Whether it be art, food or the outdoors, exploring interests unique to your kiddo on a one-parent one-child adventure provides an opportunity to deepen your bond and create special memories along the way. “One-on-one travel allows for the trip to be curated to the interests of that child,” notes Julie Cederbaum, an associate professor at the University of Southern California whose work focuses on child and adolescent well-being. “These experiences can then create a stronger attachment connection.” These five destinations, both near and far, are ideal for traveling with one child at a time.
Photography provided by OMO5 Gion
Japan
Whether you have a Pokémon-obsessed kiddo or ramen connoisseur, Japan is perfect for one-parent one-child getaways, especially right now. Both the reopening of its borders after strict pandemic closures and the strength of the U.S. dollar have given way to a surge in travel to the archipelago. Efficient, clean and safe, Japan is also easy to navigate. With the logistics covered, parent and child pairs can dive deeper into the country’s fascinating, layered culture. Take in ancient Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples; learn to throw shuriken (ninja stars) at a ninja training school; join a food tour through Arigato Travel in Tokyo and slurp up bowls of noodles (as my own family has done). In Tokyo, the Shiba Park Hotel features a fantastic breakfast spread and self-service laundry facilities. A bullet train–ride west will bring you to Kyoto, Japan’s former imperial capital, which touts the centrally located, ryokan-style OMO5 Kyoto Gion. Each of the 36 rooms feature kitchenettes, perfect for whipping up a bite between adventures, and you don’t want to miss the hotel’s complimentary morning tour of the lively, historic Gion neighborhood.
France
A classic parent-child trip (particularly among mothers and daughters), Paris needs no introduction with world-famous highlights such as the Eiffel Tower; the Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre; the Luxembourg Gardens and its darling pond where children can sail toy boats; and an endless parade of croissants and macarons. Those captivated by art (Monet! Renoir! Van Gogh!) will especially love destinations such as the Musée d’Orsay, housed in an old railway station, and the Louvre, considered the largest museum in the world with a collection of more than 500,000 works. A boat ride along the Seine is also a requisite experience. There’s no shortage of hotels in Paris, but among the more family-friendly are: the Four Seasons George V; the Maison Breuget, a boutique property close to the Marais; and the124-room Hôtel de Crillon, which is a short walk from the Tuilieries garden.
Photography provided by the Inn at Hastings Park
Massachusetts
You can bring U.S. history to life in Boston, a trip made even better if timing aligns with when your upper elementary– or middle school–aged children study the American Revolution. From the Boston Massacre and Tea Party to early battles at Lexington and Concord, the seeds of the Revolutionary War were sown in this New England city. Visitors can walk the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail with a costumed guide from the Freedom Trail Foundation, stopping at sights such as the Granary Burying Ground (the resting place of patriots like Samuel Adams, John Hancock, James Otis and Paul Revere) and the Old North Church, where Revere’s lantern hung as a warning of the British approaching. When it’s time for a break, the beautifully manicured Public Garden offers a charming respite and a chance to take a short ride aboard one of the famous swan-shaped boats. Just across the street from the garden is The Newbury, arguably the city’s premier stay (Pro tip: Book a corner park-view suite.) with the gorgeous rooftop restaurant, Contessa. In Lexington, the Victorian-style Inn at Hastings Park is a darling 22-room hotel that welcomes kiddos with their very own tricorne hat upon arrival. The property also sits close to the Orchard House, where Louisa May Alcott penned her beloved classic Little Women.
Photography provided by Anantara Golden Triangle
Thailand
Well-established as a tourism hot spot, Thailand is an ideal first foray into Southeast Asia. “Thailand has everything: wonderful culture, excellent hotels, delicious food, great beaches, friendly locals, adventurous outdoor activities,” notes Catherine Heald, co-founder and CEO of Asia tour operator Remote Lands. Most trips will start in Bangkok, where the Grand Palace (admission includes a 25-minute costumed dance show) and flower markets are a must. Chiang Rai’s Anantara Golden Triangle in northern Thailand is the next mandatory stop. Here, you can spend the day up-close-and-personal with rescued elephants, walking with them to the river and feeding them sugar cane stalks. Be sure to make time for a cooking class at the legendary property, too, so you and your budding chef can learn to prepare herb- and peanut-laced pad Thai noodles and sweet mango sticky rice. From here, Phuket is just a quick flight away for some beach time. A short speedboat ride will bring you to Six Senses Yao Noi, a stunning and serene island oasis of 56 villas.
Photography provided by Under Canvas/Shutterstock
California
From soaring mountains to lush forests to vast deserts, national parks are a winner among outdoor enthusiasts and parent-and-kid duos alike. Home to nine national parks, California is an excellent year-round destination for one-parent one-child travelers. The more adventurous can tackle some big hikes before relaxing on the shores of crystal-clear alpine lakes in Yosemite (the Twin Bridges trail in Tuolumne Meadows is a favorite of my family). Or you can scramble atop granite boulders and spot roadrunners, jack rabbits and lizards in otherworldly Joshua Tree, named for the ubiquitous oddly shaped trees with spiky fronds. There are also mighty trees and vast caverns to take in at Sequoia National Park. In recent years, outfitters have expanded glamping-style offerings to these parks, like Autocamp’s tricked-out Airsteam trailers and Under Canvas’s luxe tents featuring West Elm furnishings and wood-burning stoves.
