To celebrate today’s International Day of Families, we asked our colleagues around the world: What are your favorite family destinations in your regions? The answers show that there are many special places where spending quality time together takes center stage. Part 1 of the journey around the globe starts now!
Diana from Pepperl+Fuchs in Bogotá, Columbia
For us, there are three wonderful family destinations in Columbia for hiking and exploring: The Island of San Andrés is located in the Caribbean Sea and has a beautiful beach. If you enjoy adventure, you can try parasailing there. We had a lot of fun doing it! The hills around Bogotá, the city where I live, are perfect for various hikes, and Nevado del Tolima is an impressive snow-covered mountain where you can experience nature up close and enjoy great camping opportunities.
Jiyoung from Pepperl+Fuchs in Seoul, Korea
My top three family outing destinations? Seoul Forest offers wide open spaces for children to play, while the nearby neighborhood of Seongsu-dong is full of trendy cafés. Whether young or old, everyone enjoys picking out a sweet treat here. It is a wonderful place to combine nature with a lively urban atmosphere. Another highlight for us is Seoul Grand Park. With its zoo and extensive walking paths, it offers an immersive nature experience. There are also family-friendly attractions such as kids’ cafés and the popular elephant train. And finally, Ikseon-dong and Changdeokgung come to mind. This area combines traditional hanok alleyways with a historic palace, making Korea’s cultural heritage easy to experience. For example, you can wear the traditional Korean hanbok or try out various handicraft activities.
Ronette from Pepperl+Fuchs in Johannesburg, South Africa
For me, family outings are most meaningful when they combine shared experiences with time to relax. Visiting rugby matches at Loftus Versfeld Stadium is a special highlight, as the atmosphere there is incredibly exciting and creates a strong sense of community — we all love watching rugby. We also enjoy the relaxed and sociable atmosphere at Cool Runnings during their “Thirsty Thursdays,” which provide a welcome break during the week and give us time to connect with our three sons. On Sundays, we like to gather at one of our homes, allowing us to recharge together for the week ahead.
Ales from Pepperl+Fuchs in Trutnov, Czech Republic
I am a father of three children — my twins are six years old and my son is nine. Here in Trutnov, we have a lovely playground called Na Nivách playground in the city center, where we spend most of our weekends. There is also a cozy café for parents there, which makes the combination perfect. Not far from Trutnov, there is a campsite with a small lake that we visit almost every month — and even more often in the summer. It is called Dolce, and yes, the name really suits it. You can not only swim there, but there are also many activities for children. When we drive a little further out of Trutnov, we enjoy the mountains that surround the area. The highest mountain in the Czech Republic, Sněžka (1.603 m), can be reached either by cable car or on foot. We also like to visit the treetop walkway Stezka korunami stromů Krkonoše, which rises up to 45 meters above the ground. At the base of the tower, you can even observe brown bears in their natural habitat.
Lucia from Pepperl+Fuchs in Trutnov, Czech Republic
We actually live right by the lake Dolce that Aleš mentioned, and we spend a lot of time at the campsite there. I always find it fascinating how a place subtly changes for you from year to year: at first you push your baby along the paths in a stroller, and suddenly your child is cycling around on their own. Also, I can recommend the playground Na Nivách and the treetop walkway Stezka korunami stromů Krkonoše. I really appreciate that there are so many great activities for children around Trutnov. We especially enjoy spending our free time at the zoo. In addition to playgrounds and traditional animal enclosures, there is also a special safari area where you can drive through among zebras, giraffes, and even lions in your own car or on a guided bus tour. We also really enjoy spending time at the Aqua Park in the summer, or going ice skating and skiing in the winter.
Toumas from Aava Mobile Oy in Oulu, Finland
A great large park is the Hupisaaret Islands City Park in Oulu. It is located right by the sea, and many small islands are connected by white bridges. In summer, we enjoy picnics there, a large playground, and the beautiful green surroundings. In winter, it’s also great for sledding. The park is very centrally located, so afterwards you can easily go into the city for a meal. Another highlight is Liminka Bay. It is an internationally well-known wetland area for birdwatching, which we like to visit for short hikes and nature trips. Especially during migration seasons, it is very impressive, as you can observe many different species. And sometimes, as a family, we simply enjoy staying at home and playing video games with the curtains drawn 😉
Giulia from Pepperl+Fuchs in Bellusco, Italy
Our three favorite family excursion destinations with my children (7 and 11 years old) are: Monte Pora near Bergamo. We love it there because it is perfect in every season – in winter for skiing and snow activities, and in summer for relaxing walks and fresh mountain air. It’s a wonderful place for families to switch off and enjoy nature together. Parco di Monza is only a five-minute walk from our house! We go jogging and skating there, and it is ideal for bike rides and picnics. We always spend lovely time outdoors with friends without having to travel far from the city. In addition, the amusement park Gardaland on Lake Garda is always a great choice for both children and adults. The wide variety of attractions and shows makes it an exciting destination where the whole family can create wonderful memories together.
Dodi from Pepperl+Fuchs in Bintan
A beautiful place for families is Lagoi Bay. The sea there is crystal clear and the waves are calm, making it ideal for children to play and swim safely. There are also great playgrounds, various restaurants, and comfortable relaxation areas. In addition, it is a wonderful place to enjoy the sunset together. Another highlight for us is Trikora Beach. The beach impresses with its natural beauty, featuring a long stretch of untouched white sand that is perfect for long walks. There are also many lovely spots for family picnics. Sakera Beach is also a fantastic place for family time because it is not too crowded. With its natural rock formations and white sand, it is a perfect location for family photos. The children also have plenty of space to run around and play safely.
Jana from Pepperl+Fuchs in Mannheim, Germany
My four-year-old daughter’s favorite destination is the wildlife park in Schwarzach. The park is pleasantly compact and therefore ideal for families with young children. Visitors can observe native animals, pet them, and in some cases even feed them. Particularly popular are the little park train and the large playground with an adjoining snack kiosk, which invites families to play and relax. The park also regularly hosts wonderful events, markets, and hands-on activities for kids. The approximately 2.5-kilometer-long “Wichtelpfad” (Gnome Trail) in Sinsheim delights families with its many lovingly designed little gnome houses along the path. Young visitors can discover exciting places such as a gnome school or a forest clinic and immerse themselves in the magical world of the gnomes. There is also a large and beautifully designed forest playground nearby – perfect for combining both destinations into one family outing. For families with primary school-aged children or older, the Klima Arena is an exciting excursion destination. Everything there revolves around climate protection, sustainability, and environmental awareness. In an interactive exhibition and through regularly held workshops, visitors can expand their knowledge in a playful way and discover fascinating connections related to protecting our planet.
Thank you to all colleagues who shared their favorite family destinations with us!
