7 Unexpected Family Reunion Destinations

Searching for wildlife on safari in Tanzania

Glamping in Baja

Exploring Bangkok with the whole family

Spending quality time together in the Canadian Rockies

Discovering the Panama Canal

Relaxing with sea lions in the Galapagos

Nothing in the world compares to the fun and excitement of a family reunion. Break away from the ordinary and make your next family reunion international! It’s an opportunity for your family to bond in a new way, in a new place, while doing new things. Here are some of our favorite international family reunion destinations.

1. Baja

Why: Come for the sun and stay for the tacos. Baja is one of the best-kept secrets in family travel. Without having to travel far you can get a taste for local culture, hike through desert trails, and snorkel in the Sea of Cortez, aptly named the “Aquarium of the World.”

Who is this Best For: Families that don’t want to hop from place to place and pack and unpack during their reunion. The whole family can stay in one hacienda the entire trip without limiting your daily fun in any way.

How to Make it Extra Special: Go “glamping” on a deserted island. Your family can luxuriously camp on a private island all to yourselves.

2. Thailand

Why: It has a little bit of everything. You can explore busy urban life in Bangkok, quiet mountains and countryside in Chiang Mai, and idyllic beaches on Phuket. Each is so different it’s like having three trips in one.

Who is this Best For: This family reunion destination is best for those that want to experience a myriad of different sights, sounds, colors, smells, tastes, and adventures. It is a great destination for a large reunion with family members that have different interests.

How to Make it Extra Special: Arrange to visit an elephant conservation farm where you can meet, feed, and get to you know these lovable animals.

3. Tanzania

Why: It is the premier safari location on the planet. Everyday you’ll climb into your Land Rover and head into the bush to find the most amazing wildlife in the world. In one day you can see lions, zebras, elephants, leopards, giraffes, Cape buffalos, rhinos, hippos and more!

Who is this Best For: This family reunion destination is perfect for families that love wildlife and nature. Exploring national parks in search of the Big 5 is a memory that everyone will share forever.

How to Make it Extra Special: Take a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti during sunrise. Seeing the rhythm of wildlife, from above, at dawn is truly spectacular.

4. Canadian Rockies

Why: Spend each day in the unfiltered outdoors. The Canadian Rockies is home to the most beautiful and accessible stretches of mountain range. With so many trails, lakes, waterfalls, rivers, and caves to explore, there is a route for everyone, no matter what difficulty level you’re looking for.

Who is this Best For: Active families that want to hike, bike, raft, and kayak in national parks from sun up to sun down. There are several lakeside cabins and inns that the entire family can stay in together.

How to Make it Extra Special: Don’t stay in one place. Explore more than one national park, Jasper and Banff are two of the best and you can drive along the famed Icefields Parkway from one to the other.

5. Panama

Why: The jungles and beaches are tropical, beautiful and fun. From zip-lining across jungle canopies to snorkeling with colorful fish there is no shortage of adventure. Panama is easy to get to and the US dollar is the main currency, making transactions and spending a breeze to keep track of.

Who is this Best For: Families that want a tropical vacation focused on time spent relaxing on the beach, sitting in the sun, or walking through jungle trails.

How to Make it Extra Special: Visit the indigenous Embera community outside of Panama City. Your family can take a canoe ride to a remote village where your kids will meet and play with Embera children, a wonderful and special cultural exchange that makes this an ideal family reunion destination.

6. Galapagos

Why: The Galapagos Islands are one-of-a-kind in every sense of the term. Most of the wildlife is endemic and the landscapes are unlike any others you may find.

Who is this Best For: A family that wants to travel to a remote place.  It’s an especially great family reunion destination for those that love wildlife and the open water, whether that’s swimming, snorkeling, kayaking or sailing.

How to Make it Extra Special: Charter a private luxury catamaran for your reunion. This will make it easy to explore multiple islands without having to unpack more than once. Everyone staying together on a catamaran will provide more laughs and adventure than you’re ready for!

7. Italy

Why: The history, food, culture, and sights are delightful. Italy offers several different options depending on the kind of family reunion you want. You can go north to Tuscany for a countryside experience or south to Amalfi to stay on the coast and explore islands.

Who is this Best For: The family that wants to indulge in culture, history and loves a good bowl of pasta. There are infinite ruins and museums to see and explore.

How to Make it Extra Special: Rent a villa to host your reunion in the Tuscan countryside and set up cooking lessons that the whole family can enjoy. You can have a cook off and see who makes the best pizza!

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