Fancy an adventure in 2013? There’s plenty of it in the world, you just have to know where to find it. If you’re travelling with kids this year, you need a destination that provides thrill-seeking activities that are safe for all ages. Since many adventure destinations get you out of your hotel room and into the great outdoors, they can double as educational opportunities for the kids as well. Consider these top adventure destinations when planning your family holiday this year:
Madagascar
If you kids are fascinated by the wildlife at the zoo, you won’t want to miss out on an opportunity to let them see the animals in their natural habitats. The majority of the mammals, reptiles, and flora on this large island are found nowhere else in the world, proving a truly unique educational—and thrilling—holiday opportunity for the whole family. There are plenty of national parks that will put you within arm’s-reach of the island’s wildlife—from the lemurs found in the gorges of Isalo National Park to the tomato frogs and panther chameleons in the Masoala National Park Rainforest and the leaftailed geckos, butterflies, and pill millipedes in Amber Mountain National Park. Take the kids whale watching in Île Sainte-Marie between April and September, or if they’re old enough, consider a day of diving at the beaches of Nossi Be, Nossi Lava, or Toliara.
When To Go
The months of April-May and October-November are the best times for spotting wildlife, and for avoiding Madagascar’s wet season.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica has an esteemed reputation as a top adventure travel destination—and that reputation extends to thrill-seeking families. Plan your family holiday around a trip to Arenal Volcano National Park in the northwest region of the country, which houses Costa Rica’s most active—and unpredictable—volcano. There are many hiking trails inside the park, some of which will give you and your kids the opportunity to see waterfalls or active lava flows. Once you’re done touring the volcano, head to nearby Lake Arenal, where your family can enjoy windsurfing, kiteboarding, wakeboarding, or ziplining activities, or a horseback ride along the shore.
When To Go
The best time to visit Costa Rica is during the dry season, which runs from late November through late April. You’ll be able to enjoy outdoor activities more during these months, and maybe even have a better chance of seeing volcanic activity at Arenal National Park!
Ylläs, Finland
Not all family holidays have to take place in the warmth and sunshine; in fact, some of the most thrilling family adventure holidays are made possible by snow and ice! This is certainly the case in Ylläs, Finland, a true winter wonderland the whole family can enjoy. As well as traditional skiing activities, Ylläs offers opportunities for families to participate in husky safaris, reindeer safaris, ice swimming, snow shoeing, and even horseback riding adventures during the winter months.
When To Go
The winter months are the best time to visit Ylläs, though the resort does offer a range of programming in the spring and summer months which include fishing, canoeing, river rafting, hiking, and biking activities. If you book your trip right now, you may even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights on your trip, which are expected to light up the nighttime sky until mid-February of this year.
A Note About Safety
While going on an adventure holiday with the entire family can be a blast, it can also put you and the kids at greater risk of having an accident or injury. Before you depart, obtain a special insurance policy that will provide holiday accident compensation for each member of your family in the unfortunate event that things do take a turn for the worse.
