Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is the world's ninth-largest country, a vast territory in Central Asia that offers adventurous families a distinct alternative to standard holiday destinations. It is a place where the ancient Silk Road history intersects with ambitious modernity. For parents, it offers safe, clean cities and raw nature; for children, it provides a tactile lesson in geography and culture that feels like a true expedition.

Most family itineraries center around two main hubs. The capital, Astana, rises from the flat northern steppe like a science fiction set. The architecture here captivates children, particularly the Khan Shatyr-a massive transparent tent that houses a shopping mall, a monorail, and a tropical indoor beach with sand imported from the Maldives. Visitors can also ascend the Bayterek Tower to place their hand in a golden print of the first president, a popular local ritual.

In the south, the former capital Almaty sits at the foot of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains. It is a leafy, walkable city known as the ancestral home of the apple. Families can take a cable car up to Kok Tobe, a recreation area overlooking the city with a small zoo, upside-down house, and amusement rides. Just outside the city, the Medeu alpine sports complex offers world-class ice skating in winter, while summer brings opportunities for light hiking to the turquoise Big Almaty Lake.

Beyond the cities, the landscape is the main attraction. Charyn Canyon offers the spectacular geology of the American Southwest but with fewer crowds; the "Valley of Castles" trail is flat enough for active children to hike. For a forest escape, Burabay National Park in the north features pine-covered mountains and strange rock formations that have inspired dozens of local legends. Cultural immersion is best experienced through a stay in a yurt (a traditional felt tent). Many camps now cater to tourists with comfortable amenities, allowing families to experience the silence of the steppe and traditional Kazakh hospitality.

Practical considerations: Kazakhstan has a continental climate with hot summers and freezing winters; late spring (May-June) and early autumn (September) are ideal for travel. Distances are huge, so families should rely on domestic flights or the modern Talgo high-speed trains to move between regions. While meat-heavy dishes like beshbarmak are staples, manti (steamed dumplings) and fresh baursak (puffy fried dough) are usually hits with younger travelers.