My husband and I were just talking about some great family vacations we have had, and that we want to take one day. South East Asia is a great place for family travel, due to the fact that it has a rich culture and is inexpensive. And they adore kids.

So here are our top family travel and vacation ideas, based off of our own travels.

Tuscany

 Italy in general is an incredible place to visit and live, but Tuscany in particular is a region that offers fun for all ages. One of the things I love about it is that apart from being stunningly beautiful and verdant, and having great food, it has various forms of acomoddation for every budget. If you want to rent a spacious house for your 6 kids, you can. If you want a luxury vacation, you can do that at a private chateau. If you want an intimate experience in a small town such as Cortona or Arezzo, you can stay at the numerous family owned bed and breakfasts or small hotels. One of the things I LOVED about living in France as a child is how near most restaurants were squares where kids could play while parents were eating. It’s how I made the majority of my friends. Italy is the same, with many squares and alcoves for kids to play in, next to restaurants.

The key is to not go during the high season, as it can get chaotic and the small streets can be overwhelming when they are packed with people.

Masai Mara

 There is nothing like the Masai Mara. There is nothing like Kenya, period. Being there as a teen was life changing. It taught me so many lessons about life. I did a one month educational program in Nairobi, and at the end we all went to the Masai Mara. We stayed in tents, and the expereinces we had are for a lifetime. One student brought along with her her mum and they had such a bonding experience; it made me really want to bring my one day family along with me.

The Masai Mara has all forms of family friendly hotels and camp grounds, several of which are luxury. But no matter where you stay, your kids will be in awe of the wildlife they see, and the Masai they meet.

Beijing

 Beijing is a must see. It has a rich culture, ancient buildings…the Great Wall is nearby! And it is inexpensive. We honeymooned on a budget near the Temple of Heaven and had a great time, eating dim sum and congee for breakfast and Peking duck at night. Children will love going on rickshaw rides and partaking in a tea ceremony.

Dominique

  Dominique ( Dominica) is a lovely verdant island in the Caribbean. It has been nicknamed the ‘nature isle of the Caribbean’ and rightly so. It is far less touristy than say Barbados and it makes for more of an intimate vacation.Part of Pirates of The Caribbean was filmed here. We actually bumped into the crew and Keira Knightly when they were filming. My husband ( an actor) was pretty in awe.

Edinburgh

  Everyone wants to see London, but I’m telling you, go to Edinburgh. Your kids will love the botanical gardens, museums, and bag pipes everywhere. The quaint pubs and restaurants provide a gastronomical feast that combines traditional Scottish food along with European influences. So whether haggis or a good curry, you can get it.

Hotels can be expensive, but if you get outside of Princes street they are cheaper. You can also get a short term apartment if you need one, and for a reasonable cost.

 Great family vacations don’t have to be expensive, and they don’t have to be boring. I find that thinking outside of the box leads to the best experiences with my daughter, whether we are in Asia or Europe or elsewhere.

What are some of your favorite family travel destinations?