RAINFOREST TO SEA in Belize (above)

When director Francis Ford Coppola discovered the then-abandoned Blancaneaux Lodge in Belize’s Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve in 1981, he knew immediately that he’d found the perfect location for a remote family retreat. In the ensuing years, the Coppolas transformed the lodge into a luxurious eco-resort that, appropriately, is ideal for family retreats. Its 20 mountainside cabanas and villas are set amidst a lush landscape of waterfalls and swimming holes, tropical gardens and forested pathways. Search for toucans, scarlet macaws and melodious blackbirds on an early morning birdwatching tour, traverse the rainforest on horseback or simply head out from your cabana for some cliff-jumping and swimming in the river. Off-site adventures—including visits to the ancient archaeological wonder of Caracol—delve into Belize’s rich Maya culture.

A three-hour drive south along Belize’s Hummingbird Highway brings you to the vibrant fishing village of Placencia and Turtle Inn, Coppola’s Balinese-inspired beach hideaway. Families stay in roomy, thatch-roofed cottages scattered throughout an Eden-like property steps from the Caribbean Sea. For the full castaway experience, head to Coppola’s nearby Coral Caye, an all-inclusive private-island escape that accommodates up to 10 guests. Both properties sit within the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest reef system in the world, which means days can be filled with snorkeling or scuba diving adventures, saltwater fly fishing and cruising the nearby Placencia Lagoon in search of gentle West Indian manatees.
thefamilycoppolahideaways.com

ISLAND HOPPING in the B.V.I.

Home to steady trade winds, calm seas and protected anchorages aplenty, the British Virgin Islands have been a cherished destination for sailors since the 1960s. The oldest, most respected charter company for exploring the archipelago’s 50 odd islands is The Moorings, which set up shop on Tortola in 1969. The company now owns a fleet of more than 300 vessels that runs the gamut from classic monohulls to sleek, spacious catamarans, the latter of which can be booked fully crewed and offer plenty of room for families to spread out in style. Chart a course that includes searching for sea turtles in Manchioneel Bay off Cooper Island, hiking through massive granite boulders at Virgin Gorda’s Baths National Park, strolling along the pink sands of Cow Wreck Beach on Anegada and whiling away the hours sipping Painkillers and playing tiki toss at the famed Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke. Regardless of where you drop anchor, you’ll be surrounded by the ultramarine waters of the Caribbean. It doesn’t get much better than watching the kids bomb off the side of the boat while the blender whirs in the background.
moorings.com

INTO THE WILD in Alaska

Family adventures in Alaska often mean cruise ships shared with hundreds of fellow passengers. A very different experience awaits at Within the Wild, a pioneering travel company led by Kirsten and Carl Dixon. Tucked into a secluded cove on Katchemak Bay—one of the world’s richest ocean ecosystems—and surrounded by snowcapped mountains and towering Sitka spruce, Within the Wild’s exclusive Tutka Bay Lodge offers a luxurious base for adventures throughout the Alaskan wilderness. Settle into one of six handcrafted timber cabins, each with cozy woodstoves and sweeping water views, before setting out on one of the lodge’s many guided pursuits, from hiking through old-growth forests and spotting Alaska brown bears to sportfishing for halibut and salmon. Children of all ages are welcome at the lodge (although it’s best for ages 5 and up), and activities can be tailored appropriately. Food is a special part of the experience for just about every guest, as Kirsten trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and now runs a cooking school at the lodge. Culinary enthusiasts will enjoy going on a foraging expedition with one of Tutka Bay’s chefs and returning to transform wild ingredients into an Alaskan feast.
withinthewild.com

LA DOLCE VITA in Puglia

Tuscany is often considered the quintessential destination for villa rentals in Italy, but a distinctly southern Italian experience awaits in the province of Puglia. Here, in the heel of Italy’s boot, you’ll find olive trees dating back to the Roman days, some of the country’s most beautiful beaches and sleepy towns and villages where the rich culinary legacy includes homemade orecchiette, creamy burrata cheese and little pockets of dough stuffed with fresh tomato and mozzarella called panzerotti. Puglia is a particular specialty of The Thinking Traveller, a villa rental service that has exclusive access to some of the most fabulous properties in Europe. The company works with specialists in the area to provide insider experiences like a cheesemaking class near the fairy-tale village of Alberobello, kayaking in the gin-clear waters of the Adriatic or an in-villa workshop in pizzica, a traditional dance fabled to be the cure for a tarantula bite. For a direct path to the sea, consider L’Argentiera, which sleeps 18 people in nine bedrooms and is located a short stroll from the charming village of Castro Marina in southern Puglia. Smaller groups should consider Trullo Rosmarino, a five-bedroom retreat set on three acres an easy walk from Martina Franca.
thethinkingtraveller.com

ON SAFARI in South Africa

Sprawling across 284,000 acres in the Northern Cape, Tswalu Kalahari is the largest privately owned reserve in South Africa. Along the dune roads that wind through the reserve’s variety of habitats, expect to spot giraffe, ostriches, oryx and zebra, as well as more elusive wildlife like black-maned lion, desert black rhino, brown hyena and African wild dogs. Conservation has been at the heart of Tswalu’s mission from the beginning, and guests have the opportunity to interact with on-site researchers throughout their stay, from biologists monitoring meerkats to herpetologists studying puff adders. Tswalu accommodates only 40 guests at a time on the vast reserve, and all safari guides and vehicles are private to your party—a huge benefit when traveling with kids. Choose to stay in one of three distinct camps, each set away from the others and offering a remarkable sense of seclusion. For larger groups, Tarkuni Homestead can hold as many as 10 people in five luxurious suites and includes its own private chef. Parents traveling with older children can stay at the new Loapi Tented Camp, six ultra-private safari homes set in the foothills of the Korannaberg Mountains.
tswalu.com

SADDLE UP in Arizona

Since 1965, the True family has been welcoming guests to their historic Dude Ranch in Tucson in classic Old Western style. Set on 3,000 acres in the rugged Sonoran Desert, White Stallion Ranch is home to an enthusiastic staff of expert wranglers who oversee one of the largest private herds of horses in the state. Children as young as five are welcome to get out on the property’s seemingly endless maze of trails, where you can spend your days loping amid towering saguaro cacti and fragrant creosote bushes. (Littler ones can saddle up for lead line rides around the corral.) For adventures of the non-equine variety, you can try your hand at archery or target shooting, explore the property on a fat-tire bike or head out for a hike in nearby Saguaro National Park. Evenings call for desert stargazing, country line dancing and cowboy songs by the fire. The ranch offers a wide array of family-friendly accommodations, including the Hacienda, an airy, Spanish-style home that sleeps 10.
whitestallion.com

HISTORY AND CULTURE on the Emerald Isle

The heritage and beauty of Ireland make the country an unparalleled destination for a multigenerational vacation. Smithsonian Journeys can curate tailor-made trips around just about any area of interest. Tour Dublin by bicycle and explore the tumultuous story of Ireland’s independence at the Kilmainham Gaol Museum. Sip a pint at the Guinness storehouse. Take a ride in a traditional Irish carriage through the ancient oak forests of Killarney National Park. Sleep in a castle dating back to the 16th century and delve into the ancient art of falconry with the resident birds of prey. Drink in dramatic views during a hike on the Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk. Watch sheepdogs hard at work during a herding demonstration at a local farm. Each trip draws on the Smithsonian Institute’s deep commitment to history and culture, while expert guides ensure the experience is interactive and engaging for all.
smithsonianjourneys.org