According to a family travel survey by TripAdvisor, a leading travel site, about 83 percent of U.S. travelers plan to take at least one vacation with family members this year, up from 79 percent last year.
While most of the respondents opted for beaches, cities, theme parks, cultural trips and adventure destinations, travel experts at Virtuoso, a leading luxury travel network, lists 10 most popular family travel destinations for 2011, shown in this slideshow.
From the archaeological sites of Pompeii and Roman Colosseum to the Italian wine tours, Italy is the top most family travel destination this year.In picture: Rome's ancient Colosseum
REUTERS/Tony GentileWith Royal Wedding in April and London Olympics 2012 as well as the Queen's Diamond Jubilee event in the same year, England will continue to enjoy the status of family travel destination. Countryside castles, city theme parks, cruises on the river Thames and more such attractions make UK an ideal family travel spot.In picture: Stonehenge in Salisbury, southern England
stock.xchngGriffith University's Australian Rivers Institute is spearheading a research partnership to develop science to underpin improved management and assessment of the health of Australia's river and wetland ecosystems.In picture: Kailua Bay in Kailua, Hawaii
REUTERS/Hugh GentryAdventure beckons families in Costa Rica with various attractions ranging from white water rafting, canyoning, hiking, biking and more. Costa Rica is a favorite among travelers for its beaches, eco-adventures, tropical golfing environment and culture.In picture: People swim in the Celeste river waterfall at Tenorio Volcano National Park in Upala, Costa Rica.
REUTERS/Juan Carlos UlateWith almost half of world's glaciers, Alaska attracts adventurers, students and families with children. Whale-watching, boating across glacial lakes, touring the scenic landscapes are some of the most endearing tourist activities in Alaska. And at last, Alaska's maginificent rail journeys add to the family trip.In Picture: A view of the city of Ketchikan in Alaska.
stock.xchngSouth Africa offers a long coastine and rich wildlife attracting tourists traveling along with their families. Seeing lions and elephants on a safari in South African city of Cape Town can excite children as much as watching whales, penguins and seals in the waters around the Cape of Good Hope.In Picture: Cape Town's Hout Bay
REUTERS/Mike HutchingsSpring break, beaches of Cancun and underwater funs make Mexico a travel hot spot. But Mexico is also an attraction for archaeological sites and ancient civilizations that make it an ideal family travel destination.In picture: Kukulkan pyramid stands at the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza in Mexico's Yucatan peninsula.
REUTERSA blue-footed boobie is perched on a rock on the Galapagos Islands.Galapagos Islands, where British naturalist Charles Darwin conceived his theory of evolution, gets 23.21 percent votes, making it to the top five most emerging destinations of 2011. Galapagos Islands around the equator in the Pacific Ocean is known for its rich wildlife. Tourist activities on these islands feature snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, wildlife viewing, mountain biking, horseback riding, scuba diving and camping.
REUTERS/Guillermo GranjaCruise ships are docked at Nassau in the Bahamas. Bohemian culture, a laidback lifestyle, cruises, sandy beaches and outdoor activities in Nassau keep tourists engaged. With direct short-duration flights from Canada, this is quite a preferred destination.stock.xchng
