Choosing a holiday destination that will capture your child's imagination...

As the British weather finally looks like it might be taking a much-needed U-turn, people are hopefully starting to get into that Spring/Summer mood.  Dreams of beach holidays and exciting travel plans are on the horizon for many as May/June will see many thousands venturing overseas for warmth, relaxation and adventure.

But for those with young families the prospect of travelling abroad can be daunting to say the least.  As a result, many parents find themselves opting for countries closer to home (if not within the UK itself) such as Spain, France or the Balearic Islands where most people in the resorts speak English and the areas are well-populated with British tourists/restaurants etc. But such ‘closed’ views of travel destinations mean that children could be missing out on lifetime travel adventures and experiences to inspire and capture their imaginations (elements of learning which are so vitally important for early year’s development).

So, why not skip Menorca or Malaga this year, and instead brave it and take them on a trip of a lifetime?  Whether it’s heading to the Grand Canyon, the Galapagos Islands or parts of Asia and Africa – these are trips that change lives.

Travel is the best way to learn about the world around you and its varying cultures, languages and traditions – you may even hear languages that are spoken in a different way than what you might have seen on TV.  Being able to communicate with people in other languages is also a great way to get a real insight into what it is like to live in that country and indeed, advice on must-see places that you should visit from a local’s perspective.

Choosing the right holiday destination takes a bit of careful consideration and planning, but try to find a common ground or particular interest with your child i.e. do they love marine life, are they interested in sculptures or archaeology?  Travelling further afield should be an exciting experience and with proper planning and preparation your child will learn about the colourful and wonderful world we live in.