Generation inspiration. How to craft the perfect family trip. We’re proud to say that we know what it takes to create the ideal family trip. We’ve been happily perfecting the art of it for over 10 years. We’ve learnt to appreciate that it’s all about finding a perfect balance - something that truly suits each and every one of you, whatever generation of the family you belong to. Sometimes it’s about exploring and sharing something new as a family and sometimes it’s just about spending stress-free, fun time together. Perhaps it’s both. It can be tough keeping every generation happy. Will a five year old truly enjoy an activity as much as you will? Will both parents and grandparents enjoy that hotel?
We’ve been asking and answering all these questions for many years and testing a variety of destinations, hotels and experiences. So we can confidently say that we know what we’re doing when perfecting any family getaway. To share all this knowledge please enjoy this A-Z guide to family travel. 26 experiences and tips for travelling with little ones, teens, or the whole extended family. We hope that it inspires you to all travel together. We know how precious your time as a family is and we want to ensure that we help you make the most of it.
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All about you
All families are different, so the trip you take should be unique to you too. We listen to your likes and dislikes and create an itinerary that is the perfect fit, for you and every generation of your family. There are many different ways to explore a country, so whether you want to take a relaxed beach break in the Caribbean or one filled with sports and activities somewhere more adventurous, we’ll suggest something that works perfectly for you all.
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Black Tomato children
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Child friendly hotels Our Travel Experts have tried and tested and vetted thousands of hotels over the years, so we know which work for families and which are more suited to adults or honeymooners. From interconnecting rooms, to family suites, yoga classes for kids in Mauritius or pizza making classes for young foodies in Italy, there’s so much more to explore and experience if you know where to look.
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There are plenty of parents with children of all ages here at Black Tomato, so when we say we know how you feel, we really do. One of our favourite places to travel with our children is Mykonos in Greece. This lively island boasts a buzzing centre with some stunning quieter beaches. So whether your family are looking for a beach party for all to enjoy or a secluded cove, we’re on hand to pick the right spot.
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Discover the unknown Explore an adventurous new destination, or visit some of the old favourites (or do a bit of both). Whichever you pick, we’re here to make sure it’s perfect for your family. Whether it’s the child friendly beachside hotels of Sri Lanka or the dramatic shores and wildlife-filled islands of The Galapagos, we’ll find the right mix to suit you.
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European summer escapes Italy, Spain, Scandinavia, France, Greece, UK and Ireland. Just some of the perfect places to visit in the summer months and each has its own exciting way to entertain children (and adults) of all ages. From the foodie favourite Italy, to the turquoise waters of the Spanish Balearic Islands and the historic sites of Ireland, there’s always a perfect family escape waiting to be explored during the summer months in Europe. A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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Feel safe We know how important it is to feel safe when you’re travelling, and even more so when you’re with your children. So we personally ensure that all of the trips we put together, work with longstanding, trusted partners on the ground, and we’re on hand 24/7 before, during and after your trip too.
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Grown up fun Sometimes it’s not all about the little ones, it’s important that you as older children, parents or grandparents enjoy your precious time off too. So we’ll make sure that your needs and interests are catered for as well. Whether that’s ample spa time, understanding the local culture with an expert Black Tomato guide or time to simply explore the local landscape, we’ll make sure you’re taken care of.
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We believe some of life’s most important lessons are learned first-hand. Learn about Ancient Rome in Rome itself, speak French in the patisseries of Paris or experience conservation first-hand on a safari in Botswana. Trust us, we’ll make sure the classroom is brought to life without a single textbook in sight.
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Iceland The ‘Land of Fire and Ice’ has so much to offer and it’s a particular hit with our active families. Try your hands at ice climbing, volcano spotting or snowmobiling. If you’re lucky enough you’ll even catch a glimpse of the magical Northern Lights, an amazing memory for you all to remember together.
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Japan Another firm favourite, Japan is a country teeming with culture, history and unique food that needs to be seen to be believed. Plus it’s one of the safest places to travel to, making it particularly great for family trips. April and October are the best times to travel here in order to experience the iconic Japanese seasons at their finest.
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Kids clubs and beyond
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It’s essential for parents to feel relaxed whilst away. We understand the importance of crèches and children’s clubs but we like to recommend properties that encourage children to explore and experience the local area. Like Sabi Sabi lodge in South Africa, where your little ones can spend time at the EleFun centre learning about flora and fauna in the bush by identifying plants and animal life.
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Lapland Head to Finnish Lapland for a winter wonderland escape that your whole family will love. Imagine making your own gingerbread in a fire-lit log cabin before chasing the Northern Lights on a sleigh towards your cosy igloo for the night. Magical is an understatement.
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Madagascar For something a little more intrepid, Madagascar is great for adventurous families looking to step off the beaten path and experience a place that’s totally pristine. Try your hand at a nocturnal wilderness trek through the rainforest, scouting for the iconic lemur and ending on untouched sandy beaches for a family picnic.
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National Parks We’re a big fan of the great outdoors and the National Parks of the United States make for a fantastic family adventure into the wilderness. From the iconic hills, waterfalls and giant sequoias of Yosemite, to the rainforest trails and volcanic landscapes of Hawaii’s Haleakala National Park - a country so large and varied means there’s a park to explore for every family; 58 to be precise.
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For a real Arabian night’s experience, think camels, luxurious desert camps and sleeping under the stars on your very own magic carpet. Plus it has some great family friendly hotels; Zighy Bay is one of our favourites. They offer fantastic children’s menus and tasty homemade ice cream by the pool to keep the little ones cool.
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Photography Photographs offer us the chance to capture that special moment and look back on it for years to come, and we’re always looking for new and exciting ways to help you make and remember as many memories as possible. Take a Black Tomato ‘Drone the World’ trip with an expert drone cameraman for your very own cinematic experience, or let us arrange a photoshoot for your family during your trip.
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blacktomato.com/drone-the-world
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Queensland, Australia The Great Barrier Reef isn’t one the Seven Wonders for nothing. In a country filled with experiences for every generation, one of our favourites is sailing around Queensland’s iconic Whitsundays and snorkelling along the longest reef in the world.
Reviews Don’t just take our word for it. We know how important it is to hear feedback from other travellers, and we’ve got plenty of great family trip feedback to share.
“After my first email to Black Tomato, I was contacted 1/2hr later... so quick. Then after a 30 minute phone call BT put together a proposal that was just spot on, 100% consistent with my objectives. The rest of the process was smoothly handled and the trip was as unforgettable as expected. My 6 year old daughter will remember it for ever.” Pascal, Black Tomato client
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South Africa
South Africa has a number of great safari camps that are malaria free, so perfect for taking any budding young David Attenborough in search of the big five or even the small five, which are just as compelling if you know what you’re looking for. It also has whale watching wonders, botanical gardens and wine tasting for the grown-ups as ideal counterparts to the safari scene.
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Travel expert You’ll only ever deal with one person from the moment we’ve helped you find the perfect destination, to the moment you come back from your travels. This will be someone that knows the area and the hotels inside and out, and will remember all of your likes and dislikes for the next time you want to plan your family trip. From the jungles of Chang Mai to the historic cities of China and the beautiful beaches of Antigua, your travel expert has seen them all first hand.
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UK & Ireland Stay in the fairytale-like Ashford Castle near Galway, visit the set of period drama Downton Abbey at Highclere Castle or the film backdrops of Star Wars on the western coast of Ireland. The stunning countryside and buzzing cities of the British Isles offer so much for families of all ages. When travelled the Black Tomato way, you’ll find it’s really simple to get around.
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Value Yes, travelling with the whole family means costs can quickly mount up, but we’re here to make sure you get the most out of your experience and make sure that the bespoke trip you take offers the best value for your money.
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Wildlife for all ages Think whale spotting in New Zealand, coral reef snorkelling in the Maldives, tracking the great migration in Tanzania or watching turtle hatchlings make their way to the sea in Indonesia. All are great experiences for children and adults to enjoy together. We know where and when to travel to make sure you don’t miss out on the very best wildlife experiences.
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We love to find fun ways for families to explore together, and what better way than a scavenger hunt created just for you. One of our favourites takes place in Buenos Aires where you’ll be armed with maps, hunt for clues, interview locals, try your hand at polo, taste local foods and capture photos of historical sites, and find some unexpected treasure along the way.
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Your time is precious
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... so let us do all the hard work. Putting all of these ideas together is what we do best, so let us build the perfect itinerary for you. Leaving you to relax and countdown to your trip away together.
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Zero limitations We firmly believe that parenthood doesn’t mean putting ambitious travel on hold. Sure, there are some places that are inadvisable to visit with young children, but we’ve got plenty of ways to create these trips in a child friendly way. So don’t be put off by long haul trips or an adventurous location, that’s where our years of expertise and know-how can help you make sure you still get to visit the places you all want to.
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Don’t just take our word for it “BLACK TOMATO — A WORLD-RENOWNED LUXURY TRAVEL COMPANY AND OUR TRUSTED RESOURCE FOR PL ANNING ONE-OF-A-KIND, EXPERIENCECENTRIC TRIPS”
INTREPID BL ACK TOMATO EXPLORERS “No matter what demands you have for your trip, or what problems arise, Black Tomato is the answer to your problems. You feel like they are travelling beside you. You are consulted every step of way, easy to get in touch with during the journey and receptive to any little tweaks to smooth the path.” Laraine & Robert
“THE WORLD’S HOTTEST LUXURY TRAVEL COMPANY”
NEW FAMILY CLIENTS “Super family holiday touring the west coast of the US. Black Tomato did an excellent job of not only organizing the holiday but also making suggestions about the itinerary and attractions at various locations.” Mark, Alicia, Kinga & Victoria
VOTED AS ONE OF THE WORLD’S TOP 15 BEST TOUR OPER ATORS 2016 BY CONDÉ NAST TRAVELLER READERS
“IF TIME IS MONEY, THEN THE TEAM BEHIND LUXURY TRAVEL SERVICE BLACK TOMATO SPENDS EVERY SECOND OF THEIRS ENSURING YOURS IS WELL-SPENT”
LONGSTANDING FAMILY CLIENTS “We have been using Black Tomato for our holidays for nearly 10 years and have always found them to be helpful, imaginative and practical, whilst also providing us with fabulous holidays. Black Tomato ensure that every holiday is matched exactly to our needs and requirements as a family. They make the travelling process stress free and seamless, finding us child friendly flight options. They have introduced us to the best family resorts and hotels in the world.” Jo, Michael, Estella & Frederick
“BL ACK TOMATO ARE THE PEOPLE RE-DEFINING THE WAY WE TR AVEL”
SEASONED BL ACK TOMATO TR AVELERS “As an experienced business traveller I am confident making my own arrangements but nothing can beat Black Tomato’s experience when it comes to taking the stress out of holiday travel, or their expertise in adding special touches that only come from their knowledge and contacts on the ground. The service is personal and over time Black Tomato have got to know our likes, dislikes and foibles which make our adventures with them so memorable.” Moira & Niall
NAMED ON THE TRAVEL+LEISURE 2014, 2015 & 2016 A-LIST OF TOP TR AVEL AGENTS
Planning a trip for all the family? GET IN TOUCH WITH OUR TRAVEL EXPERTS TODAY TO CREATE YOUR TAILOR-MADE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE
enquiries@blacktomato.com | blacktomato.com +1 646 558 3644 | +44 207 426 9888