Checking off the world’s most exotic, iconic bucket list vacations

More and more Americans are taking their children where few ventured for family vacations in the past — to far-flung destinations in Africa, Asia, Latin America and South Pacific that offer an exotic and adventurous spin on the traditional summer vacation.

Family travel to offbeat destinations has become a lot easier in recent years thanks to better accommodation (often in the middle of nowhere), safer transportation, more dining options (to feed those finicky young palates) and local outfitters that cater specifically to exotic family adventures with youngsters in mind.

An African safari will fire the imagination of even the most jaded child. Kenya is the most reasonable place when it comes to price, especially the variety of low-cost camping safaris available in legendary game parks such as Masai Mara and Tsavo. Kenya also offers the possibility of hopping over to Uganda for gorilla trekking in the Bwindi Forest, a family climb up Mt. Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzania or a beach getaway on the Kenya coast.

Ecuador is another eclectic family destination. In a single trip, you and the kids can discover Amerindian and Spanish colonial culture in the Andes highlands, trek through the Amazon jungle and snorkel with sea lions, penguins and marine iguanas in the Galapagos Islands. With their blend of culture and nature, Peru, Argentina and Chile are also primo family vacation spots.

Australia is an easy childhood introduction to overseas destinations in general, offering a similar climate, food, language and outdoor lifestyle as Southern California. Although the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru (Ayer’s Rock) should be included in any Aussie vacation, Sydney is a natural starting point. In addition to getting out on the water (in ferries, sailboats, kayaks, whatever), families can climb the Sydney Harbor Bridge and spend a night camped in a tent inside Taronga Zoo. But remember that our summer is their winter and pack appropriately.

Asia offers a mosaic of incredibly different cultures, cuisines, languages and architecture. India and China can be a little overwhelming at first. But Tokyo provides a perfect entree to all a family vacation to Japan can be: sumo wrestling and samurai sword lessons, Godzilla-sized comic book and gaming shops, baseball in the Tokyo Dome, and the funky fashion boutiques of Harajuku district, as well as Tokyo Disneyland and a Hello Kitty theme park.

Given the price and distance, these are once-in-a-lifetime vacations for most families. But the memories of visiting these far-off and unusual places are ones your children will cherish for the rest of their lives.