Rickshaw Travel celebrates a time for family by sharing some very different travel ideas
As families rev up to Christmas and resolve to spend more time with each other in the New Year, Rickshaw Travel has created a shortlist of trips for families looking to do something different on holiday.
There’s no better way to teach your family about other countries and cultures than by travelling together. Whether it’s walking through misty cloud-forest canopies in Costa Rica, snorkelling coral reefs in Malaysia or staying with a local family high in the Vietnamese hills, Rickshaw Travel’s particular brand of travel is designed to expand horizons and help get behind the scenes of destinations that are commonly unchartered territory for most families.
Most of Rickshaw Travel trips are suitable for older children (8+) but they can also advise and recommend destinations for those planning on travelling with younger children. Families can choose from a series of short ‘bite-size’ trips and piece together their ideal itinerary or select a ready-made itinerary that works for them. Rickshaw also aims to make planning as effortless as possible so parents can relax and look forward to their holiday. Rickshaw’s team of experts will help with everything from finding the best flight prices within the school holidays to securing family accommodation full of character and providing the destination knowledge to ensure an itinerary is just right.
Here are some examples of the best tried and tested family holiday options with Rickshaw Travel:
Sri Lanka is becoming a popular choice for families, with comfortable transfers and plenty of activities to keep the children entertained. This 14-day itinerary covers the highlights of Sri Lanka from crumbling cities and endless green tea hills to wild elephants and palm-fringed bays. Children will love Sigiriya’s impressive rock fortress, spotting elephants on a jeep safari, taking the train to Ella and wandering through ancient ruins. They will also have the opportunity to stay with and learn to cook with the locals in Kandy.
MD of Rickshaw Travel, Haydn travelled in March 2015 with his children (11 and 8) and said:
“Sri Lanka is an excellent destination for any active and curious family. The home-stay where we all helped the cook to make an authentic and delicious curry and a game drive Yala National Park where we spotted crocodiles, elephants and even a leopard were among our favourites.”
This 13-night itinerary costs from £1,385 per person (based on two sharing) and includes transfers, accommodation with breakfast and all excursions detailed online.
On this Malaysia adventure families will trek through jungle treetops in the towering rainforest, explore tea plantations, sample tasty street food on a bike tour and stretch out on sun-kissed beaches, all in the space of two magical weeks. While the itinerary looks packed, the pace is relaxed, so families can also recharge their batteries. Malaysian people are extremely friendly and eager to welcome tourists so any family can be assured of a warm welcome on their journey through this natural playground and tropical paradise.
Rickshaw Travel guest Jacqueline travelled to Malaysia with her 12 year old son Khaleeq and commented: “In Taman Negara, my son was in his element. He went full speed ahead upfront and became the guide’s best friend, asking a millions questions. He loved it.”
This 13-night itinerary costs from £828 per person (based on two sharing) and includes transfers, accommodation with breakfast and all excursions detailed online.
Live like the locals in Indonesia – Bali Untouched
During this itinerary families will discover Bali beyond the bright lights of the famous beaches over 12 eye-opening days. It’s a world of emerald rice paddies, meandering rivers and small traditional villages. Children will love cycling between rice terraces, exploring sleepy fishing villages and visiting mystical temples tucked between the hills. The itinerary includes a homestay in the hills surrounded by stunning scenery. Guests will meet the villagers, taste home-cooked meals and trek through the rich green valleys. Families can also learn to surf together on Paradise Beach. The waves on Bukit Peninsula are ideal for beginner and intermediate surfers looking to learn something new.
Karen won a Rickshaw Travel trip for two to Indonesia and decided to take her two children on a family trip to remember. They travelled in May, experiencing local homestays, bike rides through rice paddies and relaxing on the beach. Karen said: “It was a real adventure and the excursions were brilliant, very educational and interesting and held the interest of our teenagers – no easy task!”
This 11-night itinerary costs from £738 per person (based on two sharing) and includes transfers, accommodation with breakfast and all excursions detailed online.
This itinerary is the ideal choice for those travelling in the school holidays to Costa Rica. Rickshaw has selected the destinations where holidaymakers will get the best weather (although a little rain is always expected in the land of Pura Vida). The itinerary begins with a walk through the streets of San Jose before going in search of tropical birds in the winding waterways of tortuguero. Families will then head down to the Caribbean coast for some rest and relaxation in Puerto Viejo before discovering the spectacular Arenal Volcano and finishing up with a canopy walk through the cloud forests of Monteverde. Kids will love spotting brightly-coloured wildlife in Tortuguero, surfing in Puerto Viejo, visiting a sloth sanctuary and hot springs and a thrilling canopy walk and zip line.
Travel Specialist, Fiona has recently returned from a trip to Costa Rica and shared her thoughts on family trips: “Pura Vida Costa Rica, has been created with travelling during the school summer holidays in mind. From zooming along a zip-wire through misty cloud-forests to taking a surf lesson on the beautiful beaches, you may find it difficult to persuade your brood to return home!”
This 12-night itinerary costs from £998 per person (based on two sharing) and includes transfers, accommodation with breakfast and all excursions detailed online.
Vietnam in a Nutshell – ideal for families with older children
Vietnam is a great choice for travelling with an older family; especially those that wish to escape the beach crowds and introduce teenage kids to authentic Asian culture. The ‘Vietnam in a Nutshell’ itinerary packs a real punch in under a fortnight covering the highlights of Vietnam and submerging guests in the local culture and lifestyle. Families will sleep aboard a traditional junk boat, amble through crumbling alleyways and explore lantern-hung streets. The itinerary includes a homestay where holidaymakers will take a laid-back trip through the Mekong Delta and spend a night with a local family. Mixing chaotic cities with jungle-topped islands and atmospheric towns this holiday gives an authentic view of Vietnam. Families will love cycling through Hoi an, relaxing on Halong Bay Beach, experiencing local life in a homestay on the Mekong Delta and taking a Vespa street food tour through the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City.
A guest of Rickshaw Travel, Lucy, travelled to Vietnam with her husband and two children (14 and 12) combining city stays with Junk boat rides and overnight trains. She commented: “The Vespa Tour was fantastic, seeing the faces of my kids loving the experience on the back of those Vespas is something I’ll never forget!”
This 13-night itinerary costs from £938 per person and includes transfers, accommodation with breakfast and all excursions detailed online.
You can find out more about family travel with Rickshaw Travel here:
www.rickshawtravel.co.uk/inspiration/family
For a full list of trips and destinations and further information on Rickshaw Travel visit: visit: www.rickshawtravel.co.uk, email hello@rickshawtravel.co.uk, or call +44 (0) 1273 322 399.
