Where to go with Kids

written by

Kat Mackintosh, Photo by James Dunford Wood

It was the best of times and the worst of times… My parents had found us an Italian villa to spend Christmas in which reeked of cabbage, had no central heating, had plumbing constantly threatening to go nuclear and had an ancient Yoda-like Italian woman living secretly in the roof. We know this because in my room was hung a truly maniacal painting of Dante (circles of Hell in the background), one where his eyes followed you, and I refused to sleep with it in the room – but whenever we moved it, it magically re-appeared back on the wall…then my brothers set off fire crackers in the back yard and saw her in the window looking out. But that Christmas now holds a magical place in our family lore – shared hardships which we joke about whenever things get a little tense round December.

Memorable Holidays

The thing is my parents were only trying to give us a memorable experience; which is what most parents are attempting when they plan a family holiday, but that much pressure means things often don’t turn out as planned. And frankly, kids, especially if you have more than one, are notoriously difficult to please. Polling the office the consensus on what made our most memorable childhood holidays, those golden sunny school-less days that we will treasure forever, were three things: 1.) Water 2.) Independence (or some form of say in the decision making process) and 3.) A hook (something that made you look forward to going and made it easy to brag about to the kids at school.)

The Beach Option

It varies with age but from toddler to teenager, the beach is always an easy answer. A small town by the beach seems to be ideal, you can trust the older ones to go exploring a al Famous Five (or these days Lara Croft), and the ocean provides an endless array of potential entertainments. Corsica or Euboia, Crete, Naxos and many other Greek Islands are littered with tiny towns on bays of bright blue, clear water, but equally so is Cornwall.

Lake Maggoire is surrounded by appropriate sized towns, just substitute the lake for the ocean. Here beautiful gardens line the shores and the towns have a more elegant, cosmopolitan vibe which may suit cultural kids – lots to paint, draw and write about, but still plenty to do outdoors. And if your own preference is for the great outdoors as well then a slow mosey around a scenic part of Cyprus on the Aphrodite and Adonis Trail or the one of the many paths along the Amalfi Coast will keep everyone happy and occupied. Again the focus is on changeable scenery, small pretty towns and the water.

Added Value

Further along the Italian coastline, Naples has a pretty big hook – a volcano, Vesuvius, and Pompeii, the excavated town it destroyed. Adults see history and ancient humanity, kids see mass carnage, mayhem and a chance to play Indiana Jones – cool! And it’s the birthplace of pizza, another useful parental bargaining chip. Staying with the volcano idea (which was very popular with the office democracy), Tenerife’s Pico de Teide frequently emits gases in menacing puffs and has a free cable car to a spot close to the top, which means you only have to walk down not up, another useful tool of persuasion. Part of the unique terrain of the Teide National Park, it’s close enough to the coast to get a bit of beach action as well. From personal experience Uluru and the Grand Canyon (where the mule trek comes highly recommended.) are the other continent equivalents - few people have the kind of kids you’d want to fly around the world with.

Wildlife

Claws are another kind of hook. Being part of the baby turtle hatching season in Bahia, Mexico is a life changing experience; turtles lay their eggs on the same strip of beach they hatched on and watching both the mother turtles lay their eggs and the freshly hatched babies scuttle towards the sea is unforgettable. The seahorse nursery in Reclif, Brazil is a similar kind of incredible lesson in biology and ecology; seahorses have colonies amongst the mangroves where the young are protected and have easy access to the beautiful reef (ideal for snorkelling) beyond. Berenty Lemur Reserve on Madagascar is a more exotic choice, but the cheeky lemur will charm even the most savage temper (show them the film Madagascar before you go.), and kids will feel like they’re going on a proper adventure.

Memorable Sleeps

The hook doesn’t have to be in the location, it can also be where you stay. Another consensus was reached when I suggested staying in a lighthouse, or a tree house, and there was much oh-ing and ah-ing when I suggested one of the Tunisian underground hotels used in the Star Wars films.

Or Failing That...

If nothing but Disney will do don’t despair, the Florida Keys are perfect for when the Micky fix is sated, snorkeling and kayaking are great fun for active kids. And if that’s too far, any castle in Europe will suddenly become more appealing if you tell them it was used as a set in Harry Potter. Or that it’s haunted…as we thought our Italian villa was for a while.

Parent and Kids Friendly Holidays

	Turtles in Bahia Wildlife in Mexico Loggerhead and Green Sea Turtles return to the coast in this region to lay their eggs on the same beaches where they hatched as tiny, 50 gram babies. Both of these types of turtle are endangered and a program has been created to help maintain the area for future turtle generations. Bahia is habituated by people as well (and is the site of two large hotels) and during the nesting season between May and September, people have to keep their lights to a minimum, pick up all debris off the beach and keep quiet during the evenings. Once the eggs have been laid they are dug up and moved to a protected area of beach to make it easier for the hatchlings to dig their way out. Babies are then released in a safe spot and you can cheer them on on their first big journey down the beach. Visitors are encouraged to get involved with the conservation efforts. Review by World Reviewer Staff Photo by flickr user mblomqvist
	The Seahorse Nursery Wildlife in Recife, Brazil The mangrove forests near Porto de Galinhas are home to a huge seahorse colony and nursery. Seahorses live amongst the mangrove roots where the water is still and they hang on to the roots with their tails during tidal movements, so they’re easy to spot. There are two kinds of seahorse to see here: the long snouted seahorse and the short snouted seahorse. You would think from their unimaginative names the seahorses would all look quite similar (except for the length of their snouts) however they come in a huge range of colours that depend more on genetics and their environment than their species name, so you will see everything from orange to green and all shades between. Local fishing boats run trips amongst the mangroves and most guides will scoop up a seahorse (in a glass jar) and give you a chance to get friendly. Fish and crabs also use the mangrove forest as a nursery and between September and March sea turtles come to lay their eggs along the nearby beaches. Porto de Galinhas is also a good spot to enjoy the palm laced beaches, go kitesurfing, diving or snorkel on the relatively unspoilt reefs. Review by World Reviewer Staff Photo by flickr user laszlo-photo
	Lemur Town (Berenty Lemur Reserve) Wildlife in Madagascar 80% of Madagascar’s plants and animals are unique to the island making it a tropical paradise of unusual creatures and experiences. Among the most unique looking of Madagascar’s inhabitants are the lemurs, with their huge eyes and expressive faces, and chameleons, with their amazing camouflage techniques. Berenty Reserve is the world's largest lemur reserve and study facility, and home to six different types of lemur. Berenty has been open for 70 years, and the lemurs, though wild, have grown used to humans and will dance around and demand bananas from visitors (especially the ring-tailed lemurs, who are the most out going and saunter around the park with their stripy tails in the air.). Two of the Berenty lemur species are nocturnal and there is a camp on the site where you can stay and go for evening lemur spotting walks. The reserve is also home to several kinds of snakes (though not deadly), flying foxes, and magical chameleons. Madagascar is a fantastic place for budding botanists to visit with its unusual Dragon’s Blood trees, spiny forests and baobabs. The best weather conditions for visiting Madagascar are between May and October (but Berenty’s lemur cubs are usually born between September and October.). Review by World Reviewer Staff Photo by flickr user belgianchocolate
	Burnham High Lighthouse Self catering in West Country, United Kingdom Three round bedrooms, an innovatively-fitted galley kitchen and a massive circular bathroom are all stacked on top of one another inside Burnham High Lighthouse. Built in the 1830s to guide ships through the Bristol Channel and now defunct, it is the only self-catering lighthouse accommodation to be found in the whole of the UK, and the building's heritage is far from avoided in the interior decor. Clean, white walls, raw original features (including the old lantern), narrow spiral staircases and endearing local souvenirs make up one of the most unique holiday homes available, but the lantern room is most definitely the crowning glory, with windows on all sides for unbeatable views from sunrise to the magnificent sunset over the sea to the West. Review by larapiegeler Photo by flickr user mike warren
	Walking the Amalfi Coast Walking in Amalfi Coast, Italy Usually being an off the beaten track kind of traveller looking to remote villages, uninfluenced local customs and culture and places that my friends have to google to locate on a map, walking the Amalfi Coast didn’t send me off straight away to pack up my pack and start choosing the best footwear. But it possibly should have. I was expecting the same overused view I’ve seen on postcards from people I know who only a few years ago were going on 18-30 holidays to Ibiza and Tenerife, but it was much more than what I was expecting. The sweeping mountain scenery that gets me going was here in force, and if the drama wasn’t quite that of Nepal, I think the highest peak in the region is 1,400, but then you are seeing it almost rise from the sea, the view turning 180 degrees of the coastline more than made up for it. I also thought I’d be mingling with the over 60’s walking holiday tour set, but there were plenty of trails to choose from and being me and partial to the most difficult looking path I can find I didn’t come across anyone I wouldn’t have been happy to pass on Mont Blanc (but I’m sure if you’re in the over 60’s walking holiday tour set you’ll enjoy this trip as well.). As well as the attractive vistas there is also a wealth of culture waiting to be absorbed. And it may not be particularly remote or uninfluenced but it’s actually far more ancient and probably more of an influence on modernity than the other way around. Just out of Amalfi, past some lemon groves is the monastery of Santa Rosa and on from there is the easy but famous “Footpath of the Gods” which has views across to Capri worth sharing a track with other people for. On from there is Positano, a particularly attractive town perched on the coast in a rakish, defiant fashion below which is a valley you can complete some ascents of the Lattari Mountains, if you like that sort of thing, nothing to thrilling but it makes a nice way to break up the pleasant easy cliff top walking. Ravello is another nice town to stop in, but there are numerous, all clinging to the cliff and with plenty of places to stay. Round the corner and you’ll see views of Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples. This is a civilised walking trip if ever there was one, lots of good food and drink in the evening and views and clear skies all day. I’m disappointed al myself that I enjoyed it so much really. Now I’m tempted to tackle some other more popular journeys that my friends will have heard of and maybe even completed before me. Review by paul.birss Photo by flickr user fachxx00
	Kayaking Florida's Keys and Everglades Kayaking in South East, United States There is more to the everglades than alligators and airboats, the labyrinth of mangroves and thick vegetation is a wilderness for kayakers to get lost in. The channels are flat and critters peer out at you from all directions their eyes following you from the thick undergrowth. Florida is a good winter paddling destination for more than just the everglades, on the ocean side you have the Florida Keys for island hopping, though no camping so you have to plan your trip around available accommodation. As well as the world renowned reefs, marine parks and national parks you'll probably come across some friendly dolphins and manatees. The water is shallow, flat and mild and excellent for beginners. One of the best things about poking around Florida's waterways are it's dodgy history of drug runners and smugglers who at one time were the waterways main users. Review by Michael Gray Photo by flickr user Stig Nygaard
	Pico de Teide Volcanoes in Spain Teide is part of a National Park and has a public road running across it's caldera, allowing visitors easy access to within about 250 metres of the summit. You can also ride most of the way up it in a cable car. To go to the very top you need a permit, but it's free. It's pretty exciting to get close to because Pico del Teide frequently spurts sulphurous gasses from vents near the summit. Review by Hamish Holl Photo by flickr user Mataparda
	Cornish Tipi Holidays Camps & Campsites in West Country, United Kingdom Tipis, open campfires and Cornish trout fishing are some of the elements which make Cornish Tipis an exceptional campsite. A five minute drive away from spectacular Cornish coastline, the 40 traditional North American tipis are spread over 16 acres of picturesque nature, situated around the old Tregildrans Quarry. The site was designed for campers to get back to "real camping" and offers something unique and is perfect for romantics. The Tipis were carefully designed to emulate the real thing, standing 18 ft high, surprisingly spacious and airy. The locally sourced wooden-frame is covered with cotton canvas, making the structure sturdy and breathable, whilst also being designed to be 100 percent waterproof. The living area inside the tipi can best be described as comfortable and well-provided for! This area of Cornwall, which is renowned for its outstanding beauty, offers a wide range of activities. The old quarry lake is great for swimming in, that is if you don’t mind the resident rainbow trout. There are also loads of walking routes in the area, including a nearby coastal path. Night time calls for a rustic campfire and a spot of stargazing outside your Tipi. Open from March until October, but best experienced in the summer, when Cornwall can be pleasantly hot. Review by Andrea Meyer Photo by flickr user Kecko