UK STAYS
Go wild in Welsh woodland
If you harbour fantasies of relocating your family to the countryside, a good place to trial it for a week is remote Llwyn-y-neuadd, an idyllic cottage dating back to the 17th Century set in an acre of forest in the scenic Brecon Beacons. Inside it’s super cosy, with flagstone floors and a comfy lounge with French doors opening onto a (hopefully) sun-filled patio. Upstairs, three bedrooms ensure plenty of space for everyone to spread out. It’s a great choice if you want to encourage kids off screens and outdoors, as it’s safe for them to roam the well-trodden paths straight from the door. Further afield, there’s Carreg Cannen Castle to explore.
Five nights from £873 for the week commencing 20 July with Brecon Cottages.
Take the pet pooch to Norfolk
If you want to take the family dog too, check out Kett Country Cottages which has a selection of pretty, pet-friendly properties to hire in Norfolk. There’s still availability at two-bedroom Woodlark Cottage (sleeps four) in Syderstone this summer. It’s close to Pensthorpe Natural Park, Scolt Head Nature Reserve and the golden beaches of Brancaster and Wells-Next-The-Sea. Children will love the bunk beds, garden and summer house, adults will appreciate the charming interiors and countryside views, and your pooch will simply be glad to be included in the fun.
Five nights from £838, from 26 July, with Kett Country Cottages.
Enjoy water sports in Cornwall
What could be better than the relaxing freedom of self-catering combined with the perks of a hotel? Not much, which is why it’s well worth checking out the new SeaSpace apartments in Newquay. There’s a choice of spacious studios or larger apartments, which sleep from 2-7 people. Ideal for families are the Large Studios, which come with a kitchen, double bed, separate bunk room, ocean view and super-fast WiFi (vital for teen travel). Nobody will get bored here with so many facilities and activities on site, including padel courts, yoga sessions, gym, pool, cafe and restaurant. And when you step out of the door, you can fill your boots with water sports like standup paddle boarding, surfing and wild swimming - more than enough to keep all ages amused for a week.
Large Studios are still available in July and August from £250 per night, with SeaSpace.
GO EURO
Explore Italy by train
Take the family on an unforgettable tour of some of Italy’s most exciting and beautiful destinations on a family adventure to Venice, Lake Garda and Milan. Marvel at the Doges Palace, Rialto Bridge and art-filled museums of Venice, before hopping on a train to Lake Garda, where water sports and waterparks await. Finally, journey by rail to Milan and hit the city’s fashionable restaurants, galleries and shops. It’s four-star accommodation all the way and the kids will be having so much fun they won’t even realise it’s educational too.
Eight nights from £1,149pp in July, including four-star hotel accommodation, rail tickets and return flights, with Affordable Luxury Travel.
Villa thriller in Spain
Spain’s still a wildly popular destination for Brit family holidays, meaning many villas have either been snapped up or are so expensive you’ll need a second mortgage to afford them. Which is why La Rondita in Andalucia caught my eye. Close to the ancient town of Ronda, it’s a charming white-washed traditional two-bedroom (sleeps four) villa with a pool, lawned gardens, mountain views and lots of extras, such as hammocks, barbecue area and even a travel cot and highchair so you can travel light if you’re taking tots. Perfect for a balanced holiday of lounging around, swimming and excursions.
Seven nights £1,854, for the week commencing 19 June, with CV Villas. Flights not included.
Kids rule in Portugal
Psst! There’s a family-friendly farm in Portugal that’s so amazing, it’s tempting not to share. However in the name of journalism I’ll let you into the secret that is Monte da Vilarinha, set in a valley in the Vicente Coast National Park. Cabins are contemporary and sustainable (think natural materials, solar powered) and surrounded by beautiful gardens full of fruit trees, cacti and wildflowers. Children, who are the stars of the show here, have access to all areas including an adventure playground, roped walkways winding through trees and 32 hectares to roam by bike. Toddlers, meanwhile, will feel at home in the playroom stuffed with toys and everyone will love the swimming pools.
Seven nights in a Casa da Lago Suite (sleeps four) €1,846 per week commencing 21 July, including breakfast, available through i-escape.
Free child care in Turkey
Tour operator Mark Warner has some great family holiday summer deals, including sun-kissed Phokaia Beach Resort, where there are more activities on offer than you could possibly get through in seven days. Pack the week with pickleball, water sports, tennis lessons, learning to dive, cycling and sailing and, after honing new skills, meet in the kid-friendly restaurants to discuss your days. A major bonus at Phokaia is the free childcare for children aged from 1-17 years, with various kids’ clubs.
Seven nights from £1,532pp, for the week commencing 29 July based on two adults and one child sharing and return flights, with Mark Warner.
FARAWAY PLAY
Coolcation in Iceland
Lying on a beach in 35ºC heat isn’t for everyone and, as temperatures in Europe increasingly soar in the summer, it can be uncomfortable for kids. The solution? Look north for your next family adventure, specifically Iceland (clue’s in the name). Best Served Scandinavia has a brilliant five-day, self-drive 4WD excursion which takes in some wild sights and activities in the Golden Circle, including waterfalls, volcanoes, geysers, jumping in geothermal pools at the Blue Lagoon and glacier walks. You’ll also get to spend time in Reykjavik, where kids can spot puffins and whales on a city cruise.
Five nights in high season from £1,765pp including return flights based on four people sharing a two-bedroom apartment, with Best Served Scandinavia.
Everything included in Cuba
There’s something comforting about booking a family all-inclusive getaway. Not only can you rest assured that there won’t be a nasty bill to pay at the end of the holiday, but it also means kids can try new cuisines and activities they don’t know they’ll like without you having to shell out through gritted teeth. Five-star Melia Varadero, overlooking Varadero’s white sand beach, is the perfect all-inclusive for a family break with loads of things tweens and teens will approve of including the contemporary design (it’s shaped like a six-petalled flower in the style of a pyramid), two large pools, beach volleyball, diving, gym and lots of day and evening entertainment the whole family can enjoy. Free upgrades to a sea-view room are included this summer.
Seven nights all-inclusive costs £1,249pp in July including return flights, with Love Cuba.
Tropical treats in Mauritius
If you thought the islands of the Indian Ocean were purely for honeymooners, think again because Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort in Mauritius makes a fantastic family escape. Perched on a white sand beach in buzzy Belle Ombre, it caters for all ages including babies - there’s a baby and toddler club so you can get a well-earned break in the magnificent spa. Meanwhile older kids get an enviable choice of activities including quad biking in the nature reserve, beach games and computer gaming. Restaurant Annabella’s even has a separate buffet for children so they can choose their own food, which can be pureed for babies.
Seven nights from £5,999 for a family of four (two adults, two children under 12) this summer (1 July-30 September) including flights and breakfast, with Turquoise Holidays..