Family holidays in August

By William and Sally Gray, Editors of 101 Family Holidays

Looking for family holidays in August 2012? We’ve got some great ideas for you both at home and abroad, whether you’re looking for a luxury break or a budget getaway. We have tips for families with children of all ages from babies all the way up to teenagers.

Obviously, August is high season which means high prices and busy resorts, as well as high temperatures in the Mediterranean. However, you can still get a deal if you travel late. Depart the UK in the past week of August and you’ll find prices significantly lower. Or you could save money by choosing a less obvious destination, such as the Alps (which are beautiful in summer).

UK family holidays in August

If you fancy a beach holiday in the UK, we recommend the Isle of Wight. Book with Wightlink which has some great accommodation ideas and a fleet of car and passenger ferries.

On the glorious coast of Cornwall Sands Resort Hotel is superb for families with lots of activities for kids and family-friendly rooms. Check out the latest special offers. Also In Cornwall we love Gwel an Mor which has  five star wooden lodges and its own wildlife centre. See the latest special offers.

Or you could opt for a cottage in Cornwall – see this selection of 350 family-friendly properties and these baby-friendly cottages.

If you’re on a budget there are some great options including camping with Haven. It has 35 family holiday parks close to beaches and beauty spots with caravan holiday homes, three-bedroom tents, new safari tents, traditional yurts and chalets. If you have your own equipment, try a Haven Touring Holiday.

Want to explore the countryside? How about a working farm holiday or a stay at the stylish Feather Down Farms. You could stay in a family room at the Youth Hostel Association which has hostels in wonderful locations across the country. Or your could sign up for a family activity holiday with PGL

We have some dog-friendly cottages in the UK and – for active families – we recommend the Cotswold Water Park Four Pillars Hotel which has lots of sports including cycling, wake-boarding, windsurfing, water-skiing, fishing and horse-riding.

Mediterranean holidays in August

The Mediterranean is ideal for family holidays in August. Renting a private villa is a great option. We recommend the Greek islands of Corfu, Paxos, Kefalonia & Lefkada, or if you want somewhere more remote, try Meganissi (see the latest special offers). We also love these villas at Pendamodi in rural Crete. See the latest offers.

In Spain we’ve found some great villas in Mallorca and Menorca and on the mainland in Catalunya (see the special offers). There are some good-value villas with private pools in the French Vendee. If money is no object how about renting a luxury staffed villa, such as Quinta do Esperanca in the Algarve.

If you’re on a budget we recommend Siblu, which has a selection of villages in France that have comfortable mobile homes plus large swimming pools, free children’s clubs and sports. See the latest offers.

Another great budget option is Le Mas de St Hilaire, a holiday village near a safe sandy beach on the west coast of France. It is especially good for families with young children.

If you’re looking for a hotel in the Mediterranean, check out the InterContinental Aphrodite Hills Resort in Cyprus and La Manga Club in Spain. It has amazing golf courses, a 28-court tennis centre and a luxury spa. See the latest offers.

In Greece, we love Sani Resort, a classy beach haven that caters to kids of all ages. There are three hotels – Sani Beach Club, the luxury Sani Asterias Suites and the all-suite Porto Sani Village.

Sardinia has amazing beaches, along with gorgeous hotels including Forte Village and Chia Laguna Resort. Corsica has a wonderful selection of hotels, villas, apartments and residences.

Turkey’s Aegean coast has some hidden gems including the family-friendly hotels Kalkan Regency and Bördübet. In Greece, we like the Grecotel Cape Sounio near Athens.

Another option is a Mediterranean beach club such as Club Vounaki in Greece (see the special offers) and the all-inclusive Sea Garden Beach Resort in Turkey. It has Kids Clubs from age 2 up to 17 (see the special offers).

You could join a family cruise with P&O Cruises setting sail from Southampton. Azura and Ventura each have family suites with two separate bedrooms sleeping up to six. Or hop aboard a gulet to sail along the coast of Turkey.

For a more exclusive adventure, take the children on a gulet cruising holiday along the coast of Turkey, Italy or Greece. You’ll be on a traditional Turkish gulet which is perfect for visiting deserted coves and swimming in clear seas. A guide will show the family around local cultural sites.

We’ve also found some great single parent activity holidays including this Island Escape in Corfu.

Family holidays in the countryside

Saddle up for a family cycling holiday in France. This is a great way of bonding while exploring a beautiful slice of the French countryside. All your luggage is transferred between hotels and you are given bikes, maps and support when you need it. Try this Loire en Famille cycling holiday.

We love the selection of family adventure holidays offered by Ramblers. These expert-led group trips – for ages 6 – 16 – include some walking but also lots of child-friendly fun. You could get the train to Burgundy and enjoy canoeing down the River Cure, cycling on scenic canal banks, zip-lining and fishing. Other fab destinations include Austria, Italy, mainland Greece and Crete.

In the Alps we recommend Esprit Alpine Adventures, which has great value accommodation and lots of mountain activities in Alpe d’Huez and Belle Plagne in France andf Saas Fee in Switzerland. See the latest special offers.

Another Alpine option is upmarket Powder Byrne which has a unique children’s programme offer great child care from 4 months old.

Stay on a working farm in Italy – known as an agriturismo . Try La Casella in the Umbrian countryside between Rome and Florence – it has an excellent horse riding school as well as hiking, tennis and mountain biking.

Or a little more upmarket, stay at Borgo Scopeta Relais, a gorgeous country retreat near Siena that has lots of family facilities.

Long haul family holidays in August

The Caribbean is popular in August. We recommend the all-inclusive Almond Beach Village, Barbados, which is set on a mile of glorious white-sand beach with 10 swimming pools and kayaking, windsurfing, snorkelling, sailing, water-skiing and reef-fishing all in the price.

Another great all-inclusive option is Beaches Resorts which has well-equipped and stylish hotels in Turks & Caicos, plus Negril, Boscobel and Sandy Bay in Jamaica. Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort on St Lucia is great for active teens.

For very young children, we love Carlisle Bay in Antigua, while older kids will love the Cayman Islands as there is so much to do. You can stay in a beach suite at Caribbean Club or one of these two-bedroom Cotton Tree cottages.

Kenya is one of the best African destinations for families in August. Try this amazing 12 day wildlife and beach family safari. Or this Kenya Migration Family Safari which includes three nights in Rekero Camp, sleeping in comfortable family tents. You can also enjoy the thrill of a horse riding safari in Kenya or Botswana.

America awaits the adventurous. How about the freedom of the road on a motor home holiday or taste the life of a cowboy on a family ranching holiday. Favourite locations include White Stallion Ranch in Arizona and Black Mountain Ranch in Colorado.

Find more family holiday ideas, and holidays for teenagers.

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