London has tons to offer everyone. Spend an afternoon examining dinosaur fossils at the Natural History Museum or Egyptian mummies at the British Museum – both of which, by the way, are free of charge. If it’s a nice day outside, wander through the flowers of Kensington Gardens or plan a picnic in Hyde Garden. Of course, you’ll want to test if you’re magical or Muggle and try to see if you can access platform 9 ¾ at Kings Cross Station. From history to magic, London has plenty to keep anyone entertained, whether you’re a history teacher or an English literature professor.

Oahu, Hawaii

A beach vacation is always a good idea to relax away from your students, and Hawaii has some of the best beaches in the world. Watch the surfers ride the waves at Waikiki Beach, snorkel with tropical fish in Hanauma Bay and, if you visit in the winter, you can even jump on a whale watching tour. If you’re the kind of teacher who loves your classroom movie days, spend a day exploring Kualoa Ranch where favourites including Jurassic Park were filmed. Indulge in Dole Whip at the Dole Pineapple Plantation, cool down with rainbow shaved ice on the North Shore, and learn more about the Hawaiian culture at a Luau dinner. Oahu has adventure suited for everyone – and you’ll have plenty of cool stories to tell your students, too.

Toronto, Canada

Toronto is one of Canada’s most visited cities for a good reason; there are tons of things to do and a lot of it is available to experience during school breaks. Take in the views from the top of the CN Tower and learn more about Canada’s favourite pastime – hockey, of course! – at the Hockey Hall of Fame. Biology teacher? A visit to Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada will promise to amaze and educate your family, and you can’t forget the Toronto Zoo. Other fun vacation spots include Casa Loma, the Royal Ontario Museum, and if the weather is nice, the Toronto islands. Toronto proves that you don’t have to leave Canada to have a great getaway when you’ve got some time off.

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Ireland

Ireland has a reputation for being a drinking destination – and you might want to kick back with a pint or two to relax during school break! – but there is so much more that makes it ideal for any kind of travel. From the fairytale castles spread across the country (some of which you can even sleep in!) to the friendly sheep along the side of the road, a trip around Ireland will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. Families with children will especially love Dingle, where you can find the local dolphin named Fungie and some filming scenes from Star Wars The Last Jedi; Blarney, where you can kiss the famous Blarney Stone (no more fumbling for words during classroom lectures!); Cobh, which was the last port of the Titanic; and the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, which is steeped in folklore and legends.

Costa Rica

Another great teacher travel destination that combines beaches and adventure is Costa Rica, which has everything from ziplining through Arenal National Park to visiting the Diamante Sloth Sanctuary, which is home to not just adorable sloths but also toucans and jaguars. One of the best things about Costa Rica is that it has such a diverse landscape; you can spend a few days relaxing and playing on the beach, then lace up your boots to go hiking around a volcano. Costa Rica is a fun but safe destination that’s ideal for any teacher looking for something different and adventurous during their time off.

So teachers, where are you heading on your next vacation?

Hannah Logan is a Canadian travel writer who dreams of being just like Indiana Jones. You can follow her travels on her personal travel blog Eat Sleep Breathe Travel where she shares her travel tales and (mis)adventures around the world.