15 FAMILY HOLIDAY IDEAS

15 FAMILY HOLIDAY IDEAS

Having a well-deserved family holiday is sometimes all you need, providing some much-needed relaxation and valuable family time. So, where should you venture to next?

To help you choose the right family holiday for you, we’ve put together 15 top destination suggestions that offer something for everyone – from toddlers to teens and parents to grandparents.

MAJORCA

This Balearic Island has been a hit with families for many years and is still going strong to this very day, boasting short flights, family hotels and attractions and incredible beaches. Majorca is a really special island, affording families a warm welcome.

Make the most of the crystal clear waters around the island, taking part in a range of different excursions by boat where you can explore, caves, coves, cliffs and other places you can only view from the sea. If you’re an adventurous family you can go kayaking or dolphin watching. Experience the variety of theme parks Majorca has to offer too. The Palma Aquarium is home to the biggest shark aquarium in all of Europe; Katmandu Park is where you can experience 4D movies and play mini golf in the jungle themed course, and Hidropark covers 40,000 square metres of water rides and attractions.

Holidays to Majorca.

CYPRUS

Cyprus is equipped with big beach resorts and water parks as well as ancient ports and traditional harbour towns, allowing you to experience both sides of this delightful country.

The resort of Larnaca is a huge family favourite because of its golden sandy beaches, waterparks and traditional restaurants or try Paphos where you can experience the real Cyprus with all its colourful mosaics, temples and rich history. Almost every museum here offers educational activities for the kids such as the Archaeological Museum in Nicosia or the Theatrical Museum in Limassol which will offer you a unique insight to the world of theatre, equipped with costumes, wigs and theatrical programmes. There are many different parks with facilities designed for children such as Luna Parks in Ayia Napa and Paphos, featuring amazing lights and variety of fun games, toys dolls and balloons. The list of things to do here is endless with cinemas, theatres and bowling.

Holidays to Cyprus.

WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT, ORLANDO

This is a place that barely needs any explanation for its inclusion on this list. Known as the ‘happiest place on earth’ for a family holiday it caters for children of all ages – and adults, come to that – with so many activities to take part in.

The resort is made up of four theme parks: Epcot, Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios as well as two water parks: Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney Typhoon Lagoon. There endless things to do, whether that’s interactive rides, animal encounters, dining or shopping – you name it, the Walt Disney World Resort has it. You’ll make memories to last a lifetime and after the fun-filled day in the parks, you can enjoy the spectacular fire show.

Holidays to Orlando.

SPAIN

With millions of tourists choosing Spain for their annual holiday, it’s no surprise it’s a family favourite. Packed with attractions, superb beaches to enjoy and great places to eat – Spain ticks plenty of boxes and the kids will absolutely love it here too.

With white sands, a lively atmosphere and plenty of activities, you’ll never be bored in Spain. Take a visit to the Aquapolis water park and the PortAventura theme park, which is home to Europe’s tallest roller coaster as well as many attractions for the younger ones. For those who love football, you’ll know that Spain is a nation obsessed with football, so if you’re in or near Madrid for a city break, take a tour around the Bernabeu stadium, the home of Real Madrid. Alternatively, the Costa Brava region isn’t too far away from the Catalan city of Barcelona, home of FC Barcelona and its mighty Camp Nou stadium.

Holidays to Spain.

MEXICO

Combine a tropical climate with white sandy beaches and out of this world activity – a real mixture of relaxation and adventure. Mexico is a lot more than tacos and tequila, it’s a hugely progressive country mixed with history old and new as well as being packed full of fun for the whole family.

Have an exciting day out to one of the many adventure parks, jungle trails and the Mayan ruins full of kids’ clubs. The Xel Ha is a must – a natural aquarium and waterpark set in Mexico’s jungle scenery, it includes zip lines, concrete and lazy rivers to keep you busy and entertained. In the evening take the Xoximilco tour, a colourful boat trip that takes you through different canals while being entertained by a traditional Mexican mariachi band. Don’t forget while here to eat churros – delicious pieces of bread covered in sugar and cinnamon.

Holidays to Mexico.

CROATIA

There are so many exciting family adventures when on holiday in here. Whether you want to go sailing or climbing, rafting or cycling, Croatia has the options for you. Boasting hundreds of waterfalls and a great many islands set among the gorgeous blue sea and emerald green mountain rivers.

Croatia is the perfect destination for those looking for an outdoor holiday, with eight national parks, mountains, canyons and rivers there’s an activity to suit all you adrenaline lovers. Strap on your boots and go hiking, or go swimming or paddling through river rapids, sea kayaking or floating underneath a beautiful waterfall. If all of this sounds like the place for you and your family, book your holiday Croatia.

Holidays to Croatia.

TENERIFE

Although we’ve already mentioned Spain, the ever-popular member of the Canary Islands, Tenerife, needs its own section for being a location that serves families perfectly. Tenerife is bound to have something that suits you.

The locals here love children and will go out of their way to ensure that you as a family are well looked after. With stunning sandy beaches, great landscapes and a variety of child friendly activities such as Siam Park and Parque Zoo it’s just waiting to be discovered by you.

Holidays to Tenerife.

MOROCCO

Morocco is a trip that can feel far away from home even though it’s actually just a short flight away. There’s plenty here to capture a child’s imagination, from the Souks of Marrakech, to nights huddled around campfires and camel rides – it’s a holiday you won’t forget.

For a real taste of how the locals live here, you should stay in the mountain villages with the Berber people, enjoying freshly home cooked dinners and even taking part yourself. Djemaa el Fana comes alive in the night with snake charmers, acrobats and jugglers – a surreal, exciting and unforgettable experience all at once. The key to a successful holiday here is to take your time, relax and get involved but don’t try to cram everything in. Morocco makes for a great alternative family holiday destination.

Holidays to Morocco.

ITALY

Italy has so much to offer families, with bustling cities and laidback seaside towns that are perfect for a summer break. Famed for their love of food, fashion and art history, you can spend time enjoying local cuisine, boutique shopping and sightseeing.

Soak up the arts and culture in Rome, full of historic sites and attractions such as the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums. In the Tuscany region, home to Florence and Pisa, you can enjoy a quieter pace with rolling hills, vineyards and Blue Flag beaches. Dramatic landscapes can be found in the lakes – including Como and Garda. The island of Sardinia is another family favourite, with shallow crystal-clear waters and sandy coves.

Holidays to Italy.

PORTUGAL

This is a great destination for the whole family thanks to its great climate and Atlantic coastlines, with holiday hotspots such as the Algarve that has an array of resort hotels providing outstanding facilities for families.

Zoomarine is a place not to be missed if you have young children. Being one of Portugal’s biggest lures for both kids and adults it’s an enjoyable way to spend your day. Situated in Guia, there is so much to keep everyone happy here whether it’s splashing around in the wave pool or riding a mini roller coaster – there’s something to keep the whole family entertained.

Holidays to Portugal.

FUERTEVENTURA

With some of the best beaches in the Canary Islands, Fuerteventura is a tough one to beat when it comes to family holidays. The whole island was created by an undersea volcano, but that’s just one of the many things to excite your little ones.

Located between the coast and Janadia National Park, Costa Calma  is a great place to explore. With snorkelling and diving tours to try out, you can get close up with parrot fish and rays or a 4×4 driving tour of Fuerteventura’s most central mountains. Relax on the beach and let the kids make friends in one of the very many kids clubs on offer or take a day trip and enjoy all its natural wonders – all holidays here are family-friendly.

Holidays to Fuerteventura.

NEW YORK CITY

A fantastic venture for teenagers and younger kids too with something going on all the time. New York is a city that’s highly committed to creating fun as well as education and engaging all generations. This means you can find cheap, if not free, events designed for kids all over the city such as reduced museum and gallery entries.

With grand movie theatres, ferry rides, the Statue of Liberty and the subway being an adventure in itself, every activity here will wow young imaginations. Bronx Zoo will entertain the whole family for the entire day and has many hands on experiences. Kids, of course, love all things sweet, so check out the array of eateries and stores with towers of colourful confections and hot fudge sundaes – Dylan’s Candy Bar is not to be missed.

Holidays to New York City.

HURGHADA, EGYPT

Providing you with bags of excitement and offering excellent choice for a family friendly holiday, Hurghada is a resort ideal for walking around with an abundance of sandy beaches, shopping and dining experiences. Although this small fishing village is now worlds away from its origins, it still manages to maintain its unique charm.

Being a hugely popular beach destination, this sunny city is full of things for you to do as a family. Being hot in the summer and nice and warm in the winter this is an all year round holiday location as it is situated between the red sea and the desert. A boat trip is an absolute must for a visit to Giftun Island with white sands and pure blue waters. Be sure check out Makadi Water World to, a waterpark with slides grouped in zones according to difficulty levels and designated areas for toddlers and younger children.

Holidays to Hurghada.

BENIDORM

Benidorm is known for its lively nightlife but what perhaps isn’t highlighted so much is that it’s the perfect family holiday destination – with numerous amounts of things to do with children, great family entertainment and stunning beaches.

Mundomar Park is a great place to visit. You can explore unusual marine creatures and get close with ocean animals such as seals and dolphins. Terra Natura is the ideal place for families who love nature with 1,500 animals from monkeys, elephants, birds of prey and sharks. There are so many beaches for you to choose from, so you can spend your days building sand castles, or hire a jet ski or swim around in the sea. So if you were under the impression there isn’t much for families in Benidorm, think again!

Holidays to Benidorm.

CRETE

Crete is just the ticket for travelling with little ones. It’s packed full of water parks, history filled towns, beach resorts and boat trips. As the biggest island in Greece there’s so much to see and do whether it’s fun filled or educational.

If you prefer a quieter stay, tiny towns and villages such as Myrtos will offer you an escape from the hustle and bustle of tourism life and allow you to spend some quality family time together. A great way to explore Crete would be on a family bike ride; it gets you all outdoors and offers you a new perspective on this beautiful island.

Holidays to Crete.