Vayama Spotlights Unique Family Friendly International Travel Destinations

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Feb. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Vayama.com, the online travel agency that specializes in international travel, announces today its list of unique off the beaten path countries for traveling with children internationally - including airlines and activities for each location that are ideal for families with children of all ages.  

"There is no doubt that traveling with children on international flights is a challenge, but that does not mean that it cannot be done," said Thomas Kent, vice president of marketing at Vayama.com. "We have compiled a list for families so they can find the best destinations, airlines and activities worldwide to make their international travel experience with their children a stress free and memorable experience for the entire family."

Hong Kong, China

Getting Around: When traveling to Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific or Asiana are great for children as they offer coloring books and individual video screens for entertainment. Upon arrival in Hong Kong, the terminal offers high tech video consoles for entertainment. From the Hong King airport, a direct ferry is available from the airport to Macao – the "Las Vegas of Hong Kong". There is also a rail connection direct from the airport to Disneyland Hong Kong, allowing families to get to their destination without having to go all the way into Hong Kong Island first.

Family Fun Factor:  Macao and its Venetian hotel and casino provide entertainment for the entire family including real gondolas and canals in the lobby. Sitting on its own private island facing the South China Sea, Hong Kong Disneyland features a "Main Street, U.S.A.", Fantasyland, Adventureland, Tomorrowland and Toy Story Land. Hong Kong Disneyland is designed to accommodate world travelers as all its cast members speak English, Cantonese and Mandarin and all the signage is in English, Chinese and Japanese. For a treasured family memory, take the trolley to the top of Victoria peak for the most spectacular views of the Hong Kong harbor and the lit skyscrapers at night.

Cape Town, South Africa

Getting Around: South African Airways offers video screens for each passenger that include video games and cartoons, and for the parents the airline also a complementary glass of South African wine. Once in Cape Town, a rental car is the ideal way to explore the South African coast.  

Family Fun Factor: Boulder Beach is one of the most spectacular scenic drives and offers the opportunity to swim with the penguins. This coastal route contains many beach towns known for surfing and kayaking. Addo Elephant Park is world famous for its herds of African Elephants, zebras, warthogs and lions. Addo's picnic area features a Jurassic Park style electrified fence to keep the humans separated from its pride of lions. The beauty of the South African national park system is that tourists can drive their own cars for a DIY safari or pick a local guide at the park's gate that will point out the local mega fauna.

Auckland, New Zealand

Getting Around:  Air New Zealand offers personal video screens for each passenger with a variety of video games available for children as well as adults.

Family Fun Factor: The New Zealand locals, Kiwis, are known for their adventure sports from bungee jumping right off Auckland's tallest tower or walking on a skywalk atop Auckland's Sky Tower.  Kiwis are also great sailors and Auckland is known as the "city of sails". Visitors have their choice of sailing day trips from America's Cup super sailboats, where passengers help the crew pull the sails up, to more relaxed traditional boats. For visitors that are fans of Lord of the Rings, visit the set and see Gandalf's house in Hobbiton, which is located on a real sheep farm and offers sheep shearing demonstration along with the opportunity to bottle feed baby lambs. During the southern winter you can also go snowboarding on Mount Ruapehu.  

Paris, France

Getting Around:  Paris is home to Disneyland Europe and direct trains are available to Eurodisney from Charles de Gaule airport.

Family Factor:  Take a trip to the Paris catacombs and the famous Paris sewer tour of Les Miserables fame. The whole family is sure to enjoy a tour of Paris' world famous museums, such as the Louvre and the Pompidou center, which is sure to bring more learning opportunities in one visit to Paris than months in the classroom.

London, England

Getting Around:  Fly to London on Virgin Atlantic as they offer personal video screens, crayons and coloring books.

Family Fun: The British Museum is a perfect place for the entire family with its Egyptian Mummies and ancient artifacts from all over the world, including the Rosseta Stone. Madame Tussauds and the shops and restaurants around Piccadilly Circus and Leister Square are great for entertainment. Take a ferry up the Thames River, under London Bridge and Tower Bridge to the Greenwich observatory where a green laser cuts the night sky to mark the 0 parallel.

Cancun, Mexico

Getting Around: The Mayan Riviera is ideal for families as it has a number of all-inclusive hotels that offer food, drink, kids activities, beaches and more without ever having to leave the hotel. Most of the resorts will offer a direct pick up from the airport and some, such as Xcaret, provide buses for low cost transportation to surrounding archaeological eco-parks and the strip in Cancun.

Family Fun: The Mayan Riviera provides a paradise for children with its powdery beaches and the excitement of swimming with dolphins, petting turtles and tropical parrots. Resorts offer theme park style fun for the whole family with an underground river rides, dolphin swims, tropical jungle trails, marine turtles and much more.

About Vayama
Vayama is an online travel agency uniquely focused on international travel. The company offers travelers a vast selection of flights through its online booking engine that taps into inventory not available on other online travel websites. Launched in 2007, Vayama has continued to expand its online international travel services to include features such as 24/7 customer service, premium economy airfare, hotels, activities and car rentals.

For regular Vayama updates, follow us at www.twitter.com/Vayama become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/VayamaTravel or visit www.Vayama.com.

About Travix International B.V.
Vayama is part of Travix International B.V., a global travel company that manages an extensive portfolio of international travel websites operating under the brands: Vayama (USA), CheapTickets (Europe & Asia), Vliegwinkel.nl (Netherlands), BudgetAir (The Netherlands, United Kingdom, UK, USA, Canada & France), Flugladen (Germany) and EasyToBook.com (Worldwide).

Travix operates in 16 countries, employs 430 staff and has combined sales in excess of USD $1.1Billion.

SOURCE Vayama.com