I recently read a quote somewhere which got me to write this piece. It said – “The greatest legacy we can leave our children is happy memories.” And what better way to make memories with your children than to travel with them, give them a lifetime of experiences to learn from and to cherish.
I am always in for travelling with my kid. We choose our destinations and places of stay keeping in mind how child friendly they are and what experiences they offer. These could include fun amusement parks, adventurous wildlife spotting and exciting sea cruises.
With the long summer break around the corner, it’s that time of the year again when you are looking forward to an enjoyable time with your family. Here is a list of top experiences from around the world which will make you very happy (because they will make your kids very very happy!).
1.Disneyland parks in Europe, USA and SE Asia – having pioneered the concept of larger than life amusement parks, Disneyland is every kid’s dream and if you have a had a chance to visit this thrilling wonderland, then you will know, that it truly is one. Include a Disneyland in your European or American sojourn. The Disneyland Paris is one of the biggest and most visited amusement parks in Europe. Plan a day trip or stay for a couple of days at the in-park properties to complete your vacation in Europe’s city of dreams.
USA is the home of Walt Disney Co. and today is home to the largest number of Disneyland Resorts and parks in the world. Each of these parks have a zillion experiences to offer to kids, teens and adults alike. In fact, the Disney Springs in Orlando, Florida is a popular adult playground too. The children can enjoy hot air balloon rides, bowling, Star War games here while you sip away Pina Coladas at the many bars and restaurants. If you are a Hollywood movies fan, then Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando will let you live a classic Hollywood dream.
Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Bay Lake, Florida is truly ‘The Kingdom of Disney’. Dedicated to the creator, Magic Kingdom is often referred to as the happiest place on earth. Watch your favourite Disney characters come alive and experience the magic of Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland, Tomorrow Land, the Cinderella Castle as you relive your childhood here.
Disneyland Park Anaheim in California brings alive all the magic and fun but at a smaller scale. A day spent with your little ones here is highly recommended if you are paying a visit to the West Coast of USA.
The happy legacy of Disneyland has also been carried forward in South East Asia. The Disneyland, Lantau Island, Hong Kong- The Kingdom of Thrill has become a major tourist attraction in this island country with over 30 rides and attractions for people of all age groups. It is a must visit if you are vacationing here with or without kids!
The massive Disneyland in Shanghai is the first Disney park resort in mainland China. It houses the enchanted storybook castle which is famed to be the largest of all the Disney castles in the world.
2.Disney Cruises – with a one-of-a-kind on-board entertainment, a Disney cruise offers an unforgettable holiday for everyone in the family. There won’t be a dull moment on-board a Disney cruise as you sail through breath taking ocean views, hop off for some city life and live the best part of your vacation enjoying the recreation activities for your kids and you. What more? Some of the cruise itineraries also include a visit to Disney’s very own private islands! Does that sound like a ship’s call already? Book early and enjoy amazing deals on a 7-night Western Mediterranean cruise Disney Magic which starts from Barcelona for Toulon and Villefranche and onto the many cultural and historic ports of Italy.
Who says you can’t go offbeat with kids? The Disney cruise line Disney Wonder is designed for the adventurous, offbeat traveller as it touches the panoramic shores of Alaska. Departing from Vancouver in Canada, Disney Wonder Alaska cruise sails along the scenic Inside Passage and through the magnificent fjord of Endicott Arm, home to the majestic Dawes Glacier.
3.Universal Studios in Japan and Singapore– of the four Universal Studios theme parks, Universal Studios, Osaka in Japan is the most popular among the Harry Potter fans. It brings alive the home of the favorite friendly wizard of modern times - Harry Potter. Fans of Potter have a chance to experience the virtual world of Witchcrafts and magic and experience the best of Universal’s Japanese TV and cinema including Hello kitty, Nintendo, and Terminator.
Sentosa world with Universal Studios in Singapore is a complete family getaway. With a host of attractions for kids, teenagers and adults alike, Sentosa boasts of one its kind experiences in Asia with hotels, dining places, a life-size sea aquarium, the world-famous Wings of Time show and so much more. A stay at Sentosa is highly recommended for you will not want to miss out on anything at both Sentosa and the Universal Studios here. Divided into 7 exciting theme areas - Hollywood, New York, Sci-Fi City, Far Far Away, Madagascar, The Lost World, and Ancient Egypt – Universal Studios, Sentosa Gateway, is an amusing world of its own that journeys through the Universal’s superhit movies, all in a day’s fun!
4.Legoland and park Dubai, Legoland Denmark, LEGOLAND Florida in Winter Haven and Legoland California– you don’t have to be a LEGO fan to enjoy this amazing ride and water park. 2 of them in the United States, 1 in Europe and 1 in the Middle East, the LEGOLAND parks are a paradise for kids. The best part about these parks is that they have dedicated fun zones and attractions for the little ones (starting 2 years) and thrilling rides for age groups of 6-13 years and above. It is obviously advisable to combine a full day at the theme park with LEGOLAND Water Park admission. Like the theme park, LEGOLAND Water Park offers fun activities for toddlers, as well as school-aged children.
5.Wonderla (Bengaluru); Imagica (Lonavala) and Essel World (Mumbai) in India – Planning a vacation to India is tough. The country has so much to offer that you may have to make more than just one trip to discover its many hidden treasures. However, if a fun break for kids is on your mind, then head to the cosmopolitan cities of Bengaluru and/ or Mumbai for their world-famous amusement parks. The Essel World is located on the outskirts of Mumbai and is the largest one of the oldest amusement parks in the country. Both Wonderla and Imagica have recently opened doors to public and have fast gained popularity amongst local and international tourists for their thrilling rides, adventure zones and water parks.
6.Abu Dhabi’s iconic Ferrari World in Yas Island – Abu Dhabi’s emerging entertainment island destination, Yas Island tops the list of Middle East’s family leisure getaways. It is home to the world’s largest and the only Ferrari branded indoor theme park that sits at the centre of this island. Undoubtedly, the Ferrari World is the central attraction of Yas Island and is home to the world’s fastest roller coaster ride apart from over 20 other Ferrari inspired rides. Yas Island also features a Marina, a massive golf course, shopping mall, restaurants, hotels and a beach that can be accessed during the day.
7.Europe’s best theme parks– if you want to spend time adorning the culture, history and scenic beauty of Europe sprinkled with a flavour of kid’s entertainment, here are our recommendations – Europa Park in Germany (popular for fairy tale and pirates themed rides); Gardaland in North-eastern Italy (famous for its Instagram worthy themed-water well ride); Efteling in Netherlands (unique attractions and carnivals based on fairy tales such as Pinocchio, Polka Marina, Fata Morgana and thhe biggest water show of Europe); Port Aventura in Costa Dorada, Spain (based on the historic pasts of the Mediterranean, Far West, Mexico, China, and Polynesia and the famous Sesame street, it boasts of the King Khajuna ride, one of the highest fall slide in Europe).
Bahwan Travels can help you plan a complete family getaway to these countries/ cities and ensure you cover landmark places, iconic sites while including these fun parks in your itineraries for an unforgettable family experience.