Jake PopistEven with very young children, the world’s your oyster these days. But when it comes to finding that perfect place for your precious time away together, it can be time consuming.
A great place to start is www.holidayhypermarket.co.uk. They’ve done the searching for you, and found the best destinations, hotels and savings from TUI, First Choice, Thomas Cook and other tour operators.
To help you out, here are the top-rated destinations for families, and why they might be ideal for you and your little – or not-so-little – ones. All you have to do is click, book and start packing!
Croatia
Let’s start with one of the more adventurous of the family favourites. Croatia has enjoyed an explosion of popularity during the past decade or so.
With numerous Unesco world-heritage sites, a riviera to rival those of France and Italy, endless water sports in the crystal-clear Adriatic, and an average summer temperature of about 25°C, it’s no surprise really.
Your flight is less than three hours from the UK and you have the enviable choice of waterfront culture along the Dalmatian Coast and at Dubrovnik, island-hopping, or blissful beaches at Hvar.
Regardless of whether you’re a Game of Thrones fan or not, you’ll fall in love with Croatia’s ancient stones, impossibly-blue sky and green landscapes, leaving you star-struck and hungry for more.
Cyprus
Year-round sunshine, gorgeous beaches, fascinating history and mouth-watering cuisine are just a few of Cyprus’ charms, making this an irresistible destination for fantastic family holidays.
If your kids are aged 16 or over, Ayia Napa has a lot to offer in addition to its legendary nightlife. But if you have younger children, aim for family-friendly beach resorts such as Paphos and Larnaca. With water parks, zoos, all-inclusive holidays, picturesque scenery and ancient civilisations to explore, every member of your family group, including you, will love it.
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are sun-kissed favourites with British holidaymakers. The best family resorts in Gran Canaria and Tenerife tend to be livelier than those in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.
Gran Canaria has a winning mixture of natural beauty, fabulous beaches and family-perfect holiday hotels, especially around Maspalomas on the south coast. Tenerife has been a giant among family destinations for years, with water parks, sheltered beaches and all-inclusive hotels in Playa de las Americas, Playa de la Arena and Costa Adeje.
Fuerteventura is ideal for families with younger children, or those looking for a break with a quieter pace. And Playa Blanca, in Lanzarote, offers similarly laid-back family holidays, with smart marinas and beautiful coastline.
Balearic Islands
Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza make up the trio of Balearic Islands we all know and love. The endless sunshine, beautiful beaches, vibrant towns and quality hotels found across all three islands are yours after only two-and-a-half hours on a plane.
Menorca is ideal for quiet, unhurried family holidays, with the most popular resorts less than an hour’s drive from Mahon airport. Family holidays to Majorca are action-packed, but you can find less hectic alternatives to upbeat Magaluf and Alcudia at the more peaceful Puerta Pollensa, or in smaller-scale, modern beach resorts such as Sa Coma and Cala Millor.
Ibiza is world-renowned for DJs, clubs and all-night parties, but the coasts on this multi-faceted island also harbour idyllic resorts for relaxing family getaways.
Mexico
Be adventurous and explore this fabulous country. The long-haul flight with children is more than worth it, when you have exotic destinations such as the coral reef at Riviera Maya, and the amazing resorts of Cancun and Puerto Vallarta waiting for you.
Your family will have the time of its life on jungle treks, Mayan temple trips, breath-taking beaches, snorkelling excursions, water park rides and wildlife expeditions.
Oh, and the family hotels here are in a league of their own. Think multiple pools, on-site restaurants, beach-side locations, diving centres, spas, kids’ clubs and evening entertainment. Tempted?
Lapland
Treat the family to a holiday in the winter wonderland of Lapland. You can’t get more family-oriented than here. As well as the festivities at Santa Claus Village, pack your bags ready for skiing and sledding, followed by outdoor hot tubs and Scandinavian cuisine in the region’s capital, Rovaniemi, or Yllas and Levi.
This Finnish region is home to the big man himself, the Northern Lights, 24-hour sunshine in summer, hundreds of thousands of reindeer, and some of the most spectacular scenery you and the children will ever see. After all, if it’s good enough for Santa…
With long-haul, short-haul, summer sun, and a winter wonderland to whet your appetite, which of these mouth-watering destinations suits your family’s tastes?
Jake Popist
