You and your family will have the time of their life exploring a new international travel destination! Where should you go? We have compiled a list of the perfect family friendly international travel destinations that is sure to help you find the perfect spot. Whether your loved ones are looking for an action-packed vacation, or a relaxing holiday, spending time with your family is priceless.
Tips to Successfully Book a Family Trip
Before we begin, let’s review a few critical tips for traveling abroad with children. Booking an international getaway with your entire family has incredible benefits, like allowing your children to experience new cultures and cuisine. However, it also requires more planning than traveling with other adults.
- Be sure your children have a current child passport at least six months before your trip.
- Double check to see that the child’s passport is still valid for at least another six months from the start of your trip. Most countries require a certain amount of validity on U.S. passport for entry. You can visit the U.S. Department of State website to check which countries require validity.
- Ensure your children have all the necessary immunizations for international travel.
- Visit a travel clinic or your child’s primary care doctor approximately 3-6 months before your trip to ensure they have their required vaccinations in enough time.
- Leave yourself ample time to travel from one destination to the next.
- When traveling with your children, it will take longer to get everyone out of the house in the morning. The flight check-in process at the airport may take longer. Consider padding each leg of your trip with extra time to avoid being stressed or late on the day of your trip.
#1. London
London, England, offers something for the entire family. If your family is a fan of Harry Potter, you are in luck! Stop and take a photo at Platform 9¾ in Kings Cross station or consider traveling to the Harry Potter studio outside of London.
There are family-friendly activities in London, such as touring the Tower of London to immerse yourself in English history or visiting the famed Shakespeare Globe Theatre. For additional fun, take a ride on the London Eye to view the entire city, or walk the cobble streets of Fournier Street in London’s Spitalfields neighborhood to see beautiful historic houses.
#2. Montreal
Are you interested in exploring Canada? Visiting Montreal is a must! If you are located in the northern United States, traveling across the border by car allows you to avoid renting a car once you arrive. If you opt to drive instead of flying, each family member will still need their adult and child passports handy.
To discover the city’s rich history, stop at the Pointe-à-Callière museum. Next, head to Mont-Royal, the mountain in the city’s center. You and your family can hike, bike, or even paddle board on the nearby lake. If outdoor adventure is your style, consider visiting Montreal during wintertime to explore the Hôtel de Glace, an entire hotel made of ice and incredible ice sculptures.
A visit to Montreal during colder weather also means your family can take advantage of the many ice-skating rinks throughout the city, including Patinoire du Bassin Bonsecours in Old Montreal.
#3. Sydney
Were you looking for warmer weather? If so, Sydney, Australia, is a fantastic international travel destination for your family. Spend a day at one of the many beaches, including Coogee Beach or Shelly Beach, soaking up the sun and admiring the gorgeous ocean views.
If fun marine interests your family, visiting the city’s impressive aquarium is also a fantastic idea. Other fun places to explore including the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Taronga Zoo. Last, the historic Sydney Opera House offers kid-friendly entertainment, with shows frequently geared toward children of all ages.
#4. Barcelona
Barcelona is a beautiful travel destination with many options for your entire family to explore. Get a closer look at Gaudi’s artwork by planning a visit to Park Güell or wow your kids with an exciting ride in the city’s cable cars in Montjüic.
If your family are soccer fans, you will want to check out the Camp Nou stadium, the largest stadium in all of Europe and the third largest in the world. For more fun, the city’s L’Aquarium Barcelona boats a giant sea tunnel in Europe, and the Tibidabo Amusement Park offers rollercoasters and other rides for all ages.
Barcelona’s proximity to France also allows you to take a quick trip to the French countryside; just be sure to keep your adult and child passports handy during your travels in case you want to explore additional countries.
#5. Bali
For a good reason, Bali, Indonesia, has become one of the hottest tourist destinations over the past several years. Bali is an inexpensive travel destination with tons to explore, from its picture-perfect beaches to the year-round warm weather. You can opt for a hotel with a stunning beach view or a private pool that overlooks the local rice fields. Most hotels in Bali offer help planning tourist activities, such as walking trail adventures, ceramics classes, or even fish-feeding excursions. If your family includes animal lovers, stop at the Mandala Suci Wenara Wana ‘Monkey Forrest,’ a protected sanctuary for adorable animals.
#6. Cayman Islands
Beach vacation, anyone? If spending your vacation snorkeling, walking the beach, and catching sunrays sound fun, consider a trip to the Cayman Islands. The largest island in the Caymans is Grand Cayman Island. This is the most famous island and features sandy beaches that are hot tourist destinations, such as Cemetery Beach and the famous Seven Mile Beach. The teenagers in your family can enjoy some of the best scuba diving spots in the world, and the younger children will love the opportunity to swim with the island’s giant turtles. If you are tired of time at the beach, stop at the island’s museum or take a pirate cruise!
#7. Paris
In addition to beautiful family picture opportunities at the Eiffel Tower, Paris offers fun activities for the entire family. Consider touring the Arc de Triomphe or the Catacombs underneath the city to look at Paris’ incredible architecture.
If the weather is nice, plan to explore the Luxembourg Gardens, where musical performances and theater shows are performed. If your kids are craving more adventure, by Disneyland Paris, where they can burn off some significant energy on amusement rides. Maybe you feel extra adventurous, consider taking a quick flight to Belgium or Switzerland in Paris. Take full advantage of your child’s passport during your vacation, as they are only valid for five years.
Start Planning the Ultimate Family-Friendly Trip
Traveling internationally with your family is exciting but has its own set of challenges to consider. Preparing for a trip can be overwhelming, but the passport process does not have to be. Do not let applying for a child’s passport discourage you from booking a memorable vacation.
For years, The Passport Office is there to help American families with their passport needs. We seamlessly navigate the process if you are planning an upcoming family trip and need assistance applying for or renewing a child’s passport. Begin the process for by scheduling an appointment at one of our convenient office locations. We can help with your child’s passport in Tampa, Orlando, Miami, or Hollywood!
