Time that you spend together with loved ones is important, but it’s not always easy to find the best countries and destinations that offer easy access to childcare and all-round fun things to do with kids. We’ve been on various types of family holidays with our two boys including villa holidays in the Mediterranean (still our boys favourite holiday – all they want is a swimming pool and they’re happy!), skiing in the Alps and Canada and most recently a 3 week motorhome family adventure in New Zealand. If you’re keen to look at some great family holidays, here are some suggestions that will make planning your trip that little bit easier.
Tenerife
With no time difference, a short flight, warm temperatures, numerous fun activities for kids and plenty of beaches to relax on, Tenerife is one of the most child-friendly destinations. Visit Siam Park, where adults and big kids can ride the Tower of Power, featuring a vertical plunge of 28 metres, while little ones can wade in the shallow pools of the Lost City. The whole family can also enjoy a Submarine Safari day trip and explore the natural wildlife of the Atlantic Ocean. For a calmer pace, head to the botanical gardens at Puerto De La Cruz, where kids can enjoy a picnic in the grounds, spend time absorbing the natural sights and have fun spotting the odd reptile. Of course, Tenerife also offers a plethora of all-inclusive resorts filled with fun activities for families, as well as a host of clean beaches with showers, toilets and lifeguard services.
Italy
Family is very important in Italian culture, with many Italians doing whatever they can to make children feel welcome. A main draw when it comes to family holidays in Italy is the food. Most children love pizza, pasta and ice cream, so the entire family can enjoy getting stuck into all three – Italy’s amazing gelato the highlight! Another key positive is the short flight time from many European airports, so you don’t have to worry about young ones getting fidgety on the plane. As well as amazing beaches, Italy has lots of amazing historical sites such as Pompeii and the Colosseum in Rome, turning your trip into a fascinating history lesson for all ages.
Orlando, Florida
Orlando in Florida boasts beautiful beaches, gardens, theme parks, attractions and museums, Orlando really is a top family holiday destination for many reasons.
Take your pick from a long list of theme parks that will keep the kids entertained all day, including Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Universal Studios, Animal Kingdom and Volcano Bay water park. For curious minds, there’s also the science museums of WonderWorks and the Orlando Science Centre. If you want to get more in touch with nature, spend a day at Leu botanical gardens.
Dubai
Dubai boasts excellent kids’ clubs, child-friendly menus and gorgeous beaches, making for a memorable and fun family holiday. Dubai’s beaches are wonderfully clean, with warm water lapping in from the Arabian Gulf. Jumeirah Beach and Al Mamzar Beach are among the most popular sandy stretches, and many beaches are either free or take a very small fee to use for the day. Other popular theme parks include Dubai Aquarium, Sega Republic and KidZania Dubai, where children can play being grown-ups for a day. One of the most popular attractions is Ski Dubai – an indoor winter wonderland where children can interact with penguins, ski, toboggan or simply play in the snow.
Germany
Germany is often overlooked as a child-friendly holiday destination, but it has family fun in abundance. Many attractions, museums and monuments offer family passes in which children under five go free. Many restaurants welcome children, too, even those considered more high-end. There’s plenty of green space to explore, with many parks offering bicycle hire, nature walks and animal safaris. Better still – many of these parks and forests are easily accessible by public transport, which also offers deals on family tickets and those travelling with young children. There’s also a variety of museums, including Cologne’s Chocolate Museum, Berlin’s Museum of Natural History, and Nuremberg’s Toy Museum.
Whether you’d rather have a sunny beach break in Spain or Dubai or would prefer delving into the rich history of Germany or Italy, these destinations tick every box when it comes to fun-filled family holidays with children.
