As anyone who has travelled with under-16s knows, once away from their routine of home-school- family-friends-sports, children are a different ball game altogether. Whether it’s a babe-in-the-arms (one of the easiest ages, actually) or a teen with a mind of his/her own, travelling with children can be as much of a learning experience for parents as it is for the children. Who are your children, really, outside of the familiar? Does it speak volumes about your parenting skills if they can survive without flush loos or domestic help? Are they outdoorsy people? Or better off among the bright lights of the big city?
The people at Lonely Planet, who have been guiding clueless travellers for at least three decades now, have just released the fifth edition of Travel with Children: Your Complete Resource. Packed with tips, customized for all age groups (babies, crawlers, toddlers—“the most difficult time to travel with children”—preschoolers and older, and teenagers) and researched with the thoroughness that’s a hallmark of the brand, it lists the Top 10 holidays in various categories that you could do with your children. Exclusive edited excerpts:
Top 10 Beach Holidays
Sun-kissed: Splendid Sardinia. Philip & Karen Smith / Lonely Planet
1. Costa Del Sud (Sardinia): The water is clean, the sand is white and there aren’t too many people. www.sardegnaturismo.it
2. Cottesloe (Australia): A beautifully safe beach for children to swim or snorkel, and the weather always seems to be perfect.www.cottesloe.wa.gov.au
3. Durban (South Africa):The city’s beaches have plenty of free swimming pools for children and lots of family entertainment such as Sea World and Ushaka Marine World. www.durban.gov.za
4. Karon Beach (Thailand):With its Flintstone-themed fun park, it’s a great base for exploring Phuket’s beaches and reserves, including Phuket Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre. www.phuket.com/island/beaches_karon.htm
5. Kaua’i (Hawaii, US):Home to plenty of beaches where children can snorkel in very shallow waters, and an excellent Children’s Discovery Museum. www.kauai-hawaii.com
6. Aitutaki (Cook Islands): Soft sand beaches edge a turquoise lagoon filled with tropical fish. Kayaking, snorkelling and boat cruises are also part of the picture. http://cookislands.travel/index
7. Noosa (Australia): Great beaches, beautiful natural environment (Noosa National Park) and very child-friendly. www.noosa.qld.gov.au/aboutnoosa
8. Tavira (Portugal): This quiet town has a magnificent untamed beach that goes on for miles. Best of all, you take a boat to get to the beach. www.visitportugal.com
9. Sayulita (Mexico): A safe, laid-back beach town full of hip North American and European families, where you and the children get “back to the basics”.www.sayulitalife.com
10. Sanur (Bali): A quiet little town close to the “happening” area of Bali, with a great little collection of ‘warungs’ (outdoor restaurants) lining the beach at both ends. www.balitourismboard.org