Travelling as a family can play a strong role in shaping the thinking of your children and grandchildren. There are so many benefits of travelling together as a family. During travel, your children get exposure to new places, people, cultures, and things. It gets them to step out of their comfort zone and gives them a perception of the world out there. Travelling is also a good chance for your children to encounter real life problems and learn to adapt to uncomfortable situations. More importantly, it is THE time for your family to create shared memories and foster stronger relationships within the family.
So, if you are planning your next family getaway, here are six travel experiences you must definitely consider trying together as a family.
1. Experience ‘The Great Migration’ in Africa’s National Reserves
The legendary National Reserves in Africa are must-visit destinations for families. Africa is famously known for its national reserves. The national reserves are filled with a diversity of ecosystems and a rich variety of wild animals and birds. It is the only place on Earth where you can get to experience the endless savannah plains with wild animals roaming and strutting their beauty. There are a few highlights of Africa’s National Reserves that will surely keep you and your family in awe.
One of the highlights of Africa’s National Reserves is ‘The Great Migration’. ‘The Great Migration’ is a natural wildlife phenomenon where millions of zebra, wildebeest and antelope migrate across the mighty plains of East Africa in search of better grazing. During ‘The Great Migration’, you get to experience the longest and largest migration in the world.
Another highlight of Africa’s National Reserves is the rich biodiversity. Africa’s National Reserves allow you and your family to see cool animals that only exist in Africa like Wildebeest, Mandrill and Okapi. You also get to observe how these animals live in the wild, rather than seeing them trapped in the zoo cages. It is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to appreciate nature and the wildlife.
2. Explore the magical winter in Lapland, Finland
With the release of Disney’s ‘Frozen’, it has become every kid’s dream to explore the magical winter. Now, every kid loves the winter and the snow. For kids who love to explore the magical winter, there is no better place on Earth than Lapland, Finland, i.e. the northernmost region in Finland that borders Sweden, Norway, Russia and the Baltic Sea.
There are so many snow-related adventures you can explore with your family in Lapland. You can stay in a hotel in Lapland made entirely of snow and ice or go skiing all-day-err-day. Instead of driving around town in a car, you get to drive around in a snowmobile. If you have a thing for dogs, you can also interact with huskies while riding in traditional dog-sledding. At night, you can get to catch the entrancing, dramatic, magical and fascinating display of aurora borealis in the skies. Oh, and did we mention that Lapland is also the region where Santa Claus lives? Well, what can be more magical than spending a winter with Santa Claus and your family and just enjoying the winter experience?
3. Campervan road trip across New Zealand
The experience of exploring New Zealand’s nature is one of the most memorable, according to those who have seen it. Its dramatic mountains, unpolluted beaches and green countryside coupled with unique flora and fauna make New Zealand’s natural heritage so special. If you want to experience the beauty of New Zealand, campervanning is one of the most recommended ways.
Campervanning in New Zealand gives you the ultimate freedom to travel across the country at your own pace. You get to choose which mountain in New Zealand you want to visit or which natural cave to visit. Travelling in a campervan also means you get to camp in the mountain and enjoy the beautiful nature. At the same time, you can spend quality time together with your family and children while falling in love with New Zealand.
Quick Tip: Milford Sound, Waitomo’s glow worm cave, Mount Cook, Tongariro National Park are some of the must-visit places in New Zealand.
4. Celebrate love and learn to cherish kinship in the Holi festival
Immersing yourself in a festival is a fantastic way of teaching your child to appreciate and enjoy the traditions and culture of another country. This time, we’re talking about India. There are so many different festivals happening all year round that you have so many options to choose from. Holi is definitely an interesting festival that should be part of your family’s travel bucket list.
Holi is a traditional Hindu festival that symbolises the passing of winter and celebrates the beginning of Spring. It is also a celebration of the triumph of good over evil. During the festival, people will smear coloured powder over each other. It symbolises a time when differences of caste and ethnicity are temporarily forgotten. By taking part in Holi, you get to celebrate the harmonious relationship that matters to all of you as a family. It is also the perfect opportunity to resolve all family conflicts and start the year on a clean slate.
5. Soak up the festivity in Thailand’s Songkran festival
Songkran is the Thai New Year celebration. It is a tradition that is very similar to the Chinese New Year, Malay’s Hari Raya and Indian’s Diwali. Songkran takes place in April every year, which is the hottest period of the year in Thailand.
During Songkran, the Thais will pay respect to their elders and take part in the Rod Nam Dum Hua ritual. The ritual involves pouring fragrant water in the palms of older members of the family and asking them for blessings. Apart from paying respect and doing the ritual, Thais will take to the streets and engage in water fights. The water fights symbolise the washing away of each other’s bad luck for the year. Songkran is an opportunity for your family to wash away the bad luck for the year while bonding over an engaging water fight. It is also a good time to teach your children the virtue of showing respect to others, especially elders.
6. Learn how to be happy like the Bhutanese people
Bhutan is also one of the most beautiful places on Earth. The beauty of Bhutan’s natural wonder is something that will leave you in awe. The Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Phobjikha Valley, Zuri Dzong Hike and Gangtey Valley are must-visits, especially for first-timers.
Travelling to Bhutan is also a golden opportunity for you and your family to learn what it means to be happy. We’re sure you have heard that Bhutan is one of the happiest places on the planet. It consistently ranks high in the World Happiness Report’s happiness ranking. Despite its relatively low level of gross domestic product (GDP) compared to the developed nations, the Bhutanese people are much happier than the world population. The encounter with Bhutanese will leave a lasting and life-changing impression on your family on what it means to be happy. It is a timely reminder to yourself that the pursuit of wealth isn’t the only route to happiness. More importantly, it is often NOT the route to happiness, despite how we are conditioned to think that consumerism makes us happy.
This article first appeared on BankBazaar.sg. BankBazaar.sg is a leading online marketplace in Singapore that helps consumers compare and apply for financial products such as credit cards and loans.
