Holidays can provide an escape from the ordinary and hopefully a bit of much-needed relaxation.  However, with so many interesting destinations and diverse cultures to be explored, a family vacation can also be a learning experience.  The opportunities are endless! 

While you and your family are traveling through Italy, why not learn about Italian cooking?  What about learning Spanish in South America and exploring ancient ruins? 

Maybe your family is looking for an adventurous holiday… hiking through the mountains, kayaking or even swimming with dolphins.  There are travel companies and organizations out there to provide you with just about anything to suit your family’s needs. 

A cooking holiday can be such a great way to get the entire family involved in learning about different cuisines throughout the world.  One company that provides a Kids Cooking Program in Italy is Cooking Vacations.  They welcome children from the age of 3 years old and they will not only learn about cooking but also about where the foods come from and nutritional information.  During the week-long program, kids can visit a farmer’s market where they can choose fresh foods or watch a cow being milked at a country farm.  You and your family will have loads of fun learning to make pizza, pasta, gelato and more.  They also have a translator who will teach the children conversational words in Italian.  And as an added bonus, children under 5 years old are free and children 5 - 10 years old are half price.  www.cooking-vacations.com

Ever dreamt of an African Safari but always thought it was best to wait until your children are older?  At Robin Pope Safaris they believe that children should be included as much as possible.  They have different accommodation based on your children’s ages.  They take the kids on visits to the local school and your children will be able to interact with Zambian children their own age.  Imagine the amazement on your children’s faces when they see hippos, giraffes, zebras and other wild animals in their natural environment.  There are so many fun activities to take part in, such as fishing, swimming, baking and even collecting eggs from the hen house.  They also have child minders available during the day and in the evening.  So, why wait until the kids are older?  Get out there and explore the great wild!    www.robinpopesafaris.net

 
Children on safari with Robin Pope Safaris

KUODA Tours provides organized tours for families in Peru.  Explore the different cultures of Peru:  Learn to make traditional food, discover ancient ruins, take part in local ceremonies and so much more.  KUODA offers a selection of vacations for you to choose from: Peru Family Adventure, includes horseback riding and exploring Inca ceremonial caves. The Birdwatching Family Trips feature visits to the Manu Biosphere National Reserve and the Paracas National Reserve. The Culture and Archaeology for Families will take you to such places as Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machupicchu, Puno and Lake Titicacaand. And the Four Wheel Drive Family Adventure on the Open Road includes your own 4-wheel drive vehicle for your family and all the maps you will need for the trip. But don’t worry about getting lost or stranded as your personal support team will lead the way in a separate vehicle and will provide you and your family with any assistance you might need.  www.inturkuoda.com

Global Volunteers is a great organization that provides families with an opportunity to help others around the world.  Global Volunteers’ “volunteer vacations” are short-term community development opportunities that will provide an enriching experience for your family.  Planning a vacation with Global Volunteers is truly a giving experience.  For volunteer information please see www.globalvolunteers.org

 
Young volunteer helps with garden projects in rural Costa Rica. (Photo by Global Volunteers)

“Education Vacations” by Cornell University offers family with children from the age of eight years old an academic vacation.  However, they run only two trips every year for families.  These happen over the December holidays, and these are "educationally" oriented. www.cau.cornell.edu 

Perhaps an excavation at a true archaeological site could be just the adventure vacation for your family.  Crow Canyon Archaeological Center in Colorado has a family week in August for families with children aged 12 years and older.  www.crowcanyon.org

For a truly magical vacation that your family will always remember, take a trip to Florida, Mexico or the Caribbean and swim with dolphins and other marine life.  Check out www.dolphinworld.org for more information on destinations and programs.

If a structured tour is not for you, there are many ways to make your next vacation educational.  After you’ve chosen your destination, take your children to the library and select books about the culture and history of the area.  If your destination has a vast selection of museums, stop by the museum gift shop on your way in and buy post cards depicting images of what your children can search for while exploring the museum. 

Please feel free to contact us if you would like any further details on any of the above mentioned information or if you know of other educational travel ideas!