City and Surf in Sydney, Australia
The city shimmers at dawn and dusk, something that astonishes newcomers but is not surprising with all that water. Sydney Harbour is huge — 240km of shoreline encompassing about 54km2 of water — and has dozens of little beaches protected from the rolling Pacific Ocean.

The sheltered, flat bays are perfect for young swimmers and some have shark nets. For children age 10 and up (climbers must be over 1.2m tall), scaling the landmark Sydney Harbour Bridge (www.bridgeclimb.com) is a great adventure. Views of the Opera House and ferries, yachts and tinnies (little recreational boats) criss-crossing the harbour are dazzling. Big green ferries chug to pretty suburbs along the foreshore.

At Watsons Bay, seafood restaurant Doyles is famous for its fresh fish. A 40-minute ferry voyage from the terminal hub at Circular Quay takes passengers to the ocean beach at Manly, a popular surf spot, and the sunset return trip is spectacular. Commuter ferries also go to Taronga Zoo, for iconic Aussie animals such as kangaroos and koalas. Kids can stay here for a ‘Roar and Snore’ overnighter. It’s a tourist-friendly city and when Sydneysiders say ‘Have a g’day’, they mean it.

Why it works: Teens will love the surf section at the Maritime Museum and hanging out at famous Bondi Beach while smaller kids splash in protected tidal pools. Sydney has fantastic interactive museums, such as the Powerhouse, for all ages.
Cost: Flights from South Africa are from about R12 000 a person. Accommodation ranges from R1200 a night for self-catering apartments for a family of four (www.byokids.com.au) to R1770 for a family room plus breakfast at a Holiday Inn.
Go to: www.visitnsw.com.au

Urban adventure in London, UK
It’s big, it’s grimy, it’s old, it’s new. It’s steeped in tradition, yet bold and brash. And it’s easy to navigate — not only is the Tube network simple to understand, above ground there are plenty of signposts and agreeable bobbies on the beat. There’s something to be said for traditional tourist sights: it makes creating a travel itinerary for a family easy and in London there’s no shortage of fascinating outings.

The Original London Sightseeing Tour — a ‘hop-on hop-off’ open-top bus ride with a commentary designed for kids (www.theoriginaltour.com) — is a great starting point. Whatever the age, it is thrilling to hover around Buckingham Palace waiting for a glimpse of a carriage, the Queen or, at the very least, a Beefeater.

Frazzled nerves are soothed at one of the city’s many beautiful parks, such as Hyde Park, famous for Speakers’ Corner. A slow twirl on the big observation wheel, the London Eye, gives an outstanding perspective of the city. Covent Garden provides non-stop food, entertainment, a sense of history and that magical icon of childhood, a twinkling, golden carousel. More key words: West End, Camden Market, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery, London Dungeon. There is so much to see: a guidebook, all-weather gear and comfortable walking shoes are essential.

Why it works: It’s impossible to be bored — the city fires all the senses all the time. Cost:
Flights about R6500 to R12 000. Accommodation is cheaper further from the city hub. A small, very basic hotel room (four beds/shower/toilet) in Earls Court costs from R600 a night (www.londonhotels.com) and in Covent Garden it’s about R1000 a night. Go to: www.visitlondon.com or www.londontravelpass.com

Hollywood fantasies at Walt Disney World, Florida
This Mickey Mouse operation is huge, overwhelming and exhilarating. The world’s largest theme-park resort occupies more than 10 000 hectares outside the city of Orlando, Florida.

There are four theme parks, two water parks, 23 themed hotels, as well as restaurants, shopping centres and golf courses. Highlights include the Magic Kingdom, with its iconic Cinderella Castle; the giant Epcot learning centre (visitors go on a time-machine themed ride through history); the Animal Kingdom, home to everything from gorillas to Galapagos tortoises; and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which shows Star Wars sets, Indiana Jones stunts and 3-D Muppet movies.

A friend’s nine-year-old son’s absolute best was a visit to Blizzard Beach — a world of ski lifts, fake snow, toboggan runs and bobsleds. Her five-year-old was thrilled by meeting her favourite fairy-tale friends at the Magic Kingdom (Ariel, Snow White) and flying on Aladdin’s magic carpet, but found Epcot a bit of a yawn. Family favourites were Mickey’s PhilharMagic interactive 3-D movie, Space Mountain and Splash Mountain.

Age is irrelevant — everyone from starry-eyed six-year-olds to jaded 60-year-olds will be enchanted. Take plenty of water, forget glam and set out early to avoid the queues.

Why it works: In this man-made fantasy world, there is something for everyone. Cost: About R80 000 for eight days for a family of four. This includes flights, accommodation, food and passes/tickets to Disney World. Go to: www.disneyworld.disney.go.com

Bushwhacking in the Cederberg, Western Cape
Up and over the rooibos-scented Pakhuis Pass, three hours from Cape Town, is a world of raw beauty: the red, wind-whipped sandstone turrets and jagged horizons of the Cederberg, home to 500-million-year-old mountains and shimmering night skies.

What was 7500 hectares of neglected, overgrazed land when work began on Bushmanskloof Wilderness Reserve & Retreat in 1991 is now an eco-sanctuary boasting a luxury lodge and a fistful of travel awards. The focus on eco-tourism makes it a real winner. Child minders and rangers merrily whip the children off to learn about birds, wildlife, ancient rock art, fishing and star-gazing on practical, fun excursions that, according to one friend, kept even her normally surly 13-year-old son happily off Mixit. Adults may do much of the same — or nothing at all. However, it would be silly, while the kids are away, to miss a massage in an ancient cave.

Why it works: There is a good balance of together time and separate activities for adults and children. Boys and girls of all ages will have a barrel-load of fun while learning more than they ever would in a classroom. Cost: Not cheap but fabulous. Three-night stays for a family of four are about R18 000. Go to: www.bushmanskloof.co.za or call 021 685 2598