18 Family Vacations-Exotic Destinations

 Eighteen summers… 936 weekends… at first it sounds like a lot of time, but as the saying goes the days may be long, but the years are short.

It can feel a bit like one day you are buckling them into a car seat before you go anywhere and the next you are loading the car full of things to move them into their dorm room as they start college and wondering where the time went.

Making the most of those 18 summers with family vacations is one of the best ways to strengthen family bonds and create memories they will treasure long after you are gone.

This article completes our series on 18 of our favorite destinations to visit before your kids fly the nest. In the first article we listed six options in, or departing from, the US.   And in the second, our top recommendations for European vacations you won’t want to miss.

 In this article we’ll share our favorite exotic vacation destinations to add to your list…

Australia – Great Barrier Reef and Uluru

Australia is popular for its unmatched wildlife… cuddly koalas, the many species of kangaroos, and dangerous predators like the thorny dragon and the inland taipan snake. The wildlife, however, cannot compare to the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef.

Whether you choose to dive, snorkel, or even experience the Reef on a semi-submersible tour, you won’t want to miss this underwater adventure. The outer reef may be more popular, but for families with children, consider visiting the Low Isles. You’ll still get the “wow factor” of the reef, but this area is shallower and gentler and even has sandy beaches on which to relax.

You should also consider visiting the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in the Northern Territory, The park is home to the largest sandstone monolith in the world, called Uluru or Ayers Rock. Kids will be enchanted by the Aboriginal myths, legends and traditions of the area.

Peru – Machu Picchu

While it may not be the typical vacation that comes to mind with young kids, with so much to do and see in Peru, a trek to Machu Picchu definitely makes our list!

The ancient ruins of the Incan civilization had been hidden for centuries before they were discovered and later declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. No one knows the origin and purpose of these ruins. Was it a religious site, or the famed lost city of the Incas? Let your children wonder and marvel at the possibilities.

If you want to make your vacation educational as well as fun, this is one trip you shouldn’t miss, and it’s perfect to combine with the our next suggestion…

Galapagos Islands

Machu Picchu is not the only adventure South America has to offer. Nature is at its prime on the Galapagos Islands, where animals roam freely and interact with humans with zero fear. You can get up close and personal with giant tortoises, sea lions, and blue-footed boobies who can change your children’s relationship with wildlife.

 It doesn’t matter what month you travel in; due to its location on the equator, the weather is perfect year-round in Ecuador making this one destination that is easily fit in during various school holidays.
A small ship cruise is a popular option for getting around to see as many different islands as possible. There are a limited number of land-based hotels and tours as well. We’ve carefully curated a list of family-friendly cruises and tour guides to make your Galapagos experience the perfect mix of education, adventure and fun!

A Safari in Africa

An African safari is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that can be truly life changing. Seeing animals like lions, hippos, zebras, and elephants up close in their natural habitat is awe inspiring. Our experience and relationships with family-focused tour operators will help explore the local culture and arrange unforgettable experiences for your family.

 The memories you make hot-air ballooning over the Maasai Mara, having a picnic lunch among the giraffes, and watching a family of elephants gather at the watering hole steps away from your safari camp will be absolutely priceless. We can also arrange for you to adopt an orphan elephant and you can visit them in Nairobi.

China

From the bustling city and skyscrapers of Shanghai to the beaches of Hong Kong there are so many great experiences awaiting your family in China. Explore the Summer Palace and take a dragon boat ride in Beijing. Climb the most child-friendly portion of the Great Wall in Mutianyu where you can even take a toboggan ride down one section of the wall.

Take in the spiky peaks of the karst countryside of Yangshuo on a bicycle tour. Be enchanted by the adorable chubby pandas at the Chongqing Zoo or the Chengdu Panda Base. See the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xian. Or spend a fun-filled family day at Hong Kong Disneyland. There is definitely no shortage of fun and exciting activities in China to create an unforgettable family vacation.

Southeast Asia – Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand

If you would like to visit several countries over a small period of time within a single vacation, you can sail your boat to South East Asia. Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia are full of such wonder and adventure for you and your family.

In Thailand you can interact with elephants or relax at one of the many serene islands. Cambodia will take you through its jungles to discover the mysteries of Angkor Wat or you can scuba dive at Koh Rong Island on an underwater adventure. The historical connection is strong with Vietnam for American visitors and your children will enjoy learning about it while exploring the culture and landscape. One extra perk: the food is to die for!

Be sure to check out the first two articles in the series to uncover our top US based destinations, and our favorite European destinations to visit with your kids before they fly the nest.

The perfect family vacation begins with scheduling your complimentary consultation. Click here to request a time for us to chat [<<- LINK]. We’ll discuss the details and what your vacation priorities. I’ll give you my suggestions and explain how we can best work together to plan the vacation of your dreams.

Tips for Planning an African Safari

If you are looking for a unique and memorable vacation, a luxury safari should be at the top of your list! It’s the perfect mix of romance, luxury, relaxation, and adventure.

Mornings and evenings are typically spent on game drives spotting the local wildlife leaving your afternoons and nights free to relax and soak up the gorgeous surroundings of your luxury safari camp or resort.

Here are some of our top tips for planning an unforgettable safa in Africa…

Plan to Splurge

This is absolutely a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, and if ever there were a time to splurge on top-notch plans, this is it! I guarantee you won’t regret it.

While the price tag on your safari vacation may seem a bit steep, it’s important to understand what is included. Most safari lodges and camps are relatively all-inclusive.

Your nightly rate includes game drives, activities, meals, snacks, drinks, and assorted other amenities. You’ll want to be sure to budget extra for gratuities for your service staff as well as for extra indulgences such as spa services.

Trust me when I tell you this is one vacation that is worth every penny!

Prepare for luxury!

Many people are surprised to learn that a safari can be the ultimate example of luxury. They have a preconceived notion that going on safari is synonymous with “roughing it” and while that is certainly an option if that is what you enjoy, many of the safari lodges and camps we work with are the epitome of 5-star elegance and luxury.

From top-notch service to fine dining and gracious and sumptuous accommodations, you’ll be blown away by the experience.

A safari lodge or game lodge will typically feature more resort-like amenities while a luxury tent camp is often the ultimate experience that feels entirely authentic.

The primary differences between a safari camp and a safari lodge tend to be the size (lodges, in general, are bigger), amenities, and of course having four solid walls around you! Don’t let the name fool you; there are tent camps available that are almost decadent in their level of luxury!

Photo ©andBeyond

Choose your adventure

Your African vacation doesn’t have to be all-safari-all-the-time. Africa has so much to offer that it’s the perfect destination for all sorts of interests and experiences.

I often recommend that my South Africa safari clients begin with a few days in Cape Town giving them time to relax and unwind a bit. With beautiful beaches, spectacular scenery, fantastic dining, and a vast assortment of cultural experiences, it’s the perfect start to your vacation. If looking at East Africa, Micato Safaris  has you spend a few nights at the Fairmont Norfolk, the quinteseential pre safari hotel in Nairobi and you have lunch with the owners at their home before setting off.

The highlight of your trip will likely be your days on safari!

 I usually recommend that my clients plan to visit more than one safari lodge or camp as the experiences and wildlife can vary significantly from one location to the next. 2-3 nights in each is usually just about right. This gives you a chance to experience the unique eco-system in the area thoroughly and to enjoy the amenities of the camp or lodge without feeling rushed.

The destinations for your safari camps will usually be determined by what type of wildlife you hope to see, the time of your visit, and what else you have planned. Planning your African vacation is a bit likeputting together a puzzle… we want it to be picture-perfect, but if we aren’t careful, you’ll spend too much time traveling from one location to the next and won’t have time to relax and enjoy the journey.

After the adventure of your safari, you can round out your trip with a few days of relaxation at one of Africa’s breathtaking beach locations.

Seychelles, Mozambique. Zanzibar and Mauritius are popular beach destinations that can easily be combined with a safari (once again, this requires careful planning to make sure your destinations are easy to travel between!). Ending your travels with a few days of picturesque serenity will ensure you return home refreshed and relaxed.

Enlist the advice of an expert

Africa is one destination where the help of an expert travel consultant is invaluable!

From selecting the right location, the right time to see and experience the things you want to see, the perfect accommodations, the proper documentation, and the ideal safari guide, you’ll appreciate having someone “in-the-know” taking care of the details.

Not only can a travel consultant ensure that your trip goes off without a hitch, but he or she can also recommend and arrange some extraordinary experiences you may not have otherwise considered.

Imagine a private sunrise hot air balloon ride over areas of the game reserve not accessible by car – watching herds of animals running below you as the sun peeks over the horizon.

Or a private picnic on Honeymooner’s Beach on North Island (where the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge honeymooned).

 You can also adopt an orphan elephant and visit them at the David Sheldrick Trust in Nairobi. Your expert travel advisor can make it happen!

Ready to experience a luxury African safari for yourself? It all starts with a personalized vacation consultation. Click here to request a time for us to meet. We’ll discuss the details and what you are looking for. We’ll give you our suggestions and explain how we can best work together to plan an unforgettable safari experience.

Things to Consider when Planning an African Safari

An African safari is on the travel bucket list of many of our clients. It’s absolutely a life-changing experience you will never forget.

Planning a luxury safari is one type of vacation where the advice of an expert travel professional is invaluable! From selecting the right location, the right time to see and experience the things you want to see, the perfect accommodations, the proper documentation, and the ideal safari guide, you’ll appreciate having someone “in-the-know” taking care of the details.

Here are some of the top things you should keep in mind when planning a luxury African safari…

Where to go?

Africa is a vast continent with diverse cultural and wildlife experiences. While many people consider a safari to be a “once in a lifetime” trip, the truth is that you can plan multiple safaris without repeating experiences.

Over 50 million tourists visit Africa each year with the majority coming from the US, UK, and France. US visitors tend to favor Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Tanzania, Ghana, Ethiopia, and South Africa. The French prefer Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, and Mauritius. British tourists opt for Egypt, Gambia, South Africa, and Mauritius.

What to see?

Deciding where you want to visit can feel overwhelming but knowing precisely what animals you hope to see on your safari can easily help narrow down the choices. During our vacation consultation, we will discuss what experiences you are looking for, and your travel advisor will offer suggestions based on those preferences Africa offers some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in the world.

While there are a considerable number of animal species in Africa, most first-time safari guests are hoping to see “the big 5” during their time in Africa. The big five is made up of lions, leopards, rhinoceros, elephants and Cape buffalos. If this is what you are looking for, then your choices will include Botswana. Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Another popular request is for gorilla trekking. If you are hoping to commune with a silverback and company, then you’ll want to focus on Uganda, Rwanda, or the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is for the individual that is in good shape, as you will be hiking in the mountains with a guide cutting a path for you to find the gorilla family.

Where to Stay?

There are a wide variety of options available for accommodations on your safari vacation. For a luxury safari, most guests tend to choose either a five-star safari lodge or a luxury tent camp. Quite often when we help our clients to plan a safari, we recommend that they allow for enough time to experience both options in multiple locations.

A safari lodge or game lodge will typically feature more resort-like amenities while a luxury tent camp is often the ultimate authentic experience.

andBeyond Bateleur Camp in the Masai Mara
Photo ©andBeyond

The primary differences between a safari camp and a safari lodge tend to be the size (lodges, in general, are bigger), amenities, and of course having four solid walls around you! Don’t let the name fool you; there are tent camps available that are almost decadent in their level of luxury! Where do you think the glamping movement came from? African tented safari camps.

Cottar's 1920s Safari Camp

        Photo ©Cottar’s Safari Camp

When to go?

In real estate, location is everything. When it comes to a safari vacation, timing is everything!

Visit at the right time, and you’ll be treated to a fantastic experience with abundant wildlife that takes your breath away. Plan your trip during the wrong time and you the animals may be few and far between.

The best advice tends to be to plan your trip during the dry season when water is a bit scarce. The animals will seek out watering holes, and this makes it easier for your guide to predict where and when you are likely to find them. It is also easier for safari vehicles to navigate the dirt roads of the game reserves.

One of the most amazing experiences happens each year from June to September with the great Wildebeest migration in the Serengeti National Park. While this is peak season, and that is reflected in the price tag, it has earned the title of “the Greatest Show on Earth!”

These are just a few of the things we take into consideration when planning a luxury safari for our clients. Other factors include how to get around, what type of travel documentation is required, if any vaccines are recommended, safety, and what (if any) ways our client would like to give back to the local communities. Thinking of going solo, our top choice small group safaris, only 16 people is Abercrombie & Kent. 

Ready to experience an African safari for yourself? It all starts with a personalized vacation consultation. Click here to request an appointment We’ll discuss the details and what you are looking for. We’ll give you our suggestions and explain how we can best work together to plan an unforgettable safari experience.

5 Trips You Should Take If You Win The Lottery

Admit it you buy Powerball or Mega Millions tickets when the jackpot is some huge amount. And then dream about what you would do if you won. Pay off your mortgage, make sure your parents are taken care of, put money in college accounts for the kids. Take a trip. Because money isn't an issue here are some trips that you may want to put on your list.

1. Around the world by private jet- You will do it in 26 days, not 80 and fly in Abercrombie & Kent's private  Boeing 757 with lay-flat seats and only 50 passengers. Dedicated flight crew with you the whole trip and tour directors. Visit in one trip, cruise the Amazon River and visit Easter Island are few of the highlights along the way. On some trips you will be joined by A&K's founder.

2. Cruise to Antarctica- It is an ultimate bucket list trip, the scenery and wildlife will be etched in your memory forever. There are ships that cater to more adventurous travelers and others that are pure luxury. All will have polar experts on board that will allow you to gain more understanding of this continent.

3. African Safari- There are so many options here, the traditional Kenya/Tanzania trip to see the Great Migration and South Africa if you are not wanting to spend 2 weeks in the bush and see Cape Town and some of the great South African Vineyards. You can tag on trips to Uganda/Rwanda to see the Silverback gorilla, Botswana for Chobe National Park, one of the largest concentrations of game in Africa and Okavango River Delta. And don't forget Victoria Falls on the border of Zambia/Zimbabwe. Scheduled safaris are usually small groups since the camps are not large. And safaris can be tailored made to fit what you want to see.

4. Galapagos Islands- If you are in to wildlife this is the trip for you, because the majority of species only live here and the best way to see the islands is by cruise ship. These are smaller more intimate ships where you go off in small groups to explore the islands. Galapagos Giant Tortoise, Galapagos Iguana and the Galapagos Penguin. Once again these cruises have experts on board to enhance your experience.

5. World Cruise- Unpack once and see the world, that's what you can do on a world cruise. The typical world cruise is around 100 days and departs in January, great way to get out of the snow for us Northerners. Many cruise lines offer these types of cruises, from the familiar Princess, historic Cunard and the ultra luxury ships of Crystal & Regent Seven Seas. 100 days too long, you can book segments of the world cruise that concentrate on a  region that interests you.

These are my top 5 picks, what are your top picks for money is no option travel?





















































































© Micro10x | Dreamstime.com - Woman Holding Lottery Ticket Photo