whales are seen. March to May some of the best times to visit Alaska for wildlife spotting.

Rafting in Grand Canyon

Many of us may have visited the Grand Canyon, but have we tried our hands at rafting as a family?

Give your loved ones the gift of adventure with a stimulating rafting expedition surrounded by colossal red walls. You can navigate the rapids in the day and sleep under the stars at night. The guided trip packages are well-planned and safe so there’s nothing to be worried about. In addition to that, you can witness eagles fly above as you take on a bumpy ride in the canyon. If you are thinking about bringing the kids, this is suitable for children age 8 and above.

Adventurous sightseeing in Peru

If your family is keen to learn about other communities to broaden the perspective, this is a bonus. Especially, if you’re looking for adventurous vacation ideas.  

You can start with a guided family tour in Peru that will let you experience a bit of rafting, hiking, biking in the Amazon. Following that, you can catch a train from Cusco to Machu Piccchu where you could admire the beauty of the “lost city of Incas” and other exotic architectural treasures. Once you’ve fully immersed into the powerful views of Machu Picchu, you can explore Sacsayhuamán ruins or the Plaza de Armas. How this stands out from other regular sightseeing is the abundance of high-intensity activities you could find to get around. Moreover, you can learn more about the Peruvian culture, the ancient indigenous healing plants. Besides that, you can also spots monkeys, black alligators, alpacas and llamas in the Sacred Valley. So, this is not your regular laid-back sightseeing, it’s better than that.

Safaris in Kenya

While, this is one of the must-do adventurous activities for families. It’s ideal for kids to have the out in the wild experience with safe boundaries. This will progress their outlook on nature and even life.

Splurge on a dreamy safari trip by picking the right type of lodging—that lets you enjoy the outdoors while relaxing indoors. At the Samburu National Reserve, there are eco-friendly and safe tents from which you could watch elephants wander around. You could also dine with the company of Rothschild Giraffes. Take plane rides in Laikipia to gaze at the mountainous slopes, which is known as a sensational wildlife spot for anyone. Go on camel rides or horseback rides as it takes you through lush terrains. Plus, don’t forget to check out the Masai Mara National Reserve, the hot air balloon rides are out of this world. For families with small children, travel partners like & Beyond

help curate teaching lessons on how to make a fire, shoot a bow or bead a bracelet.

And many other learning activities related to biodiversity. And for those with older children, you can find tours that will take you through an immersive opportunity to explore the Maasai village and the wildlife encounters on the way.

Cruise in the British Virgin Islands

Replace your regular beach holidays with retreat in the high seas. We’d say hire a boat with a sailor or skipper for a mind-blowing adventure around British Virgin Islands. The gentle sea breeze is quite welcoming for families on their first sailing trip. Plus, since the islands are located together, you are always close to land. Rent your boat or vessel from a credible boating company such as the Moorings. They will showcase everything you need to know and put together a crew for you if needed. In addition to that, they will tell you all about island hopping and thrill around it along with giving you all the support. The kids can get involved in things like dropping the anchor along with enjoying the endless ocean views, swimming in the beaches and exploring islands on the regular.  

Digital Detox in Jamaica

If you’re the kind of family that craves a digital detox, disconnect, pack your bags and head to Jamaica. It’s beautiful over there and you’d forget about the videos that kept you hooked. What makes Jamaica an adventurous travel location is that you can swap your resort for a secluded Airbnb in the woods of the northern coast near Ocho Rios. This means less screen time and more time to jump off tiny cliffs into clear pools at Blue Hole, hiking along the waterfalls at Dunn’s River. Oh, also you can go looking for seashells on a remote black sand beach. And usually, you can find rentals with a driver and cook, you don’t have to worry about those and relax instead. Aside from the raw nature experience, you could head towards tourist spots like Dolphin Cove to swim with the dolphins. Kids love it!

Surfing Lessons in San Diego

Surfing is an important life skill which a lot of families don’t have time to practice on regular days. Therefore, turning your coastal visit into a little learning adventure for you and the kids is a good idea. There’s so much indescribable positive energy around learning to surf with the kids–the laughter, tiny wins, big waves. It’s incomparable. Having said that, like before, we want to stress on the safety. Therefore, make sure a coach or surfing professional is there with you. The reason being understanding the waves, their intensity is all very tough so getting help is a must. If you are staying at one of the partner properties of the surfing school, you get stay closer to the shore and may get a customised offer.

Walk in the Wilderness at Costa Rica

Appreciating the greens around in the nature is one of the underrated adventurous vacation ideas. At Costa Rica, you can zip line, fall in love with the ethereal butterfly farms or explore the lush rainforests. The list is long with visits to the foggy Sky Walk (a hanging bridge) that goes through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. Therefore, you’d come across monkeys, unique birds, sloths and rare plant speciaes. The word among tour experts is that this place is ideal even for those looking for adrenaline rush with kids under the age of ten.

Rent a Riad in Marrakech

Visiting a vibrant, busy market is one of the underrated adventurous vacation ideas with families. And Marrakech, Morocco is ideal for it as there’s culture and life in every corner. Check out the ever-loved cultural spot Plaza Jemaa el Fna and find snake charmers, entertaining Arabic and the slew of street food stalls really adds to liveliness of this place. Want to make it better? Stay in a family-friendly riad, such as Les Trois Mages, crafted with mosaic tiles, cushioned alcoves and colourful gardens. This is not just an authentic one-of-a-kind experience but it’s also quite affordable for large groups. Plus, don’t miss out on the donkey rides, visiting traditional souk and eye-pleasing sightings of mosques.

Combine Art and Activities in France

Art and culture is a big part of your life? And you want to start your kids young with both art and adventure? You can have it all in France. Aside from taking them to cultural buildings such as Musée d’Orsay, the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower and surprise them with a getaway to the South of France. There are castles, caves and fairytale châteauxs. Everyone will love exploring the maze-like hanging gardens of Marqueyssac, artsy painted caves and 100+ prehistoric sites in the Vézère Valley. Besides, you can bond over the picturesque surroundings with cycling, canoeing and even hiking in the parks and gardens. This is one of the adventurous vacation ideas for those who like a little bit of sweating and more relaxing.

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