5 unusual family holiday destinations

You and your partner are adventurous types and your kids have inherited the gene, so two weeks in Spain just isn’t going to cut it. Be inspired by these out-of-the-ordinary destinations for your next family trip away.

Famous for historic towns and links to Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Transylvania in Romania is sure to ignite imaginations. A two-week self-drive holiday will see you enjoying freedom as you drive from town to town, witnessing stunning landscapes and rural idylls. From quaint cottages to castle-inspired manors, you are sure to rest your head in some unusual places on your trip. End your holiday with a few nights in Bucharest for a taste of modern Romanian life. You can download your Dracula colouring pages book here!

Said to be one of the biggest culture shocks one can experience, going on holiday to Japan should be high on the list of every adventurous family. Begin your trip in buzzing Tokyo, where you’ll be dining with robots, chilling in cat cafes or spotting Harajuku girls. Escape the hum of modernity when you spend a few nights in Kyoto, the historic centre of the country. Witness samurai masters and geishas, ancient castles and traditional arts as you explore this picturesque city. No trip to Japan would be complete without seeing majestic Mt. Fuji, if you aren’t up for the climb, even strolling near the iconic mountain will be a once in a lifetime experience.

Stepping into magical Russia will feel like walking into a fairy tale. You will be hard pushed to find a country with a more fascinating history. Begin your trip in historic St. Petersburg where the palaces and churches will leave the whole family awe-struck. Moscow should be your next stop, where monuments to the country’s Communist past are a perfect gateway for learning more about the conflict and change the country has undergone.

Cuba is truly a glimpse into another world, and as it opens up to tourism, there is no better time to plan a family break here. Begin your trip in Havana where you can explore the colonial-era streets, taking pictures and browsing in shops. The action-packed city really comes alive at night when the salsa begins and every street corner becomes the venue for a raucous party. When you’re all danced out, slip away to Varadero for some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. Snorkelling and water sports aside, your only activity will be lazing on the beach or deciding on which bar to enjoy a sundowner cocktail in.

For some of the strangest and most compelling landscape you’re ever likely to see, haunting Namibia should be top of mind. As well as fantastic safari opportunities, the country is home to some awesome sand dunes, majestic canyons, salt flats and lunar landscapes that need to be seen to be believed. The country is also famous for surfing, so grab a board and prepare to catch a few waves on the Skeleton Coast. You can also take the chance to learn more about the tribes that call this land home and their ancestors.

Think outside of the box when planning your family holiday this year by booking one of these unusual destinations that is sure to surprise and delight.

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Helen

This is a collaborative post

Helen

Helen is a mum to two, social media consultant, and website editor; and this site is (we think) the only Social Enterprise parenting magazine! Since giving up being a business analyst when juggling travel, work and kids proved too complicated, she founded KiddyCharts so she could be with her kids, and use those grey cells at the same time. KiddyCharts has reach of over 1.1million across social and the site. The blog works with big family brands (including travel) to help promote their services, as well as offering free resources to parents of kids under 10. It gives 51%+ profits to Reverence for Life, who fund a number of important initiatives in Africa, including bringing running water and basic equipment to a school in Tanzania. Helen has worked as a digital marketing consultant (IDM qualified) with various organisations, including Channel Mum, Truprint, Talk to Mums, and Micro Scooters. She loves to be creative in the brand campaigns she works on. Get in touch TODAY!