TOP 5 FAMILY TOURS

1 TAKE THE FAMILY TO JAPAN

Japan could be the ultimate family destination – it’s safe, it’s fun and the chances are every family member will be awestruck by the cool and quirky sights. But it’s best to do it as either a tailored self-guided adventure, or as a tour with a guide. Inside Japan can design your trip exactly the way you want it: their Zen & Now Family Holiday is an easy two-centre jaunt to Japan’s best-loved cities: Tokyo and Kyoto. You’ll visit Tokyo’s amusement arcades, see robots, visit cat cafes and climb the infamous Tokyo Skytree to see the vast neon cityscape from above. In Kyoto visit the best temples, make sushi, and try on exquisite kimonos. insidejapantours.com.

2 TAKE THE HARRY POTTER EXPRESS

Heading to Hawaii? Make sure you add the island of Kauai to the list. The perfect way to see the Garden Isle is to take a garden and food tour with Erik Burton from Kauai Guided Tours. Not only will you learn all about why it’s called The Garden Island (you’ll get to visit produce markets and take private tours of the incredible gardens), Erik will take you wherever you please – it could be lunch where The Descendants was filmed, or a dip in the ocean made famous in South Pacific. But whatever you choose, be sure to ask to stop off for shave ice on the way! It’s a very entertaining tour run by a very passionate foodie. kauaiguidedtours.com.

3 A GARDEN TOUR OF KAUAI

All aboard for Travelmarvel’s nine-day Edinburgh, The Highlands And Islands rail journey! What makes this tour stand out? You’ll get to travel aboard The Jacobite, a steam train also known as The Harry Potter Express. This adventure departs from Edinburgh, and in addition to several overnight train journeys, Travelmarvel’s Great Rail Journeys includes stays in premium hotels selected for their ideal locations, often just a short walk from the station. You will be accompanied by a knowledgeable tour escort and most porterage is included, meaning no lugging – the perfect excuse to just take in the incredible scenery. travelmarvel.com.au.

4 SEE ULURU IN LIGHTS

Sacred and majestic, Uluru, the giant sandstone formation in the heart of Australia’s red centre is a must-do, once-in-a-lifetime experience. And right now is the perfect time to take a tour: internationally acclaimed artist Bruce Munro’s light installation Field Of Light – which covers more than seven football fields at the foot of Uluru – will be dazzling visitors until December 2020. Field Of Light tours should be pre-booked. The exhibition is located in a remote area away from the resort and is not accessible unless booked through a tour. ayersrockresort.com.au/fieldoflight.

5 FOR SOLO PARENTS, A FAMILY TRIP TO THAILAND

Solo-parent families make up more than 15 per cent of all Aussie families and adventure travel company Intrepid Travel believe it’s high time the travel industry catered for them. So, they have introduced a number of custom tours, with brand manager Dyan Mckie – a single mum herself – explaining: ‘our existing family trips have been increasingly popular with solo parents as it allows children to bond and form their own friendships, meaning the parents enjoy some much deserved rest and relaxation’. Intrepid’s Thailand Family Holiday for Solo Parents takes in the Bridge on the River Kwai near Kanchanaburi, ancient ruins at Ayutthaya, and colourful markets in Bangkok. intrepidtravel.com/au/theme/family.