FAMILY TRAVEL
Experiences that entertain toddlers to teenagers and cater to the needs of extended families and multi-family groups.
Family Friendly Destinations
TURKEY
Why it's family-friendly
Turkey is one of those rare destinations where everyone finds something they love and no one has to compromise.
Grandparents can happily wander through ancient ruins while teens actually want to take photos.
Toddlers are entertained by boat rides and beach days, and cousins can get lost in the excitement of bazaars without anyone worrying about inside voices.
The best part is that Turkey’s family-sized villas and resorts mean you do not need to negotiate bathroom schedules like you do at home.
Sites to see
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Ephesus: A time machine disguised as an ancient city. Kids imagine gladiators while adults quietly wonder how Romans survived summer without air conditioning.
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Cappadocia: Hot air balloons, fairy chimneys, and cave houses feel like stepping into a Dr. Seuss story with much better coffee.
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Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar: A treasure hunt for all ages. Teens love bargaining, kids love the colors, and parents try not to come home with an ottoman the size of an actual Ottoman.
On the menu
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Pide (Turkish pizza): Pizza with a Turkish twist that kids will devour without asking for ketchup on the side.
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Meze platters: Like a family reunion sampler where everyone grabs their favorites and at least one dish becomes the surprise favorite of the trip.
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Baklava and Turkish delight: Once the kids taste these, regular desserts back home may never live up to the memory.
Getting Around
Turkey makes moving around as a family surprisingly smooth.
High-speed trains cut down on the endless “are we there yet” questions. Domestic flights are quick enough to prevent sibling meltdowns. Ferries double as mini adventures and even the trams in Istanbul are stroller-friendly. Toddlers may honestly believe they have just boarded a ride at Disneyland.
SOUTH AFRICA
Why it's family-friendly
South Africa is the kind of destination that keeps every generation entertained without anyone feeling left out.
Grandparents marvel at wildlife on safari drives, toddlers squeal every time they spot an elephant, and teens finally get the thrill of adventure with surfing lessons or ziplining.
Cousins can bond over spotting penguins at the beach or hiking together in the Drakensberg mountains.
With family lodges, beach resorts, and spacious villas, South Africa makes traveling as a big group easy and fun.
Sites to see
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Kruger National Park: A safari playground where toddlers call every antelope a “deer” and teens get their first real lion sighting.
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Cape Town’s Table Mountain: Ride the cable car for incredible views while grandparents casually point out “back in my day we hiked it.”
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Boulders Beach: A family favorite where penguins waddle right past your feet, stealing the spotlight from your carefully planned family photos.
On the menu
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Braai (South African BBQ): A feast of grilled meats and sides that feels like a family reunion, even if you just arrived yesterday.
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Bunny chow: Hollowed-out bread filled with curry that teens love simply for the name.
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Milk tart: A creamy dessert that wins over kids and grandparents alike, often faster than you can slice it.
Getting Around
favorite, with enough pit stops for snacks and photo ops to keep kids happy.
Safari lodges often include transfers, so no one has to stress about logistics.
Domestic flights quickly connect big cities and game reserves, saving energy for adventure.
And yes, toddlers will probably talk about the safari jeep more than the actual lions.
EGYPT
Why it's family-friendly
Egypt is like the ultimate history lesson that no one in the family will ever forget.
Grandparents love seeing the pyramids in person after years of reading about them, teens finally put their video-game-inspired fascination with pharaohs to good use, and toddlers are happily distracted by camels, boats, and colorful markets.
Cousins can bond over painting names in hieroglyphics or dressing up in galabeyas for a fun evening.
With family-friendly cruises on the Nile and plenty of resorts with room for everyone, Egypt makes traveling as a big group surprisingly seamless.
Sites to see
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The Pyramids of Giza: Iconic and mind-blowing for every generation. Even teens look up from their phones for this one.
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The Valley of the Kings: A treasure hunt where kids imagine hidden tombs while adults marvel at the detailed artwork.
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A Nile River cruise: Easy for families since your “hotel” floats along with you, and every day brings a new adventure.
On the menu
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Koshari: A hearty mix of pasta, lentils, and rice that satisfies everyone from picky eaters to hungry teens.
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Fresh falafel and pita: Easy to grab on the go when sightseeing.
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Baklava and basbousa: Sweet treats that grandparents and kids can bond over at the end of a long day.
Getting Around
Egypt makes family travel feel like an adventure instead of a headache.
Nile cruises handle the heavy lifting by taking you from one incredible site to the next without constant packing and unpacking.
Private vans and guides keep things comfortable for grandparents and little ones. Short flights connect Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan quickly, saving time and patience.
Camel rides, horse carriages, and felucca boats add an extra bit of fun for kids who love the idea of traveling “the old-fashioned way.”
COLOMBIA
Why it's family-friendly
Colombia is a country that surprises families in the best way.
Grandparents love strolling through colonial plazas and sipping coffee in shaded courtyards, while kids are mesmerized by colorful street art and lively music.
Teens get their adventure fix hiking to waterfalls or ziplining through the jungle.
Cousins can bond over soccer matches in the park, and toddlers happily chase butterflies in the coffee region.
With welcoming locals, direct flights from many cities, and plenty of large villas or family-friendly hotels, Colombia makes traveling with multiple generations surprisingly easy.
Sites to see
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Cartagena’s Old Town: Bright walls, horse-drawn carriages, and music around every corner. Even toddlers feel like they’ve wandered into a storybook.
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Cocora Valley: Towering wax palms taller than your teenager’s latest growth spurt, with trails that work for both avid hikers and casual strollers.
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Medellín’s cable cars: A fun ride with epic views where kids think it’s an amusement park attraction and adults marvel at the city’s transformation.
On the menu
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Arepas: Grilled corn cakes that work for breakfast, lunch, or snack time, making parents wonder why they do not exist everywhere.
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Bandeja paisa: A platter big enough to share… or big enough to keep a teenager from asking for food again five minutes later.
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Fresh fruit juices: From lulo to guava, every sip tastes like sunshine, and kids may even forget to ask for soda.
Getting Around
Traveling as a family in Colombia is simpler than it looks on the map. Short domestic flights connect major cities in under an hour.
Private vans make it easy for grandparents and cousins to travel together comfortably.
Taxis and rideshares are plentiful in cities, and boat rides along the Caribbean coast turn transfers into adventures.
Just be prepared for the occasional parrot or street musician to steal the spotlight while you’re waiting at a stoplight.
ICELAND
Why it's family-friendly
Iceland feels like Mother Nature designed it with families in mind.
Grandparents marvel at geysers and waterfalls, teens get their adrenaline fix on glaciers or volcano hikes, and little ones stay wide-eyed at puffins, ponies, and rainbow-filled skies.
Cousins can bond over late-night hot chocolate while waiting for the Northern Lights.
And for big groups, Iceland’s spacious cabins and family-friendly hotels make it easy to gather under one roof without stepping on each other’s toes.
Sites to see
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Golden Circle: Geysers that shoot sky-high, waterfalls that roar louder than your teenagers, and landscapes that look like they belong in a video game.
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Reykjavík’s whale-watching tours: Kids get excited spotting whales, while adults just enjoy being out on the North Atlantic with a thermos of coffee.
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Black sand beaches at Vik: Dramatic and moody, but toddlers only care about playing in sand that feels like it belongs in a superhero movie.
On the menu
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Hot dogs (pylsur): Iceland’s unofficial fast food that wins over even picky eaters.
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Lamb soup: Perfect for warming up after outdoor adventures, and hearty enough to satisfy growing teens.
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Skyr: Creamy yogurt-like goodness that doubles as dessert and breakfast, loved by both toddlers and grandparents.
Getting Around
Driving in Iceland is practically part of the adventure.
Families can rent a big van to road trip comfortably, stopping for photo ops and snack breaks whenever they want.
Short domestic flights connect far-flung areas if attention spans run out.
Ferries add a fun twist when heading to islands, and Reykjavík itself is stroller-friendly and easy to explore on foot.
The only real challenge is convincing kids that sheep do not count as souvenirs.
GREECE
Why it's family-friendly
Greece is like one big open-air museum where no one gets bored.
Grandparents love walking through ancient ruins they’ve read about their whole lives, teens happily climb endless steps for those Instagram-worthy views, and toddlers are entertained by boats, beaches, and plenty of gelato stops.
Cousins can splash in the Aegean together while parents sneak in a sunset glass of wine knowing everyone’s happy.
With family-friendly resorts, roomy villas, and island ferries that feel like mini adventures, Greece makes traveling with big families smooth and memorable.
Sites to see
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Athens’ Acropolis: Even kids are impressed by the Parthenon, and parents secretly enjoy that this counts as “educational.”
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Santorini: Whitewashed houses and blue domes that teens can’t stop photographing, while toddlers think the donkey rides are the real highlight.
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Crete’s beaches: Calm, shallow waters perfect for little swimmers, plus nearby ruins that keep grandparents engaged.
On the menu
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Souvlaki: Grilled meat on a stick that works for picky eaters and foodies alike.
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Spanakopita: A flaky spinach pie that sneaks some greens into the kids’ diet without them noticing.
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Loukoumades: Golden, honey-soaked dough balls that disappear faster than you can say “just one more.”
Getting Around
Getting from one adventure to the next in Greece is part of the fun.
Ferries between islands feel like cruises for a day, complete with sea breezes and snack bars.
Domestic flights save time when traveling with short attention spans.
On the mainland, private vans make it easy for grandparents and toddlers to rest while the scenery rolls by.
Just be prepared when kids ask if you can keep a stray cat as a souvenir.
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We worked with a travel professional for the first time ever. I have planned our family vacations for 14 years and I regret not having outsourced it earlier. She took care of our flights, hotels, activities and excursions that the kids loved, dinner reservations, travel insurance and even had us picked up at the house. We did a similar itinerary that we saw on Authentic Escapes and she adjusted it to fit our needs. I will NEVER plan another vacation for the rest of my life."
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Nicole N, Los Angeles
Featured Travel Professionals
Traveling with family can be magical… and occasionally a little chaotic.
Between snack breaks, nap schedules, and everyone wanting to do something different, it is a lot to juggle.
That is where a family-focused travel professional saves the day.
They know how to create trips that keep kids curious, parents relaxed, and grandparents smiling in all the group photos.
Think seamless itineraries where fun and culture come naturally, and the only thing you have to worry about is who gets the window seat.
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