Winter is finally ending, and spring is in the air!  It’s time to celebrate, and what better way to shake off the winter doldrums and re-invigorate yourself and your family than by sharing a family adventure! You may feel at a loss to come up with interesting places to travel with kids, but with a little bit of advance planning, you can take your loved ones on a unique family vacation that they’ll remember for the rest of their lives. Here are some of the best places for adventure travel that the whole family can enjoy.

  1. Costa Rica

Costa Rica has a little bit of everything, meaning that there really is something for absolutely everyone. Rainforest? Check. Mountains? Check. Beaches? Check. Kids will have a chance to take a wild ride on a zipline through the canopy, and they’ll be fascinated by a night hike through the cloud forest, where they can see giant sloths and giant stick insects. Adults will be impressed by the idyllic scenery, including the Arenal volcano—not to mention simple pleasures like watching brilliant hummingbirds from a balcony while sipping the justly famous Costa Rican coffee!

  1. The Galapagos

Adults will be in awe of the fact that this is the place that first sparked Darwin to try to understand the origin of species. Children will be in awe of the really cool wildlife, including giant tortoises and Galapagos penguins.  Everyone will love having the chance to snorkel and kayak in crystal-clear waters with colorful fish and mysterious sea turtles. If you can, try having an islands-based vacation in the Galapagos, rather than a cruise-ship based one. You’ll have much more time to experience the local culture and see the many sites!

  1. Morocco

Morocco is a beautiful and mysterious country, shaped by its position as a portal between Africa, the Arab world, and Europe. Adults will be inspired by the labyrinthine streets of Fes and the  beauty and intricacy of the traditional handicrafts. Kids and teenagers will get excited about the ancient Kasbah that’s been used as a set for innumerable movies including Gladiator. And everyone will love riding camels out into the desert and camping out under the innumerable Saharan stars.

  1. Italy

With just the right mix of art, history, impressive sites, and phenomenal cuisine, Italy is the perfect place for a family vacation. Children’s imaginations will be captivated by the Coliseum in Rome, where they can pretend to be young gladiators. Further north in Tuscany, adults can sip local wine and ogle Renaissance masterworks, while younger travelers can explore winding city streets and ride bikes around medieval city walls. Further south, visitors of all ages will be entranced by the ruined cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum and a walk along the crater of Mt. Vesuvius. You can also check out Mount Etna excursions and climb the highest volcano of Europe. Take all that and add the best pizza and pasta in the world, and the whole family will agree that Italy is molto bene!

  1. Southeast Asia

Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos form a trifecta of beautiful and fascinating countries with plenty to offer for both children and adults. Observe traditional fishermen floating on the Mekong river, and witness the traditional cultivation of rice. Kids will love the chance to try riding an elephant and will squeal at the adventure of riding bike-powered rickshaws. Adults will love visiting the floating villages in Halong Bay and the fabulous food markets full of dragonfruit and mangosteen.  Everyone will be awed by the dramatic temples at Siem Reap, surrounded by encroaching jungle.

No matter which of these incredible destinations you choose, you’re certain to find a family travel adventure that everyone will remember for years to come. With all these options available, family vacations never looked so good!

Laura Carlton is a freelance writer who does internet outreach for Classic Journeys. She has lived, worked, and traveled in more than 20 countries around the globe.