Darwin Over Disney: Lindblad Expeditions Transforms The Galápagos Islands Into A Kid-Friendly Destination

Forbes Lifestyle Travel Lindblad Expeditions Transforms The Galápagos Islands Into A Kid-Friendly Destination Jordi Lippe-McGraw Contributor Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Sharing inspiring and practical stories from around the world. Following May 30, 2023, 03:38pm EDT | Press play to listen to this article! Got it! Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Kids will love interacting with the wild animals.

Lindblad For many families planning a vacation, theme parks typically come to mind. However, Lindblad Expeditions is working to shift that paradigm, encouraging families to choose something more adventerour by exploring the unique wonders of the Galápagos Islands aboard the new National Geographic Islander II. The Galápagos Islands, often associated with the ground-breaking work of Charles Darwin, aren’t typically seen as a kid-friendly destination.

These remote, pristine islands might seem more suited to scientific research and adult adventure rather than family exploration. However, Lindblad Expeditions, with over 50 years of pioneering expeditions in the Galápagos, is challenging this perception. They’ve transformed Galápago’s exploration into an engaging, educational, and entirely suitable adventure for young explorers.

At a ceremony in the awe-inspiring Black Turtle Cove on Santa Cruz Island, Angela Flaim, wife of the late Lindblad leader Juan Flaim, christened the National Geographic Islander II. This next-generation all-suite vessel, built for both profound discovery and supreme comfort, brings a new dimension to the family-oriented expedition. With a guest capacity of only 48 passengers, it ensures an intimate and immersive experience for all ages.

One of the ship’s key features is the innovative onboard Science Hub. This space brings the scientific process alive, enabling children to observe and even participate in ongoing research activities. From underway oceanographic censoring to interactive video displays, the Science Hub provides a hands-on experience that brings scientific exploration to life for young minds.

In collaboration with National Geographic Education, Lindblad Expeditions has curated a program to help children and teenagers derive maximum enjoyment and learning from their Galápagos adventure. From earning a Zodiac “driver’s license” to recording wildlife sightings in a Field Notebook, these activities are designed to encourage curiosity and active participation in exploring these unique islands. MORE FOR YOU There’s Something Fishy About ‘The Little Mermaid’ Audience Review Scores — Update — The Critics Must Be Crazy Here Is The Leaked Allegedly Final MCU Fantastic Four Cast It s A Big Deal Crypto Suddenly Braced For A Huge China Earthquake After Bitcoin Ethereum BNB XRP Cardano Dogecoin Polygon And Solana Price Swings Children are guided by naturalists specially trained as National Geographic field educators.

These expert guides prompt kids to watch out for particular aspects of the island’s flora and fauna, enhancing their observational skills and knowledge of the natural world. The program also includes snorkeling with sea lions and kayaking with penguins, introducing young explorers to the islands’ unique biodiversity in a fun and engaging way. Encouraging children to document their experiences through photos, videos, music, and drawing cultivates their storytelling skills and provides a keepsake of their adventure.

In addition, this approach helps foster a deeper connection with nature and builds their confidence to explore and understand the world around them. “Expedition has often been thought of as a category reserved for those who could afford it – both from a time and monetary perspective – but over the last decade we’ve made a concerted effort to attract new audiences, moving towards a younger demographic, said Noah Brodsky, CCO of Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic. “We believe that discovery is a lifelong pursuit and Lindblad Expeditions is making it easy for children and young adults to join their parents in experiencing some of the world’s truly remote places, like Galapagos.

” Brodsky added, With the new incentive for travelers under the age of 22 to sail free, paired with the recognized National Geographic Global Explorers youth program, we’re making it better than ever for families to explore these wondrous and remarkable destinations. ” Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn . Check out my website or some of my other work here .

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