Eventually, you’ll get to a stage where a bucket, spade and a beach just doesn’t cut it for the kids anymore. We know how great those types of easy holidays can be for families with young children, but as they get older, more curious and easier to travel with, you’re presented with a wonderful opportunity to have unforgettable adventures with your kids.

The question is, where to go and how to find holidays suitable for families with older children? Here at Not In The Guidebooks, we’ve scoured the earth to find adventures geared towards having unique travel experiences, getting off the beaten track and immersing yourself in new cultures with your family.

Whether it’s exploring the cloud forests, jungles and rural communities of Costa Rica before relaxing for a few days on a beautiful tropical beach, or cruising on a river raft through the lesser-explored corners of Thailand, then visiting buzzing Bangkok and the island of Koh Tao, our adventures for older families aim to combine unique activities and offbeat explorations with that quality time to relax and recharge as a family.

We understand how precious this time away can be, and as you watch your children get older and closer to the day they fly the nest, we believe it’s important to create unforgettable memories they’ll always treasure. At Not In The Guidebooks, we believe our local hosts in stunning destinations around the world can create travel memories that will last a lifetime.

Family Adventures that get you off the beaten track

There comes a point when a bucket and spade holiday, or lazing around by the pool all day for a week, just won’t cut it for the kids anymore. Everyone know family holidays are precious, and the last thing you want is bored teenagers looking for something to do and already dreaming of returning home to their mates.

That’s why we’ve put together a collection of family holidays that are perfect for older kids. They tend to combine beach time with incredible activities, whether that’s white water rafting in Sri Lanka, zip lining through the jungle canopy on a wildlife holiday in Costa Rica, cycling through sugar plantations in Cuba, or speeding through snowy pine forests on a husky safari on a family holiday in Lapland.

We also believe travel should be a formative experience, and by including local experiences, accommodations and cuisine, our family holidays help to broaden your kids’ horizons, as they are exposed to new cultures and ways of life.

Carefully curated holidays that keep everyone busy

We know first hand that the biggest hurdle for parents with teenage kids on holiday is keeping them entertained for the week or two that they’re away. A Not In The Guidebooks itinerary deals with this challenge by packing your trip away with experiential activities and local things to do.

Thanks to your expert local guide, there’ll be no wondering what the unmissable experiences are, or where to find the very best hidden gems that most tourists miss. They’ll get you right to the beating heart of a destination, getting you and your family off the beaten track to create moments that will last long in the memory.

Despite all this, we know that holidays are also a time to unwind. That’s why we build in chill time into our itineraries to make sure you leave the holiday feeling refreshed and reinvigorated. For example, after a week or so of spotting elephants in the jungle, exploring manic markets, and kayaking off the coast in Thailand, we understand you might want a couple of days to take a moment to yourself on the beach. By the time you head home, you can be safe in the knowledge that you and your family have had the best of both worlds.

Why choose Not In The Guidebooks?

We’re passionate about helping people find the most amazing experiences on their travels, through meeting local people, exploring new places, and discovering alternative activities that make holidays special. We do this by carefully selecting partners in countries around the world who are experts in their local area, sourcing interesting people who can guide you through immersive experiences.

We’ve got local partners all across the world, from Norway to Namibia, Scotland to Sri Lanka, Portugal to Peru. Choosing a Not In The Guidebooks holiday means you don’t have to choose between a beach holiday or an activity-filled break, you can get the best of both worlds with a unique trip.

We source the best authentic, local experiences

• Explore the country and places that most tourists don’t see
• Find hidden gems & activities that really interest you

We are a global cooperative of the best local operators

• Our local partners have a share in the success of our business
• All our experiences support local communities, wildlife and environment

Private modular experiences to build your own itinerary

• Create your own itinerary with as much or as little activity and relaxation as you want
• There are some options for you to join a group for part of your trip

Book with complete confidence from start to finish

• Fully ABTA bonded
• Secure payment system & 24/7 emergency support