6 Don’t-Miss Family Destinations For 2019

Tasmania ’s wilderness and natural landscapes make it ideal for outdoorsy families who are big into activities. Here you’ll find wild coastlines, untamed forests, mountains, gorges and wildlife parks all ripe for exploration. Add some culture by heading to Hobart for its thriving art scene (including the modern art museum, MONA), delicious cuisine, and hiking and shopping excursions. Stay at the  Cradle Mountain Lodge is a relaxing hideaway on the edge of Cradle Mountain-Lake and St.Clair National Park. There is a range of family timber cabins with cozy fireplaces available, and it’s brilliantly located for mountain biking, canoeing in the summer and tobogganing in the winter.

If you have older children who like adventure, the remote northern Indian region of Ladakh in the Himalayas is a must-visit for 2019. Here you can explore the peaks and valleys, discover ancient Buddhist monasteries, learn about local life, and spot an array of wildlife. The star of the show, however, is the elusive snow leopard. Spend your days on a trail with an expert tracker looking for paw prints in the snow, scent marks on rocks, and listening for their calls. Go all out nomadic at Chamba Camp where the Maharaja-style tents are elegantly furnished, the food is excellent, experts are on hand, and there are activities for children over nine-years-old.

Trick little ones into learning about history and culture with a trip to Cambodia. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor in Siem Reap, get your fill of foot massages, sample the local cuisine and wander the bustling streets and night markets. Time permitting, visit the more gritty Phnom Penh and the golden beaches of Sihanoukville. Make Phum Baitang your stay in Siem Reap. All rooms are elegantly decorated with local market antiques and boast private terraces or plunge pools and freestanding wooden baths. Make sure you experience the hotel’s cocktail lounge - an ancient farmhouse that oozes colonial charm.

Captivating and full of life, Brazil is a fabulous destination for families who are partial to nature. Stay in the heart of the Pantanal and search for Giant Otters and Anteaters, monitor Hyacinth Macaws, and look for jaguars while learning about their habitat. Away from the wildlife go mountain biking, canoeing, enjoy stargazing, or make like a cowboy for the day. Fazenda Barranco Alto Hotel is a swish family-run eco-lodge bordered by floodplains, salt lakes, and savannah. With just four guest rooms it’s very intimate, welcoming, and the service is impeccable.

No longer the land of the stopover, Singapore is a super family-friendly destination filled with fun, adventure, art, heritage, and pampering. The Zoo and Night Safari are ideal for wildlife fans, and the lush green spaces of the UNESCO heritage-listed Botanic Gardens and futuristic Gardens by the Bay are lovely green spaces for kids. Sentosa is the place for watersports, and those looking for thrills should make a beeline for Universal Studios. Capella Singapore is a luxurious hideaway nestled into the jungle of Sentosa. The communal swimming pools will keep children happy, and the spa is a must for weary parents. Enjoy an evening sundowner with the chilled-out resident peacocks.

A family trip to South Africa offers something for everyone; sweeping savannahs, pristine beaches, fascinating cultural experiences, and the star attraction: wildlife. Venture on a safari holiday, and you’ll be treated to daily game drives where you can spot elephants, big cats, and rhino, then return to your luxury safari lodge and cool off with a swim. Relais & Chateaux’s Tswalu Kalahari hosts a Junior Ranger programme packed with activities from archery to bush walks and a daily backpack filled with safari guides and goodies. A children’s ‘boma’ also allows younger guests to cook their own bush dinner. Tucking into their offerings is optional!

Lightfoot Travel is a luxury tour operator with offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, and London specializing in designer holidays around the world.

Hong Kong: +852 2815 0068

Singapore:  +65 643 8 4091

www.lightfoottravel.com