Reservations

Luxury Travel

Reservations

Luxury Travel

top ten family holidays

Charitable Travel’s Ally Ware rounds up ten holidays you can book with Charitable Travel that kids and parents will love, with experiences ranging from lazing by the pool to meeting elephants.

This is a feature from Issue 10 of Charitable Traveller. Click to read more from this issue.

1. Alsace-Lorraine with Le Boat

Ally says: “A boating holiday is a great way of combining activity and relaxation and kids love the adventure of visiting new places every day

Le Boat offers self-drive boating holidays in nine European countries and its motor vessels fit up to 12 people, with cosy cabins and a scenic sundeck. The pretty Alsace-Lorraine region in north-east France has a good mix of town and country. Highlights include Strasbourg, with its Grimm’s fairy tale-style wooden houses, flowery cobbled streets and chocolate shops. And Germany’s biggest theme park, Europa Park, is easily reached.

2. Westin Dragonara Resort, Malta

Ally says: “You need never leave this hotel, but don’t miss Malta’s golden beaches and atmospheric cities.”

This five-star hotel sits on its own peninsula in lively St. Julian’s, 15 minutes from the capital Valletta. there’s a heated pool indoors, two outdoor pools, the Bay View beach lido, and Jacuzzis. Rooms are spacious and there’s a kids club, tennis courts, a water sports centre and three restaurants. A Mercury Holidays package includes three days’ car hire from £25. Be sure to visit Popeye Village, a film set from the 1980 musical which is now a fun day out.

3. Abora Interclub Atlantic by Lopesan Hotels, Gran Canaria

Ally says: “Kids will be enthralled by the aqua park and adults will love the sunny style and great value.”

Charitable Travel has all-inclusive packages to this kid-focused resort in San Agustin. The décor is stylish and there are buffet and a la carte restaurants as well as snack bars, and a mini mart. Facilities include four pools (one Adult-only), an aqua park with slides and splash games, an adventure play area, a kids’ club for four to 12 year olds, a games room and a gym. Sport on offer range from basketball to yoga. A sandy beach and lively resort is next door.

4. Cycle Norfolk with InnTravel

Ally says: “Easy-going roads and amazing beaches make this a great choice for active families.

This six-night trip is great for families with older children, and the gently rolling landscape makes it easy going. Starting in Snettisham and ending in Blakeney or Cley, the trip includes stays in a country pub, a historic hotel next to a grand estate and a Victorian Guesthouse.  Highlights include pretty villages with flint pebble cottages (including Anmer, home to Prince William), an Iron Age Fort, Cley Nature Reserve, and the vast sandy beache of Holkham, backed by colourful huts.

5. Lapland with Inghams

Ally says: “Young children and parents will treasure the magic and memory of meeting Father Christmas and his reindeers in his snowy home.

Inghams offers three- and four-night breaks in Levi, in Finnish Lapland and even lends you thermal suits and boots. You get a private audience with Santa himself and visit his elves, helping them bake gingerbread, as well as making decorations and meeting Comet the reindeer. Optional activities include visits to husky and reindeer farms, sleigh rides, a snowmobile safari or skiing. Accommodation varies according to your budget.

6. Sri Lanka and the Maldives with Explore

Ally says: “This dream family holiday combines hectic by fascinating Sri Lanka with some down time in the Maldives.

This 15-day holiday (five in the Maldives) is a stress-free adventure. The activities are fun and educational, including safaris, climbing the rock fortress of Sigiriya and visiting an elephant sanctuary in Sri Lanka. In the Maldives you’ll board a traditional Dhoni boat for four nights, with the chance to sleep under the stars and snorkel over coral reefs. Transport ranges from jeep, train and plane, to tuk tuk, bullock cart and canoe, and accommodation includes a jungle hut and a tented camp.

7. Jordan with Intrepid

Ally says: “Adults and children will both be channelling Indiana Jones on this bucket list trip.”

An eight-day journey starting in Jordan’s capital Amman and ending in the Dead Sea, this trip will keep the kids busy. They can get a history lesson at the ancient desert tombs of Petra and the Roman ruins of Jerash. Religious Studies will be a doddle after they see the original Dead Sea Scrolls, and P.E is covered as they snorkel in the Red Sea. Cultural highlights include sleeping in a Bedouin tent in the desert.

8. A luxury Zambia Safari with Carrier

Ally says: “An African safari is something kids will never
forget, as they witness the savage beauty of nature.”

Tour operator Carrier recommends Shumba Camp for families in Zambia. Meaning ‘Lion’, the remote lodge sits on its own island in the Busanga Plains, a savannah threaded with watery channels in Kafue National Park. As well as lion prides, tyou will have the chance to spot zebra, buffalo, hippo, cheetah, and wild dogs. The camp has six luxurious tents and a pool. Dining is under the shade of fig trees or by the campfire boma.

9. The Villas at Stonehaven, Tobago

Ally says: These cute cottages are perfect for luxury loving families who want to be nestled in nature, but still get their creature comforts.”

Caribtours recommends these two- or three-bedroom villas for families. They come with a kitchen, living/dining room, a veranda and a private infinity pool and sea view terrace. You have a housekeeper to shop and prepare meals for you, or you can self-cater. Spa treatments are offered in-villa and there are tennis and fitness facilities. Birdwatching, hiking, snorkelling, or nearby Stonehaven Bay Beach’s bars and eateries will enterain.

10. Tropical Beach Resorts, Florida

Ally says: “you can’t beat Florida for a family holiday and Sarasota has old-fashioned charm in spades..”

The Tropical Beach Resorts’ collection of boutique hotels – Tropical Shore, Tropical Sun, Sara Sea, and Conclave – are just steps from Siesta Key’s world-famous Crescent Beach, lauded for its quartz-crystal powdery sand. Rooms come with self catering facilities but nearby Siesta Key is full of cute shops, cafes and restaurants in colourful buildings. There’s a free trolley to get around the island and explore. Don’t miss Turtle Beach, backed by delicate dunes home to shambling goopher tortoises.

There's still time to book at summer break!

Call us now on 020 3092 1288 or email [email protected] to get the ball rolling on your perfect family holiday!

This is a feature from Issue 10 of Charitable Traveller. Click to read more from this issue.