Amazing places to visit with mini globe trotters

Kashfia Kayes & Raya Rahman

When I think of visiting Bhutan, I always picture my mom getting excited over the clean fresh air and hospitality of the people. I can only picture myself with her in Bhutan. Whenever we imagine taking a trip somewhere, we always create an ideal combination of people, clothes, and activities for that place. Similarly, when reading up on the internet deciding where to take the fam during the next school holidays, the crowding of information can get confusing. Here’s a list of family friendly travel destinations you can finally start filling your piggy-bank for.

kyoto japan bamboo forest
Bamboo Forest Grove, Kyoto, Japan

1.    KYOTO, JAPAN:

Japan is a safe and accessible country to visit with kids. The city of Kyoto is no different, with enough culture, nature and fun activities for all members of a family to enjoy - with quirky stores, beautiful parks with cherry blossom trees, lakes, amusement parks, state-of-the-art technology (oh the options in the public toilets!), and wide array of food for every taste bud.

Why Kyoto with kids? If you’re traveling with a toddler or an infant, you’d be very happy to know that most of Japan has uninterrupted pavements, so no bumpy pram or stroller ride!

Places to visit:

  1. Kyoto City Zoo

  2. Kamo-gawa Riverside

  3. Kyoto Gyoen (Kyoto Imperial Palace Park)

  4. Arashiyama

  5. Kyoto Botanical Gardens

  6. Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine

 When to Visit: Anytime really, as the weather is temperate. Most pleasant weather tends to be from October – November and March - May.

Granada Nicaragua Flashcard

N for Nicaragua from Guba’s “Where in the World? A-Z Countries” flashcards set.

2.    GRANADA, NICARAGUA:

Granada, most famous for its colonial architecture, has the best of a few worlds. It is a very popular tourist spot, which is always good when you are looking for options to compare prices. It has wonderful beaches, festive vibes, history, natural lakes and volcanoes! If you’re an adventurous family, then pack your bags and get ready to zip-line through the greens next to a volcano. And don’t forget to dive in to the local delicacies Gallo pinto and vigorón!

Places to visit:

1.     The Colonial Streets

2.     Calle La Calzada

3.     Mombacho volcano/ Masaya Volcano

4.     Laguna de Apoyo

5.     Parque Central (street food)

6.     ChocoMuseo Granada Nicaragua

When to Visit: Between November and April as that is the dry season.

Why Granada with kids: Granada’s a kid-friendly city: wide footpaths, little traffic, a couple of pedestrian areas, a sizable Parque Central and a good number of highchair-equipped restaurants – some high-end hotels even have portable cribs.

fisherman in muscat oman Fishermen at The Muttrah Fish docks with Muttrah corniche in the Background - Muscat, Oman

3. MUSCAT, OMAN

The elegant buildings of Muscat, with traditional architecture, are sights to behold. Beyond the capital, there are villages to explore, forts and castles to battle in, and markets where your kids can practice haggling skills.

Places to visit:

  1. Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

  2. Qurum Beach

  3. Bimmah Sinkhole

  4. The National Museum

  5. Bait Al Zubair

  6. Qurum Natural Park

When to Visit: Between October and April; June to August tends to be scorching hot.

Why Muscat with kids: Oman is a great introduction to the Middle East for little culture enthusiasts.

istanbul turkey umbrellas

Colorful alley in Karaköy district, Istanbul, Turkey

4.    ISTANBUL, TURKEY:

Who hasn’t dreamt of a trip to Turkey and what better place than Istanbul! The city of mosques, heritage and so many things to just browse through for hours in the amazing “bazaars”. The culture and cuisine as a combination is captivating and unforgettable. Did you know that Turkey lies in two continents? Yup, Asia and Europe!

Places to visit:

1.     Hagia Sophia Museum / Church (Ayasofya)

2.     Topkapi Palace

3.     Emirgan Park

4.     Istanbul Sea Life Aquarium

5.     LEGOLAND Discovery Centre

6.     The Blue Mosque

When to Visit: From April - May and from September - mid-November for clear skies and pleasant temperatures.

Why Istanbul with kids: It is a very historical city that kids would learn a lot from. Plus, Turkish people LOVE kids!! Be ready for your children to be showered with affection by admiring locals :)

 mexico flashcard

M for Mexico from Guba’s “Where in the World? A-Z Countries” flashcards set.

5.    SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE, MEXICO

San Miguel De Allende offers a blend of experiences with many architectural remnants of colonial Spanish history mixed with local Mexican culture. Cobblestone streets, sunset colored haciendas, bright festivals and delicious food are just some of the treats in store for visitors to this lovely Mexican destination.

Places to visit:

  1. Parroquia San Miguel Arcángel

  2. El Jardín

  3. Parque Benito Juarez

  4. Tianguis de Los Martes

  5. La Esquina Mexican Toy Museum

  6. El charco del ingenio botanical garden

When to Visit: June when “Dia de los Locos - Day of the Crazies” festival takes place or early November when “Dia de los Muertos - Day of the Dead” festival happens. Both festivals are sensory experiences and provide great educational insight into local Mexican culture.

Why San Miguel de Allende with kids: It is considered one of the safest places in Mexico. Also, Mexicans adore children!

where in the world flashcard boxes

 Happy travels from Guba Publishing! Before you leave, check out Guba’s A-Z Country flashcards - a fun way to introduce travel and culture to your future globe trotter. Illustrated by the talented Humairah Shams. Click here to find out all about her!

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