I get asked so often where the best places are for a first international family trip and, for the most part, I’ll reiterate what I always say – it depends on YOUR interests! If you want tons of art museums and easy public transit, Tonga probably isn’t the best choice. And if you hate hiking, maybe look somewhere other than Switzerland. That’s not to say those places don’t have lots of stuff to appeal to a variety of interests, but you may not be the prime candidate for enjoying their most salient offerings.
That said, I know that it can also feel overwhelming to decide where to go when you’re first venturing outside the country with little ones in tow. There are a few great places I think are overall great for a first family trip – ones that are relatively easy to access (depends a bit on your point of origin, of course!), that have familiar infrastructure and either have familiar driving patterns or comfortable & straightforward public transportation, lots of food options, etc. Here are some that some we love and would recommend for a first international family trip!
Getting Around Travel Destinations
We regularly take public transportation while traveling. It’s often the most convenient and affordable mode of getting around a lot of destinations. However, sometimes it’s best to have your own vehicle for flexibility and best access.
Get Professional Family Photos for Your Trip!
We absolutely love using Flytographer to get some beautiful family photos; despite having a camera and tripod, there’s something so special about having someone else capture your family in a way that you can’t. It’s a terrific option for getting photos together while traveling (they have photographers all over the world), and we’ve even used them in our home city.
Best First International Trips for Families
Belize
The gorgeous Caribbean waters are enough to prompt a visit, but Belize also has easy driving and interesting historical sites. Plus, English is the national language of Belize!
Belize with kids was somewhere that was on our bucket list for quite a while before we were able to actually go visit. The marine life, jungle, history, and adventure called to us – a variety of ecosystems and activities within a relatively close area. Plus, when we traveled to Guatemala previously, we really wanted to visit the ancient Maya site of Tikal, but it was a bit far from our base in the southern part of the country. We realized it would be a much shorter and easier trip to visit from Belize!
Here are some Can’t Miss Things To Do in San Ignacio Belize With Kids. And be sure to check out our full 1 week Belize itinerary, too!
Italy or Greece
Okay, I’m for sure cheating by putting both of these (very different, but with some similarities) places together – but they’re both incredible, and for some of the same reasons.
When Dan and I first visited Italy as young adults and then shortly after we got married, we noticed how warm and welcoming the people were. But that felt magnified when visiting Italy with kids! Some of the most iconic sites in the world are in Italy, the food is delicious and often familiar, and there are lots of options for getting around. If you’re not already convinced, here are 7 reasons to visit Italy with kids. This is true in Greece, as well – the people are warm and welcoming and love having kids there exploring all the fascinating ancient sites.
European cities don’t get much more magical than Rome or Athens with kids. There are tons of fun and historic activities, it’s super walkable, and, let’s be honest, there’s gelato or delicious yogurt & honey after (or in place of) every meal. Kid (and adult) heaven! There are so many things to do in Rome or Athens with family that it’s hard to narrow down the list for a perfect Athens or Rome itinerary. But I’m sharing below some of our favorites when visiting Rome with kids (the Athens one is coming soon, but here’s my Athens packing list in the meantime!).
Japan
Japan is known for its cleanliness and efficiency, especially with its excellent public transit. The tap water is drinkable, the people are kind and welcoming, and there are all kinds of fun treats to try. Plus, there are plenty of accessible public restrooms! In fact, when we visited, one of our kids (about 8 at the time) mentioned they needed to use the toilet when we were in the subway. Dan and I, of course, were a bit stressed, as we figured even if there was a toilet accessible, it would not be the most pleasant experience. Imagine our surprise when our kiddo came out and told us all about the sparkling clean stall and proclaimed, “And then it dried my bum!”
While Japan is rarely on the list of affordable countries to visit, our kids loved the mix of ancient sites and modern towers and beautiful gardens on our short visit. We can’t wait to return!
England
I may be a biiiit biased, but clearly we love it enough to have moved here! Endless activities, terrific playgrounds, fascinating history, free museums, family-friendly shows, and so much more make this an excellent place for a first family trip abroad.
London is hard to miss on any UK trip. Check out our One Week London Itinerary with Kids!
And here are some other London/England tips and itineraries:
- One Day Bath Itinerary with Kids
- Best London Day Trips with Kids
- Top 10 Must Do London Activities for Families
- Best Places To Stay In London With A Family
- Best Free Things to Do in London with Kids
Egypt
Egypt had been on our bucket list for years, and it felt absolutely magical finally being there and seeing sites we’d read about in books and seen in movies since Dan and I were kids. Absolutely jam-packed with mind-blowing historic sites, Egypt is a must-visit for any family. Tours are relatively affordable and easy to book, so even if you want to do very minimal planning, it feels accessible. Plus, both accommodations and food are relatively affordable. And you might be surprised to learn Egypt has beautiful beaches!
I think this is a particularly great spot for families with elementary schoolers and tweens/teens – there are just so many fascinating stories to learn.
See our top things to do in Egypt with kids and What To Wear in Egypt: Our Full Egypt Packing List for Families.
Ecuador
Affordable and easy to get around, Ecuador makes a great option for a first family trip. Visiting the Galapagos Islands had been a dream destination of ours for years and years. And it 100% lived up to our expectations. For wildlife lovers, an Ecuador family vacation is an absolute dream. From visiting the Amazon rainforest to swimming with sea turtles in the Galapagos, it was incredible throughout. And the people were so kind and welcoming to little ones, too. Definitely one of the best international destinations for families!
Here are a few of our considerations as we decided between the two for our family trip to the Galapagos Islands. Galapagos Land Tour Or Cruise: Pros and Cons With Kids
New Zealand
New Zealand brings stunning outdoors that are accessible to the whole family. To us, New Zealand felt like a magical fairyland with freedom to run and play in the most intense natural beauty. And it seems that gorgeous lakes and waterfalls and boat rides are a dime a dozen. There are so many adventures for kids of all ages – from babies to adults. Of course, the more adventuresome will find plenty of high-intensity activities, but even the youngest ones will find plenty of places to explore while surrounded by gorgeous vistas.
Ireland
You won’t be surprised to learn Ireland is bursting with gorgeous views and outdoor spaces, as well as plenty of cozy pubs that accommodate families. It’s also a country with the friendliest people who absolutely love kids! We loved exploring the ring of Kerry and the many gorgeous, green hikes – perfect for kids to run around and explore.
Singapore
Singapore has beautifully combines nature and city in a small, condensed area. It’s a super safe country and easy to get around. We really loved exploring the many gorgeous gardens (so many flowers and plants!), as well as seeing the interesting, modern buildings and the many kid-friendly museums. And English is one of 4 main language spoken in Singapore!
Switzerland
The endless opportunities to be outdoors was a big draw for us in visiting Switzerland. We had really high expectations, and it lived up!! We visited the Jungfrau region, and were thrilled to discovered the epic playgrounds, family-inclusive cafes and restaurants, and super fun and varied transit options. Our kids loved the views from various gondolas and funiculars, climbing everywhere, hiking to beautiful views, seeing glaciers, and doing the many family-inclusive activities (like the ball tracks in Wengen).
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