Spending time with your loved ones away from the bustle of your daily lives can be a wonderful blessing. Exploring new places, trying new foods and enjoying work-free, school-free experiences together is restorative and helps build stronger bonds. The following will explore a few ideas for your next epic family vacation. The goal is to choose beautiful places with all the amenities needed for families.

Larnaca, Cyprus

On the southern coast of Cyprus, Larnaca is an ancient city with stunning beaches, mind-boggling historical sites and family-friendly venues. The city of Larnaca was established back in the Mycenaean period, somewhere around the 13th century BC. Since its founding, it’s been held by the Greeks, Assyrians, Egyptians, Romans, Persians, Franks, Ottomans and Venetians; it flourished particularly during the Byzantine era. Churches, lakes, beaches, mosques, castles, aqueducts, museums, marinas, parks, churches, and a particularly stunning shipwreck for those who love diving help make up the wonders of Larnaca.

Tokyo, Japan

Brimming with lights and wonders, both big and small, Tokyo is an excellent place to travel with kids. The city is safe, clean and enchanting. Shrines, temples, museums (especially the National Museum of Emerging Science and Technology, which includes a walk-through model of the International Space Station as well as tons of cool tech and futuristic gadgets), the imperial palace, gardens, and the Studio Ghibli Theme Park provide lots of spectacular kid-friendly sights for the whole family to enjoy. There’s no palace quite like Tokyo.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Children and adults alike love seeing Amsterdam. The city is filled with hands-on museums and some of the niftiest transportation systems there are. Bikes, trams and canal boats are some of the most common methods of getting around within Amsterdam, and the city hosts a whopping 400 playgrounds. You can check out Tony’s Chocolonely shop, which contains a chocolate vending machine, NEMO, a world-famous museum of science that has a “touch everything” approach to teaching people about science and the Mouse Mansion, which is a workshop filled from top to bottom with mice dioramas.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Clean, safe and filled with Viking history, Reykjavik is an excellent place to travel with the whole family. The culture is incredibly kid-friendly, and most attractions welcome kids under the age of 12 for free (including transportation). Tons of natural adventures await the whole family, including snow, puffin watching, whale watching, waterfalls, the Northern lights, and hot pools. The city boasts no McDonald’s anywhere and nearly no murders in the last 20 years.

Amalfi Coast, Italy

If you’re looking for a casual getaway where you and your family can move at your own pace without a worry, the Amalfi Coast in Italy might be the right trip for you. Comprised of 13 towns along coastal cliffs, Amalfi Coast offers hiking, beaches and some of the most spectacular food there is. It’s possible to rent a vehicle and take the family on long drives where you have picnics and enjoy breezy seaside sights. 

Cliffs Of Moher, Ireland

Another set of coastal cliffs, the Cliffs of Moher are found in County Clare, Ireland. Wild and rugged, this location served as the setting for scenes in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets as well as The Princess Bride. You’ll also find some of the friendliest people imaginable in this quiet, breezy local. 

South Island, New Zealand

New Zealand has some of the freshest air you can find. Majestic, sweeping landscapes, gorgeous fjords and stunning mountains can all be enjoyed in Fiordland National Park. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with hiking trails and boating treks, plus a fabulous observatory where you can enjoy the night sky’s magic.

The Loire Valley, France

Another place where time seems to slow down and life can take a simple, comfortable pace, the Loire Valley in France is famous for its wines. It’s gorgeous, filled with castles and villas and the sort of place that once you visit, you never want to leave. Michelin-starred restaurants, gardens, lavender fields, lengthy bike rides and endless afternoons enjoying beautiful rolling fields and some of the most perfect weather imaginable are all part of a wonderful trip in the Loire Valley.

The above list should have given you a few ideas for family-friendly vacations ideal for all ages. It’s important to understand that political balances shift all the time. Always be sure to check your local government’s information about travel advisories and any health and safety precautions you need to take as part of your travel. This applies to vacation spots you’re visiting again after time away. A lot can happen in a year or two.