Family holidays at Easter
By William and Sally Gray, Editors of 101 Family Holidays
Best deals for families in Easter 2014
Are you looking for family holidays at Easter? We have put together some great ideas both in the UK and overseas, whatever your budget, whether you want a traditional celebration or an escape on a tropical beach. We have recommendations for families with children of all ages from babies up to teenagers.
April is a great month to grab some early summer sunshine – the days are getting longer, the Mediterranean is warming up nicely, it’s a great time for activity holidays and it’s not too late to grab some late skiing.
Easter dates: in 2014, Easter Sunday falls on 20 April.
Family Easter holidays in the Mediterranean
Easter is a wonderful time to be in the Med, particularly for families. Sunshine is almost guaranteed yet temperatures are manageable and humidity is low. And without the summer crowds, resorts feel more friendly as locals welcome the first of the season’s visitors. The only downside is that the sea water can be a bit chilly for swimming (fine for kids, not so great for mums and dads). If that’s an issue, stay somewhere with a pool.
The further south in the Med you head, the better the chance of hot weather. Crete is a long way south and has some great places to stay including the Pendamodi villas which are set in wild countryside with a private pool and free hire car. At the luxury end of the market, Daios Cove has stylish family suites and an exclusive Scott Dunn children’s club for ages 4 months – 13 years.
Cyprus is also a great bet. We like the Aphrodite Hills Resort, a large beachfront hotel with interconnecting rooms and oodles of facilities including a 18-hole championship golf course, tennis courts, a children’s Pirates Village, beach club and spa.
On mainland Greece, the Grecotel Cape Sounio near Athens has one of the best kids clubs anywhere in the world while the Sani Resort is a superb collection of family-friendly hotels, particularly the Sani Beach Club and the luxury Sani Asterias Suites.
Don’t forget the glorious islands of Corsica and Sardinia. Check out this great selection of hotels, villas, apartments and residences on Corsica (and see the latest special offers). On Sardinia you’ll find excellent family-friendly hotels including Forte Village and Chia Laguna Resort.
A villa holiday is a great way for families to enjoy the Mediterranean. We recommend these villas in Corfu, Paxos, Kefalonia & Lefkada and the charming small Greek island of Meganissi. Easter is a good time to visit Catalunya and if you get away from the package resorts you’ll find some lovely villas in Mallorca. See the latest special offers.
Turkey’s Aegean coast is warming up nicely. Stay in a luxury villa with private pool or a family-friendly hotel such as the Kalkan Regency or Bördübet.
If you want to explore the Aegean coastline, try a gulet cruise. We also love this family astronomy tour in Turkey’s Cappadocia.
We’ve discovered some gorgeous family-friendly hotels in Italy. The Borgo Scopeta Relais in Siena, Tuscany, is outstanding, and we also love this selection of agriturismi (farm stays) such as La Casella in the Umbrian countryside, which has a horse riding school, hiking, tennis and mountain biking.
If you want to set sail on the Med, you can go to sailing school at Vounaki in Greece then join a flotilla sailing holiday.
For a short break with young children, how about exploring Paris on a choice of private tours, including a drive around the French capital in a chauffeur-driven Citroen 2CV, a visit to the Eiffel Tower and a lesson in making baguettes. Details from Family Twist.
Long haul holidays over Easter
Although it’s not strictly long haul, the Middle East is perfect in Easter. Try these photography holidays for families.
This part of the world is ideal for active families and inquisitive minds. We love these official Tintin family holidays for children aged 7 – 12, including a 10-day journey to Egypt and a 8-day adventure in Jordan.
Families Worldwide has one of the best selections of activity holidays for families. We’ve highlighted these wildlife trips to Costa Rica, because it’s such an amazing country but they have options all over the world.
Even with just two weeks off school, you’ll have enough of time to take a dream trip in Africa. We love these safaris in Zambia and this 12-day wildlife and beach family safari in Kenya. In South Africa, you could take a Cape Town, Garden Route and Safari fly drive and stay at the fabulous Grootbos Nature Reserve.
Easter is a great time to visit the Caribbean but you need to pick your hotel with care. For families we particularly recommend the all-inclusive Verandah Resort & Spa in Antigua and Round Hill Hotel & Villas in Jamaica. In Antigua, Carlisle Bay is particularly good for babies and toddlers.
Increasing numbers of families are heading to Asia. You can find great family adventure holidays in Sri Lanka or explore Vietnam, taking an overnight junk cruise in Halong Bay and sleeping in luxury safari tents at Cat Tien National Park.
In America, you can saddle up for a holiday on a real working ranch. Check out White Stallion Ranch in Arizona, Goosewing Ranch in Wyoming or the magnificent Echo Valley Ranch and Spa in Canada. Want to hit the open road? Try a motor home holiday in America.
If it’s beaches you crave, we recommend One&Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives, or The Residence Mauritius. Also in Mauritius, Beachcomber Tours has free kids clubs at its resorts with lots of free sports, including water-skiing.
Easter holidays in the UK
Although warm weather is far from guaranteed, Easter can be a great time to explore the UK as a family. It’s a good time for self-catering, although a bit early in the year for camping. We recommend these family-friendly cottages in Cornwall or these dog-friendly cottages.
If you’re staying in a hotel, make sure it has plenty to keep the children amused. We love the Sands Resort Hotel and Gwel an Mor in Cornwall.
On the island of Jersey, the Merton Hotel is one of the best family hotels in the UK with a weather-proof Aquadome (with pools, slides, fountains, sauna and steam room) and an outdoor pool complex, complete with a Flowrider where kids can learn to surf.
You could treat the kids to a London theatre break including a night in a hotel and show ticket from just £73. Shows include Batman Live, Shrek the Musical and The Lion King.
Or book a theme park break with hotel included to one of many great attractions including Legoland Windsor and Alton Towers.
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