Family Travel: On the Road Again

The classic road trip is more popular than ever. Here are few places to visit.

Colo Roads

The Colorado Tourism Office has made it easy for road-trippers to explore the state’s 24 Scenic &Historic Byways. A new microsite includes an interactive map that lets travelers explore options by region, interest or season. Travelers seeking inspiration can also get trip suggestions within more than 150 Colo-Road Trip plans. The plans offer suggestions for historic attractions, active adventures and cultural opportunities.

The Beartooth Highway

Visitors who travel his amazing road experience the beautiful scenery (风景) of Montana, Wyoming and Yellowstone Park, home to the Absaroka and Beartooth mountains. The 68-mile highway introduces road explorers to one of the most different ecosystems reachable by car. Extremely beautiful, the road shows wide plateaus (高原) painted with blue icy lakes, forested valleys, waterfalls and wildlife.

California Dreaming

For impressive coastal scenery and seaside breezes, drive the car for a trip up or down our western shore. Begin in Santa Monica, California, and wind your way past the Hearst Castle. Other road trip options include a tour which features the best surf spots, or uncover the strange attractions you’ll find in the California desert.

The Lighthouse Trail

Travel the 375 miles between Kittery and Calais, Maine, visit lighthouses along the way, and learn about the dangers that sea-going ships and seamen experienced along the Northeastern coast. Hear stories of the difficult and lonely life led by those who kept the lights burning brightly. If possible, visit the Maine Lighthouse Museum, where hands-on exhibits for children provide a good break.

Perhaps my favorite place during my trip to Guangxi was the Longji Rice Terraces(梯田)in Longsheng. I’ve seen rice terraces elsewhere in Asia, but nothing compared with the beauty of the Longji Rice Terraces. To go to Guangxi and skip these rice terraces would be a loss.

These over 600-year-old terraces are still very much in use and feed the local Yao and Zhuang communities; you can find many guesthouses throughout the various rice terraces, and while accommodations ( 住宿) are very basic, I would strongly suggest spending a night in the peaceful terraces, surrounded by nothing but rice.

My friends and I had arrived in Guangxi on harvest day and we were told by our local guide it was too late to see Longji in its autumnal beauty. But we were super lucky because the 2021 harvest had been put off, and when we arrived in Longsheng a couple of days later, it was the last day before the harvest began. It’s quite risky to time your visit this way, but it is amazing to see the Longji Rice Terraces both before harvest and after, when it takes on a completely new character.

The two main terraced areas are the Ping’an Terraced Fields and the Jinkeng Terraced Fields. The former is home to the local Zhuang people and has more visitors as it’s easier to reach. Jinkeng, on the other hand, is less visited. The Red Yao people live here, and should you need a hand with your suitcase, their women are happy to help you. We chose Jinkeng because it’s home to the highest point of the Longji Rice Terraces. The viewpoint is nearly 4,000 feet high. We had to go up there as our hotel was up there, but you should anyway as it’s the most wonderful viewpoint.

The Longji Rice Terraces are supposed to be beautiful in the spring and summer as well, though I much prefer its autumnal beauty. Winter, I’d skip, as it was already cold enough at night in October, but I’d return and visit again in the spring or summer.

Earlier this year when the summer heatwave was in full swing, most people were dreaming of the cooler autumn temperatures. But for those who love the summer weather, the winter colder temperatures and dreary weather are anything but welcome. The good news? There are some brilliant winter sun destinations you can escape to for glorious pleasant weather and warm sunshine.

During the winter months the city still boasts temperatures around 26°C, perfect if you plan to make the most of the city’s beaches. However, it’s not so hot that you can’t enjoy most of the things to see and do in Dubai, from the theme parks to epic malls such as the Burj Khalifa.

Planning to make the most of the attractions? It’s worth looking into a Dubai Pass where you could save up to 50% off a host of the top must-see sights.

The best time to visit Thailand is between November to January when it’s a dry season and the temperatures are pleasant. The country is filled with epic sights and attractions.

Fancy a city break? Head to Bangkok where glorious temples, floating markets and incredible food festivals await. Or of course you could spend a few days making the most of Thailand’s most beautiful sea sands.

Sal Island is one of the main tourist spots in the country. Cape Verde is well-known for offering up a relaxing holiday; and with 10 islands to explore, there’s still ample opportunity to have an adventure or two.

However, if you only visit one spot, make it the beautiful Sal Island. It tends to be a hit with holidaymakers thanks to the white sand beaches and crystalline waters that make up its shores.

If the idea of a snowy Christmas break doesn’t appeal, then Barbados could make for a once-in-a-lifetime festive season.

December temperatures can be around 28°C, meaning you’ll have heaps of hot weather and sunshine and of course Barbados beaches are the ideal spot to enjoy them.