On the road again; Belfast’s maritime history; how to spread an attitude of gratitude
|  | Sunday, November 21, 2021 | | | | |
 | | PHOTOGRAPH BY MUSTAFA CIFTCI, ANADOLU AGENCY/GETTY IMAGES | | By Amy Alipio, TRAVEL Assistant Managing Editor
What exactly makes a place “family friendly”? Is it rides and games and animated characters come to life? Or maybe beaches and swimming pools? (Really, I want to know, send me your thoughts.)
Our global editors’ five picks for the best family-friendly trips for 2022 might surprise you—because it suggests that the whole world is a potential playground.
Granada, Spain, is home to the Alhambra, where your resident math whiz can marvel at the palace’s geometric beauty. In Turkey, kids can enjoy the Mediterranean sun and sea, while also learning about an ancient nomadic culture (pictured above, a Yörük cultural festival in Antalya). They can learn how to dive in the protected waters of Bonaire; explore Underground Railroad history on Maryland’s Eastern Shore; and cruise storybook lands along the Danube River.
Actually, all 25 destinations on our Best of the World 2022 list are places that have the potential to engage a family—even if it’s only to read about them. For example, I won’t be taking my kids to climb North America’s highest via ferrata, in the Colorado Rockies—one of our best Adventure picks—but I’ll sure tell them about it, because it’s pretty cool.
I’m wondering if all it takes to make any place family-friendly is approaching it with a spirit of curiosity and learning (and, of course, a healthy amount of precaution).
Ultimately, my family travel goal is to introduce my kids to amazing experiences, even in places that aren’t traditionally seen as family-friendly—whether it’s a don’t-touch art museum or a national park in the off-season. Travel grows empathy for our wonderful world and an understanding of how interconnected we all are.
That’s why a return to travel is one thing I’ll be particularly grateful for this Thanksgiving.
This is a special monthly Family newsletter dedicated to travel. Like what you’re reading? Drop me a line with comments or travel tips for our Nat Geo Family community. If you want to get the Family newsletter every week, sign up here. If you want your children to get Nat Geo Kids or Nat Geo Little Kids magazines, subscribe here.
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 | | PHOTOGRAPH BY VIEWSTOCK, GETTY IMAGES | | On the road again. Lots of families will be heading out on the highways for the Thanksgiving holiday—about eight percent more than last year. If you’re looking forward to your family get-together but not the whines of “How much longer?” think about taking some quick roadside breaks in nature. Better than a rest-stop parking lot, nature breaks slows the heart rate, improves blood pressure, and relaxes the brain. Plan out stops at state or local parks, or take the scenic route to search for hidden ponds or pumpkin patches. Check out these other fun ideas here. (And if you still need road trip boredom busters—and we bet that you will!—try these in-the-car conversation starters, or check out this Nat Geo Kids astronaut play character, featuring audio stories about space told by Explorer Jennifer W. Lopez.
We asked, you answered: In last month’s family travel newsletter, we reported on ways national parks and other public lands can be more accommodating to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In response, readers shared their own suggestions. Reader Lisa Kaufman recommended the use of Social Stories for each park. She also envisions “an access concierge. This person would not necessarily navigate solely with kids and families with autism. They might be a jack-of-all-trades, understanding wheelchair accessibility, vision and hearing needs, a variety of situations that might benefit from a personalized approach to the park.” More of your responses to come in upcoming family travel newsletters!
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 | | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF TITANIC BELFAST | | | Belfast, Northern Ireland. Many kids are familiar with the tragic story of the Titanic: The largest ship the world had seen, it carried more than 2,200 passengers and crew, about 1,500 of whom died when this goliath struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic and sank on its maiden voyage in 1912. But not as many kids know where the Titanic was conceived and built amid great expectations: the massive shipyards in Belfast, Northern Ireland. This former industrial hub has been transformed into a major tourist draw, home to the highly interactive Titanic Belfast attraction (pictured above, center). Find out more about the capital of Northern Ireland and its fascinating maritime history in this article. | | | |
 | PHOTOGRAPH BY VLADIMIR SELIVERSTOV, DREAMSTIME
| | Be thankful … or not. Here’s a fun twist on the tradition of going around the table saying what everyone’s thankful for: Kids can think of silly things to be grateful they’re not. For instance, maybe they should be thankful they're not an emperor penguin chick (above); otherwise, they'd be eating regurgitated turkey and mashed potatoes right out of your mouth! Check out seven other things that likely aren’t on your gratitude list, then just for laughs, challenge kids to come up with more. And if you want to show kids how to spread a real attitude of gratitude, check out the Nat Geo Kids book 100 Ways to Be Thankful.
Good animal news! National Geographic Explorer Joel Sartore has added the 12,000th species to the #PhotoArk—the Arabian cobra! This marks a major milestone in his quest to photograph the world’s living species. Photo Ark uses the power of photography to inspire people to help save species at risk before it’s too late. You and your family can enjoy the diversity of wildlife and learn more about all things animals.
This newsletter was edited and curated by Amy Alipio and Rachel Buchholz, with David Beard and Monica Williams. Have a healthy and a sane (as possible) week ahead. | | | |
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