2017 Family Travel Ideas: Where We’re Going This Year

Happy New Year! We can’t wait to help families create amazing travel memories in 2017 … and while we’re at it, we’ll be creating a few of our own. Here are some of the places we’re looking forward to visiting this year. What’s on your 2017 travel wish list?

Family Vacation Inspiration for 2017

I’m kicking off the New Year in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. It’s one of our most requested family destinations this year for families seeking an exotic cultural trip with incredible food and immersive experiences. — Amie O’Shaughnessy

We’re planning a two-week road trip through Quebec, Canada this summer. This has long been a dream of mine, as all four of my grandparents immigrated to the U.S. from Quebec but I’ve never been. We plan to spend some time in Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City as well as a stop at Niagara Falls along the way. But mostly we just want to enjoy the beautiful countryside, find my grandfather’s farm and introduce my family’s heritage to our children. — Nicole Wiltrout

I am excited to go to Sardinia in the spring! I can’t wait to see the Necropoli di Montessu, a prehistoric site with a natural amphitheater and mystical primitive tombs. The fishing village of Carloforte is also on my list — I love villages where you can see everyday life. And, of course, I’m looking forward to the great snorkeling in the crystal-clear blue waters that surround the island. — Nancy Daum Dailey 

Slovenia has been on my list for a while now, and this year I’ll get there at last. I’m kicking off the trip with a stay at Grand Hotel Union in the picturesque capital, Ljubljana, then heading to the Lake Bled area for a dose of Alpine scenery and outdoor adventure. This tiny country is still under the radar, but that won’t last long … it will be a treat to explore it before the secret is out! — Lisa Frederick

Costa Rica has some of the best beaches (and best coffee!) in the world. I’m also going for the biodiversity and the volcanoes — particularly Arenal, which is more than 5,000 feet high. I’m very excited to experience Nayara Springs Hotel, which has been getting rave reviews, as well as The Preserve at Los Altos in the Manuel Antonio area. — Sandy Pappas

With low airfares and a great exchange rate, now is a perfect time to plan a trip to Europe. We have already visited Italy and Spain and wanted to explore a new culture for spring break this year, so we chose Vienna and Budapest. We are looking forward to sampling Viennese pastries and coffee, catching a performance of the Spanish Riding School’s Lipizzan horses, soaking up the musical history of Vienna by seeing an opera, and understanding some of Vienna and Budapest’s more somber Jewish history. — Tamara Gruber

Cuba! I was immersed in Cuban culture while living in South Florida, and now I’m excited to see it in person, especially the music and the people. Cuba is still an unpolished gem for travelers who are looking for an authentic experience. — Kristi Marcelle

I’m working on a summer trip with our two tweens to visit family in Fiesole, a small village in the hills above Florence. With Italy as our most popular destination, we CB! Family Vacation Advisors are constantly updating and curating our list of the best Italian hill towns, hotels, activities and guides with kids. My family and I will for sure take day trips to Lucca to bike atop the city walls, to San Gimignano to climb the many campanile (bell towers), and to Siena to see the Palio horse race, which is run in the Piazza del Campo twice a summer. And we’re looking forward to a food tour in Florence as well as taking a family pizza- and gelato-making class. Andiamo! — Martha Stockhausen

Our skis are packed for an exciting and luxurious weekend at Grand Hotel Kempinksi High Tatras in Slovakia in March. We are thrilled to explore the beauty and adventure of this pristine natural playground. The Kempinski High Tatras is located in the heart of Slovakia’s largest cross-country ski area, and only one mile from the nearest downhill runs. After a day spent on the slopes, we’ll retreat to the hotel for a swim in the indoor pool and luxury spa treatments. Lucky for my daughters, the spa offers princess makeovers. I am sure this will be a huge hit! — Loren Braunohler

Relevant Links:

Browse all family-friendly vacation ideas on Ciao Bambino

10 family vacations that will change kids forever

10 great places to take kids … while they are still kids 

Best of 2016: Our favorite family hotel discoveries of the year

How, when and why to use a travel agent to book a family vacation