This post by “TheHipmunk” originally appeared on the Tailwind Blog by Hipmunk on October 22, 2015.
Lugging toys, soothing cryers and changing diapers aren’t usually associated with the joys of traveling. The benefits of having your kids on the journey with you however, definitely make the struggle worthwhile. Here’s why.
Children engage with the unknowns and connect with their surroundings. Unafraid of asking silly questions, they pepper guides and locals with whys and how comes. They taste and try and smile at the unfamiliarity. They become the adventurers that adults don’t have the courage, or the energy, to be.
Choosing destinations that embrace their inquisitiveness is crucial to making your travel experience a positive one. Here are our hand-picked destinations in Asia paired with delicious Traveling Spoon food experiences that fit the bill for an adventurous, child-friendly vacation .
Bali, Indonesia – Kids are loved everywhere
“Bali is on the top of our list for a great place to travel with kids. We’d constantly see the wait staff entertain our toddler by taking him for a walk or showing him an aquarium in the kitchen. Every time we visited a bar, our son was given slices of watermelon or other treats (on the house) without even asking, while we enjoyed our drinks! We even took our son with us for a meal at a fancy restaurant in Seminyak and there were no disapproving glances when he proceeded to monkey around as a toddler often does. In fact it’s a custom of many Balinese to not let a baby’s feet touch the ground – they are constantly held for the first months of their lives. All in all, the Balinese people were incredibly warm and welcoming to our son.”
Check out the magical garden tour, cooking class and Balinese meal with Dewa and soak in the joy as your child discovers pineapples in the garden and runs around in their family compound while you learn to prepare a traditional Balinese meal on a wood-fired stove. Your kid will love Bregedel, delicious, crispy corn fritters subtly flavored with Balinese spices.
Kochi, India – A delight to the senses
“While we certainly had concerns about unsafe tap water, lack of infrastructure for kids and chaotic streets, India was an incredibly rewarding and rich experience. Most people speak English so it is relatively easy to communicate. The little ones are embraced wherever you go and always given special treatment, especially when you visit the home of a local. It is not uncommon for locals to engage and play with your child. My son fell in love with “gems” (Cadbury’s gems – India’s version of M&Ms) that restaurants handed out and we soon found him requesting gems wherever we went. With a little preparation, India can be an absolute delight for your kids. Just watch their eyes widen as they catch a glimpse of a cow on the beach or baby monkeys on your drive up to the mountains.”
An authentic Kerala cooking class and feast in Kochi is our recommendation. Our host Freeda is the kind of grandmother you aspire to be. She absolutely loves kids, is always joyous and cooks and bakes scrumptious treats. Make sure to have the family try Freeda’s appams (a pillowy, rice based bread) with chicken stew (chicken cooked with potatoes in a creamy coconut milk sauce) as well as her delightful orange cake!
Bangkok, Thailand – A location of convenience
“There was so much to do in Bangkok with my children that I didn’t once hear from them that they were bored. They marveled at marine life at the Siam Ocean World aquarium, stayed close to me as we adventurously navigated the Chatuchak Weekend market, romped around Lumpini park where they spotted a monitor lizard (and shrieked with delight), and relaxed on our boat ride across the Chao Phraya river. Of course, we also stopped at one of the several air-conditioned malls for a reprieve from the mid-afternoon sun and a fruit shake at the food court. They loved the tuk-tuk rides that are ubiquitous and inexpensive, making navigating within Bangkok really convenient.”
Every child loves chicken satay which our host Pia can easily whip up but don’t forget to also try her yum wun sen, glass noodles in a lime sauce when you’re with her during this Traveling Spoon experience with Pia. Pia also offers a visit to the famous Klong Toey market – wear comfortable shoes and explore the market that sells some of the freshest local produce and seafood.
Tokyo, Japan – A must-go with older children
Lastly, if you’re traveling with older children, we highly recommend visiting Tokyo for its food, Tsukiji market, and incredibly polite and fascinating culture. Our host Keiko who offers a creative Japanese cooking class and meal, joined Traveling Spoon so that her children could meet kids from around the world. She would love if you brought your kids over so they can share in a cultural experience over some of the most delicious teriyaki chicken wings you’ll ever taste!
Forbes: Traveling Spoon is the next generation of culinary tourism