Family holiday ideas for summer 2010

Looking for family holiday ideas? Our editors - The Sunday Times travel writers, Mark Hodson and David Wickers - have picked some of the best family holidays for summer 2010.

You’ll find dozen of holiday ideas for kids on this page. Or to see our suggestions in full, go to our homepage for 101 holiday ideas and select “family” from the list of “experiences”. All the holiday companies featured here are personally recommended by Mark and David.

UK family holiday ideas

1. Take a cottage holiday in Devon and explore some of the UK’s most beautiful coastline. It’s great value and the beaches are ideal for children of all ages.

2. Rent a cruiser and go boating on the Norfolk Broads. The children will love the adventure of being on the water, while you all enjoy the freedom to explore one of the UK’s most charming backwaters. Check out the special offers.

3. You may have been to the Isle of Wight many years ago, perhaps on a school trip. If so, you’ll be pleased to know that it hasn’t changed a lot, and is still one of the best family holidays in the UK.

4. Rent a cottage in Cornwall to explore surf beaches, rock pools and family-friendly attractions, whether you opt for a stylish seafront apartment or a rustic fishermen’s cottage. There are some great special offers.

5. Hop across to the Scilly Isles where you’ll find awesome beaches, unspoilt countryside and an abundance of marine life. Some of the hotels we recommend are ideal for a family with young children.

6. The Cotswolds are not just postcard-pretty. This is a great part of the country to explore as a family, and you’ll find a superb choice of historic cottages to rent, and late deals.

Best family beach holidays

1. The Atlantic Coast of France is frequently overlooked, but it has miles of spectacular beaches complete with sand dunes and crashing surf. We recommend family-friendly self-catering.

2. Croatia has one of Europe’s most beautiful coastlines with great opportunities for boat trips to idyllic islands. Choose from a handpicked selection of hotels, guesthouses, villas and apartments and check out the latest special offers.

3. Head to the Baltic and discover one of Europe’s secret gems. If you’re looking for gorgeous beaches on a budget, we reckon that Lithuania’s Curonian Spit is just about perfect.

4. For value, it’s hard to beat a holiday parc in Brittany. You’ll find everything on site to entertain children of all ages and you can pick up some great special offers. If you want a bit of luxury with gourmet meals laid on, consider a hotel in Normandy.

5. We rate Corsica as one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean, yet few Brits know it well. The beaches are superb and ideal for young children.

6. Sardinia is a great family holiday destination. The island boasts some of the finest, unspoilt beaches in Europe, plus it has great child-friendly hotels, gorgeous villas and low-cost flights. Check out the latest special offers.

7. Off the French Atlantic coast, the Ile de Re is a superb place to take kids: rent bikes or take your own and you can explore the island’s beaches, markets and pine forests on endless cycle paths. Again, self-catering is the way to go.

Best family activity holidays

1. Head to a Mediterranean beach club to try out a variety of watersports. This holiday - with childcare provided - works well for kids of all ages, from babies to teens.

2. If you’re happy on two wheels, you can enjoy a family cycling tour, gently meandering from town to town while your luggage is transported between hotels. See here for prices.

3. The Canal du Midi is a perfect spot to take a boating holiday with children. It’s a slow, relaxing chug through some of the most charming countryside of the South of France. No experience is required.

4. Sailing in Greece is a great way to explore the Med. Again, you don’t need any previous experience and it’s ideal for teenagers, as well as younger children.

5. Get away from it all by renting a boat and sailing Croatia’s coast. There’s a choice of luxury motor boats, yachts and traditional gulets.

6. You can introduce your children to skiing - and the beauty of the mountains in winter - from about the age of four. You’ll get a good deal if you choose the right resort, and find a special discount.

7. Enjoy summer in the French Alps. Drink in the fresh mountain air and work up an appetite with summer skiing on the glacier, mountain biking, white-water rafting, hiking and countless other outdoor pursuits.

8. Try a family cruise - there’s somewhere new and exciting to see each day and, if you pick the right ship, loads of activities to keep the children busy when you’re back at sea.

Best family villa holidays

1. There’s a lot more to Mallorca than tacky overcrowded resorts. Get out into the countryside and you’ll find some superb villas to rent, ideal for families who want some privacy.

2. On the south-west tip of Spain, the Costa de la Luz is an unspoilt strip of white sand beaches, pine forests and fishing villages. This is another area where we recommend renting a villa.

3. We’re huge fans of Crete, one of the most diverse and beautiful Greek islands. Get away from the busy resorts and rent a family villa.

4. Ibiza is not all about teenage clubbers on benders. The countryside is delightful and there are many undiscovered coves to explore. We recommend renting a luxury villa away from the main resorts.

5. The Costa Brava has a poor reputation, but there are superb parts. Let’s call it Catalonia. Rent a villa and explore the delightfully rugged coastline.

6. Experience the rustic beauty of the Italian countryside by renting a villa in Umbria or the lesser-known region of Le Marche. You can also rent good-value apartments on the stunning Amalfi Coast.

7. France has some outstanding historic villas to rent, some of which are seriously grand. Perfect if you and another family want to share the cost.

Best family hotels in the Med

1. Turkey is set to be one of this year’s most popular family destinations, not least because it’s outside the Eurozone. In our view, the Aegean Coast ranks among the most beautiful spots in southern Europe. Escape the hoards in the bigger resorts and check out some of the area’s family-friendly boutique hotels.

2. Also outside the Eurozone, North Cyprus offers tremendous value for families, and lots of local character. We recommend a couple of excellent hotels that cater well to British families. Check out the latest deals.

3. Two of the best family hotels in the Med are Forte Village Resort in Sardinia, and Sani Beach Resort in mainland Greece. Forte Village has a 5-star tennis school, a Chelsea Football Academy, a go-karting track and mini club. Sani has a tennis club, cinema, private beaches and endless facilities for youngsters.

4. Skiathos and Skopelos are two of our favourite Greek islands. Skiathos is busier, Skopelos quieter. A great introduction to island hopping for youngsters.

5. Puglia in the south of Italy is one of the most under-rated regions of the Med. We recommend you stay in a luxury trullo with pool, or a magnificent five-star masseria.

Family adventure holidays

1. Costa Rica is ideal for adventurous families - it’s rich in wildlife and natural beauty, safe and welcoming. Try a family wildlife adventure.

2. Play cowboys on a dude ranch holiday in America where you visit a rodeo, try whitewater rafting, fishing, skeet shooting, line dancing, cattle driving and camping out in the wilderness. Check out the latest special offers.

3. Take a family safari in Kenya where you can stay in a lodge in the Masai Mara and at Treetops, a “tree hotel” on the slopes of Mount Kenya. At the top end of the market, try a luxury safari in Botswana.

4. A self-drive holiday in New Zealand is a perfect way for children to discover one of the world’s most breathtaking destinations. A 16-day itinerary takes in the best of both North and South islands.

5. South Africa is one of the must-see destinations of 2010. It’s great value right now, and a 14-night self-drive holiday can take in Cape Town, the Garden Route, a night beside Addo Elephant Park, and two nights inside a “Big Five” game reserve.

6. Head to Tunisia where you can take a 4WD adventure to discover the film set of Star Wars, along with Berber villages, desert oases, salt lakes and sand dunes.

More long haul family holidays

1. The Caribbean is ideal for families. We particularly recommend Tobago and St Lucia and - if have a generous budget - Sandy Lane in Barbados.

2. In Bali the resorts of Sanur and Nusa Dua are ideal for families, with safe swimming all year round, lively bars and restaurants and an excellent range of 3- and 4-star hotels. Bali can easily be combined with a trip to Bangkok, Singapore or Hong Kong.

3. In Dubai, Atlantis The Palm has a plethora of treats for kids including its own high-adrenalin water park. It’s pricey but we’ve found some great special offers.

4. The Maldives are not just for honeymooners. Kids are well catered for at One&Only Reethi Rah which has its own KidsOnly club. Check out the special offers.

5. Mauritius is a great beach destination with superb luxury hotels and no jet lag, which makes it ideal for young children. The Dinarobin Hotel Golf & Spa has a free Bob Marlin Children’s Club for ages 3 - 12.

6. And, of course, there is Walt Disney World in Orlando. We recommend staying in a rental home with private pool.