A beach holiday can accommodate the whole family. Parents can relax on the beach while kids swim, build sand castles or search for sea shells. The travel experts at Lonely Planet recommend the South Pacific nation of Fiji for families traveling with small children, as the local culture is especially child-friendly. Some resorts even offer a nanny service. The Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji, located south of Sigatoka on the Coral Coast, provides nannies for children ages six months to 12 years. Nannies are available from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. for up to eight hours per day. Parents customize children's care and activities and receive an itinerary. Book the Plantation Family Bure bungalow, which offers separate bedrooms and room for up to six guests.
If you want to spend your vacation on the slopes, head to a mountain resort that offers childcare services and a ski school. Kids can learn to ski or snowboard from a professional instructor, then spend a few hours in scheduled, supervised activities while parents try their hand at the black diamond runs. Mt. Bachelor in Bend, Oregon, offers childcare from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day of the week during snow season. Activities are designed for children six months to 12 years old and can include lunch, crafts, books, lessons or snow play.
City destinations offer a variety of activities for family members of all ages. With a wide choice of restaurants, hotels and historical and cultural attractions, a major metropolitan area can keep kids busy all day. Sydney, Australia, offers a world-class zoo, beaches and museums. Sydney Wildlife World is home to many species of Australian natives, including koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, platypus and crocodiles. Kids can marvel at the huge dugongs and sharks at the Sydney Aquarium. Sydney is surrounded on the south and east by beaches, many of which offer playgrounds and swimming pools.
Vacationing in the great outdoors can be a positive experience for both children and parents, as physical activities can keep kids and adults busy. If you don't relish the thought of sleeping in a tent with young children, consider a camper trailer. Camper travel can be a convenient way to travel on a wilderness vacation as your kitchen, bathroom and sleeping quarters come along with you. Canada's Banff National Park offers 2,564 square miles of scenic beauty and recreational opportunities. Set in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, families can unwind in the natural hot springs, hike or walk the park's trails, swim in Lake Louise, and go fishing or bird watching. The park has 13 campgrounds; three offer full hook-ups or electrical hook-ups, 11 have flush toilets and seven have showers. The park is open year-round.
