Not many countries can claim to be a cheap, safe, other-worldly destination, but Thailand is exactly that. Thailand's tourist infrastructure is one of the best in the world, providing low-cost airfare, trains, buses and accommodations ranging from $5 guesthouses to five-star resorts, a prime reason why approximately 12 million tourists visit each year.
"Thailand simply offers it all to travelers in a neat, great-value package--whether you're an independent budget backpacker...or a well-heeled tourist," according to Travelfish.org, a travel guide to Southeast Asia. Children are especially prized in Thai culture, and your kids will be showered with attention from the moment they step off the plane. Islands and beaches in the south, mountains in the north and culture in the central plains provide a diverse landscape to explore. Great destinations for families are Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Koh Lanta and Phuket. Thailand, located a few degrees north of the equator, has warm and dry winters, making it a snow escape.
What better way to throw off the doldrums of being trapped in the house than taking a family sailing trip. Seclusion, adventure, interesting destinations and relaxation will give your family the opportunity to bond. In The Wild provides fully-crewed and bareboat (sail the boat yourself) sailboat charters to nearly every destination in the world. Fully-crewed charters include crew who sail, cook, clean and help with activities that include snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing lessons, fishing and onshore excursions. Easily accessible from the United States, the Caribbean is a popular sailing destination because of its string of islands, local flair, consistent winds and reasonable costs. Other sailing destinations for families include the Florida Keys, the Mediterranean and South Pacific.
Situated between Panama and Nicaragua in Central America, Costa Rica is a popular family destination for winter escapes. It is considered safe, affordable and covered with wild beaches, active volcanoes and dozens of national parks. "Travel costs are...cheaper than in the USA or Europe" and "in general, it's safe for children and pregnant women to go to Costa Rica," according to Lonely Planet. One advantage Costa Rica offers is easy access from the United States. Dozens of daily flights originating from America land daily in San Jose, the capital. Costa Rican Trails offers a number of family-orientated tours, including Family Close to Nature and Family Eco Adventure. Tours include hotels, some meals, activities and local guides. The country is easy to self-plan with plenty of accommodations, and a well-organized tourist infrastructure.
While throngs of vacationers head to Oahu for the winter, families should head to the Big Island. Appealing to families is its laid-back nature, beach-side resorts and Hawaiian culture. The Big Island is know for its pristine, uncrowded beaches, rain forests and lava fields. Kona Village Resort offers families private thatched-roof bungalows. The all-inclusive resort has children's activities that involve making leis and learning to hula dance.
Winter brings dreams of a first run down the bunny hill, hearty meals around the fireplace and impromptu snowball fights. Winter is the time for families to hit the slopes. Away.com ranked Killington in Vermont as the best family ski resort in America. Other resorts receiving top marks for families include Key Stone in Colorado and Big Sky in Montana. The rankings took into account ski schools, kid's activities and affordability.
