When it comes to choosing a vacation spot for the whole family, getting the right balance of a restful break and family fun is a top priority. Whether you decide to holiday at home or abroad, making sure you have the right mix for everyone helps to make your time away run as smoothly as possible and allow you to enjoy your time together. For many families, vacations also have to be affordable and excellent value for money, plus if you can throw in some sightseeing and attractions along the way, this creates a great time for all. If you are stuck for choice on where to go this summer, check out some of the best family-friendly locations to pick the best spot for your next adventure.

Having the right mix of fun, adventure, & rest is key to a family vacation running smoothly! Check out some family friendly destinations to add for your next bucket list adventure! #familyfriendlydestinations #genXtravel
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Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic always welcomes families with open arms in their beautiful country. There is a unique mixture of glorious beaches, rainforest, savannah and mountains – perfect for those who are looking to relax and those who want a little more adventure on their vacation.

The kids would love a day in the exciting Ocean World theme park where you can see a range of creatures up close including stingrays, sharks, sea lions and dolphins. If cities are more your thing, you’ll love Santiago de Los Caballeros. This modern city is bursting with charm and romance. Visit Lifestyle Holidays Vacations to book your holiday on this beautiful island.

Scotland

This beautiful country in the UK is a captivating mix of mountainous regions, coastal resorts and bustling cities. In Scotland you’ll definitely feel spoiled by with the amount of family-friendly activities to choose. If you love the great outdoors, you can experience a range of areas by foot, plus if you’re feeling energetic, you could take the kids on a hike up Ben Nevis. There are plenty of quiet spots too such as enjoying a picnic overlooking the numerous lochs, and if you’re lucky, the kids might even spot the infamous monster lurking in the depths of Loch Ness.

Spain

This sunny country in Europe has been a favorite tourist spot for decades and offers a haven of glorious sunshine, luscious green scenery, and azure waters. There are a host of places that are perfect for both kids and adults, and you can enjoy a tranquil stay in country spots or coastal locations. The kids will love activities such as horse riding, water sports, and hiking, plus if you just feel like a day at the beach, there’s plenty of spots to build a sandcastle. In case you like it so much that you don’t want to leave, there are plenty of family-friendly long term rental accommodation options across the country.

Mexico

This affordable tropical destination is great for both adults and children alike. You’ll find everything from Xel Ha, a beautiful aquarium, and waterpark, which is nestled within jungle surroundings to captivating Mayan ruins that offer a slice of Mexican history. The white sandy shores are also perfect for watersports and kids’ activities while the adults enjoy some quality time soaking up the sunshine.

These are just some of the top family-friendly spots across the globe for beautiful surroundings and fantastic family fun.

Don’t forget to Pin these Family Friendly Destinations to your favorite Bucket List Board!

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The UK is a well-known literary paradise and as a self-proclaimed “book nerd,” I was excited to explore the stomping grounds of C.S. Lewis, Lewis Carroll, William Shakespeare, Robert Louis Stevenson, Arthur Conan Doyle, Michael Bond and Charles Dickens to name a few. However, one of my favorite moments of the trip came with a more modern literary connection when my love of Harry Potter and affinity for trains combined for a perfect afternoon on the Real Hogwarts Express.

The Real Hogwarts Express Jacobite Steam Train 

The Jacobite Steam Train aka Hogwarts Express takes its riders on a magical journey through Scotland. Winding through the Highlands from Fort William to Mallaig on the West Highland Railway Run, riders voyage along the same route that the real Hogwarts Express and the flying car travel in the films. The Glenfinnan Viaduct might be one of the most iconic locations in Scotland, especially since appearing as Harry Potter’s gateway to his education.

Ever wanted to have Adventures on the Real Hogwarts Express? Well you can! The Jacobite Steam Train aka Hogwarts Express takes its riders on a magical journey through Scotland. Learn all about the #Jacobite Steam Train in #Scotland.
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An afternoon of Magic

Luckily, our afternoon aboard the train offered majestic views and butterbeer hot cocoa, but no dementors. About half way through the journey to Mallaig, the train stops for a moment in Glenfinnan, offering riders the opportunity to stretch their legs, tour the small but informational West Highland Railway Museum (for an admission fee) and visit the dining car for a mid-trip snack.

Exploring the town of Mallaig

After the short stop, the adventure continues to the fishing port and charming town of Mallaig. Be sure to wander around, grab a bite to eat and explore the shops before the train heads back to Fort William. Also note that the ferry to the Isle of Skye departs out of Mallaig, so if you are adding that to your Scotland experience and are able to make the timetable work, you can take the Jacobite one way and hop on the ferry.

The Relaxing Return to Fort William

Of course, the trip back to Fort William is just as magical, but does not stop in Glenfinnan so grab a snack before the train departs. Or you can order one of the many treat packages offered by the Jacobite for an additional charge. Packages available include, High Tea, Champagne, Chocolates and Artisan Cheeses.

Once in Fort William, take the 5-minute walk into town and explore their brick laid streets, wonderful pubs, unique shops and lovely landscape – the town sits at the base of the highest mountain in Britain – Ben Nevis and is surrounded by Loch Linnhe. While in this part of Scotland, we stayed at a beautiful Airbnb in Fort William and loved our weekend there.

How to book a ticket on the Hogwarts Express

Round trip tickets for the train range from £35-59 for adults and £20-32 for children depending on whether you choose first class or standard fares. You can also book a private table for two for £121. We had standard fare tickets and it was quite lovely. However, if you want the full Potter experience, the first-class cabins are nice and look similar to the private cars in which you see the characters ride in the film. Be sure to book in advance as we traveled in April and had to switch our travel plans around to accommodate the trip. We booked only two weeks ahead and the date we originally wanted was sold out. The train schedule changes depending on the season, so be sure to check that it is in service when you are making your plans.

The 84-mile round trip journey on the Jacobite Steam Train is not to be missed. While it will certainly spark the imagination of every Potterhead, it offers a spectacular adventure for mere muggles as well. Not only am I a huge fan of the Harry Potter books and films, but I have loved trains since I got a train set for Christmas when I was a kid. When we travel, I am constantly on the lookout for the chance to check another train adventure off my bucket list, steam engines preferred. The Hogwarts Express fulfilled a dream and was everything I had hoped for – if only I had boarded at Platform 9 and 3/4.

Is having adventures on the Real Hogwarts Express in Scotland on your Adventure Activities Bucket List? Have you ever ridden the Jacobite train to see the Glenfinnan Viaduct? Tell us all about it in the comments below.

Find Other Adventures in Fort William

About Our Guest Poster:

Darcee Snider is a Wyoming native, who appreciates the work ethic and strong values that growing up in the Cowboy State afforded her. No matter where life takes her, she will always be a proud Wyomingite. New Orleans has been a part of Darcee for a long time and she is excited to now be a part of New Orleans. She believes there is truly nowhere else like the Big Easy and the experiences it affords its citizens; she can’t wait to share them with the family and friends that are sure to visit.  Passion for literature, food, history, adventure and music are reasons why living in New Orleans is such an important part of Darcee’s story. She writes each chapter by enjoying the wonders of the Carousel Bar, exploring the WWII Museum, walking the streets of Uptown, navigating the hidden gems of the French Quarter and eating a Po-Boy at Mahony’s.

Don’t forget to Pin this to your Favorite Bucket List Board!

Disclosure: This post, “Adventures on the Real Hogwarts Express”, may contain affiliate links. Using the links doesn’t cost you any extra, and it helps keep the site free, fun, and community supported! Eric & Darcee will never recommend a product that we don’t genuinely believe in, actually use ourselves, have researched, and trust. Please see the disclosure policy for more information.

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It’s that time again, time for reflecting and planning out my 2017 Bucket List Hopes and Goals!

I was home from India for barely a week when I started getting that same damn question, “So what’s next on the Bucket List Project?” It is a question that sometimes bothers me. I appreciate that people are excited for the next adventure (as am I), but sometimes I just want the chance to enjoy the items previously accomplished and tell that story before moving on to the next. Regardless, 2016 was a great year of amazing adventures, new experiences, and wonderful new friends.  See all the Bucket List items I scratched off in 2016 by CLICKING HERE!

So what’s next on the Bucket List Project?

Trying to figure out what I want to do next can be a rather daunting task, especially since I am such a bucket-luster (is that just a dreamer of buckets?) that dreams of big adventures. Being that 2016 was filled with amazing travel and personal experiences, continuing that level of success can add to the difficulty.

But, for the past several weeks, I have been pondering what exactly my 2017 Bucket List Hopes and Goals are going to be.  Some of the items came easy, as they are items I’ve had on my mind, while others popped up for various reasons.  So, with the use of a modern technology (pen & paper) and a time tested strategy (the line graph), I believe I have come up with a great rough draft of my 2017 Bucket List Hopes and Goals.

Now I know that this technology is somewhat foreign to many, therefore I will post below what is written on my 2017 Bucket List Hopes and Goals graph for easier reading.

Reading the 2017 Bucket List Project's Hopes & Goals. Have you seen this list yet? #bucketlist
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Here is my 2017 Bucket List Hopes and Goals:

February

• #129) Learn How to Make “GrandMom’s Pizza Pie”
• #130) Eat weird things:
  • #18) Eat Pop Rocks & Drink a Coke and Not Explode

March

• #17) Travel to The Republic of Ireland
• #143) Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland
• #210) Explore the Giant Causeway & walk across the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge in Northern Ireland

April

• #18) Travel to Scotland
• #130) Eat weird things:
  • #8) Haggis in Scotland
• #16) Travel to England

May

• #5) See my 6 Pack Abs

June

• #188) See the Synchronous Fireflies in Elkmont, Tennessee
• #100) Do 3rd of 4 Urban Adventures in random city in the U.S

July

• #187) Travel to Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada
• #108) Do 4+ OutDoor Adventure “Mud Races” (4th & Final is the Spartan near Banff, Alberta, CA)
• #198) Witness Pink in Nature:
  • c) See a Pink Waterfall
• #118) Geocache in the 2nd of 4 Cities (Edmonton or Calgary)

August

• ????

September

• #66) Travel to the Berlin Wall
• #132) Drink Beer at OktoberFest in Germany
• #189) Travel to Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany

October

• #156) Travel to Chefchaoueh (the Blue City) of Morocco
• #158) Visit my 5th of the 7 Continents (Africa)

November

• 197) Go to Notre Dame vs Navy football game in South Bend (11-18-2017)

December

• ???

Whenever Possible this Year

• #200) Continue to Explore my home state of Louisiana
• #203) Continue Reading my 11 Classic Adventure Books
• #37) Be in a Movie: Be seen
• #38) Be in TV Show Episode
• #39) Be in a National Commercial
• Try to Make Amends with 1 Person on my List
• #103) Fullfill 1 Bucket List Item for Anyone who helps me with 1 of mine!

Now this definitely looks like a lot.  Obviously, this is just a rough draft because with life, especially mine, things are always subject to change. But as a list-maker, I feel writing it all out not only allows me to maintain focus but keeps me accountable.

So what do you think about The Bucket List Project’s 2017 Bucket List hopes and Goals?  Is there anything on the calendar you think is missing that I need to put on there this year? Please let me know in the comments below!

Also , what is on your 2017 Bucket List? I would love to hear about your hopes and goals for 2017!

Don’t forget to Pin this to your Bucket List Board!

The post 2017 Bucket List Hopes and Goals appeared first on The Bucket List Project.