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This Jan. 20, 2017, photo shows the Monument to the Discoveries on the Lisbon waterfront in Portugal. The stone ship memorializes the Age of Exploration, beginning in the 15th century, when Portuguese seafarers sailed the globe, establishing a colonial empire that stretched from Asia to Africa to South America.

Beth J. Harpaz, Associated Press

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People watch the cherry blossoms at the Chidorigafuchi palace moat in Tokyo on Sunday, March 30, 2025.

Shuji Kajiyama, Associated Press

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A sand sculpture carved with a message that reads in Spanish "Welcome to Vallarta" decorates the beach in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Friday, Oct. 23, 2015.

Rebecca Blackwell, Associated Press

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The strawberry Moon rises in the sky behind the fifth century B.C. Parthenon temple at the ancient Acropolis hill in Athens on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.

Petros Giannakouris, Associated Press

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In this Jan. 28, 2005, file photo, Dutch tourist Carolyn Dorsman, right, rides through the canopy of the tropical forest as her husband, Wim Dorsman, left, and Costa Rican guide Esteban Cedeno, center, look on at the Arenal Volcano near La Fortuna, Costa Rica, north of the capital of San Jose. Zip lining through the Costa Rican rainforest is an extremely popular pursuit among tourists.

Kent Gilbert, Associated Press

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I’m fortunate to have visited all seven continents, over 50 counties and all but a dozen states. The more I travel the more I discover how safe, kind and uplifting the vast majority of people are. We really agree on and value a whole lot more than 24-hour news would have you believe, human decency and goodness very much included.

But not only is the world a mostly safe place, it’s inspiring. If your family has the means, I highly recommend the investment in foreign travel. I’m often asked which places I recommend visiting. That, of course, depends on who’s asking. After all, a twenty-something, energetic youngling has very different tastes and budget than a moneyed retiree who wants to take it easy.

What do I recommend, then, to lovable Utah families that cherish affordability, safety and family-friendliness over nightlife and swanky hotels? In terms of compelling culture and natural attractions, here are some of the best international destinations for Utah families.

Lisbon, Portugal

Americans travel to Europe more than any other continent by far. It’s in our blood, and it’s a convenient way to expose ourselves to lots of different countries in a short amount of time. While I highly recommend Rome, Paris and Berlin, they’re not as affordable or as welcoming as underrated Lisbon. Here you’ll find lots of sun, charming castles, beautiful beaches, cobblestone streets and red-roofed towns that are as safe as they are dreamy. On top of that, Lisbon is highly walkable, relaxing and basically the starting point of our ancestors westward expansion.

Flight time from SLC: 14-18 hours (with connections)

Tokyo, Japan

If you really want to go foreign, it’s hard to get any more foreign, exotic and even safer than Tokyo, the world’s largest city. It’s so safe you’ll literally see unaccompanied five year olds riding public transit as late as 9 or 10 pm (really!). You probably won’t speak the language and neither will most Japanese, but they’ll go out of their way to help you or find someone who can speak English. Lastly, the Japanese adore Americans and will bend over backwards to ensure you feel welcome, are well taken care of, and get the most out of their exceptionally clean, culturally rich and child-friendly capital. Oh, and Tokyo Disney is a steal!

Flight time from SLC: 11-13 hours (with connections)

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Although Cancun is the all-inclusive capital of the world, Puerto Vallarta offers more authentic Mexican culture, food and walkable sightseeing, as I’ve reported before. Plus its home to lots of humpbacks and free entertainment along its famous Malecon boardwalk. Granted, the Hawaii-like ocean and ancient adventure opportunities near Cancun are better — think swimmable sinkholes (called “cenotes”) and Chichen Itza, a Seven Wonder of the World. But overall, I give the slight edge to endearing, more affordable, still stunning and slightly closer Vallarta.

Flight time from SLC: 4 hours (nonstop)

Athens, Greece

Not only is Greece’s capital the origin point of modern history, Athens is highly affordable, kid-friendly and drowning in delicious food. Although Rome is equally rich in culture and family-friendliness, Athens is cheaper and closer to sunny Mediterranean beaches and even friendlier locals. I smile just thinking about our recent family trip to the Acropolis, through two downtown food tours and swimming the timeless Greek coastline. I can’t imagine any Utah family not enjoying this place.

Flight time from SLC: 15-18 hours (with connections)

San Jose, Costa Rica

I had a tough time choosing between this and Thailand, as both are safe for families, rich in natural wildlife and affordable. But given that the latter is over 21 hours (with connections) from Salt Lake, I’d recommend tiny Costa Rica first for its nature-focused activities, such as ziplining, volcano tours and crazy animal sightings like poisonous dart frogs, slow-moving sloths and colorful birds which you can observe from store parking lots. Top attractions include Arenal Volcano, Monteverde Cloud Forest and the exceptional beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park.

Flight time from SLC: 7-9 hours (with connections)

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Ljubljana, Slovenia (compact charm), Budapest, Hungary (dazzling rivertown and palace), Old San Juan, Puerto Rico (Spain without a passport), and Sydney, Australia (surprisingly affordable right now).

Blake Snow contributes to fancy publications and Fortune 500 companies as a bodacious writer-for-hire and seasoned travel journalist to all seven continents. He lives in Provo with his wife, five children and one ferocious chihuahua.