The best educational trips for families who love to travel

Maasai tribe in traditonal dress on the plains of the Masai Mara in Kenya

PSHE

The world is filled with lessons that can't be fully understood in a Personal, Social, Health and Economic classroom, and a good place to start getting to grips with them is Africa, with family holidays to Kenya and Tanzania being among our personal favourites.

Set off on a once-in-a-lifetime safari through Serengeti National Park or the Maasai Mara National Reserve, witnessing the Big Five – and, if timed well, the awe-inspiring Great Migration. For a deeper connection to the land, trek alongside a local hunter-gatherer tribe and gain insight into ancient survival traditions. In northern Tanzania, the Hadzabe people offer a rare glimpse into their nomadic way of life, while a visit to a local Maasai village provides the chance to engage in time-honoured customs, witness age-old ceremonies, and even forage for wild honey.

Cultural encounters like these continue across Southeast Asia, where meaningful, life-enriching experiences abound. Receive a sacred blessing at Pura Tirta Empul in Bali or explore the lush, mountainous beauty of Cat Cat Village in Vietnam while discovering the heritage of the Black Hmong people. Alternatively, a traditional cookery class is a great way to add both flavour and cultural richness to your family holidays in Thailand.

View of the Colosseum in Rome at dusk

HISTORY

Just a two-and-a-half-hour flight from London, a family weekend break in Rome is ideal for history-loving travellers and young explorers alike. The Colosseum is a must – be sure to book a guided tour with access to the Gladiator floor and underground chambers for an unforgettable, educational experience. Your Winged Boots travel manager will be more than happy to do this for you and can even advise on the best visiting times to maximise your experience. Don’t overlook other iconic landmarks either, such as the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Castel Sant’Angelo, and the awe-inspiring Pantheon.

In Italy’s capital, even a stroll from landmark to gelateria reveals a wealth of ancient history. Exploring Rome on foot is the best way to uncover its archaeological wonders and immerse your family in the city's living history.

For those keen to explore beyond the Roman Empire, fly just an hour further to Athens for a cultural family holiday in Ancient Greece. Visit captivating ruins and centuries-old temples, delve into the origins of democracy, and explore Greek mythology at historic sites like the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Even a short trip to Athens is a brilliant way to combine adventure with curriculum-linked learning.

Toucan in Costa Rica

GEOGRAPHY

What better way to learn about our planet than by experiencing it first-hand? Teach your little explorers about biospheres and biodiversity in Costa Rica, where active volcanoes, palm-fringed beaches, and tropical rainforests coexist with abundant wildlife and flourishing flora.

Wander through the misty heights of the Monteverde Cloud Forest or observe nesting sea turtles in Tortuguero National Park – each destination offering an unforgettable glimpse into the country’s richly diverse ecosystems. For older children and teens, a family holiday to New Zealand is like stepping into an entire Geography curriculum.

This dynamic landscape is home to a wide range of landforms, from fjords and glaciers to mountains and volcanoes. Located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, New Zealand provides the rare opportunity to view active volcanic zones on geologist-led tours, where you’ll encounter bubbling mud pools, natural hot springs, geysers, and cascading waterfalls. Meanwhile, underground in Waitomo, families can drift through glowworm-lit caves by boat for a magical bioluminescent experience.

Discover our expertly curated eight-night Costa Rica family tour, designed to inspire and educate through hands-on exploration.

Has this Central American gem has piqued your interest? Our Head of Customer Experience, Claire, has compiled a handy luxury travel guide to Costa Rica, including tips for travelling with children and how to maximise the country's cultural pay-off.

Broadway Street in Downtown Nashville

MUSIC

Discover America’s musical backbones with a trip to the 'deep south'. Visit The Grand Ole Opry and The Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville or spend a unique family holiday in New Orleans, the home of jazz, where the soundtrack to your holiday will be a saxophone, trumpet or trombone.

However, to discover the birthplace of blues, soul and rock ‘n’ roll, Memphis is your stop. Explore where Elvis Presley recorded his first few singles with a tour of Sun Studio before visiting Graceland, located 20 minutes outside of downtown. Beale Street is brimming with live music bars, however, note there is an 8pm cutoff for those under 21.

If classical is more your speed, we recommend a visit to Vienna for a luxury city break. A city synonymous with Mozart and Beethoven, there are plenty of opera houses and live music venues within the city that are perfect for budding composers.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi

ART

You needn't go further than our own capital, London, to enhance the appreciation of budding art enthusiasts. But, to understand the distinctive style of Catalan Modernism, a family art holiday in Barcelona is a must. Discover Gaudí’s architectural legacy by visiting all three Casas – Casa Batlló, Casa Milà, and Casa Vicens – along with the whimsical Park Güell and the magnificent Sagrada Família.

For a deep dive into the Renaissance era, visit the Louvre in Paris, home to masterpieces far beyond the Mona Lisa – including works by Vermeer, Delacroix, and Caravaggio. In Milan, you can view The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, while Michelangelo’s The Last Judgement and The Creation of Adam await inside the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, an essential stop during any cultural break in Rome and bagging this ancient Italian city a second feature on our list of the best educational family holidays.

To combine an art history lesson with a unique destination, consider a visit to the Louvre Abu Dhabi on your family holiday, where global masterpieces are showcased in a striking, modern setting. Or, for a Latin American twist, stop off in Mexico City en route to Cancun to explore the Frida Kahlo Museum, once her home and now a vivid tribute to Surrealism and self-expression.

Googleplex in San Francisco's Silicon Valley

DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

Calling all gamers, coders, and those super-smart kids who can work both Android and iOS. If new tech fills their heart with joy and gets the cogs whirring, then a family holiday to Tokyo should definitely be on the agenda. In Japan’s capital, you can enjoy lunch with a difference at the robot café where you’ll be served by Avatar robots. Plus, you can browse the latest tech in the buzzing shopping district Akihabara Electric Town.

Alternatively, fly across the pond to San Francisco and in between trips to Fisherman’s Wharf, a visit to Alcatraz Island and sightings of The Golden Gate Bridge, drive to Silicon Valley to Googleplex. Although you cannot enjoy a tour or have access to any of the buildings, you can walk around the campus, ride the colourful Google bikes and see Stan the famous T-Rex. Other major tech companies in Silicon Valley include Uber, Pinterest, X and Apple. You never know who you may bump into.

Is the Land of the Rising Sun calling? Read our guide to Japan's top cities

Or, if it's the Golden State for you, take a look at our carefully curated California Road Trip for families

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, A Belmond Train

ENGLISH LITERATURE

Starting close to home, a Jane Austen-themed weekend in Bath is a must for literary lovers. Visit The Jane Austen Centre, enjoy finger sandwiches and scones in the Regency Tea Room, and stroll down Gay Street, where the novelist once lived. While in the city, Bridgerton fans can explore a host of filming locations – from the iconic Royal Crescent to The Assembly Rooms and Bath Guildhall.

If murder mystery is more your genre, Agatha Christie readers should board the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, A Belmond Train, which runs a selection of elegant European rail journeys. Whether you're interested in literature or simply a lover of the scenic route, read our guide to some of the world's best luxury train journeys to help you on your way. Meanwhile, for romantics, a literary escape to Verona brings Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to life – you can even visit the famed Juliet’s House, complete with its iconic balcony.

Further afield, fans of spy fiction can travel to Jamaica and stay at GoldenEye, the former residence of James Bond creator Ian Fleming. Now a luxury boutique hotel, it’s where many of the original Bond novels were penned. Today, GoldenEye offers a slice of literary history along with stylish private villas ranging from one to five bedrooms.

Explore some of our favourite Bridgerton filming locations

Sea turtle swimming in a thriving coral reef

BIOLOGY

Utah’s Zion National Park

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

If you enjoyed this read, but need more inspiration for travelling with teenagers, take a look at our top tips for teen trips.