Having a family doesn’t mean giving up on adventure. There’s more out there for families than beaches and theme parks…

One of my major niches markets is family travel, with children ranging from newborn and toddlers, to tweens and teens. With such a wide age range you’d assume that everyone wants something different, but almost all chose all-inclusive. This is a great option for families that love to lay by the pool, drop the kids at the day camps or enjoy the many arranged group activities around the property for the older kids.

But some parents want adventure – and they want to hook their kids into it too.

I love it when I talk to parents who want to experience things like a hike up Machu Picchu, an African Safari or travelling through Asia with their children. Trouble is, many parents assume they can’t partake of these adventures with young kids. To me, this is what travel is all about, experiencing culture, adventure, exploring amazing educational experiences for children of all ages.

Don`t get me wrong: all-inclusive and beach vacations are fantastic but they can get boring year after year. I have a number of families that enjoy a laid back relaxing holiday one year followed by a rich in culture and adventure the next.

Group tours for families

Many parents aren’t comfortable travelling to a foreign country or don’t have time to plan all the details for a large vacation. What’s more, it’s stressful to plan a large trip for your children when you’re worrying about safety, costs, will the kids be entertained enough and the list goes on.

With organized group travel, everything’s already planned for you. All you have to do is enjoy your family and vacation while staff take care of all the necessary, but time-consuming details. The great thing about group family adventure travel is it’s designed for families.

• Many suppliers won`t allow adults to travel without a child.
• Smaller groups (only a few families per group) make it less intimidating and easier to create lasting friendships.
• Smaller groups make it easier to avoid crowds and get access to places larger groups can`t, making it easy to jump aboard local boats, buses or trains, eat at friendly family-run restaurants and stay in traditional accommodations and homestays.
• Experienced guides have firsthand knowledge of your chosen destination, so you know you’re in safe hands.
• Hassle free, no need to think about the little details like accommodations, transportation or where to eat.
• Most meals are included. Cost effective – it’s really not as expensive as you might think.

Here are a couple of my favorite family adventures.

Costa Rica family adventure

Did you ever think you’d be able to take a family trip that would educate your kids in biology and ecology and still have the time of your life? Spend 5 life-changing days learning to surf, visiting local families to learn how to make tortillas, studying flora and fauna that inhabit Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve and Manuel Antonio National Park and enjoy the natural beauty of Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge. There’s even time to get in some rappelling, rafting, swimming and horseback riding on this adventure in Central America. Read more at GAdventures.com.

Tanzania Family – Serengeti Safari

Fall under the spell of Africa’s raw beauty and discover the natural charms of Tanzania on this 8-day adventure. Experience the abundance of wildlife the Serengeti and Ngorongoro national parks have to offer coming face to face with lions, cheetahs, antelope, hippos and elephants! There is so much to experience on this adventure for your family, not only will you be talking about it for years to come, but the educational experience your children will have on this trip is nothing that can be taught in the classroom. Read more on IntrepidTravel.com.

Discover Ireland with Disney Adventures

Even though we’re talking Disney this doesn’t mean Mickey Mouse and Princess’s join you on your trip, but you can certainly make arrangements to have a character breakfast. Experience the ‘Luck of the Irish” as you travel back in time on this on this amazing adventure. A guided tour of the famed Guinness Storehouse®, the ruins of Rock of Cashel, a horse-drawn cart through the countryside, a few nights in the prestigious Dromoland Castle and the dramatic cliffs of Moher are just a few of the discovers on this Ireland adventure. Read more at AdventuresbyDisney.com.

When planning your next family vacation rather than choosing an all-inclusive that the family still tends to spend a lot of time apart, consider a family adventure that each of you will remember for a life time.

How do you handle traveling with a family group and the huge planning task? Do you work with a travel agent to get insider tips before you travel? Tell us in the comments! Find us on Twitter or Facebook and let's start talking!