Top family travel destinations for 2014

We love going on family holidays, and planning them can be almost as fun. Every year we all hear about the latest hot destinations. We asked top BritMums family travel bloggers where they’re planning (or hoping) to go this year. Read what’s inspiring them and tell us what’s inspiring you this year.

Cathy Winston, Mummy Travels

Israel: I’ve visited once before, but it’s a country I’d love to explore further. It’ll be the first visit for my daughter, so I’m looking forward to showing her Jerusalem, even if she can’t begin to wrap her head around the city’s incredible history. I’ll be taking her to the beach at Tel Aviv, eating falafel, hitting the markets and hopefully sipping at least one cocktail by the sea this time, as I was pregnant last time round.

New York City: Another re-visit, another first as a family. I want to wander the High Line, which wasn’t completed on my last trip and discover the child-friendly side to the Big Apple. Perhaps if I pacify her with Central Park, the Staten Island Ferry, the Bronx Zoo and FAO Schwarz, she’ll put up with me shopping for shoes at DSW? Maybe.

 

Gretta Schifano, Mums Do Travel

Sicily: We’ve been to see relatives in Sicily many times but this year we’re planning to take the children to explore further afield on the Italian island. Once we’ve climbed to the top of Europe’s most active volcano Mt Etna we’ll be ready to relax at the beach with a gelato.

Isle of Wight: If you’re visiting the Isle of Wight, an offbeat place I’d recommend is the secret rocket testing site at the National Trust New Battery. It’s a charming, low-key place bearing witness to the rocket testing which took place here during the Cold War.

 

Jennifer Howze, Jenography.net

Austin and Fort Worth: Every year we visit my family in Texas, crisscrossing the state (that’s 10 and 1/2 hours from Houston to my hometown, folks) to see grandparents, cousins and waves as warm as bathwater. This year, we could actually fly direct from London to Austin via British Airway’s new flight (finally).  We’ll be making a special detour to Fort Worth, to see the world’s only twice-daily cattle drive and year-round rodeo (yeeeee-haw), the world-class Kimbell Museum and possibly even NASCAR, for a true slice of Americana.

Scotland and Wales: After years living in the UK, I’m finally committing to more fully exploring it by visiting our neighbours to the west and north. I’m especially looking forward to the scenery, long walks and — if A Modern Mother’s advice is anything to go on — river rafting.

Japan: Last year my husband and I celebrated our 10th anniversary with a trip to Tokyo, Hiroshima and Kyoto that was breathtaking, mind-expanding and gorgeous. I can’t wait to introduce the children to the culture, the food, the traditions and the beauty of the country. This time we’d like to go further afield to Fukuoka, which Monocle named one of the world’s most livable cities and is now serviced by KLM.

 

Kirstie Pelling, Family Adventure Project

United Arab Emirates: This year, we’re planning a family trip where we hope to safari and surf the sand dunes of Dubai and Qatar. When we aren’t heading up the world’s tallest building, we hope to be sliding down the near vertical water slide of The Palm Atlantis. And if there’s any camel racing going then we are IN!

Ireland: In total contrast, this summer we will spend seven weeks cycling the world’s wildest coastal driving route. Ireland’s new Wild Atlantic Way winds around the stunning West Coast of the island, curving through dramatic bays and over solitary cliffs. With our three children, we plan to tackle the route by human power; cycling at least 1,000 kms as well as walking and kayaking; chronicling its wild beauty and meeting the locals.

 

Liz Jarvis, The Mum Blog

Alaska: As much as I love cities, I’m also a big fan of wide open spaces and being outdoors (as long as I’m not expected to rough it). So I’m very much looking forward to visiting Alaska for the first time and experiencing its stunning natural beauty, including the glaciers and icebergs. It’s one of the few US states I haven’t been to yet so that’s another big draw. But the main attraction is the opportunity to see some extraordinary wildlife as it should be, in the wild – particularly bears and whales. It’s going to be epic.

Japan: I actually studied Japanese for a year at uni (I can count to 10 but that’s about it) and I’m an origami wizard (well, I can make frogs and cranes *cough*). I’ve always been fascinated by Japanese culture. So I’m very excited to be visiting this year. I can’t wait to see Tokyo, Kyoto, Mount Fuji and Okinawa.

Norway: We’re big fans of Scandinavia in my house and Norway is somewhere we’ve never been before, so very excited about this one. The plan is to go in March, when I’ve been assured you have the best chance to see the Northern Lights because the sky is so clear. Hopefully we’ll be able to have a husky ride and visit an igloo hotel too.

 

Lucy Campbell, Family Affairs and Other Matters

Costa Barcelona: I can’t wait to go Costa Barcelona in Spain to check out all the amazing beaches and restaurants and facilities for children in this coastal region.

Australia: I’m also hoping to get to Australia in 2014 and in particular Queensland with my children to see Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef with my children. Can’t wait!

 

Mark Frary, Travelling with the Kids

Camping on the Scilly Isles: We have had so many good reports about the peace and quiet and the incredibly blue seas that we had to go and see what the fuss was about. And when the campsite is called Troytown, you know you can’t go wrong.

Toronto: We were recently lucky enough to win a couple of tickets on BA’s new Dreamliner flights here and we are planning to finally go and see Niagara Falls. I know people say it’s getting tacky but I’m sure it will still be an amazing experience.

 

Selena Jones, Oh the Places We Will Go

Iceland: Our first trip in 2014 was to Iceland for a long weekend in February. We’ve been eager to explore the rugged landscape of “the land of fire and ice” and haven’t been disappointed, with gorgeous waterfalls and breathtaking views.

The Balkans: We are taking a two-week trip of the Balkans to include Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia. We can’t wait to explore the culture and scenery. We want to learn more about the dramatic history of this area.

 

Susanna Scott, A Modern Mother

Yosemite and Northern California: We always spend a lot of time in California, where I grew up. There’s so much to do there, from being at the beach in the morning to skiing in the mountains in the afternoon. This year I would like to visit Yosemite, but out of season. Summer’s there are packed and can be very hot. Springtime you can see it at it’s best – with gigantic flowing water falls from just melted snow to wild flowers – but without the crowds. We also would like to go further north – – to Mendocino and beyond, where you can find scraggly, foggy coastlines and cosy inns with fireplaces and lots of places to hike.

Sarah Ebner, The Family Travel Times

Switzerland: Switzerland is promoting itself as the place with a view in 2014. We love a good view, so hopefully we’ll make it there….

Lincoln: I’ve long wanted to visit Lincoln, so maybe we’ll finally travel the few hours from London and stop over for a day or two. Of course we’re hoping that everywhere has what we like best in a family holiday: enough entertainment, whether interactive museum exhibits or local parks, to keep us all happy. Interconnecting rooms would be the icing on the cake!

Where are you going this year? Leave a comment with your family travel wish list!