Travel: Our Top 5 Family Holiday Destinations

Family holidays are a must for relaxation, excitement, and reconnecting together, and Lisa de Silva has some top destination recommendations for all ages and stages of life 

Family holidays are the perfect chance to create lasting memories in a relaxed and joyful setting. And as your family grows, so too will the kind of holidays you enjoy. 

To help you plan your next adventure, we’ve curated a list of top destinations tailored to meet the evolving needs of a growing family. 

The West Country – best for very young families

Having a very young family often requires lots of equipment and luggage, making a UK holiday a great option, as you can load up the car with everything you are likely to need for babies and infants. The West Country is an ideal location for this stage in family life as it offers a diverse range of accommodation options. There are plenty of self-catering cottages, many geared up for families with child-friendly equipment and facilities. Alternatively, there are hotels with babysitting and creche facilities, allowing parents to enjoy some time to themselves. 

Alongside these practical issues, holidaymakers can enjoy miles of child-friendly beaches for paddling and playing in the sand. There isalso some glorious countryside to be explored, either by hiring an all-terrain pushchair for long hikes or a bike trailer to enjoy scenic cycling trails. 

Greek Island Resort – best for primary school families

With stunning coastlines, warm sunshine, delicious food and exceptional hospitality, the Greek Islands make a fabulous destination for a young family. At this age, the children will have boundless energy and curiosity, and we would recommend staying at a resort with a dedicated children’s club. 

Depending on your budget, this type of resort can offer everything from standard hotel accommodation with family or interconnecting rooms to individual villas with private pools, on an all-inclusive basis.

For the children, the range of activities on offer can include water sports, tennis, cooking activities, art and crafts, treasure hunts and organised games. While they are off having fun, parents can soak up the sun at the pool or beach and enjoy any sporting and spa facilities, giving them a break from childcare and a chance to relax. 

Costa Rica – best for secondary school families

Rich in rugged mountains, smoking volcanoes, misty cloud forests, tumbling waterfalls and unique biodiversity, Costa Rica makes an exciting backdrop for a memorable family holiday. Over 25% of the country is protected in national parks and is great for rainforest hiking and wildlife spotting. 

Home to racoons, the three-toed sloth, red-eyed tree frog, some amazing butterfly and birdlife and four species of monkey, a good pair of binoculars is a must. What’s more, the landscape is perfect for thrilling adventure activities including canopy walks, zip-lining through the rainforest, mountain biking and riding the river rapids. 

For downtime, there’s 600 miles of unspoilt tropical beaches with coral reef and turtle nesting to explore. Costa Rica lends itself to a multi-destination trip to see and experience as much of the country as possible. Along with resort and hotel accommodation, it is also worth spending a few nights at an eco-lodge enjoying the natural beauty of the rainforest. 

Peru – best for a bucket list family holiday

Before your children flee the nest for good, one last big bucket list family holiday can create memories that will last a lifetime. We would recommend Peru where magnificent landscapes, fascinating culture, outdoor adventure and exciting wildlife conspire to create the perfect setting for family adventure. 

After sampling the gastronomic delights of Lima’s burgeoning food scene, head to the old Inca capital of Cusco, gateway to the 

extraordinary ruins of Machu Picchu and the adventure activity wonderland of the Sacred Valley. 

With white-water rafting along the Urubamba River and the chance to journey deep into the Amazon Jungle on a wildlife expedition, this is a destination with something to excite all the family. 

Algarve Portugal – best for multigenerational family holidays 

There is a heartwarming and growing trend for multigenerational family holidays, which gives the older generation a chance to spend some relaxed time with their children and grandchildren, and parents of younger children to enjoy more of a break from childcare. 

We would recommend a pool villa holiday for this type of arrangement or even two adjacent villas, which would give you ease of proximity but still retain some privacy. 

The Mediterranean is always a good choice for this type of holiday, but we think the Algarve makes a great destination. With beautiful beaches, coastal towns, fishing villages, family- friendly vibe and a variety of activities to enjoy, from golf to tennis and water sports, it is ideal for families with diverse interests.