Enroll in Gladiator school, take a thrilling speedboat ride on the Thames or join the fun and partake in a Scavenger hunt with your kids! These are some of the imaginative and creative excursions that are offered with family-centric escorted tour companies. When my clients ask me specifically about escorted tour travel with their families, they’re usually looking for options that will handle everything for them while they’re on their trip - and then some. From arrival and departure shuttle transfers to help make for a seamless vacation to itineraries chock full of kid-friendly activities and fun. The following companies truly deliver and know exactly how to keep kids enthralled all while learning about their fascinating destination.
Tauck Bridges
Minimum age is 4 (varies by tour & destination)
Launched in 2003, Tauck Bridges has become hugely successful in the niche market of catering to parents and their children. Their traditional tours have been around since 1925 so they know a little something about how to put together a fabulous tour. Tauck Bridges does just that - bridges families and brings multi-generations together making it a perfect choice for grandparents to be able to travel with their children and their grandchildren. I enjoy recommending Tauck because they focus on details and the little things that bring everything together to make it a truly seamless and stress-free vacation. As an upscale tour operator, they use only 4 or 5 star hotels and offer a ton of unique little touches throughout. Currently, they offer family river cruise experiences and escorted land and cruise tours to Alaska, US National Parks, Costa Rica, Peru, Canada, the Galapagos islands, Europe and Africa. Space is truly limited with them as their cruises and tours fill up well in advance. If you’re looking to splurge, I can also request a private departure on certain itineraries for your family or group to be able to travel together in style!
Trafalgar Family Experiences
Minimum age is 5 (varies by tour & destination)
A terrific mass-market option for parents and their kids, Trafalgar Family Experiences takes the fuss out of family travel at a reasonable rate. They boast luxury motor coaches that include WiFi for you and the kiddos, educated travel directors, local guides, VIP entry and tons of kid-friendly sights to see throughout to make sure there’s something for everyone. Their Insider Experiences are hand picked as well as their optional experiences (at an additional cost) to be able to give travelers a deeper perspective on the destination. They're currently offering itineraries to Europe, USA and Costa Rica. Trafalgar does a great job and has been in the escorted tour game for over 70 years! Oh, be sure to let me know if you’re a past guest with them or one of their sister brands and we can get you an additional 5% off!
Adventures By Disney
Minimum age is 4 (varies by tour & destination)
Disney, the trailblazer for family vacations launched their escorted tour division Adventures by Disney in 2005. Formed as a more exclusive tour product, their pricing can be on the higher side but what they offer makes it so worthwhile. In true Disney fashion, they only hire tour guides who are true storytellers and pay attention to every little detail no matter how small. I've even been given feedback from my past guest clients about how the guide on their ABD tour became like a part of their family, too - they still keep in touch with each other to this day! Authenticity of the destination with insider access is what makes them a top tour operator as well. Their company was pioneered with families in mind so this makes it a logical choice for most people and boy do they know what they’re doing. Currently, they offer an extensive itinerary list as they travel to the USA, Canada, Central & South America, Europe (tours & river cruises), Asia, Australia and Africa. Keep in mind, this is one of the companies that tends to fill their tours up quickly, so be sure to let me know when you're ready to reserve your spot!
Globus Family Vacations
Minimum age is 5 (varies by tour & destination)
Another mass-market vacation option, Globus Family Vacations offers tours with kids in mind throughout North America, Europe and Costa Rica. They also focus on multi-generational travel where there’s something for everyone. The hotels they use are family-friendly, their tours offer VIP access to multiple sights and kids travel for significantly less than the adults. Expert guides tell the story of the destination and bring it to life for the entire family in a fun and captivating way. Another tour company that’s been in business for decades - 80 years to be exact - Globus has the experience to make for a sensible option for family travel without breaking the bank.
Abercrombie & Kent Family Journeys
Minimum age is 10 (No minimum age for Tailor-Made & varies by tour & destination)
Abercrombie & Kent, or A&K as it’s known in the travel world, is a small-group luxury tour operator who offers multiple itineraries for families and private group tailor-made departures that can be fully customized. Their enriching itineraries are available in Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia, India, the Pacific, as well as expedition cruises in Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. Their one-of-a-kind journeys are specifically created for families along with multi-generational travel. Each tour includes a daily Discovery Day which gives travelers a chance to connect with nature, the native culture and local kids activities. A&K’s tour guides are experts and highly educated in their respective fields. They craft itineraries that are fun-filled and educational for adults and kids alike. The company has been in the travel business for more than 50 years and has offices in multiple countries which creates an extensive support network. Their tours tend to sell out quickly so keep that in mind when you’re looking to book.
Family travel can be complex, however it doesn't have to be. The relationships I've built with these tour companies and the confidence I have in recommending them to families has resulted in countless memorable family vacations for my clients. Hiring the right travel agent to do all the legwork not only makes it simple for you - it gives you peace of mind and allows you and your family to really take it all in to enjoy your destination. Leave the planning to me, an Award Winning Expert! It's my job to help you choose the right vendor, and regardless of whichever one of these you choose, they're all known for keeping their travelers happy and coming back year after year. The main reason most families want to travel together is to be able to both connect with the destination and spend quality time together. Why not let a professional handle all of the details so that you can do what you were meant to do on vacation - sit back, relax and enjoy the ride?! Leave a comment or email me if you’d like additional information on any of these fabulous vendors, destinations, or even general travel questions!
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