Take a train ride in Ecuador, do some horse riding in Argentina, visit the wildlife on the Galapagos Islands or relax on the Brazilian coastline. There’s a range of festivals to see and islands and landscapes that await.
- Galapagos, Ecuador Take the family to the famed Galápagos Islands and enjoy the diversity of marine life by exploring the islands by sea kayak. Paddle beside turtles, seals and dolphins or get in the water with them with a snorkel or go scuba diving. Then get on your feet to bike, horseback or trek the island trails.
- Horse riding, Argentina Go on a unique family vacation on a horse Estancia in the Cordoba hills to try some home rides, long-distance pack trips, polo, bird watching, walking or simply relaxing.
- Autoferro, Ecuador The autoferro is actually an antiquated bus complete with brakes that feed on sand, mounted on a train’s chassis and fitted with a diesel engine. And in Ecuador the family will enjoy climbing on the roof and enjoy the journey on the ‘little Andean train’. Hop on in Quito for a journey to the slopes of Cotopaxi. Or take the route from Riobamba to Nariz del Diablo.
- Parque Nacional de Bahia Loreto, Baja, Mexico The warm waters of the Sea of Cortez are excellent for kayaking or snorkeling with the children. Paddle between the whales and pods of dolphins or dive underwater to see the rich marine life. If you want to stretch your legs hike along the beaches and enjoy the ochre desert and red rock peaks.
- Marau Peninsula, Brazil The lakes and beaches of the Maraú Peninsula are vast, varied and a protected nature area. Take the family between July and October for whale season or November until April to see the turtles lay their eggs. Stay in a seaside pousada and enjoy the amazing underwater reefs and tidal pools for snorkeling and plenty of palm trees for beach lolling.
- Windward Islands, Eastern Caribbean Azure lagoons, palm-fringed beaches and dazzling reefs await on the Windward Islands. Fill your days with sailing, beach combing, snorkeling and exploring.
- Yutacan Peninsula, Mexico Give the family a history lesson on the Mayans by visiting the archaeological remains of temples and important sites. Everyone will enjoy exploring the crumbling ruins almost reclaimed by the jungle. Once you get tired of the jungle hit some of the best beaches in the Caribbean, the lovely colonial city of Merida, resort areas like Cancun and ecological reserves and water parks.
- Semana Santa Holy week is the most important religious festival in South America and takes place everywhere although the most famous week-long celebrations are in Peru, Chile and Colombia. Semana Santa is observed with a range of celebrations from the most solemnly religious to the pagan/Catholic and even the commercial. Each day has its rituals, processions through the streets, prayer meetings and thousands of devotees paying homage.
- Falkland islands Amazing arrays of spectacular wildlife call these islands home. Come to see the species of penguin, elephant seals, sea lions and fur seals in a completely unspoiled environment.
- Train ride to Macchu Picchu, Peru If you don’t think the family will manage the hike to the Inca ruins or you want to arrive without breaking a sweat, consider taking either the Backpacker or Vistadome trains. The journey begins in Cuzco with a series of switchbacks before a brief stop at the village of Poroy. Then the train descends from the highest point of the journey into the Sacred Valley and the foothills of the Andes. Just before it reaches Macchu Picchu, the train travels along the Urubamba River, with awe-inspiring views of the dramatic canyon.
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