We could say that one of the most important reasons that lead us to travel is curiosity. That spirit of exploration, of feeling the stimulus of something new in the form of smells, flavours, images and people. It is perhaps the sensation most like the way we experienced everything in our childhood, when everything was new, and every day was a new discovery.
It is said that children are like a sponge and personality development is shaped in childhood and adolescence and the experiences lived in these two phases will be decisive in their formation as adults.
It is in the family that we share stories, traditions, celebrations and, of course, travel.
Travelling as a family is one of the best ways to connect with ourselves and with each other, to strengthen and honour our values as a clan and to forge unique memories for future generations.
You are never too young or too old to travel. The real family travel experience starts from the moment we decide to plan together and make that intergenerational adventure happen somewhere in the world that is new to all of us and that we can all discover with that attitude of the experience-hungry child within us.
The great American West
Imagine spending a few days as a family as western american colonists on an authentic ranch in Montana. There is a luxury ranch for the whole family. Nearly 15,000 hectares of land where 300 elk and some 200 Black Angus cows graze happily in the meadows. Here it is possible to discover the unspoilt environment of the rocky Mountains that most children have only seen on television.
This ranch is situated in the heart of the scenic Blackfoot Valley, 48 kilometres northeast of Missoula in the US state of Montana. The history of the land dates back to a time when the Blackfoot River served as a transportation corridor for Indians and later for settlers, fur trappers, miners and loggers. The Indians called the river “Cokalahishkit”, meaning “the river of the buffalo trail”.
The area became famous in the late 19th century for gold mining, silver and copper and hundreds of people settled there, attracted by the “gold rush of the American West”. In 1898, the Big Blackfoot Railway was built to move timber from outlying fields to the Blackfoot River. Today, remnants of the railroad tracks can still be seen throughout the ranch.
This ranch offers a unique possibility for the whole family to experience the daily life of the old American settlers at the end of the 19th century. There are activities for all ages and tastes: Lake excursions, fly fishing on the legendary Blackfoot River, adrenaline-fuelled white water rafting and horse-drawn carriage rides are just a few examples.
We can climb aboard an old horse-drawn wagon for a unique scenic ride along the banks of the Blackfoot River. At the end, we’ll enjoy an authentic cowboy-style barbecue: free-range chicken, Angus ribs, fresh corn and asparagus, grilled over a campfire. And before and after dinner, we’ll entertain ourselves by throwing horseshoes while a real cowboy provides the soundtrack to the evening with his banjo playing.
There’s nothing like a cattle drive to make you feel part of this natural environment steeped in history: meeting, gathering and leading the cows to scenic pastures on horseback. Learning the history and customs of the cattle cowboys and trying out essential rodeo skills will give you an idea of just how difficult it can be to raise these cows. Leading and driving a herd of cows on horseback can be an unforgettable adventure.
The breeding and care of horses is part of the ranch’s DNA. Since 2018, they have been leading a programme for the protection and conservation of Mustang horses, authentic living symbols of the wild and independent spirit of the pioneers of the American West. Another of the unique activities you can enjoy there with your family is learning the art of horse whispering with one of these noble animals. An unrepeatable experience that nourishes the soul and helps to understand the intimate and ancestral connection between man and nature.
Just a 20-minute drive from the ranch, we can travel back in time to the early 20th century as we walk the streets of Garnet Ghost Town, Montana’s best kept ghost town. Here we can learn about and relive as a family the fascinating history of the town, which was populated until the 1960s, as we explore the Kelley Saloon, the Wells Hotel and many homes that are still in pristine condition today.
A great place to travel all year round with the family and discover the stunning changes in colours and shades of the surrounding landscape throughout the seasons4.
A hacienda in Ecuador
Nearly 6,000 kilometres south of Montana in Ecuador, a 17th-century hacienda covering 1,600 hectares in the Andean valley of Imbabura province, two hours from Quito, awaits. For its mysterious pre-Inca pyramids, its Spanish colonial roots and for being the home of two former presidents of Ecuador, the hacienda has been a popular tourist attraction for many years, Hacienda Zuleta is the ideal setting for families to experience Ecuadorian culture and traditions surrounded by volcanoes at an altitude of over 6,000 metres.
The hacienda’s activities include a dairy farm with more than 300 Holstein cows and a daily production of 6,000 litres of milk, a trout farm, a cheese factory where a dozen varieties of cheese are made and a very interesting project for the rehabilitation of Andean condors.
Its Caranqui pyramids, the second best conserved in Ecuador, were occupied by the Incas and colonised by the Spanish. They are a living reflection of the history of this region which was a refuge from volcanic activity, a ceremonial site with a very special energy for the Caranqui Indians and a favoured agricultural site for Incas and Spaniards. In 1898, these hectares were sold to José María Lasso and later came into the hands of Galo Plaza Lasso, diplomat, president of Ecuador, farmer by vocation and a strong advocate of modern agriculture.
There, we can enjoy an exclusive family holiday, surrounded by a magical environment of volcanoes, snow-capped mountains and historic indigenous communities, and discover together a very significant natural conservation project. Among the different activities offered by the hacienda, a cycling tour to Cóndor Huasi, the condor rehabilitation, breeding and conservation project of Hacienda Zuleta, is not to be missed.
The condor acts as a nature cleaner, feeding on the remains of dead animals. In this way, it helps to avoid the proliferation of diseases in the Andean páramo, which is the source of water for hundreds of communities.
Hacienda Zuleta began working on the condor conservation project in 1996 and were pioneers in this regard, setting aside areas of the property to be inhabited by the species that have been in the area since time immemorial. The Andean bear is another species whose population is monitored by Hacienda Zuleta’s naturalists and biologists.
On safari in South Africa
At times, America may seem a safer destination to travel with children than other continents such as Africa, where health regulations and mandatory vaccinations may dissuade us from choosing it as the setting for our family adventures. But it is always possible to find some exceptions…
In South Africa, Madikwe is the only malaria-free private reserve in the country, making it a very safe place to travel with children, especially young ones. It is also an ideal destination for families all year round, even though it is during the dry season when it is possible to see more animals and enjoy an unforgettable safari experience. A real adventure trip for young and old without sacrificing the luxury, exclusive service and comforts of a lodge, where the gastronomy and the delicious dishes of the famous chef Nico Verster stand out.
Located on 75,000 hectares in the north-west of South Africa, this reserve covers a wild terrain with a tapestry of breathtaking landscapes ranging from vast plains to dense bush and forest to towering rocky peaks. It is a kaleidoscope of natural beauty where you can spot lion, elephant, leopard, rhino, buffalo and even the rare African wild dog.
Today, the Madikwe reserve is operated as a partnership between the state, the private sector and local communities, presents an innovative approach to wildlife conservation and represents a role model for other countries on the African continent in the protection of indigenous wildlife.
Here, the youngest members of the family can become real explorers, learning to track animals by detecting their tracks. Madikwe is home to more than 130 species of mammals and 350 species of birds and a hundred varieties of trees.
Whichever destination we choose, travelling with our ‘tribe’, coming together, exploring, discovering, learning and enjoying unforgettable experiences together in stunningly beautiful natural settings is one of the best legacies we can leave our children.
