Eating margherita pizza in Naples, looking at art at the van Gogh museum in Amsterdam and visiting the colosseum in Rome - the ultimate travel bucket list for families is revealed

Almost half of British parents (44 per cent) named visiting the iconic Manhattan destination as a trip they’d like to do with their family. This was followed by tucking into a margherita pizza in Naples (32 per cent), travelling on the Orient Express (30 per cent) and seeing the Northern Lights in Reykjavik (27 per cent).

Researchers polled 2,000 British parents to find out the best travel experiences they'd love to do with their children, revealing a host of diverse options, from experiencing the thrills at Disneyland Paris (25 per cent) to discovering the ancient Roman world of Roll up card (only applicable to Press Releases) Image (A) Attach to Monday.com task Will attach to request Roll up card title (B) New research by Boundless has revealed the ultimate family travel bucket list, with seeing Times Square at night topping the list. Roll up card copy (C) More than half (53 per cent) of the parents surveyed think that the best way to make family memories is through travel Category ☒ Press Release Press Centre – Brief Template Pompeii (24 per cent), through to swimming in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia (22 per cent) and spotting animals on safari in South Africa (21 per cent).

Other holiday experiences that parents would like their little ones to enjoy include eating deep dish pizza in Chicago (19 per cent), trekking along Hadrian’s Wall (18 per cent), celebrating the day of the dead in Mexico (17 per cent), exploring the lost city of Petra in Jordan (17 per cent), learning about art at Amsterdam's Van Gogh museum (15 per cent) and surfing lessons in Newquay (14 per cent).

The research, commissioned by Boundless, also found that almost eight in ten (78 per cent) mum and dads believe travel helps to broaden children’s horizons and helps them learn about different cultures (77 per cent).

71 per cent go a step further and say that exploring the world together helps give children more confidence in later life.

39 per cent are travelling more with their children now compared to three years ago, so much so that two thirds (64 per cent) say their children travel more than they did when they were their age.

On average families are planning five holidays this year.

In contrast, a third (35 per cent) are travelling less because it is too expensive (64 per cent), they have too many commitments at home (17 per cent), they can’t take the time off work (10 per cent), or they prefer to stay at home (eight per cent).

Two thirds (66 per cent) wish they could travel more with their children, with 64 per cent admitting they are currently working their way through a family ‘bucket list’.

Darren Milton at Boundless, the membership club for public sector and civil service workers and retirees, said: “It is clear UK families love to travel – it has the power to educate, inspire and bring people closer together. Sadly, it’s not surprising to see that a third of families are travelling less now because of the cost.

“At Boundless, we’re proud to help our members make the most of their time off by offering great value days out, travel deals and inspiration for holidays in the UK and abroad. Whether it’s a staycation or ticking off a bucket list adventure overseas, we’re here to help our members create lasting family memories without breaking the bank.”

More than half (53 per cent) of the parents surveyed think that the best way to make family memories is through travel, with one in two (50 per cent) admitting that lots of their favourite childhood memories are from family holidays. 96 per cent hope that family holidays will inspire their children to take their own kids away when they grow up.

A WHOPPING 91 per cent think that fantastic family holidays needn’t have to cost a fortune with 94 per cent agreeing that a staycation can be just as fun as a holiday abroad.

Two thirds (63 per cent) would love to explore and travel in the UK more.

The ultimate family travel experiences, according to British parents*

1. See Times Square at night, New York – 44%

2. Eat margherita pizza in Naples, Italy – 32%

3. Go on the Orient Express – 30%

4. See the Northern Lights in Reykjavik – 27%

5. Go up the Empire State Building in New York – 25%

6. Go on rides at Disneyland Paris – 25%

7. Visit Pompeii – 24%

8. Swim in the crystal-clear lagoons of the Maldives – 23%

9. Explore the Valley of the Kings in Egypt – 23%

10. Swim the Great Barrier Reef in Australia – 22%

11. Go on safari in South Africa – 21%

12. See Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 20%

13. Eat deep dish pizza in Chicago – 19%

14. Go whale watching in Iceland – 19%

15. See Edinburgh from the top of Arthur’s Seat – 19%

16. See the Colosseum in Rome – 19%

17. Trek along Hadrian’s Wall – 18%

18. Celebrate the Day of the Dead in Mexico – 17%

19. Island hop in Greece – 17%

20. Roller-skating - 22%

21. Get a selfie under the Eiffel Tower in Paris – 17%

22. Explore the Grand Canyon in Arizona – 17%

23. Drive Route 66 across America – 17%

24. Eat Pastel de Nata in Lisbon, Portugal – 17%

25. Visit the Lost City of Petra in Jordan – 17%

26. Visit Lapland and go on a husky sleigh ride – 16%

27. Learn about art at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam – 15%

28. Visit the Parthenon in Athens – 14%

29. See the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, Paris – 14%

30. Take surfing lessons in Newquay, Cornwall – 14%

31. Take a picture ‘holding up’ the Leaning Tower of Pisa – 14%

32. Eat street food in Bangkok, Thailand – 14%

33. Stroll down the Hollywood Walk of Fame – 13%

34. Tour the Lord of the Rings set in New Zealand – 13%

35. Snorkelling in Egypt – 13%

36. Visit the White House in Washington DC – 13%

37. Learn to surf in Hawaii – 12%

38. Watch ‘Old Faithful’ blow in Yellowstone National Park, USA – 12%

39. Take a gondola ride in Venice – 11%

40. Visit the Taj Mahal in India – 11%

Boundless membership is available to all civil service and public sector workers, working or retired. This includes teachers, civil servants, local-government workers and members of the armed forces, fire service, NHS, police and more.

For more information, please visit: www.boundless.co.uk.

*This research of 2,000 parents was commissioned by Boundless and conducted by Perspectus Global in May 2025.

Financial expert Mrs Mummypenny, aka Lynn Beattie, shares her top tips to help you save on summer holidays in the UK and abroad:

1. Set a challenge for a week of fun free activities - if you’re going on a staycation, there are so many free places to visit in the UK for summer fun. Check out local parks, woodlands, lakes and rivers for a beautiful day out in nature. Take along a homemade picnic, some ball games and a book and you’re set for the day. 

Why not take part in the Big Butterfly count between the 18th of July and 10th of August and record how many butterflies you can see and support conservation work. A day at the beach is my idea of heaven and can be enjoyed for free if you take a picnic for the family. Also, don’t forget to check out local museums and galleries as many will be free to enter. Get the children involved and ask them to research free activities for a day out too. 

2. Save money on holiday extras - the best time to buy your travel insurance is when you book your holiday as it will ensure you’re protected if you have to change your plans. You may find a cheaper quote for year-round cover than for a one-trip policy, especially if you’re going on a longer holiday, travelling long-haul, or you’re an older traveller. If you travel more than twice a year, an annual multi-trip policy can be a good moneysaving option.  Consider getting public transport to the airport, rather than driving and parking. We will save £150 this year by getting the train to Gatwick, rather than paying for two weeks of airport parking. Order your foreign currency a few weeks in advance of the holiday, Money Saving Expert has a great comparison tool to ensure you get the best foreign exchange rates. Never get your currency from the airport, it is the most expensive option. 

3. Check the holiday discounts available through membership clubs - if you're working in or retired from the public sector, you could save up to 35% off travel with Boundless membership. Whether you plan to stay in the UK or travel abroad, as a Boundless member, you can benefit from holiday discounts from companies like Hotels.com, Brittany Ferries, Holiday Extras, Barrhead Travel, Eurocamp and many more. 

4.Book your holiday using a third-party travel agent - third-party travel agents can provide helpful holiday booking advice holiday and can often offer extra discounts if you book your holiday through them rather than directly with a tour operator.  I saved an extra £400 on my family summer holiday this year by booking via the travel agency Travel Club Elite, rather than booking directly.  Travel agents often include an all-inclusive price too, including luggage allowances and transfers to the hotel from the airport. These kinds of extra costs can catch you out, so it is nice having them tied up in a package – as long as it works for you. 

5. Saving money abroad - to save on spending on drinks at the hotel bar during overseas holidays, it is worth stocking up on duty-free spirits; each adult can purchase two x 1 litre bottles of spirits.  Buying snacks from the local supermarket is a budget-friendly way to keep the children topped up with food during the day. Make the most of the breakfast buffet and taking food for lunchtime can also save on eating out.  

One more important thing to remember when paying for things in a foreign country is to always pay in the local currency, as you will pay an extra fee if you opt to pay in pounds. 

For more information, please contact 
Rose Lock or Flo Powell
Midnight Communications Press Centre – Brief Template
T: 01273 666 200
E: boundless@midnight.co.uk

Notes to editors

About Boundless
Boundless is a membership club for civil service and public sector workers who are looking for inspiration on getting the most out of their free time. With a heritage and expertise dating back more than 100 years, Boundless offers its 160,000 members deals on hundreds of unique experiences, events, volunteer activities and things to do. It’s also mutual, so all profits go straight back into the club to benefit members. www.boundless.co.uk

About Mrs Mummypenny
Lynn Beattie, otherwise known as Mrs Mummypenny, is a single mum to three boys (aged 16, 14 and 11) and one cat, living in Hertfordshire. Lynn has been a personal finance expert for 10 years and regularly writes for newspapers and magazines, as well as appearing on BBC TV/radio, Channel 5, and Sky News regularly. https://www.mrsmummypenny.co.uk/