city travel

For the first time in a year, I’ve been looking ahead—rather than fondly reminiscing—when it comes to travel. As vaccination rates continue to rise, so do our hopes for a family getaway. In the past few months, travel planning has surged—and after the numbing sameness of the past year, we’re craving a little fantasy and magic with our escape. This time around, I want to get as far away from reality as possible.recommended you read

Bespoke travel company Black Tomato has unveiled “Take Me on a Story,” a collection of five immersive itineraries revolving around classic children’s literature. Among them is a five-night trip inspired by Aladdin and The Magic Lamp, which winds through the heart of Morocco’s Maghreb to the Sahara Desert, accompanied by a magical wish-fulfilling genie, in a quest to unearth a hidden Lamp—battling sorcery along the way. The journey through souks and sand to retrieve the Lamp and defeat the Sorcerer culminates with a stay at a majestic palace. The seven-night recreation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, meanwhile, involves a search for buried riches in the British Virgin Islands. Families can learn pirate-style sword-fighting, learn how to survive on a deserted island like Ben Gunn with a wilderness expert, hear campfire ghost stories by night, and, on the final day, raise the flag and set sail to the uninhabited Norman Island, the real setting for Treasure Island.

Families who love fairy tales will be in heaven at Adare Manor, a 19th century Gothic Revival castle set on 840 acres filled with hidden archways, fortress ruins dating to the Middle Ages, and swans paddling the River Maigue. Arrive by horse and carriage to the castle, which is straight out of a picture book with huge fireplaces, stained glass windows, gargoyles, and wood carvings showing creatures and monsters from the Bestiary, a medieval book of mythical beasts. Among the fairy tale activities are falconry, archery, and horseback riding; families can also explore the forest beyond Adare’s walled gardens with a woodland walk (follow the fairy guides posted throughout) ending with a private forest picnic. Kids will love the chef’s surprise cake of the day tucked into the basket.

andBeyond’s Kirkman’s Kamp in South Africa’s Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve has just refurbished its 12 cottages. While grownups head off on game drives to spot the Big Five (it’s world-renowned for its leopard sightings) children can imagine they’re fearless explorers with programs that includes giant bug and feather collecting, “poo walks,” and a quest to find South Africa’s lesser-known “Little Five”—the Elephant Shrew, Leopard Tortoise, Buffalo Weaver, Rhinoceros Beatle, and Leopard Tortoise.