7 thrilling family adventures for 2024

31.12.2023 - 10:15 / nationalgeographic.com

Unforgettable history lessons, cultural connections and precious family time are just some of the reasons to consider a big trip in 2024. Stretch your children’s imaginations with these meaningful getaways, mixing nature time with once-in-a-lifetime city breaks, unique accommodations and long-distance rail travel. It might just change the way your family looks at the world.

With further expansion of the Good Night Train network due in March 2024, families will be able to book a central European rail odyssey all the way to Prague. Start with chocolate-tasting in Belgium’s capital, before museum-hopping in Dresden and Berlin, hiking in the Saxon Switzerland National Park and touring Prague’s castle. 

More info: Good Night Train Brussels to Prague, couchette bunks for two adults and two children aged four to 11, from €496 (£432), one way. 

(Where to go and how to plan a family rail adventure around Europe.)

Visit spice plantations, canoe the backwaters and clamber amid the old forts of Cochin on Village Ways’ new Spirit of the South trip. It explores the Karnataka coast and Kerala — an exciting family alternative to Goa — over two adventurous weeks, offering a relaxed and affordable introduction to India. 

More info: From £1,100 per person for a party of four, including accommodation, most meals, overnight trains and car transfers, but not flights. 

Interrail’s new Greek Islands Pass gives families an exciting way to explore Greece, covering four travel days on national ferry lines. Or for a trip with more support, try Olympic Holidays’ nine-night ‘family favourites’ itinerary, which ferry-hops through the Dodecanese islands of Rhodes, Symi and Kos, meandering between shallow coves, ancient temples and friendly hamlets.  

More info: From £1,305 per person based on two adults and two children travelling, with accommodation, transfers and flights. 

With Cairo’s Grand Egyptian Museum expected to open in early 2024 after years of delay, bringing together nearly all 5,000-odd artefacts from Tutankhamun’s tomb, now’s the time for history fans to book a trip to Egypt. Exodus’s nine-day Egyptian Family Adventure includes time in Cairo as well as Nile sailing and Red Sea snorkelling.  

More info: From £1,549 per adult, £1,162 per child aged nine to 16, including accommodation, some meals, transport and activities, but not flights. 

Having closed following hurricane damage in 2005, Amtrak’s Gulf Coast route is finally reopening in 2024, making it easier to discover some of the Deep South’s highlights without the stress of driving. Families could mix streetcar rides and sugary beignet cafe breaks in New Orleans with kayaking along the Mississippi River or beach time in Alabama. Trains take about four hours to