Castle crazy in the UK
TV show The Traitors, filmed in Scotland’s Ardross Castle, has caused a surge of interest in trips to the Highlands. If you’ve fallen for the landscape, turrets and tartan and want to take the family north this Easter, check out The Pink Castle in Ayrshire, available through Cottages & Castles. Not only does the 14th Century, four-bedroom castle look like something from a fairytale, it also has a sauna, hot tub, sea views and contemporary decor.
Port An Eilean in Perthshire overlooking Loch Tummel is available through Holiday Cottages and ideal for a multi-generational family getaway, with ten bedrooms, including one in a tower, and lots to do from all-weather tennis courts to boat rides on the loch.
Want to take the pet pooch too? Check out Canine Cottages’ Kinnairdy Castle in Aberdeenshire, which comes with medieval vaulted ceilings, stained-glass windows, space for two dogs (and seven humans) and 450 acres to romp around in.
Of course you don’t have to travel to Scotland to get a castle fix. Stay at a cottage in Wales through Brecon Cottages and you’ll find some of the best medieval castles in Europe on your doorstep, including Abergavenny Castle & Museum and magnificent Raglan Castle in Monmouthshire.
Or book pretty 18th-Century Peppercorn Cottage (sleeps four) in Northumberland, which lies beneath Banburgh Castle and has views of the sea from its scenic garden.
Greece is the word
If you love Greece, but have been put off taking the family during the summer due to soaring temperatures, risk of wild fires and over tourism, an Easter escape could be the answer. The prospect of less crowded resorts, milder weather and lower prices are really alluring and, although not all of the restaurants and shops will be open, most family resorts will be up and running.
Take Porto Sani resort in Halkidiki, which Inspiring Travel is offering full board from 5 April, and includes an adventure park, kids’ club, lagoon pool and even a Bear Grylls Survival Academy.
Or how about luxe family resort Domes of Elounda in Crete with Fleewinter. It reopens for the season at the end of March and has a private sandy beach, suites and villas for families and a lots of activities for all ages, including stargazing, cinema nights, tennis and football academies.
And if you’re after something more private and spacious, GIC The Villa Collection has some amazing properties in Greece, such as idyllic four-bedroom Villa Icarus which has a pool and open-plan living space and is just 15 minutes’ walk from the beaches, tavernas and market of Perama.
Desert dreaming in Oman
Oman should be on your holiday radar. Not only has it been awarded 2026 Emerging Tourist Destination thanks to a tonne of investment in sustainability, nature and eco-tourism, but this Middle Eastern country is absolutely perfect for families - easy to reach (seven-hours direct flight from London), blessed with near-guaranteed sunshine and an endless amount of activities to try, from hiking to dune rolling.
If you’re tempted, Experience Travel Group offers a Classic Family Oman holiday, which includes a couple of nights in the capital Muscat enjoying dolphin-spotting, dhow cruises and exploring the souks, followed by a 4WD journey through the mountains to the ancient mud-brick town of Nizwa, dune bashing at Wahiba Sands and swimming in the emerald sinkholes of the wild coast.
Alternatively, Cox & Kings can pull together a family-friendly itinerary such as Oman Discovery, taking in a city break in capital Muscat, hiking Oman’s Grand Canyon trail, sandboading in the dunes at the Arabian Nights Resort and playing on the white sands of Fins Beach.
For older kids and teens, Dunes, Mountains & Wadis of Oman with Regent Holidays offers a deeper dive into the country’s landscape, including a visit to the deserted village of Wadi Bani Habib, Jabal Shams, the highest peak in the country, and swimming in the natural pools and waterfall of desert oasis Wadi Shab.
Kite flying in Antigua
Easter holidays are a special time to visit this Caribbean island with your kids - not only will it be hot and sunny with water sports galore, but the 21st Antigua & Barbuda International Kite Festival will also be taking place over the Easter weekend, which means blue skies filled with colourful kites and kite-making workshops too.
Curtain Bluff, set on a rocky peninsula above two dreamy beaches, is one of the island’s best family hotels and the perfect place to check in with younger kids, thanks to a Cee Bee Kids Camp (3-12 years), where they can make their own kites alongside other inventive activities like creating a mocktail, taking part in a CB Mini Olympics and crab racing.
All-inclusive is the savvy option for parents who don’t want to blow the budget. Knowing everything’s paid for up front means you can truly relax, which is why Royalton Antigua Resort & Spa is another great family option. Located close to capital St John’s, there’s a Clubhouse Kids Club and Hangout Teen Lounge, beach volleyball, cooking classes, lots of water sports and a knock-out spa, so there’s little chance of anyone getting bored here.
Peak performance in the Alps
If you and your clan have been inspired by the Winter Olympics and are itching to fling yourselves down a slope, there’s still time to squeeze in a winter sports holiday before the season ends. High altitude, traffic-free Avoriaz in France stays open until 19 April and, as the temperatures start to rise, the prices plummet, so you’re likely to bag a bargain. Ski in-ski out Saskia Falaise Apartments with Iglu Ski, sleep up to four people, overlook Morzine Valley, are close to the ski schools, ice rink and restaurants and have availability over Easter.
If you’ve got younger kids but still want a piste of the action, book a family ski holiday at Mark Warner’s Chalet Hotel L’Ecrin in Tignes France, which offers fantastic child care (4 months to 12 years), ski school pick up and drop off and kids’ afternoon tea.
Fancy giving cross-country skiing a go with the fam? Best Served Scandinavia can fly you out to Torassieppi Muonio in Finnish Lapland, where you’ll find reindeer excursions, husky sledging, snow-shoeing and log cabins with open fires - you might even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. And did I mention it’s proudly off-line? Meaning screen time isn’t even an option for the kids *books two weeks immediately*.