This summer, try a new experience and treat your child to an adventure holiday

When it comes to travelling with kids, all destinations are not created equal. It takes just a few elements to get your holiday right: Accessibility, a nice mix of indoor and outdoor activities, and lastly, make sure to keep your children's likes in mind. If you are also inclined on squeezing in some educational bits, throw in a visit to an interactive museum and Voila! You have the perfect family holiday. Here’s a glimpse of some experiences you can try this summer:


The chance to see the majestic tiger amble past you makes for a memorable sight in Bali.

SAFARIS AND BEACHES

Region: Indonesia
Indonesia’s many wild life reserves are perfect for spotting the man of the jungle — the Orangutan. This summer, opt for an incredible safari adventure, which is a hit with children of all ages. Watch the majestic Sumatran Tiger and ride the elephant in the jungle of Sumatra. Watch the hippopotamus lazily gaze in the water bodies. The safari parks allow you to observe the antics of animals in their natural habitat. Besides, the destination offers perfect options for a leisurely family holiday like relaxing in Lombok or Ubud, Bali. Cruising the turquoise waters around Komodo will create memories of a lifetime, as you watch flying foxes fill the sky while the sun sets and visit remote beaches accessible only by boat. For families who love diving, North Sulawesi offers some of the best sites in the world. And peering over the rim of an active volcano really brings those Geography lessons to life. Each Indonesian island has more than enough to keep you busy for a twoweek long holiday.

ALL ABOARD: Take your kids to Switzerland to ride on the Chocolate Train (Glacier Express) that allows you a visit to a cheese dairy, a castle, and the chocolate factory in Broc. Running between St Moritz and Zermatt, the train curves up from Lake Geneva through the manicured hillsides and forests. This train runs from June to October. If that’s not enough, get some hands-on experience with chocolate at the Chocolat Frey visitors center in Buchs, in the canton of Zürich. Kids will enjoy the overview of chocolate production with Röbi the robot. Take a test to find out what variety of chocolate you are, and have your child pretend to be a bonbon in a giant chocolate box. It’s time to dream of chocolate-filtered vacations!



ON WHITE SANDS: Think sarongs, beach volleyball and sand castles for your next family holiday. Asia has some of the best options if you are looking for an economical value packed holiday. Consider Singapore, Hong Kong and Vietnam. The Caribbean islands are considered a top destination for honeymooners. But families travelling with children should not overlook the Caribbean. Aruba has been credited as a top destination for family fun for decades. Beaches such as Arashi and Baby Beach contain shallow water, perfect for wading and swimming with little ones, while Mango Halto and Boca Catalina are perfect for a family snorkelling adventure.




QUALITY TIME: If you are a single parent, don’t let the idea of a holiday deter you. Travel agencies, accommodation providers and cruise companies are beginning to wake up to the realities of modern society and are offering facilities and packages especially aimed at the needs of single parents. If you are planning on your own, focus on your child’s interests and make sure your holiday revolves around it. You can make your holiday an educative one; choose a museum hopping tour in Germany to browse through the interesting paraphernalia that offers a sneak-peek into the history of World War 2. If you are nurturing a budding artist, head to Spain or Italy to learn about the lives of Leonardo da Vinci, Pablo Picasso or Salvador Dali.



MORE THAN JUST AMUSEMENT: This summer enjoy a more wholesome adventure. Exploration alone can get boring, adopt a more wholesome approach; make sure your vacation has time for amusement parks too. If you are looking for more than just amusement, try adventure parks. These parks allow kids to experience risk, in a semi-controlled way, helping develop their ability to deal with situations and build self-confidence. Aerial adventure parks are a simpler variant of an aerial trek through the forest. Tree-top platform walks, inclined ramp or zip lines are popular features of these parks. For more options on adventure/ amusement parks, flip to Page 4.



MUST-CARRY WHEN TRAVELLING WITH KIDS



Getting your children started on a few holiday related projects before you leave is a great way to prepare them for what’s to come. You could explore maps, or the history, geography, pictures of famous monuments, animal and plant life of your holiday destination.

Ditch the playstation and video games; introduce your child to board games or books on long journeys. Music players with their favourite songs will be helpful while commuting from one place to another.

Whether the trip is long or short you must carry their medications. Also inform your family doctor about the visit and that you may call him in case the child gets unwell.

Pack some homemade snacks in case they need comfort food. It is a good idea to pack in some spices that your kids enjoy as it adds the necessary flavours.

Giving children their own (robust, child-friendly) camera encourages them to observe their surroundings and focus on what interests them.