It’s a common family dilemma: The kids want to stay home with their friends. Parents are ready (a.k.a. desperate) to head further afield.
Tempt them with Bedouin camp sleepovers, jungle ziplines, elephant rides and tiger safaris, however, and watch how quickly they stop complaining and start packing.
Summer vacation never looked so good as the new ‘kidtastic’ family travel collection from Kensington Tours. Here are 10 of their hand-crafted family adventures sure to please kids and parents.
1. Kenya Authentic Hakuna Matata
8 Days from $1,999 pp
The kids will go wild for elephants, lions, hippos, flamingos and leopards on this exotic safari through Nairobi, Laikipia, Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara. While not on game drives, visit an elephant orphanage, giraffe center, traditional Masai villages, chimpanzee refuge, a rhino sanctuary and more. Trip details
2. Myanmar Prayers, Pagodas, Adventure & Art
10 Days from $3,200 pp
Discover this time-locked land¹s gentle people and mystical highlights as you tour Yangon, Inle Lake, Mandalay and Bagan. Children will love biking tours, encountering leg rowing fishermen, cooking classes, balloon ride, a temple of snakes, meeting a fortune teller and serving lunch in an orphanage. Uncover Myanmar¹s arts scene and learn to make batik paintings, earthenware and jewelry. Trip details
3. China - Kung Fu Monks, Pandas, Wall & Warriors
10 Days from $2,750 pp
Packed to the brim with thrills for kids (and adults) of every age. Families tour Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu and Shanghai with the luxury of private guide. Featuring Kung Fu monks, a panda reserve, biking, river cruises, acrobatic show, train sleepover, Terracotta Army, Great Wall, tea ceremonies, the Himalayas Mountains, Szechwan cooking class and much more. Trip details
4. Galapagos Where The Wild Things Are
8 Days from $3,120 pp
Kids can waddle with penguins, swim with seals and meet 100-year-old tortoises on this active family adventure. Discover the legendary wilds of the Galapagos the isles that inspired Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. Led by naturalist guide, get up close with lizards, flamingos, blue-footed boobies and more. Visit the equatorial line, hike lava fields, go biking, enjoy boat cruises, delight in spellbinding stargazing and more. Trip details
5. Italy - La Dolce Vita Family Style
8 Days from $3,300 pp
This ‘kidtastic’ take on Rome, Florence and Venice is action-packed with Italian history, cuisine and culture. From cooking Tuscan delicacies with a celebrated chef, an afternoon at gladiator school and scrumptious chocolate and gelato tastings to gondola cruises, Venetian mask making and a family photo at the Leaning Tower of Pisa, this trip will be remembered for years to come. Trip details
6. Morocco Tales Of 1001 Arabian Nights
10 Days from $3,545 pp
From sunrise camel rides, Bedouin camp sleepover and biking through an oasis, to a cooking class with a dada, High Atlas Mountains hike, dinner with locals, exotic souks and the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi if you’re after an extraordinary journey, this is it. Led by expert private guide tour Marrakech, Skoura, Erfoud, Merzouga and Ouarzazate with plenty of family flair. Trip details
7. Costa Rica Volcanoes, Rainforests, Monkeys & Beaches
7 Days from $1,730 pp
Give in to the call of the wild with this thrilling tour of San Jose, Arenal and Manuel Antonio! Get the adrenaline pumping with ‘kidtastic’ action like zip-lining, exotic animal safaris and volcano hikes. If that’s not enough, enjoy a river cruise, thermal pools and mud baths. With plenty of time for snorkeling, surfing and playing on the beach, get ready for a whole lot of Pura Vida. Trip details
8. Fiji - Island Hop By Helicopter
10 Days from $2,000 pp
Just plain fun for children 1 99, escape from the rest of the world with this ‘kidtastic’ take on sun-kissed Fiji. Play on tropical beaches, go wild on a dolphin safari, snorkel through coral reefs, attempt to climb a coconut palm, stay in exotic bures (Fijian huts) and fly from island to island in a helicopter. With tons of time to play at the beach or by the pool, this South Pacific paradise is sure to be a family favorite. Trip details
9. India Tigers, Temples & Taj
9 Days from $2,799 pp
A multi-dimensional land of sweet spices, snake charmers, green jungles and timeless temples! Nothing compares to exploring the treasures of India as a family. Featuring tiger safaris, elephant rides, a hot air balloon flight and of course the Taj Mahal, this journey through Delhi, Agra, Ranthambore and Jaipur makes for an exotic adventure like no other. Trip details
10. Croatia The Playground of the Adriatic
10 Days from $3,099 pp
Experience the ‘Playground of the Adriatic’ firsthand with this ‘kidtastic’ tour of this European hotspot showcasing Zagreb, Split, Hvar and Dubrovnik. From hiking, sea kayaking, time at the beach and dinner with the locals, to storybook villages, age-old ruins, mystical Neolithic caves and medieval castles, Croatia is a great mix of history, art and culture with tons of outdoor fun. Trip details
About Kensington Tours
As a tour operator specializing in customizable private guided journeys to over 90 countries worldwide, Kensington crafts trips for travelers looking to go beyond the beach and embark on once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences that celebrate their unique interests, appetites and styles. www.kensingtontours.com
About Ellen Barone: Consumer travel expert Ellen Barone is the founder and publisher of EllenBarone.com and YourLifeIsATrip.com. Learn more here and connect on Twitter at,Facebook, Google+ and LinkedIn.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".