After relaxing at a rustic ski lodge during Christmas family holidays or watching an epic fireworks spectacle on New Year’s Eve, it’s time to begin planning for summer. Marvel at the colossal trees that extend up into the clouds at Sequoia National Park. Discover the secrets of Kyoto, a concrete metropolis that shields and preserves its cultural legacy. Walk though the windswept sand and wander the mysterious ruins and ornate tombs of Petra. Let your next summer family holidays be the vacation of your dreams.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon, California
Hike among the giants. You’ll be in august company at Sequoia National Park, home of some of the largest trees in the world. The crème de la crème is the General Grant Tree, the third largest. The Sierra Nevada is the only place on the planet where the sequoias grow naturally. After tree-spotting, head to one of the 200 caves in the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Frolic through the tall grass and pick wildflowers through the Zumwalt Meadow, a large clearing in the forest. The brave will love to jump off the John Muir Rock and into the river below. In the evening, had to one of the lodges and enjoy a campfire and s’mores under the galaxy of stars.
Kyoto, Japan
Midst the busy streets and neon lights, facets of untold beauty await. Kyoto encapsulates the Japan you’ve seen photos of—pagodas towering high above a thick mass of sakura trees, the raked Zen pebble gardens, lovely small shrines hidden in residential areas, paper lanterns glowing in the night. Spot elegant geishas in Gion making their way to their next social engagement. Walk through the tunnel created by 10,000 vermillion torii (gates) at Fushimi Inari Shrine. Slurp up thick shoyu ramen and experience a traditional tea ceremony. Pet one of the over 1,200 free-wandering deer in Nara Park, less than an hour from Kyoto by train.
Petra and Wadi Rum, Jordan
Few places have as rich of history as Petra, an ancient city carved out of rose-red sandstone thousands of years ago. Ride on horseback to the Treasury, seen in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Trek off beaten paths and unearth intricate carvings hidden in the outcrops. Hop aboard a public bus and head out to Wadi Rum, The Valley of the Moon. Huge jebels rise from the Earth and the sun casts dramatic light and shadows over the rocky surfaces. Time is required to fully take in the stunning scenery, so camp overnight in a Bedouin tent to witness the fiery sunrise.
