Published 28th Jun. 2021
Reading time
Lydia Gard is a freelance writer specialising in luxury family travel, since having two boys she is determined to find truly luxurious places that celebrate rather than simply tolerate young families. In her first of 6 blogs Lydia talks us through the her top 5 toddler holidays...
I have always been a keen traveler...
I met my husband sailing off the coast of Zanzibar. We drove across the Sahara, partied in Marrakech, ski-toured British Columbia and sipped sundowners in Nicaragua - all the while swearing that having children wouldn't change a thing. Hey ho, a toddler (Small) and a baby (Boff) later and our prized collection of Bradt travel guides now form the walls of a den behind the sofa. Like many parents of young children, I'm still adventurous. I had children, not a personality transplant. I don't want an all-inclusive resort with crèche and nannies thanks very much, I want my children to see the world, taste it and touch it and get stuck in. However, given that the drive from Hampshire to London requires two loo breaks, a snack stop and almost incessant I-spy then the prospect of driving from East to West Africa in an old Landrover has miraculously lost its appeal. Having a toddler in tow doesn't negate adventure, you just have to think about the practicalities. Given the choice between a kids club in a chic hotel (plastic toys, kids menus, stuffy dining rooms) and a big game safari (animals, vehicles, campfires, tents...), I know which one Small would choose. If you avoid malarial regions, consider time zones and pack with savvy, then adventure travel is far more rewarding than lying on a beach while someone sprays your Melissa Odabash bikini with wet sand.
Top five toddler adventures vetted by Small
A healthy dose of parental instinct will probably put malarial regions off the map for now. With an overnight flight, no jet lag and crucially in a malaria free region, the Madikwe Game Reserve is a great safari destination for holidays with children. Big game means big fun for toddlers, with black rhino, lions, and elephants all guaranteed to delight.
Entertaining a busy toddler on a beach for an entire week is some kind of hell. Small loves a sandcastle but even that has its limitations. Add to that a donkey ride, reggae lesson and a boat ride along the Black River to explore mangrove swamps to see birds and crocodiles and you have one happy chap.
If the dodgy beard on Hamley's Santa just didn't quite cut it with your inquisitive little one, consider a family fling in Lapland to meet the real Father Christmas. Complete with reindeer, elves, and a husky safaris through the snowbound forests, it is more than a bit magical seeing the awe and wonder on their faces (under a thermal balaclava of course).
Future naturalists (and fans of Andy's Wild Adventures) take note. The Galapagos Islands are a real life adventure playground full of curious creatures like swimming lizards, flightless birds and tropical penguins. Exploring on a ship, taking trips on a glass-bottomed boat and getting up close to the animals all add to the pirate adventure.
Like most toddlers Small likes to get involved, so if the dolphin and whale watching doesn't do the trick, meeting Arabian horses, taking camel rides across the dunes and spending a night in a tented camp will all enthrall. It doesn't sound too shabby to me either.
Read more from Lydia on http://littleluxlifestyle.com
Practical advice and inspiration for your next trip
Sometimes, all we want is to go on holiday with the sole purpose of lying on the beach and reading a good book. There’s nothing wrong with that – holidays are for rest and relaxation after all – but they’re also a great chance to dive into the culture of a new country and try something completely different to what you’re used to at home. When you’re travelling with children you’ll want to soak up every minute with them, so why not embrace a busier schedule and experience new things along the way?
14th November 2025 - Family Travel
Travel has many benefits, from immersing yourself in another culture to escaping the burdens of daily life, all while allowing you to learn and evolve. Many travellers are now looking to extend these positive impacts to their entire clan, with multi-generational travel emerging as an increasingly popular way to see the world. This takes the concept of a traditional holiday and broadens horizons so that every generation of your family is included.
7th November 2025 - Family Travel
What if, in addition to making happy memories, children came back from their holidays having learned something new? How to light a fire, create an authentic Neapolitan pizza, identify a paw print. Holidays are an amazing opportunity for children to interact with, and learn about, the world around them – often without even realising it. Welcome to ‘Stealth Learning’. Whether it’s studying constellations with an astronomer in Chile’s Atacama Desert,
26th February 2025 - Family Travel
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
