11 Luxurious Vacation Ideas for the Entire Family

October 25, 2021

a man standing in front of a palm tree on a beach

Family trips allow members to spend time and make memories together outside their scheduled daily lives. The pandemic shut down global borders and not only limited travel from place to place, but also confined many to staying home. Over the last year, family gatherings have been limited to video calls or virtual hangouts and many have canceled their family trips and travel plans.

At present, borders are slowly opening and the world is slowly starting to adjust to a new normal. Traveling is slowly becoming a normal activity again and postponed trips can finally push through. Here are some places you can bookmark for a luxurious vacation with the entire family suited not only for the young but also for seniors who are still active and enjoy being outside.

Africa

Lion Sands Game Reserve, South Africa

An hour’s flight away from Johannesburg or a two-hour flight from Capetown, this private sanctuary’s location encompasses both the Sabi Sand Game Reserve and the Kruger National Park. Various lodging options are available along the Sabie River banks, each offering a breathtaking view of the area, with the option to book a treehouse stay experience during your stay for a night under the starlit African sky.

Elewana Sand River Masai Mara, Kenya

Situated close to the Tanzanian border and within the Masai Mara National Reserve, this camp is located on the migration route for wildlife and allows guests to watch wildebeest and zebra crossing from the comfort and safety of their verandah.

Americas

Camp Denali, Alaska

Located in the heart of Denali National Park, this camp has specialized in hiking vacations and learning adventures since 1952. Camp Denali offers various guided outings, with options for physical activity that range from foray, moderate, and strenuous, and allow guests to learn about and observe sub-arctic ecology and wildlife.

Tamarijn Aruba, Aruba

This Caribbean paradise is sure to make guests feel like they’re in a private oasis with one and a half miles of beach to boast. Besides various beach activities and a dining experience that features 10 on-property restaurants, other attractions you can check out are a nearby butterfly farm, ostrich farm, and donkey sanctuary.

Maui, Hawaii

The second-largest island in Hawaii is home to the sacred Iao Valley, Haleakala or “House of the Sun”, and several stunning beaches. Take part in a luau, a traditional Hawaiian feast, experience the Paniolo or Hawaiian cowboy culture on horseback, go sailing in Maui and take a catamaran cruise to a snorkeling paradise, or try snorkeling at Molokini Crater, Hawaii’s most prized snorkeling site.

Asia

Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort, United Arab Emirates

An oasis surrounded by dunes as far as the eye can see, this resort is located on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi among the dunes of the Empty Quarter or the Rub’ al Khali. Dine in the desert, take a culinary class, trek the desert on camelback, or try your hand at the ancient sport of archery in a stunning desert setting.

Palawan, Philippines

Home to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and several inland and island beaches, a trip to the island of Palawan is sure to satisfy any beach lover. Stay within the city of Puerto Princesa and visit beaches like Honda Bay and Starfish Island, or make the trip up north to San Vicente, home to the second-longest white sand beach in southeast Asia, or the town of El Nido, known for its clear lagoons, karst or limestone formations, and diving sites.

Europe

Oberjoch Familux Resort, Germany

Located at an altitude of 1200 meters in Oberjoch and acclaimed by the German Ski Association as “the finest family ski area in the Alps,” enjoy activities like hiking, biking, and climbing in the summer, and skiing and snowboarding on various terrain in the winter.

Sani Beach Resort, Greece

With a landscape that stretches across forests and beaches, the Sani Resort is home to five multiple-awarded multi-star hotels recognized globally. Besides spending time on the shore, guests can also enroll in various activities such as the Rafa Nadal TC Academy, Chelsea FCF Football Academy, Bear Grylls Survival Academy, Water Ski Academy, and Scuba Diving Academy, among other classes. Other activities offered here include beekeeping trips, guided jogging, sailing, and bird watching.

Oceania

Matakauri Lodge, New Zealand

Situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, this lodge offers breathtaking views of the big three peaks of Queenstown; The Remarkables, Cecil, and Walter Peak. Avail of the Family Milford Experience, a three-hour helicopter ride that includes enjoying snacks by an alpine lake, driving eco golf balls off a mountain range, exploring the Milford Sound, and trying your hand at fishing for trout.

Laucala Island Resort, Fiji

Set on a private island with 25 Fijian-styled villas and over 1400 hectares, this resort strikes the perfect balance between rainforest and beach and boasts views of coconut plantations, volcanic mountains, coral reefs, and jungle. Activities here range from relaxing to adventurous, with a choice from a variety of watersports, rainforest tours, farm visits, horseback riding, sunset cruises, and diving.

Here are some other vacation spots you can check out, each with its own charms and various activities to offer:

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