Guide to Plan the Perfect Family Holidays
Family holidays look different to everyone. Some are on the beach, others chase outdoor adventure, and there is a growing number keen for an eco-friendly getaway. Whatever brings your loved ones together, these family holiday destinations will be sure to inspire, entertain and strengthen your bonds
Outdoor and adventure family holiday destinations
Nothing entertains, engages and challenges kids’ minds and bodies like an adventure holiday and a sense of adventure. These family holiday destinations are for those hooked on adventures in nature.
Slideshow: Brecon Beacons National Park Wales, Sedona, Arizona / Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales
Climbing rock walls, leaping from boulder to boulder and swinging across river rapids is all par for the course on a canyoning trip. The Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales is one of the best places in the UK to try canyoning, thanks to its landscape of deep gorges, waterfalls and rivers – perfect for families with teenage children.
Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
A small town nestled in the world’s largest Ponderosa Pine forest, Flagstaff is an all-year playground for families thirsting for the great outdoors and adventure and close to Sedona. Natural treasures include mountains, lakes, canyons, deserts, parks, forests, cliff dwellings, caves, a gigantic meteor crater and an ancient volcano that can be explored on foot or by bike. Stargaze at Lowell Observatory or get your thrill on at Flagstaff Extreme. In this outdoor adventure course, you and the fam can hang on nets, climb rope swings and scramble up trees. Come winter, hit the slopes on skis or a snowboard.
The Causeway Coast, Northern Ireland
The Causeway Coast covers most of the northern part of Northern Ireland, and is famous for its rugged beauty and designated areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Take older kids on the 23-mile cycle route that extends from Castlerock to the Giant’s Causeway, taking in a long stretch of Northern Ireland’s Atlantic coast. Well signposted and mostly traffic-free, it’s a relaxing way to have a UK adventure via beach towns like Portrush and the majestic ruins of Dunluce Castle.
Foodie family holiday destinations
Early days of the pandemic limited our culinary experiences to our kitchens, local take-out, and binge-watching cooking shows. Now, we have many more opportunities to experience new cultures and cuisines. When you’re ready for your next holiday, add these foodie destinations to your list.
Slideshow: New York, New York / London, UK / Paris, France
New York City, USA
Explore New York City’s many neighbourhoods in the five boroughs, each with its own identity, culture and cuisine. Go to Brighton Beach’s Café Kashkar to taste exquisite Uzbeki-Uyghur lamb dumplings. Or try Senegalese cuisine at Harlem’s Africa Kine. Eat your way around the world at one of the regionally focused marketplaces, like Eataly. Taste outlandishly delicious concoctions, such as kombucha popsicles, at Smogarsburg and a host of other cool food halls and markets, including Industry City, Essex Street Market and Hudson Eats.
London, England
It’s said that London has a restaurant for every country in the world, and there’s no better place in the UK – and perhaps even in Europe – to sample the world’s cuisines.
It’s pretty much obligatory to start your foodie London weekend with a curry on Brick Lane, which is the heart of the city’s Bangladeshi community. But not all restaurants here are created equal – sidestep the hawkers and set your sights on City Spice, which consistently wins awards for its creamy makhanis and fish thali platters. Stay in east London for some of the city’s best vegan eateries – Hackney’s Mao Chow serves up the best vegan dan dan noodles ever made (in our humble opinion) – before trying the plant-based tacos at Soho’s Club Mexicana.
Paris, France
France likes to think of itself as the birthplace of fine dining, and it’s hard to disagree on a foodie pilgrimage here. There are a whopping 44,000 restaurants in the French capital, and eating well doesn’t have to be expensive: areas like the tourist-centric Latin Quarter and Montmartre are packed with reasonably priced, set menu restaurants where you can tuck into a rich, French onion soup adorned with a heavy, cheesy crouton, usually followed by steak frites and a crème brûlée.
While those restaurants make good pit stops on a museum-packed day, you should carve out some time to experience the foodie heights that this city has to offer. Taste creative plates with wine pairings at Septime or woodfired pizza at Da Graziella – and then there’s always the classic brasserie experience to be had at Chartier.
All-inclusive family holiday destination
An all-inclusive family holiday means total relaxation, fun for everyone and no need to think of ways to entertain the kids or cook meals. It’s also a chance to escape from those everyday things that keep us away from our families.
Slideshow: Marbella / Colorado / Mauritius
Club Med Magna Marbella, Spain
Club Med has been a safe bet for family holidays since it all began in 1950. One of the holiday company’s Spanish offerings is in sunny Marbella, set in 12 acres of terraced gardens. The kids’ club looks after children aged 4-17, and included on-site sports like paddle Tennis, flying trapeze and archery keep all entertained. And that’s not to mention the nightly entertainment to go with your all-inclusive dinners.
Nearby, there’s a water park, but families can make use of the beach club lagoon pool – although there’s always the adults-only Zen Zone for when things get too hectic.
Dunton Hot Springs, Colorado
This is a stunning all-inclusive ranch, surrounded by the San Juan Mountains and natural hot spring pools that are perfect after a long day of horseback riding, biking, hiking, fly fishing, skiing and snowshoeing. Stay in one of the restored hand-hewn log cabins or a teepee. Eat a delicious meal prepared with locally grown organic ingredients at the Saloon. The old mining ghost town is full of surprises such as nightly bonfires, lawn games, a boxing gym, climbing wall, screening rooms and complimentary laundry service.
Sugar Beach, Mauritius
If you’re looking to take your family on a once-in-a-lifetime blowout, look no further than the paradise island of Mauritius. With its tropical, jungled interior and forested mountains, all framed by sugar-soft, white sand beaches – not to mention its temperate and perfect climate year-round – Mauritius is unparalleled when it comes to getting away from it all. And you can’t go wrong taking your family to Sugar Beach resort in Flic-en-Flac, which has just benefited from a £10 million renovation.
The pool area has been designed with families in mind, from the walk-in beach edge pool to the kids’ zone. A kids’ club, karate classes and tennis keep everybody busy, and there’s a beautiful spa for the occasional grown-up escape (read: massage).
Green family holiday destinations
Is sustainability, reducing your carbon footprint and thinking of ways to go greener part of your family’s values? In that case, these family holiday destinations will inspire you in new ways.
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Slideshow: Costa Rica / Slovenia
Costa Rica
Every time you Google this Central American country, it seems to have broken new sustainability records. Costa Rica runs on 99% renewable energy and has plans in place to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Much of the country is covered in lush jungle, with 25% of the country being designated protected rainforest. Lucky eco-tourists can head to the national parks to spot jaguars, monkeys and bats, or the coast to see dolphins and hatchling turtles.
Stay at Finca Luna Nueva Lodge, where sustainable bungalows are dotted throughout the rainforests and guests can learn about local conservation efforts. Or, opt for eco-friendly luxury at Dantica Cloud Forest Lodge, where you can look out for local wildlife from the comfort of your own Jacuzzi.
Slovenia
If you want to immerse your family in nature, Slovenia is one of Europe’s most unspoilt and stunning destinations. It really is as pure as it looks on the postcards: all mirror-clear lakes, snow-capped peaks, emerald-green farmlands and chocolate-box hamlets. Take your kids camping, hiking, cycling and wild swimming across this Central European Eden, which is covered in 60% forest. The brand-new 290km Juliana Loop Biking trail in the Julian Alps is a great starting point if your family is active enough for the challenge.
Afterwards, book rooms at Hotel Bohinj, a luxury eco-hotel on the edge of Triglav National Park. As one of the most energy-efficient accommodations in Europe, it’s got a wellness centre you’ll be desperate to ditch the kids for, as well as contemporary, seasonal cuisine.
