A friend recently asked me for suggestions on the best countries to visit with kiddos who haven't done much international travel. While I'm a big believer in simply taking kids along on whatever adventure it is you want to have, there are definitely some places that are easier to navigate with young ones in tow. Here are five that I have visited and a bonus place on my wish list!
Ireland: Ireland was our first big trip with our kids, who were almost 3 and just-turned 7 at the time. For American kids, Ireland is great because it's familiar enough in terms of the language and food for them to feel comfortable (and to make parents' lives easier). We did a big road trip throughout Ireland and Northern Ireland, covering over 1100 miles, and my kids loved simply staring out the window at the many, many different shades of green and the sheep and cows balancing on the hillsides. There are plenty of organized things to do for kids, but it's also a great place to just run around in nature. Of all the cool things we did, my kids mostly remember visiting the adorable, friendly horse who lived across the street from our rental house. The pub culture in Ireland is also super laidback and very conducive to families. It never felt weird eating dinner or grabbing a drink with kids in tow, as there were plenty of families (locals and tourists alike) in all of the pubs that we visited, at all times of the day/night. Ireland is my number one suggestion for a first big adventure travelling as a family.
Croatia: Croatia is a great choice for families with kids. Not only is the swimming world class, but your kids (and you - we won't judge!) can jump on inflatables in the ocean at Copacabana Beach. Dubrovnik is a fabulous city to explore with kids; they love the medieval feel of it. The ancient city wall walk is especially enticing. I thought my kids would make it about halfway around, but they happily did the entire 3-hour walk with very little whining - the ice cream stop halfway through makes for a great motivator. Be sure to visit Trogir as well; it's an absolutely magical place where you can take lots of fun boat rides for more swimming options.
Costa Rica: Sloths. Need I say more?! Costa Rica is the place to go for kiddos who love interesting animals and outdoor fun. The beaches are spectacular, and there are swimming options (hot springs) that will likely be new to most kids. There are plenty of activities for adventurous families, like horseback riding and ziplining (just keep in mind that at most places, kids have to be at least 7 years old to do ziplines). It's also a great place for families with younger kiddos or more relaxed tastes to simply chill on the water. The natural beauty and the waterfalls, volcanoes, and cloud forests provide endless opportunities for exploration and outdoor fun.
Iceland: Iceland isn't very hard to get to, but it literally feels like landing on a different planet. Kids will be entertained in Iceland by simply walking around and looking at the lava pools, geysers, waterfalls, and glaciers. The whole country feels like a movie set (and in fact, James Bond, Star Wars, and Game of Thrones are just a few of the major films/series filmed there). Icelandic horses are particularly slow and gentle, so it's a great activity for families. They will also enjoy the wildlife; puffins are adorable! (The food can be a little tricky for kiddos with picky American palates, so bring lots of snacks.)
Slovenia: Slovenia is often overshadowed by its fancier neighbors. But while everyone wants to see the Venice canals and the Eiffel Tower, the major tourist countries in Europe can be tough to navigate with kids. They are massively crowded during peak travel times, and the weather is getting hotter and hotter (in Italy especially) every year. Slovenia, however, offers all of the charm of Europe with far fewer crowds and a more temperate climate. Ljubljana is absolutely charming, but kids will be more interested in Lake Bled, the baby dragons (yes, really) at Postojna Cave, and the magnificent Predjama Castle, nestled into a cliffside where it has stood for over 800 years. It is a fairy-tale country and a really special place to visit with kids.
Bonus: Galapagos Islands: This is on my travel wish list and will hopefully be one of our next family adventures. Several friends have gone with kids, and they say that the water and the sea life (gigantic turtles!) are top notch for young adventurers. Most of the people I've talked to and the research I've done suggests that it's best for kids ages 8 and up.
Where have you gone with your kids? Share below!
We loved Iceland! One of our family’s favorite trips. We also did London and the Cotswolds over April break so the crowds were not so bad. Great post, Val!