UPTOURIST

There’s a lot going on at the end of summer 2016, including the Olympics which is definitely on the top of my list of things to watch! For those of you out there with families, who’re looking for an exciting kid-friendly family vacation destination to take the kids to, here’s 5 places you’ll never regret taking them.

1. Rio

Rio has a reputation for being a rather violent place. However, a quick Internet search before you go can tell you the places you and your family should avoid. Rio’s a beautiful place to visit and the people here love children. Few cultures are so warm and nurturing as the Brazilians, so why not enjoy a tropical paradise while making this year’s family vacation one to remember for a lifetime?

Make sure to take the family on the Sugarloaf Mountain cable car ride overlooking the entire city, it’s a blast! Just be careful where you take everyone swimming. The 2016 Olympics are just a week away, book your flight now! And don’t forget to cheer on Tia Clair Toomey, who’ll be competing for Australia in the women’s weightlifting competition — just two weeks after being crowned the 2nd Fittest Woman on Earth!

2. Belize

Belize is hard to top when it comes to fun and sun for the entire family. Seeing the Mayan ruins (Altun Ha, Caracol, Lamanai, Nim Li Punit, and Xunantunich), along with the caves, rainforests and exotic beaches, will leave you and your kids hating to leave. If all your children are 10 and over, I can’t recommend underground kayaking enough — it’s quite a trip!

There’s also parasailing, rappelling, hang gliding, nature tours, amazing food and so much more for everyone to enjoy. Mix up your trip and don’t spend all your time at some swanky (boring) resort!

3. Ireland

Ireland has always been a trippy place for me. You have the modern conveniences in places like the capital in Dublin, but also so much more when you get outside the city. There’s so much history. Over 10,000 years worth of human history alone, if Wikipedia is right. While I think visiting the historical places is really important for the kids to experience, you can do almost anything you want here on your family vacation.

A boat trip down the Barrow is the ultimate way to experience all the new and old this country has to offer. Kids are welcome almost anywhere including pubs, where you’ll always find great company, good food, drink, plenty of local storytellers, and entertainment.

4. Pompeii

Pompeii is a place all have to visit at some point in their lifetime. This magical Italian town is the site of some of the best Roman artwork ever made. The new is intermixed with the old in the the city that literally rose from the ashes just a few hundred years ago, after being buried along with other nearby Roman cities, in a cataclysmic blast of fire and brimstone when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D.

There’s much to see and learn in the ancient architecture, the fragility of life being one of them. Italians also love children and will welcome your family with open arms. The town is also in the middle of Italy’s wine region, with Naples just a short drive away.

5. Iceland

Summer is the perfect time to visit the Land of Fire and Ice for a family vacation, especially if you’re not a fan of the cold, cold stuff. Just look at the city of Reykjavik pictured above; it looks like it was plucked straight out of a children’s fairy tale book! It doesn’t matter where you go in this country on your vacation, your children will be amazed at how open and welcoming locals are to children as you travel the iconic Ring Road and all it has to offer.

Where the kids are probably used to being treated as second fiddle in most other areas of the world, Scandinavians treat theirs and other’s children largely like equals. It’s also one of the most green-friendly places on the planet, with close to 85% of Icelandic homes being heated geo-thermally by the volcanic activity taking place under her surface.

Main Image Credit: Kendall/Flickr