You know you want your kids to see the world, but it can be overwhelming to get started. National Geographic is making destination choices a bit easier with its list of must-see destinations for 2022. The list includes five spots that are perfect for families, locally and abroad!
Big cities and classic tourist must-sees tend to get all of the love on travel lists, but National Geographic is focusing on some underrated gems. Whether you want to take your family on a treasure hunt in Turkey or or kayak the waterways of Maryland, here are the top five travel destinations for next year:
- Lycia, Turkey. Your kids can learn about the nomadic Yörüks, who live in tents set in mountainous backdrops full of olive trees. Sign up for a tour that lets you trek part of the Lycian Way, visit ancient marvels and spend the night with villagers. Middle Earth Travel gets your kids involved with making syrup, cooking local pastries, milking goats or even participating in the olive harvest!
- Granada, Spain. If you’ve never seen the Alhambra, add this architectural gem to your bucket list. National Geographic calls the Moorish site a “masterpiece of geometric beauty” and a wonderful place to learn about math concepts, like shapes, proportion and symmetry. Granada itself is a beautiful city set near the Southern coast of Spain and a giant national park, Parque Nacional de Sierra Nevada.
- Eastern Shore, Maryland. This trip is much closer to home and focuses on the history of the Underground Railroad. Harriet Tubman was born here and her story is told at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center. Sign up with Harriet Tubman Tours for a kayak adventure in the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and hear this hero’s story come to life.
- Danube River. Hop on a boat for this adventure, which takes you through multiple stops in European countries like Slovakia, Croatia and Moldova. Family sailings feature kid-friendly activities once you’re on shore, like watching the feats of mounted herdsmen on a southern Hungarian ranch. If your cruise takes you through Vienna, board the Giant Ferris Wheel or bike ride through a world heritage-listed site in Austria.
- Bonaire. Where in the world is Bonaire? This tiny island of 21,000 people lies near Curacao and Aruba and boasts one of the oldest marine reserves in the world. The Bonaire National Marine Park is on the provisional UNESCO World Heritage List and features 6,672 acres of coral reef, seagrass and mangrove. Join a dive school that participates in the Reef Renewal program, where volunteers can grow and maintain coral in underwater nurseries before planting them in the reef.
This list was compiled by the global editors of National Geographic and you can read the full report of the Top 25 adventures for 2022 online. Start surveying travel deals and get ready for some unforgettable experiences with your family!
––Sarah Shebek
Featured image courtesy of Austin Gardner, Unsplash
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