Finding the right time of year to travel with kids can be tricky. There are summer camps, school schedules, and work schedules to navigate. There is one time of year where all of this becomes easier, December. It is one of our favorite times of the year to take a family vacation. In honor of our 20th Anniversary we’ve put together 20 of our top reasons to travel with kids in December!
1. School Break
Almost every school, from elementary to college, has a built in break in December. It clears kids schedules and provides the perfect window to take an adventure.
2. Perfect Gift
Several holidays fall during December and there is no better gift to give than travel. Kids will learn from traveling and have fun while they do. They’ll remember their trip forever and appreciate it more than any new toy or game.
3. Holiday Memories
Holidays are always memorable. But celebrating a holiday while traveling will make it that much more special. There is no better way to finish a trip than by ringing in the New Year!
4. Escape Cold Weather
Many of us have the unfortunate burden of living through tough winter storms. When you travel internationally you can trade in your snow for sand and boots for sandals.
5. Always a Needed Break
The kids have been in school for a few months, fall sports seasons and drama productions have wrapped up, and you’ve just navigated Thanksgiving. You deserve a break where having fun and relaxing is the only objective.
6. Easy to Plan For
The December holidays and school break always happen at the same time of the year. You can start planning today to take advantage of lower prices and early booking benefits.
7. Great Way to Have a Family Reunion
If the whole family spends the holidays together anyway, why not do so in a new, fun and exciting place? There is no better excuse for a family reunion than a family vacation!
8. Winter Markets in Europe
The winter markets in Europe are full of holiday and winter themed treats and shopping. Scotland has some of the best winter markets to explore!
9. Go Glamping on a Deserted Island
After having a busy year, sometimes the best thing to do is fully unplug. Spend part of this December totally unplugged, glamping on a deserted and private island in Baja that your family will have all to yourselves!
10. Zip-line Through Lush Jungles
Costa Rica is a perfect place to see in December. After you zip-line through one of its many lush jungles you can go to one of its beautiful beaches and relax.
11. Find the Big 5
Little compares to finding the Big 5 out in their natural habitat. Whether you want to visit Tanzania or South Africa; you can find lions, African buffalos, leopards, rhinos, and elephants on a December family safari.
12. See the Great Migration
Visit the Southern Serengeti in December to see millions of wildebeests and zebras grazing on fresh grass in the short-grass plains.
13. Snorkel with Sea Lions
Sea Lion colonies are friendly, playful, and super active during December. You can snorkel with these amazing animals in Baja or the Galapagos Islands. It makes for some really exciting underwater selfies!
14. Explore Machu Picchu
You can cap off the year by exploring one of the new Seven Wonders of the World – the inimitable and always mysterious ruins of Machu Picchu.
15. Ride Camels to the Great Pyramid of Giza
If one of the new Seven Wonders of the World isn’t quite what you want to explore, how about one of the old Seven Wonders? Beat the crowds and visit the Great Pyramids of Giza in December.
16. Make Friends with an Elephant
In Northern Thailand you can spend an entire day with an elephant at a conservation farm. You can walk with one, feed it, and get to know it. There is no better gift for the holidays than making a new, rather large, friend!
17. Travel Through the Mekong River Delta
Soak up some sun and revel in the quiet countryside of Vietnam while floating down the Mekong River. It’s a winter adventure your family will never forget.
18. Eat Delicious Snacks in Colombia
One of the best parts about the holiday season is all of the food. You can explore Bogota and Cartagena for delicious street snacks from arepas to empanadas.
19. Visit an African Penguin Colony
South Africa is home to the most accessible African penguin colony in the world at Boulder Beach. Hanging out with penguins is the perfect way to celebrate the winter!
20. Whitewater Rafting in the Chiriqui Highlands
If your family prefers an adrenaline pumping fast-paced adventure then you should go to the Chiriqui Highlands of Panama. It has some of the best rapids in the world for families to navigate together!
No matter what though, the best part of December family travel is being together and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
