5 of the Best Summer Holiday Locations for Families
Are you looking at where to go on holiday with your family this summer? Well, perhaps you need a bit of inspiration, or a little bit of information about some really popular areas. If that’s the case, here are five of the best summer holiday locations for families…
1. Tenerife
The Canary Islands is an ever-popular choice for families looking for a great summer holiday: and with good reason! Positioned off the west coast of Africa but only four hours of flying time away, sun-seekers are guaranteed lovely warm weather with a travel time that’s suitable for those travelling with children.
Tenerife is the largest of the five Canary Islands, which means there’s more than enough to keep the entire family entertained while on holiday. The island is split into two halves, with the southern side offering all the amenities a family could need (and most of the popular resorts) with shops, restaurants, bars and more, whereas the northern side is green and luscious and perfect for doing a spot of trekking. Find a beach to enjoy, sinking your toes into the golden sand of the Playa de las Americas, or the black sands of Puerto de la Cruz, then spend the evening in Los Cristianos Harbour.
2. Benidorm
Benidorm holidays have been hugely popular with British families for years now, and that isn’t showing any signs of changing. There are miles and miles of beautiful beaches stretching along this area of the Spanish coast, (so expect plenty of sandcastle building, playing in the waves and sunbathing!), and best of all, there are lots of amenities along the shoreline for families.
Expect cafes and bars, toilets, shops, restaurants and entertainment within a stone’s throw of the sea, and take your pick from the large range of of family-friendly hotels in close proximity to the beach. If you decide to take a family holiday to Benidorm, check out Terra Natura (an exciting and educational zoo) and the Benidorm Circus (an experience the kids and grown-ups will love equally).
3. Crete
How does Crete take your fancy? It’s the largest of the Greek islands, and hosts a quarter of the total number of holidaymakers to Greece every year. It’s a very family-friendly resort, with lots of excellent hotels suitable for children (some even have water slides!), in close proximity to the beach with lots of family-friendly restaurants to choose from. Families that like to make their holidays a little bit educational will enjoy checking out the historical sites such as the Royal Minoan Palace at Knososs, learning about the legendary Minotaur and the Labyrinth.
There are also tons of water activities (with lots of scuba diving centres located to the north of the island), mountain bike trails, and even Dinosauria Park (a park filled with model dinosaurs) to check out – so there’s lots to do once the kids have had enough of playing on the beach.
4. Ibiza
You might associate Ibiza with nightclubs and partying, but there are many parts of the island that are better suited to families! Head to the north side of the islands, holidaying near coastal towns such as Puerto San Miguel and Portinatx if you fancy a quiet family holiday with sandy beaches and beautiful pine trees. It’s the ideal destination to go to if you’d like a laid-back family holiday with beautiful scenery, delicious food and unplanned days with lots of hours for playing on the beach, reading books and exploring nearby white-washed villages.
You could check out Port des Torrent on the west coast too, as it offers tavernas and activities that are lively enough for families looking for gentle evening entertainment without the nightclub scene.
5. Orlando
Finally, if you’d like a family holiday that takes you further round the globe, why not consider a destination such as Orlando, Florida? Known as ‘the Sunshine State’, holidaying families will enjoy good weather all year round, beautiful scenery and exciting theme parks for the kids to enjoy. Pack your holiday full of trips to Disney World, LEGOLAND and Universal Studios, and be sure to venture a bit further out to see natural wonders such as the Everglades, searching for crocodiles.
So, do any of these locations sound like somewhere you’d like to go on holiday? Which looks to be your favourite destination?
