Family Friendly
Experiences in England
Lodgings in England
Dining in England
Planning for a trip to England
Topics in England
Family Friendly Tours
These might include family friendly
More tours
Family tours links- Smithsonianjourneys.org - The Smithsonian run highly regarded, rather expensive educational and adventure trips specifically designed for the whole clan—including an "Exploring London and Paris" family journey.
- Vacationkids.com - Not a tour company, but an outfit that will hook you up with a travel agent to arrange your family vacation.
- Ricksteves.com - PBS superstar Rick Steves runs a highly successful tour company—with both general tours and family-specific tours—that really tries to highlight all the best of the independent travel style espoused in his books and TV show in a group format. I've bumped into several of his tour groups in Europe over the years, and the participants always gush about what a great time they're having. He also keeps his groups smaller than most (24 to 28 travelers versus the 40 to 60 many big companies cram onto the bus), and the smaller the group, the more authentic the experiences each member is going to have (to say nothing of more room on the bus). (Disclosure: I know Rick, but have recommended his product long before that, even if we were once guidebook competitors!)
- intrepidtravel.com - One of my favorite tour companies offers several family itineraries. They make a concerted effort to travel like real independent travelers—small groups (max of 12 people), staying in mom-and-pop accommodations and getting around by public transport (trains, local buses, bikes, feet) rather than a big tour bus. Aimed at a slightly more adventurous, slightly younger crowd, and close to true, independent travel. The U.K. doesn't often appear in their family catalog, but worth checking out just in case.Partner
- Gadventures.com - Similar to Intrepid, but based in Canada. G Adventures offers a variety of adventure trips, including many hiking, trekking, and multi-sport active vacations—and many Family Adventures as well. The U.K. doesn't often appear in their family catalog, but worth checking out just in case.Partner
- Journeysinternational.com - This outfit started as a families-only tour company, and they still cater largely to that crowd. Nothing currently in the U.K.—though they do offer custom private vacation planning.
- Learningjourneys.com - This educational-trip offshoot of the famous Perillo Tours has plenty of family adventures—though not always ones in the U.K. Worth checking out.
- Familyadventures.com - Thomson Family Adventures forcuses on adventurous family trips to mostly exotic locales—Alaska, Baja, Belize, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, Galapagos, Morocco, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Tanzania, Thailand, and Turkey. They do also offer Ireland, though.
Family resources links- Minitime.com - A trip-planning site aimed at families.
- Familytravelnetwork.com - Nancy Schretter's family trip-panning site has impressivley been around since 1995 (as has, apparently, its site design), with lots of good advice but a clunky presentation.
- Familyvacationcritic.com - Family travel advice from the same folks who bring you Cruisecritic.com, including decent coverage of London, Edinburgh, and Wales.
Related pages
Experiences in England
Lodgings in England
Dining in England
Planning for a trip to England
Topics in England
Family tours links
- Smithsonianjourneys.org - The Smithsonian run highly regarded, rather expensive educational and adventure trips specifically designed for the whole clan—including an "Exploring London and Paris" family journey.
- Vacationkids.com - Not a tour company, but an outfit that will hook you up with a travel agent to arrange your family vacation.
- Ricksteves.com - PBS superstar Rick Steves runs a highly successful tour company—with both general tours and family-specific tours—that really tries to highlight all the best of the independent travel style espoused in his books and TV show in a group format. I've bumped into several of his tour groups in Europe over the years, and the participants always gush about what a great time they're having. He also keeps his groups smaller than most (24 to 28 travelers versus the 40 to 60 many big companies cram onto the bus), and the smaller the group, the more authentic the experiences each member is going to have (to say nothing of more room on the bus). (Disclosure: I know Rick, but have recommended his product long before that, even if we were once guidebook competitors!)
- intrepidtravel.com - One of my favorite tour companies offers several family itineraries. They make a concerted effort to travel like real independent travelers—small groups (max of 12 people), staying in mom-and-pop accommodations and getting around by public transport (trains, local buses, bikes, feet) rather than a big tour bus. Aimed at a slightly more adventurous, slightly younger crowd, and close to true, independent travel. The U.K. doesn't often appear in their family catalog, but worth checking out just in case.Partner
- Gadventures.com - Similar to Intrepid, but based in Canada. G Adventures offers a variety of adventure trips, including many hiking, trekking, and multi-sport active vacations—and many Family Adventures as well. The U.K. doesn't often appear in their family catalog, but worth checking out just in case.Partner
- Journeysinternational.com - This outfit started as a families-only tour company, and they still cater largely to that crowd. Nothing currently in the U.K.—though they do offer custom private vacation planning.
- Learningjourneys.com - This educational-trip offshoot of the famous Perillo Tours has plenty of family adventures—though not always ones in the U.K. Worth checking out.
- Familyadventures.com - Thomson Family Adventures forcuses on adventurous family trips to mostly exotic locales—Alaska, Baja, Belize, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, Galapagos, Morocco, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Tanzania, Thailand, and Turkey. They do also offer Ireland, though.
Family resources links
- Minitime.com - A trip-planning site aimed at families.
- Familytravelnetwork.com - Nancy Schretter's family trip-panning site has impressivley been around since 1995 (as has, apparently, its site design), with lots of good advice but a clunky presentation.
- Familyvacationcritic.com - Family travel advice from the same folks who bring you Cruisecritic.com, including decent coverage of London, Edinburgh, and Wales.