South Africa
Whether it’s climbing to the top of Table Mountain in cosmopolitan Cape Town or searching for The Big 5 of safari lore (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo) in the wild bush of Kruger National Park, few places on the globe offer the level of thrills available every moment of a South African adventure (which is happily an affordable travel destination that makes you feel like a VIP). Micato Safaris, which specializes in arranging trips throughout Africa for families, says: Devices are put on hold and imaginations are engaged on family safaris. Fabulous sights are seen, horizons stretched, educations enhanced, and bonds strengthened. And if that weren’t enough, there an added bonus: For every trip booked with Micato, they send a child to school. Talk about a win-win. Stuck without a passport? These U.S. islands are great for the whole family.
Thailand and Cambodia
Thailand is such a friendly destination it’s actually known as the “Land of Smiles,” making it an easy choice for a family vacation with teens. In addition to gracious service and amazing culinary delights, all within a family budget, there’s plenty to capture teen’s attentions, whether it’s visiting glowing temples by boat along the canals of Bangkok, interacting with rescued elephants at animal sanctuaries in the lush forests of the Golden Triangle in the north, or exploring the palm-tree fringed beaches of tropical Phuket in the south. A quick hop north of the border brings you to the treasures of Angkor Wat in Cambodia where you can all climb the ancient temples at dawn to see the sun rise over the 900-year-old ruins. Anantara Resorts are ideal for teens, with destination pools, great access to local attractions, fantastic snacks and restaurant offerings, plus their resident “gurus” can coordinate and escort families on adventures in any of these exotic locations.
