Children are never too young to catch the travel bug and there is so much value in showing them the world. Here are some of the best places to do so.
Planning the perfect family holiday needn’t be stressful – you just need to know who to ask for advice. If you’re travelling with children this year, you’ll be in safe hands with luxury travel experts, Carrier, who truly understand that every family holiday is unique. From European trips to long-haul adventures Carrier know exactly how to take your ideas and turn them into the dream trip for travellers of all ages. Their 70 years of experience in luxury family travel means every detail is thought of, ensuring that you – and your family – enjoy the very best of your chosen destination.
Here are five of their most exciting adventures, in equally exciting destinations, to inspire your next family escape.
In partnership with Carrier
The Castaway Experience
A trip to the stunning St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is so much more than a ‘fly and flop’. While relaxing on the beautiful beaches is a given, it’s all the other activities on offer that make it such a great choice for families. Throughout your stay you’ll have a dedicated St. Regis Butler who will help you plan every detail of your adventure; from water sports and dolphin watching, to play sessions in the state-of-the-art kids club and family dinners on the beach. Children will love reef snorkelling and learning all about the Maldivian eco system on this pristine private island. The spacious beach villas are ideal for families, and boast their own swimming pools too. This is the ultimate Indian Ocean family getaway.
A Taste of the Wild
This amazing trip starts in stunning Vancouver. Take a few days to explore this vibrant city on the coast before switching off all gadgets and truly getting away from it all on an adventure your family will never forget at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge. On Vancouver Island’s west coast, in the remote Canadian province of British Columbia, this lodge is surrounded by pristine, untouched wilderness, and the luxury tented accommodation offers an off-grid experience. Older children will love the thrill of all the activities on offer: bear-spotting from a kayak; mountain biking around the 600-acre property; horseback riding, rock climbing; and heli-fishing, to name just a few. The entire family can learn about conservation from local experts, and spend a night at the Cloud Camp – a canopied hideaway 4,500 ft above sea level on a lake straddling Ursus Mountain. This family-focused escape is for those who love the outdoors but also want the comfort of a five-star setting.
Arabian Escape
For a beach holiday that is far from ordinary, head to Six Senses, Zighy Bay. Tucked away inside Oman’s dramatic Musandam Peninsula, where the rugged mountains meet the warm sea below, this chic oasis has a stylish, Bond-esque feel. This is a place that encourages all ages to soak up the surroundings and embrace local culture: trek through the hills to ancient villages and heritage sites or take a traditional Dhow boat cruise through the Gulf of Oman. Onsite, choose from a seemingly endless list of activities. Older children will love the likes of scuba diving, micro-lighting, archery and raft building, while little ones can play for hours at the fantastic kids club offering everything from treasure hunts to rock painting. Stay in one of the superb stone beachfront pool villas, and enjoy the spectacular view at this otherworldly property.
The Two Centre African Adventure
A two-centre South Africa trip allows you to experience both the beach and the bush, and Carrier’s City and Safari Duo has the perfect itinerary. Start in beautiful Cape Town, a vibrant city packed with fun activities for all the family. Take the cable car up Table Mountain, spend an afternoon at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, or chill out on the idyllic beach at Camps Bay. You’ll stay in the heart of the city, at the One&Only on the cosmopolitan Victoria and Alfred Waterfront with first-class facilities plus family-friendly suites. It’s the ideal base from which to explore. Then, it’s on to the wildly beautiful (and Malaria free) Madikwe Game Reserve in the north of the country. Its rugged hills are home to the Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge where a five-star family safari experience awaits. Children from the age of six can join the drives and see the Big Five for themselves, while the tailor-made children’s programme helps all ages discover the importance of conservation with nature walks and crafting sessions. Gather round the campfire in the evening to hear exciting tales from your guides, whose knowledge of the local area and its animals is second to none. A trip no child – or grown up – will ever forget.
Explore the East
For a cultural journey to really broaden youngster’s horizons, head east, to Thailand. The first stop is Bangkok where you can explore temples and markets, making sure to catch a tuk tuk between them. Stay in a family suite at the super-luxe riverside Mandarin Oriental. Next it’s on to 137 Pillars House in lush Chiang Mai. Visit the elephant sanctuary, tour the tea plantations and see the archaeological site of Wiang Kum Kam. The next leg of this Eastern experience takes you to the breathtaking Six Senses Yao Noi where you can unwind in style at this fabulous family-friendly residence. Your final stop is one of the world’s most beautiful beaches in Phuket. Relax at the stunning Trisara, a five-star property tucked away in a sublime private bay on the Andaman Sea. Children will love playing on this glorious stretch of sand and enjoying a plethora of water sports whilst keeping an eye out for the local macaque monkeys.
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