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When is the ideal time to start planning your family holiday? From our experience, we think that the earlier you book, the better deal you will get! So if you’re looking to book a summer holiday in sunny Europe, here are some of our favourite destinations:
Sun Gardens
Around a 4 hour flight away, this paradisiac island awaits in the eastern Mediterranean. Cyprus is a multi-cultural island, with a rich history embedded with Greek mythology. Enjoy the beautiful sandy coastline of Fig Tree Bay and its clear blue waters. The resorts of Protaras, Pernera or Ayia Napa, situated on the eastern side of the island and Paphos on the west are the most child-friendly. But make sure you and the little ones keep an eye out for the Ayia Napa Sea Monster! Find out the old tales of the spooky monster over Cypriot traditional dishes at one the many outdoor seafood restaurants in town.
One of the best places to stay when in Cyprus is Sun Gardens. It is ideally placed on a stunning plateau overlooking the aquamarine Mediterranean Sea. The luxury resort has excellent child-care facilities, including a crèche, kids club and playground. There are also plenty of activities for adults as well, such as a Tennis Academy, an 18 hole Championship Golf Course, Football Academy and a Private Beach Club.
Greece will always be one of our favourite European destinations, and for good reason.
1) It is affordable.
2) It is only a short flight away.
3) It has stunning scenery and beaches.
The rich Greek culture and history make it a great country for children to visit and learn new and interesting things. From the Acropolis Museum to the Temple of Olympian Zeus, your children will be intrigued by Greek mythology and architecture. Combine that with a relaxing beach holiday and you have the perfect family break!
Our holiday experts suggest the following hotels as the perfect family accommodation, depending on where you’re thinking of going:
The lively Sun Gardens has with plenty of entertainment including an outdoor theatre, live music and events and shows for kids.
The luxurious 5 star Avra Imperial in Crete is a relaxing oasis with a distinctively designed spa.
Miraggio Thermal Spa in Halkidiki boasts numerous luxury villas with private pools.
Skiathos Princess in Skiatos has a formidable healthy living programme, including cooking classes, yoga, Pilates, herb finding walks and much more.
All our chosen resorts have kids clubs and crèches, luxurious accommodation and plenty of family fun activities such as water or land sports, tennis courts, as well as places to visit nearby.
Portugal is another family favourite. With a coastline of over 800 km and many warm sunny days, it comes as a natural choice for a perfect beach holiday destination with the family. The Algarve on the South Coast of Portugal is a major attraction point for families all year round. From the sun lovers in summer to young families that want to be pampered on their holidays in luxurious resorts and hotels in winter. And with no time-zone difference, your family won’t need to adjust, making it easy to continue with children’s daily routines on your family holiday.
We’d recommend staying at the superb Vila Vita Resort for a truly unique holiday experience. The luxurious resort was built with children in mind and boasts an excellent crèche and children’s club. With over 20 hectares of lush gardens and private access to a secluded sandy cove, the resort also has broad leisure and sports facilities. A unique touch is the private farm that breeds horses and produces award-winning wines, where you can enjoy a wine-tasting lunch.
A classic destination when it comes to family holidays in the sun, it’s easy to see why Spain is always in our top choices. Just a short flight away, the golden beaches and turquoise waters await. Bask in the sun, enjoy some fantastic traditional Spanish dishes and spend some quality time with your family.
Depending on where you’re thinking of going, our travel tailors recommend the following resorts:
Roca Nivaria Gran Hotel in Tenerife, which has excellent facilities for older children such as archery, basketball, pitch and put etc.
Eurotel Punta Rotja Hotel in Mallorca, situated only 800 m from Son Servera Golf Course. Elba Estepona Gran Hotel & Thalasso Spa in Costa del Sol – a fabulous 5 star beachfront hotel.
Principe Felipe Hotel in La Manga – a luxurious resort with access to 28 tennis courts.
Croatia
The hidden jewel of Eastern Europe, Croatia is an incredibly beautiful country that has attracted a lot of attention in the past few years. Croatia has stunning scenery, clear blue waters and white pebble beaches. The capital, Dubrovnik is filled with historical buildings dating back to medieval times and is a definite must-see.
Sun Gardens in Dubrovnik is an excellent 54 acre resort situated on the Adriatic coast. With a private beach, 3 swimming pools and a range of bars and restaurants serving local and international cuisine, this amazing resort is definitely worth considering. Built with children in mind, the resort boasts an excellent Kids Club with trained English speaking staff, who are there to keep your children entertained while you relax. It has live entertainment, watersports, complimentary yoga and Pilates classes and a VIP area.
*this is a collaborative post with the Family holidays Company*
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wow, that Costa Del Sol hotel has absolutely breathtaking views! Now you’ve got me thinking about planning a holiday to Spain.