5 fail safe sabbaticals with children

Extended time away with the family promises uninterrupted time together, shared adventures, and experiences that broaden horizons far beyond the classroom.

That’s the dream… but travelling with children always requires a bit of extra preparation.

Having designed family sabbaticals for over 20 years, I know the details that make all the difference. Seamless logistics, the right accommodation, a sensible pace, contrasting destinations, unscripted days and time to unwind are just as important as the adventures themselves.

Here are five family sabbatical journeys that spark lifelong curiosity and make family travel feel relatively effortless.

(I recommend a minimum age of around seven years to make the most of each of these trips.)

Japan – Tropics to Peaks

Japan is a gift of a destination for parents: safe, spotless and efficient, and with a huge variety of natural and hi-tech activities for both children and adults.

The key is to look beyond the cities. Start by acclimatising in Okinawa – the tropical islands to the far south. Head up to lush, volcanic Kyushu for gorges, volcanoes and thermal springs. Continue to the canals of artistic Kurashiki, before embracing the energy of Tokyo’s anime culture, and Kyoto’s famed hillside temples. Venture into the Japanese Alps for traditional thatched villages, then onto folkloric Akita and the samurai mansions of Kakunodate.

Children are welcomed warmly in Japan, and often presented with gifts and trinkets as cultural acts of kindness.

Central American Journey

Journey across four countries, from Panama to Belize, for an immersion in nature and cultures that goes way beyond the classroom.

Experience the Panama Canal close up – by kayaking its watershed. Learn traditional Congo drumming and chocolate making, then soak in volcanic hot springs and zipline through the cloud forests of Volcán Barú.

Cross into Costa Rica to hike to rainforest waterfalls; spot sloths along the waterways of Tortuguero; and cross the hanging bridges of Arenal, before unwinding on the coast in the remote Nicoya Peninsula.

Continue to Guatemala to camp beside an ancient Mayan site, and canoe through ceremonial caves in Belize.

End aboard a private catamaran, sailing between Belize’s idyllic Caribbean cayes.

Explore Sri Lanka

Welcoming and vibrant yet with an understated and mellow vibe, Sri Lanka is a great first introduction to the Indian Subcontinent for a family with children.

Start in Sri Lanka’s historic heartland, climbing the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya; exploring the ancient cave temple of Dambulla; and experiencing the atmospheric ‘pooja’ ceremonies at Kandy.

Take a stunningly scenic train journey through tea country into the central highlands for plantation trails and estate house stays. Continue down to the national parks for wildlife safaris, and to pristine stretches of coast for whale spotting.

Cycle through paddy fields and traditional villages from Galle Fort and lend a hand at a turtle hatchery.

The Length of South America

Travel the length of South America with teenage children on a journey of adventures.

Start far south in remote Chilean Patagonia with glacier hiking, mountain trails and horseback riding across vast open plains. Contrast this with the northern Atacama Desert for steaming geysers, lakes of flamingos and spectacular night views of the Milky Way.

Cross into Bolivia to explore the endless, mirror-like salt flats of ‘Salar de Uyuni’ by bike.

In Peru, hike the Inca Trial to Machu Picchu, before returning in style on the iconic Hiram Hingham train. Finish in Colombia, discovering colourful Cartagena, the remote rainbow river of Caño Cristales, and the pristine Caribbean island of Barú.

Wild Brazil

Take the family on a journey through five utterly contrasting landscapes in Brazil. This LiNGER adventure is listed as one of ‘the most thrilling trips in Latin America’ by Wanderlust magazine.

From the buzz of urban excitement in Rio, switch pace in the Amazon. Discover remote beaches by boat and learn forest skills with local communities.

Next, hike through canyons to waterfalls deep in Chapada dos Veadeiros. Continue to the savannah plains of the Cerrado for wildlife safaris, biking and hiking.

Finish with exhilarating 4×4 rides among the sand dunes of Lençois Maranhenses, with refreshing dips in turquoise lagoons.

Considerations when travelling with children

The destination you choose to travel to take the children to will depend on the level of adventure they are capable of, how much you want to move from place to place, and to an extent, how open the children are to new culinary experiences. Places like Japan reward adventurous eaters; any dietary restrictions can be harder to cater for here (although Katsu Curry cannot fail to become a daily request).

The finer details are the ones that make all the difference. The right accommodation (enough space for everyone; adjoining rooms; welcoming ambience). A good balance of adventure and down time. Activities that all the family can enjoy (or ways to take it in turns if they can’t). An engaging mix of landscapes and environments. Minimal transit time between locations. Guides who hit that perfect balance of familiarity and professionalism, and whom you can trust entirely to entertain the kids while you absorb the views.

These are the points that a good travel designer will take care of. At LiNGER, we’ve planned many sabbaticals for families with children from toddler to teens. We know what works, and what to avoid.

If you’re looking to explore the world with your children, we take care of all the details so you can focus on looking forward to your trip. Get in touch to talk through where your next adventure could take you.