101 family holidays

• Group adventure holidays

  You’d expect the experts in walking holidays to come up with a great range of destinations to step out with the kids (and you’ll find everything here from Crete to the Peak District). But what we really like is the imaginative mix of wonderful walks and other activities such as canoeing, mountain biking, fishing and cooking – in small groups, led by expert guides.
• Five-star Puglia

  It might not have the classical clout of Rome or Florence, but Puglia offers rich pickings for culture vultures – from the Baroque splendour of Lecce to Alberobello’s fairytale streets lined with conical-roofed trulli houses. Natural highlights include unspoiled beaches, rolling hills and olive groves – best appreciated from the comfort of this stylish new resort.
• Walk with donkeys in Spain

  What a simple and brilliant idea. Take a beautiful patch of Spain, a self-guided walking trail and a succession of comfy hotels; add a donkey and you’ve got all the essentials for a relaxed family walking holiday. Your four-legged friend is always there to respond to plaintive cries of “Carry me!”, while an equally helpful person transports luggage for you.
• America by coach

  It’s a North American dream for kids: touring the best bits of the USA and Canada, linking together adventures with maximum ‘yee-ha!’ potential like gold-panning in them thar hills and rafting through canyon country. Take your pick from some superb, fully escorted itineraries in California, the Rockies, Alaska, the Wild West and Eastern USA.
• Hotels in Sardinia

  A beautiful island with a rugged, herb-scented interior and a coastline riddled with coves and sandy beaches, Sardinia is a family holiday favourite – whether you like to hike, bike or flop on a beach. Forte Village resort is one of the best known beach beauties, but the experts at Sardatur have uncovered plenty more family-friendly gems.
• Take over a large house

  Sharing a large property with family or friends is not only great fun and good value, but you get to stay somewhere truly fabulous. We recently tried it with a couple of other families and we’re now completely sold on the idea. Big Domain has an excellent choice of destinations, from the UK and Europe to Morocco, South Africa and Central America.
• Activity holidays in the Swiss Alps

  From mountain biking to rock climbing, boredom is easily banished in rosy-cheeked Flims – one of the best summer bases in the Swiss Alps for active families. For peak perfection, add a great kids’ programme and the pick of Flims’ finest family hotels. Powder Byrne have been refining the art of luxury family holidays for years. Their childcare is second to none.
• Agriturismo in Italy

  Escape to the country, Italian style. Agriturismi – rural holidays in the heart of Italy’s unspoiled countryside – are ideal for families in search of relaxation and gentle adventure. Real Holidays has some beautiful properties from Umbrian villas to farms in Puglia and Sicily. Some are close to sandy beaches, while others offer horse riding and mountain biking.
• Cayman Islands

  If you thought the Cayman Islands were just for diving enthusiasts, think again. This is family-friendly Caribbean at its most comfortable and exciting! We can’t think of another destination that offers such a fantastic range of beach-based adventures – from submarine rides to snorkelling with stingrays. Turquoise Holidays has some great family accommodation too.
• Luxury Antigua

  Carlisle Bay ticks all the boxes for a relaxing, indulgent family holiday in the Caribbean. Parents get a fabulous spa, fine dining and luxury accommodation; children get activities galore and their own kids’ clubs. Add the two-room suites, safe beach and spectacular setting on Antigua’s south coast and this might well be paradise found.
• Best of Brazil

  It’s not all jungle. Brazil has iconic cities like Rio and Salvador; there’s the watery wilderness of the Pantanal, the ground-shaking Iguacu Falls, a spectacular coastline, carnival, samba, football… one trip isn’t enough to sample all the delights of this amazing country. But this family itinerary combining the Costa Verde with the Pantanal does nicely for starters.
• Windjammer Landing

  Windjammer is a supremely family friendly resort in St Lucia. It offers flexible accommodation including multi-room villas and suites, plus a mini market, free watersports, children’s pools and a club with everything from crab racing to reggae dancing. Teenagers are also well catered for, as are adults, thanks to the spa and good choice of restaurants.
• Amazing Northern Spain

  This is one of Europe’s best-kept family holiday secrets. Northern Spain has so much to offer, whether you’re a teenager in search of activities in the Picos de Europa, a ten-year-old on the hunt for dinosaur footprints along the Asturias coast or a toddler sampling golden-sand beaches in Cantabria. Mum and dad will enjoy the beautiful countryside, historic towns and regional cuisine.
• Dog-friendly UK cottages

  We know what it’s like leaving the pooch behind when we go on holiday. Those mournful eyes and looks of recrimination – and that’s just our kids. Rural Retreats puts the woof and bounce back into UK holidays with its tail-wagging round-up of dog-friendly cottages. They could well become our second best friends…
• Corsica

  It may be the closest Mediterranean island to the UK, but Corsica remains one of the region’s wild and unspoiled gems. It’s perfect for families who want to combine seaside fun with a splash of adventure – whether it’s horse riding in the mountains or trying out a new watersport. Corsican Places has the island covered – its villas and apartments are great value for families.
• Ski on the cheap

  It’s easy to slip up when picking the perfect resort for a family skiing holiday. Will it be close enough to the slopes? Will there be enough for children to do away from the slopes? Will it be affordable? Peak Retreats smooths the way with a selection of great value villages – hand-picked for superb skiing and kids’ facilities.
• America by motorhome

  There’s no better way to roam than in a motorhome. Bedroom, kitchen, playroom and car rolled into one, they provide the ultimate in flexibility and self-sufficiency. You eat when and where you like and there’s always somewhere spectacular to spend the night. Opt for a pre-planned itinerary or simply hit the road for some free-spirited cruising in the USA and Canada.
• Disneyland Paris

  Whether you’re a Cinderella-doting five-year-old, an adrenaline-hungry teen or the grown-up kid paying for it all, Disneyland is one of those holiday experiences that all families should enjoy at least once. Stay at a Disney hotel and you’ll be able to live the magic even after the parks have closed. Take advantage of Stay & Play Free deals for under-sevens – they are great value.
• South Africa and Mauritius

  All the thrill of a Big Five safari and all the chill of a week in Mauritius – is this the ultimate family holiday combo? We’ve always felt totally confident arranging trips with Bushbaby Travel – they know what makes South Africa and the Indian Ocean such great family holiday destinations. They’ve been there and tried it out; they know what works and what doesn’t.
• Family cruises

  There was a time when cruising was considered old-fashioned – fine for granny, but anathema for parents contemplating days at sea with mutinous children. Not any more. P&O has no fewer than four family-friendly ships, each full to the gunwales with facilities and activities for parents and children. No chance of mutiny on one of these state-of-the-art beauties.
• Adventures in Vietnam

  The journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh is a classic adventure, and there’s no reason why the kids can’t come too. In fact, we think Vietnam makes a brilliant family destination, mixing activities like boat trips in Halong Bay and visits to turtle breeding centres with time out on some of South East Asia’s finest beaches.
• Join the camping craze

  If you haven’t yet been camping by the seaside with the kids, you’re missing out on one of the most simple, fun and great-value family holidays out there. Haven has a choice of 23 sites across the UK where you can pitch up with your own tent or caravan and enjoy some great onsite facilities just a short stroll from the beach.
• Luxury Crete

  Great news for Greek island lovers – the sleek and shiny Daios Cove resort on Crete now has an exclusive Scott Dunn children’s club, putting it among the most desirable luxury family boltholes in the Med. We’re weak at the knees just contemplating that infinity pool, while kids won’t waste time getting stuck into the organised activities.
• Villas in Corfu

  Quite possibly our favourite bit of any Greek island, northeast Corfu still has the wild forests and unspoilt azure coast that inspired Gerald Durrell to pen My Family and other Animals. It’s a magical corner of the Ionian, best appreciated from a villa tucked into a hillside or snug against a beach. CV Travel has the pick of the bunch.
• Camping and water parks

  Easy to reach, great value for money and packed with things to do, this has got to be one of Europe’s most appealing family holiday parks. One look at the insane tangle of waterslides at the adjacent Tiki Water Park will convince most kids, but there’s also a sandy beach and cycling paths. Throw in a daytrip to Amsterdam for a sure-fire winner.
• Cottages in Cornwall

  Classic have the kind of cottages you hate to leave. Superb locations in Cornwall, beautifully furnished, child-friendly inside and out, plus that extra little touch – a sunny terrace or a path to the beach. So far, our family has stayed at five fabulous properties from Boscastle to Sennen Cove. That just leaves 345 to try…
• Beach club in Greece

  You can learn to sail or windsurf on a chilly English reservoir or in the warm waters of the Med. No contest. Whether you and your children want to master windsurfing, acquire the skills of dinghy sailing or take the first steps at being master and commander of your own yacht, Sunsail’s sailing school at Club Vounaki in Greece has all points of the compass covered.
• Learn with an expert

  For kids the world is one great big classroom, but the best way to learn something new is on a small group trip with an expert guide. Gaze at the stars with an astrologer or learn to take beautiful pictures with the help of a professional photographer. They’ll come home brimming with new skills as well as great memories.
• Self-catering in the Vendée

  Looking for a sunny beach holiday that won’t break the bank? The Vendée region of France boasts over 200 sunshine-filled days a year, endless stretches of safe, sandy beach and an excellent range of family accommodation. It’s also an easy drive from channel ports, so the kids can be building sandcastles and getting stuck into water sports from day one.
• Go wild in the Galapagos

  You couldn’t dream up a cast of creatures with more child appeal – from marine iguanas that snort water from their nostrils to frigatebirds shaking bright red, party-balloon throat pouches – and it’s all there, right at your feet. The magic continues underwater. During a snorkel off Isabela Island, we counted 26 green turtles. The Galapagos are the ultimate wildlife-travel treat – and this cruise/hotel combo is perfect for families.
• All-inclusive Mauritius

  For blissful beach holidays, Mauritius is a no-brainer (great weather, warm seas and no jet lag), but choosing your resort is not so easy. Most boast excellent family accommodation; they’re bursting with activities and the all-inclusive options promise great value. Beachcomber has a dedicated family holiday section featuring some of the choicest properties.
• Peru

  Have your kids ever wondered what Paddington Bear’s home was like? Marmalade sandwiches are pretty thin on the ground, but what you do get is a fantastic adventure destination for families, jam-packed with condor-spotting in Colca Canyon, a train ride to Machu Picchu and a boat trip to the floating islands of Lake Titicaca.
• Villas in Mallorca

  Away from the busy resorts there’s a quieter side to Mallorca, rich in local character and blessed with stunning countryside and exquisite sandy coves. You just need to know where to look. Fortunately, Vintage Travel have been doing just that for nearly two decades, picking and choosing the island’s most idyllic family-friendly villas.
• Cycling in the Loire Valley

  Freewheeling along quiet country lanes, stopping for picnics on riverbanks, visiting fairytale chateaux – the Loire Valley is perfect for a two-wheel family adventure. We can’t think of a better place for easy pedalling through beautiful countryside. Belle France takes care of everything, from bike hire to daily luggage transfers.
• Sports academy in Spain

  Looking for sun, sand and sport? La Manga Club is just the ticket. It boasts three championship golf courses, a 28-court tennis centre and junior academies in golf, tennis, cricket, football and dance. If you’ve got a budding Beckham or a wannabee Wozniacki, this could be their ultimate holiday destination. And for mums and dads there are pools, beaches and a spa.
• The Land of Oz

  Your kids won’t get a better Christmas present than this stunning two-week holiday Down Under. Packed with goodies, including Sydney, the Sunshine Coast, Queensland rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, it wraps up four of Australia’s most exciting and spectacular family destinations. You also get to stay in some great places, including a villa on Hamilton Island.
• French camping in style

  Superb value and guaranteed fun, Siblu’s holiday villages in France are a sure-fire hit with families. Each one has an amazing pool complex, free kids’ clubs and loads of activities for tots to teens. Parents, meanwhile, will appreciate the excellent self-catering facilities and comfortable mobile home accommodation (yes, they really do have en-suite bathrooms).
• New Zealand

  We know it’s a long way to go, but don’t let jetlag stand in the way of what could well be your best family holiday ever. New Zealand’s beaches (and this wonderful collection of beach houses) more than justify the long haul – and kids will get a buzz from the fantastic adventures available, from surfing and mountain biking to tracking down Frodo.
• To Russia with kids

  Russia might not have registered on your family holiday radar, but it’s a fantastic destination for enquiring young minds. Moscow and St Petersburg will open your children’s eyes to a whole range of unique cultural experiences, from learning to paint a traditional Matryoshka doll to a backstage tour of the Mariinsky Theatre.
• Gwel an Mor

  There’s so much about Gwel an Mor that we love. The lodges are stylish, yet cosy, the restaurant serves superb local food, the clubhouse has an indoor pool and spa and the rockpools of Portreath and Gull Rock bay are a short walk away. Most of all, we love resident wildlife ranger Gary Zammit, Cornwall’s very own Dr Doolittle.
• Single parent activity holidays

  Family holidays are precious, hard-earned and over all-too quickly. Getting them right is especially important for single-parent families. The Kids and Me is a brilliantly simple concept: its themed holidays are designed to help single parents share an adventure, learn new skills and have fun with their children.
• Club Med

  Somehow you just know you’re going to have a great time at a Club Med resort. They’ve had 40 years to perfect the art of the all-inclusive family holiday. But that hasn’t stopped them from innovating. Children’s clubs in 14 resorts are now designed around local themes and the environment. On the activity front, we love the sound of the Flying Trapeze Academies!
• Beach club in Turkey

  Mark Warner is renowned for its comprehensive children’s facilities and this all-singing, all-dancing, all-inclusive resort in Turkey is no exception, offering non-stop sports action for kids – big and small. Grown-ups get free sailing and windsurfing tuition, while children aged 2 to 17 can try their hand at a variety of watersports, tennis and other activities – all under expert tuition.
• High in the mountains

  There’s something to please all ages on a summer holiday in the Alps. Book with family specialist Esprit, which has one of the best children’s programmes in the business, freeing up parents for a mountain ramble or quiet meal. With all that healthy mountain air and outdoor activities, your kids may never want to see a bucket and spade again.
• Luxury Lanzarote

  Winter sun is not the only treat on offer at Lanzarote’s Princesa Yaiza Hotel Resort. Basking in luxury, you’ll also enjoy fabulous suites (some with PlayStation and free babysitting), a choice of restaurants and pools plus a golden-sand beach right on your doorstep. Children get all-singing, all-dancing kids’ clubs, while parents can relax at the Thalasso Spa.
• Croatia

  With its turquoise shallows and emerald isles, the Dalmation Coast of Croatia is ideal for kayaking – one of our favourite holiday activities. But you don’t have to look far to find other family-friendly adventures, from scaling the walls of Dubrovnik’s Old Town and exploring Plitvice Lakes National Park to sailing in the Adriatic.
• Walking in Austria

  Altogether now: “Doe, a deer, a female deer; ray, a drop of golden sun…” Welcome to the land of the family singalong! If you’re not singing it, you’ll be humming it on one of these carefree walking holidays in the yodel-tastic Austrian Alps. Strolling the mountain paths, you’ll also discover some of Europe’s finest alpine scenery and great little family hotels.
• Perfect hotel on Cote d’Azur

  Trés posh in places, the Cote d’Azur is also star-studded with beaches, Roman ruins, and medieval hilltop towns. With its head in the Alps and toes dabbling in the Camargue, adventure is never far away. It’s a fabulous family holiday location, and this relaxed child-friendly hotel in Fréjus makes an ideal base from which to explore it all.
• Luxury Algarve

  They say location is everything – and the Sheraton Algarve sits pretty above one of the coastline’s best stretches of golden-sand beach. But it also gets gold stars for family-friendly accommodation. Choose one of the comfortable suites and you’re just a short stroll from the pool, while activities on site include top-notch tennis and golf training academies.
• Luxury Cyprus

  Fabled as the birthplace of Aphrodite, goddess of beauty and love, Cyprus has holidaymakers smitten by its beaches, climate and scenery. Where better place to unwind in luxury than the island’s Aphrodite Hills Resort? As well as a wonderful range of children’s activities, it offers a good choice of family accommodation from suites to villas.
• Teen adventures

  Are your teens starting to get a tiny bit bored with family holidays? Then now’s the time to inject some adrenalin on an exciting group tour exclusively for families with teenagers. Think white water rafting, hiking and mountain biking in some of the world’s most dramatic settings.
• Barbados for kids

  The all-inclusive rates and activities at Almond Beach Village make it a great choice – before you’ve even set foot on the sandy beach. Barbados oozes family appeal. There are daily, non-stop flights, short transfers and some exciting island escapades. Don’t miss the train ride into Harrisons Caves, surfing on the east coast or ziplining over Jack-in-the-Box Gully.
• Ile de Ré

  The Ile de Ré on the French Atlantic coast is where smart Parisians decamp in summer, but it also has some great value accommodation. A long thin island of beaches, sand dunes and pine forests, it’s criss-crossed by family-friendly cycle paths connecting sleepy villages, historic ports and local markets.
• Summer camps and activity holidays

  Our children have long been fans of PGL. Their adventure holidays and summer camps are all smiles from start to finish. Kids get a sense of achievement trying out new activities, while parents get peace of mind knowing that everything is taken care of by professional staff. Safety is first and foremost, with fun a close second.
• Portugal

  Most of us look no further than the Algarve when it comes to family holidays in Portugal. That irresistible coastline of sandy coves and cave-riddled cliffs has smugglers’ den written all over it. What we love about i-escape is that it reveals Portugal’s potential as a great all-round family destination – beach, countryside and city.
• Cotswold Water Park

  Boasting Britain’s best sandy beach (not counting those at the coast), the Cotswold Water Park is awash with activities, from sailing, canoeing and cycling to angling and water skiing. It makes a great day out, but you really need to stay the night to fully appreciate all that this water wonderland offers. The Four Pillars Hotel has some of the best options for families.
• Working farm holidays

  Bottle-feed the lambs, collect the chicken eggs, help the farmer milk the cows … it’s all go on a farm holiday and children love every minute of it. This rural round-up of working farms in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset offers cosy accommodation in cottages, farmhouses and barn conversions – all in gorgeous countryside. Don’t forget your wellies.
• The Residence Mauritius

  Fancy some serious pampering? You don’t even have to unpack your suitcases at The Residence where a butler attends to your every need. A 1920s style oasis of elegance and luxury on the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius, this stunning hotel offers gourmet cuisine, colonial suites, a Zen-inspired spa and indulgent kids’ club.
• Luxury Tenerife

  The Abama Golf & Spa Resort has a faithful family following, and it’s not hard to see why. Luxury accommodation, spa, Michelin-starred restaurant and 18-hole golf course aside, it takes childcare and kids’ facilities to new heights with everything from family pools and sports academies to kids’ clubs, free children’s dinners and cinema nights on the beach.
• Become a junior explorer

  Parents may remember the epic voyages of Jacques Cousteau’s Calypso, exploring the mysteries of the oceans. Now the stylish Grecotel Cape Sounio in Greece offers a children’s programmed developed by Cousteau’s son, Jean-Michel, which allows them to learn about the sea during an adventurous week of activities. It’s a proper little adventure that kids will relish.
• Caribbean all-inclusive

  Each of these sensational Caribbean resorts sits on a dazzling stretch of powder-sand beach with unlimited water sports and accommodation that includes spacious family suites. A couple even have waterparks, complete with lazy river rides and surf simulators. But it’s the imaginative, action-packed Kids Camps that will prove the biggest hit for kids.
• Maldives for kids

  Fancy a family holiday by the seaside? How about a villa on stilts above a tropical lagoon in the Indian Ocean? Or a beach villa with private pool? The sumptuous One&Only Reethi Rah resort in the Maldives offers barefoot luxury with a family-friendly twist. Its children’s programme treats your mini castaways to their very own clubhouse, swimming pool and special activities. One of a kind. And one of the best.
• Family safari houses

  The Safari Houses concept is designed specifically with families in mind. We haven’t found a more family-friendly way of doing a safari. Robin’s House and Luangwa House not only offer luxurious home comforts in one of Africa’s premier national parks – they also promise a relaxed, children’s paradise where you can plan each day as you please.
• Kenya safaris

  A family safari is the ultimate I-Spy and there’s no better place to get spotting than Kenya’s wildlife reserves. Pride of place on your itinerary, the Masai Mara not only offers your cubs the chance to tick off the entire cast of The Lion King, but also to take part in other exciting activities like night drives and walking safaris. Wash the dust off afterwards with a few days at the coast.
• Amazing Florida

  Bring it on! We love Florida! Where else can you get face to face with Mickey Mouse, Harry Potter, Cinderella and a real-life astronaut all within the space of a few days? Or swim with manatees one morning, and plunge down a mega waterslide the next? Whether your idea of fun is to paddle a kayak in the Keys or take a simulated mission to Mars, Florida delivers, big time.
• Horseback safaris

  We’ll never forget the first time we went riding in Africa. It was at Ant’s Nest in South Africa, a fabulous bush home that’s just one of the choice picks from Aardvark’s line-up of horse riding hotspots. Within minutes of mounting up we were mingling with giraffe and zebra. Our children were utterly spellbound…
• South Africa self-drive

  One of our all-time favourite destinations. We took the children to South Africa when they were just five, and they loved it. Boredom is simply not an option – not in a country where, in one day, you can stand on top of Table Mountain, paddle with wild penguins and then tuck into good ol’ fish and chips.
• Ontario fly-drive holiday

  This corner of Canada is crying out for a family adventure. It’s only a seven-hour flight to Toronto and this well-paced self-drive holiday combines excellent hotels with exciting activities. Top of most children’s wishlist will be the Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls, but we’re pretty sure that the kayaking and mountain biking in Ontario’s backcountry will be just as memorable.
• Sands Hotel, Cornwall

  Cornwall is special. It grabs you in a big sandy hug and won’t let go. If you went there on holiday as a child, you’ll want to take your own children there. A genuinely family-friendly hotel, Sands Resort rolls out the red carpet for its younger guests with everything from adventure play areas and Ofsted-registered children’s clubs to flexible mealtimes and visits from Newquay Zoo.
• Cottages in Northumberland

  If you’ve overlooked Northumberland as a family holiday destination, you’re missing a trick. From the real-life set of Harry Potter to surf beaches, rolling countryside and friendly pubs, you’ll find plenty to do, and some great-value cottages where you can set up base camp.
• Villas in Catalunya

  One of our favourite regions of Spain, Catalunya has family appeal stamped all over it – whether you’ve got toddlers in search of beaches, active kids looking for Pyrenean mountain adventure or teenagers keen to explore nearby Barcelona. This superb collection of villas covers all bases – and each one has a private pool.
• Luxury staffed villas

  You can’t beat a family holiday in a gorgeous Mediterranean villa – or, at least, we didn’t think you could until we came across Scott Dunn’s luxury staffed villas. And we’re not just talking about someone popping in to do the housework occasionally. Each magnificent property has its own host, nanny and chef, guaranteeing ultimate freedom and relaxation.
• Home on the range

  British Columbia is one of the world’s great outdoor playgrounds. Right at its heart lies the wild and beautiful Cariboo region where the Echo Valley Ranch & Spa provides a comfortable base from which to explore the backcountry. Activities – many tailored for children – range from horse riding and 4WD safaris to fishing and gold-panning.
• Sani Resort

  The Halkidiki peninsula has some of the best sandy beaches in Greece. Stay at the Sani Resort and you also get a superb watersports centre. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to family facilities at this luxury resort. There are also children’s clubs for tots to teens, a crèche and a choice of stylish family hotels.
• Camping down on the farm

  Safari chic with wellies on, Feather Down Farm tents lead the herd when it comes to luxury camping. Lift the flap on these canvas creations and you step into a snug den complete with wood stove, oil lanterns, three bedrooms (including a secret cubbyhole for kids) and everything you need for a back-to-nature holiday on nearly 30 working farms.
• Holiday villages in France

  For maximum family fun and minimum spend it’s hard to beat a self-catering apartment in a French holiday village. You’ll find pools, slides, kids clubs, boating lakes, tennis courts and golf courses to keep the children busy – and a well-stocked food shop on site. One of the most popular is just an hour’s drive from Calais.
• Set sail on a gulet

  Upping the adventure stakes on a beach holiday, a voyage onboard a crewed gulet is a magical way to experience the Mediterranean, dropping anchor in secluded bays, swimming, snorkelling or relaxing on deck. With Peter Sommer Travels you also get an insight into local culture, cuisine and archaeology thanks to their expert guides and tailor-made itineraries.
• Ski the Rockies

  The Canadian Rockies offer postcard-perfect snow conditions for family skiing. With regular dumps of powder, ski-in ski-out hotels, uncrowded pistes and super-friendly instructors, the small resorts of Fernie and Kimberley are ideal for learners. Prices with flights start at just £789.
• All inclusive Mexico

  The Mexican Riviera is a beach made in heaven for families: gently shelving sand slipping into the warm Caribbean, almost guaranteed sunshine and, best of all, some excellent all-inclusive resorts. We particularly like Dreams Resorts & Spas. The family rooms and suites are gorgeous – although kids will no doubt prefer the weekly campouts on the beach.
• Dream estate in Tuscany

  A beautiful Tuscan estate nuzzled into vineyards, olive groves and cypress trees; outdoor heated swimming pools and tennis courts; a restaurant serving local cuisine… this hideaway in the heart of Chianti should appeal to any discerning family looking for a relaxed holiday near the medieval marvels of Siena and San Gimignano.
• China

  Let the adventure begin: fire imaginary arrows at advancing Mongol hordes from the Great Wall of China, perfect your favourite Bruce Lee moves at a Kung Fu lesson, outstare a Terracotta Warrior, see giant pandas, fly kites, ride bikes, marvel at Shanghai acrobats and skyscrapers, learn the art of Chinese painting… This is one trip you and your kids will never forget.
• Volunteering holidays

  School leavers have long enjoyed the challenges and rewards of volunteering holidays. Now Hands up Holidays have devised a brilliant way of involving families. Their trips combine an educational volunteer experience with a fabulous adventure exploring a fascinating destination and staying in luxury accommodation – the ideal way to make your travels more fulfilling.
• Sri Lanka adventure

  With an irresistible blend of dazzling monuments, edge-of-seat wildlife encounters and palm-fringed beaches, Sri Lanka makes a fantastic family destination. This selection of adventure tours with local group leaders include dolphin watching boat trips, elephant back safaris and visits to colourful temples.
• Villas in rural Crete

  A mezze of villas in rural Crete, Pendamodi serves up a tasty trio of properties – all with great views and their own pool. It’s the perfect spot for a laidback Greek island escape, with the north-coast beaches just a short drive away. Don’t miss Knossos – there never was a labyrinth beneath the palace, but that won’t stop kids pretending they’re in the lair of the Minotaur.
• UK holiday parks

  From Kent to Cardigan Bay, Northumberland to the North Cornwall coast, Haven’s 35 holiday parks are never far from a stunning beach. The question is, will you be able to tear yourselves away from the on-site waterparks, sports activities and family entertainment? The excellent range of self-catering accommodation now includes luxury safari tents.
• Isle of Wight

  Think the Isle of Wight is old-fashioned and uncool? Think again. This grand dame of British seaside resorts might have Victorian heritage, but it’s evolved into a hotspot for outdoor sports, fossil hunting and back-to-nature family holidays. Wightlink’s new Secret Wight guide unlocks the island’s huge family holiday potential. Ten great things to do that don’t cost a penny.
• Cottages in Devon

  Boat trips and sandcastles, surfing and rockpooling, dangling crab lines off the harbour wall and riding ponies across the moors. It’s simple pleasures that make holidays in Devon such a guaranteed hit for families. These self-catering cottages cover all the best bits of the county, from the surf-swept north coast to rugged Dartmoor and the idyllic South Hams.
• Egypt

  If your kids are into adventure, Indiana Jones or hieroglyphic code-breaking, Egypt makes an exciting and educational destination. The secret to a successful trip is to combine fun with fact – something that On the Go Tours achieve with camel rides, sailing on the Nile and snorkelling in the Red Sea. We also like their choice of hotels – each one with that all-important pool.
• Visit Santa in Lapland

  Good ol’ Santa – he’s a busy man, especially in December, but he’ll always find time to welcome you to his wintry Lapland home. The most intimate and magical of the Santa pilgrimages, Esprit’s festive family holidays are sprinkled with adventure – take your pick from reindeer sleigh rides to riding a snowmobile. PS: Before you go, don’t forget to write to Mr Claus to tell him how good you’ve been…
• Ski with the experts

  Arranging a family skiing holiday can be a rigmarole. Travel with a company that knows the best family resorts, offers catered chalets and hotels that are spot-on for families, provides a full range of childcare, pre-books your equipment and throws in some great deals. Esprit’s been doing just that for nearly 30 years.
• Turkey with style

  We’re all for combining beach bliss with a little culture and adventure – and Turkey’s Lycian Coast has all three in bucket loads. Tear yourself away from its stunning bays and you could be cycling through fragrant pine forests, exploring the impressive ruins of Ephesus or setting sail on a traditional sailing gulet.
• The Seychelles

  It’s time the Seychelles shed its glamorous, grown-ups-only image. We think these tropical islands are a family paradise. You won’t find better beaches, and there’s a wealth of child-friendly adventures, from cycling on La Digue and meeting giant tortoises to exploring the prehistoric Vallée de Mai. And there is accommodation to suit a range of budgets.
• Rent a French chateau

  It’s not only fans of Merlin or Cinderella that will have a ball at one of these amazing French chateaux. Childhood dreams aside, each one of the 200-plus properties makes a superb base for a unique self-catering family holiday. Many have swimming pools and sleep between 6 and 60 people – great value if you want to take the whole family or travel with friends.
• Round Hill, Jamaica

  Jamaica has beautiful beaches, vibrant towns, spectacular mountain scenery and, of course, a legendary reggae beat. You’ve got to visit the Bob Marley Museum in Port Royal and try jerk chicken at Boston Bay. And for stylish, laidback luxury, we’d recommend a stay at the family-friendly plantation-style villas or beachfront rooms at Round Hill.
• Villas in Menorca

  The Balearic Islands are firm family favourites, but if you’re looking for the best beaches, quiet resorts and beautiful, unspoilt scenery, you can’t go wrong with Menorca. Its coast is chiselled with secluded coves, lapped by shallow turquoise waters. And if you tire of the beach, there are enough activities – from boat trips to horse riding – to keep most families happy.
• Meganissi villa holidays

  You can rely on Greek Islands Club to find some of the most intimate villa retreats in the star-studded Aegean and Ionian, and with Villa Eleni we think they may have hit the jackpot. A supremely family-friendly property on the unspoilt island of Meganissi, Eleni has wonderful views and a great pool, and is just a short walk from the beach and its tavernas.
• Boutique Barbados

  Looking for something really special for the summer holidays? How about an English country house in the Caribbean? Cobblers Cove, an elegant boutique hotel on Barbados, has an enticing Family Suite offer and some great activities lined up for kids, including sailing and tennis lessons, arts and crafts and swimming with turtles. Gorgeous rooms, fine dining, and just check out that beach…
• Costa Rica

  Perfect for nature-loving families, this Central American beauty has jungles, beaches, active volcanoes, plus loads of opportunities for adventure. Spielberg’s Jurassic Park was filmed here, but you won’t find any dinosaurs (sorry kids). Instead, there’s amazing wildlife, ranging from turtles and toucans to treefrogs – and you can see them all on these fabulous itineraries from Families Worldwide.
• Pack them off to camp!

  If your kids are kicking their heels during the school holidays, send them off to camp. Sounds harsh? In fact, it’s a real treat with exciting activities from mountain karting to quad-biking, sports and performing arts. There are locations throughout the UK and in France, a ski camp and a teen-only camp.
• Family Holiday Association

  Taking your kids on holiday is one of life’s great pleasures, but it’s not something that every parent can afford. There are more than 2 million children in the UK whose families don’t have the money for even a day trip to the seaside. That’s why we proudly support the Family Holiday Association, which works to provide much-needed breaks for deprived kids.