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What does the ideal family holiday look like to you? Is it a relaxing tropical escape? Or are you gathering the extended family together for a fabulous destination holiday? If you’re seeking inspiration for your big family vacation, in no particular order we present…
A perennial favourite that has been luring families for decades, there are plenty of reasons Anaheim is a fabulous choice for a family holiday. Aside from Disneyland Resort (which contains three hotels and a shopping/dining district as well as the eponymous theme parks), it’s also within easy reach of beautiful surf beaches such as Huntington and Laguna, and incredible shopping at South Coast Plaza or the Outlets at Orange. If you need a break from the crowds, the mountain biking and hiking trails of Limestone Canyon Regional Park are just a short drive away.
When it comes to idyllic family vacation spots, it’s hard to beat the islands of the South Pacific. As well as a truly outrageous number of amazing beaches, there are accommodation options to suit every family group and budget, from open beach fales in Samoa to private island resorts in Fiji. Learn to scuba dive in Niue, challenge yourself with a cross-island trek in Rarotonga or marvel at ancient stone structures in Tonga – each island nation has its own unique attractions; all feature the same laid-back atmosphere and a warm welcome to visitors.
The Hawaiian island of Oahu ticks every one of these boxes to deliver an epic family holiday destination with a year-round tropical climate, a wide variety of fun activities, great shopping and an amazing food scene. Although you could happily spend your entire stay in Honolulu juggling your time between learning to surf, lazing on the beach and eating fish tacos, it’s well worth venturing further afield to explore the rest of the island. Hire a car and hit the road: you can visit the popular filming location of Kualoa Ranch, watch the surfers take on the world-famous surf breaks of the North Coast and indulge in a Dole Whip at the historic pineapple plantation that shares its name.
Father and son surfing together in Hawaii
Clean, safe and fun: three reasons that Singapore is an ideal choice for families – either as an extended stopover destination or as an entire holiday. Its East-meets-West vibe, which blends Malay, Chinese, South Asia, European and Southeast Asian cultures, makes Singapore an easy introduction to travelling with kids in Asia. This is a city that takes its street food seriously, with hawker stalls offering cheap and delicious cuisine around the clock. Sentosa Island, located a short train journey from downtown Singapore, is where you’ll find family attractions such as Universal Studios, the SEA Aquarium and Wild Wild Wet Waterpark, as well as a number of seriously kid-friendly resorts.
Take the family on an overnight cruise on spectacular Halong Bay: together you can explore sea caves by kayak, go cycling in Cat Ba National Park or simply soak up the views from the sundeck. If your family prefers to keep their feet on dry land, a cyclo ride through the streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter is sure to put a smile on young faces. Ba Trang Village, on the outskirts of the city has been renowned for its product of porcelain and pottery for centuries – watch the local artisans at work creating beautiful, porcelain works of art to bring home. And if your kids haven’t already discovered the delights of Vietnamese cuisine, its clean fresh flavours are sure to win them over in no time.
Family ride on traditional Vietnamese boat
Regardless of their age, London is a wonderful destination for kids to explore, and their delight at everything on offer, from live theatre to the world’s oldest toy store, is sure to be infectious. One of the easiest ways to explore the city’s many highlights is by taking an open-top, hop-on, hop-off bus tour. Your ticket is valid for a full 24 hours, allowing you to spend as much or as little time as you like at each stop – or you can ride the entire route in a single loop. A visit to the British Natural History Museum is a must, especially if you have any dinosaur-obsessed kids in tow, while the nearby open spaces of Hyde Park offer a tranquil escape and a chance to meet the resident squirrels. The city has a wide variety of family-friendly accommodation options ranging from self-catering apartments to luxury hotels, and the expansive transport network makes it easy to take day trips beyond the city.
London Eye, great family activity
Stunningly diverse scenery and an outdoorsy lifestyle make New Zealand the holiday equivalent of an adventure playground – ideal for families who love active holidays. Head to the South Island ski resorts if you’re looking for reliable snow in a spectacular setting, or aim north to the forests surrounding Rotorua for some of the world’s best mountain biking. Queenstown offers a variety of adrenaline-inducing activities that involve hurling yourself into various canyons, rivers and lakes, while Tongariro National Park’s biggest drawcard is a day hike that takes you between and over multiple active volcanoes. If you’re looking for more sedate thrill-seeking adventures, there’s still sea kayaking in Abel Tasman, and salmon fishing in a braided Canterbury river… just don’t tell the kids about zorbing!
What could be more magical than a family visit to the official home of Santa Claus? Santa Claus Village in the far north of Finland is technically an amusement park, but its location, in a Lapland Forest near the town of Rovaniemi, will have even the grown-ups wondering if this could be the real deal. As well as meeting the big man himself, you can also explore his House of Snowmobiles, take a snowy sleigh ride through the forest and meet some of his friendly reindeer. Make your stay in Lapland even more magical with a stay in a snow globe hotel. As well as being a truly memorable place to sleep, if you’re lucky, these glass domes provide the ideal viewing space for watching the Northern Lights.
Arctic Circle street lanterns in Santa Office at Santa Claus Village, Rovaniemi (Lapland)
Central America’s kid-friendly tropical playground, Costa Rica has plenty to delight even the youngest of travellers. It manages to pack a lot into an area that’s smaller than Tasmania: beaches and hot springs, volcanoes and rainforests. Ziplining, river rafting, and river tubing are among the adventurous activities on offer, while animal lovers can meet sloths, iguanas, monkeys and caimans. Costa Rica has spent the last decade building a reputation for eco-friendly travel, and many of its accommodation options reflect this focus. Because it borders both the Pacific and the Caribbean, you can even enjoy two family holidays in one: a rainforest lodge for your little eco-warriors and a beachfront holiday resort for the sun lovers in your family.
When you picture a family holiday in Africa, you probably think of incredible wildlife encounters, vivid sunsets, vast landscapes and a whole lot of “wow” from the kids. Namibia has all of this to offer, making it a favourite African destination for the entire family. Etosha National Park is one of the largest in Africa: it’s home to lions, elephants, leopards, giraffes and even flamingos. You can camp out in the park in luxury safari tents or stay at one of the numerous luxury game lodges in the area. Further South, exploring the otherworldly landscape of Sossusvlei, with its giant red dunes and skeletal trees, is a huge adventure in itself. English is widely spoken in Namibia, and there are several tour operators that specialise in family-friendly safaris.
For more family holiday ideas and inspiration, talk to your personal travel manager or find one here.
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