Having children does not have to mean the end of your adventures. Bring the kids along, and you can teach them about different cultures and develop their love of travel. If you are thinking of taking the family away, here are some destinations that are family-friendly, yet still have plenty to do:
- Croatia
Croatia often gets overlooked as a holiday destination, but it has some truly spectacular beaches, vast national parks, and historic cities to explore. The Dalmatian Coast and Islands are popular with families, a lively part of the country that includes coastal mountains, charming villages, and the bustling Mediterranean town of Split. Adventurous families will love the snorkeling, scuba diving, and swimming that you can enjoy along the long, unspoiled coast.
- Montenegro
Croatia’s neighbor is a small country, but it is definitely an up-and-coming destination, so why not take a trip in 2020 to beat the crowds? Montenegro has amazing lake and mountain scenery, so you can hike the Balkans as a family or you can head for the coast, which overlooks the Adriatic Sea, perfect for long beach days and sailing. The family will love a boat trip to Our Lady of the Rocks — tiny artificial islands, one of which has a church full of historic treasures.
- Menorca
Menorca is another underrated destination that is set to become more popular in 2020. One of the smaller Balearic Islands, it is often overlooked in favor of Ibiza or Majorca, but its small size makes it ideal for families to explore, and it has a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Many visitors stay in villas in Binibeca and hire a car, with most parts of the island less than an hour’s drive away. Drive around the island and enjoy some of the tiny cove beaches for a peaceful day out or head inland and explore the mountain scenery, which is fast becoming a popular spot for hiking. When it is the kids turn to choose a day out, there is a zoo, waterparks, and the usual fun for holiday makers.
- Andalucía
It is easy to feel that you have ‘done’ Spain if you have had a few holidays on the Costa Blanca or Costa Brava. However, the great thing about Spain is that it is a huge country and each area has its own distinct personality, so you can never get sick of the place. Why not try Andalucía this year? London to Seville flights come in at under three hours, ideal for those with restless kids, and the region has 600 miles of coastline with amazing beaches. Andalucía has a distinct look, with Moorish architecture and white-washed houses along the untouched coast. Some of its major exports include flamenco and tapas, thus it is easy to stay fed and entertained. Plus it has a more authentic feel than the more touristy parts of Spain.
- Lanzarote
Considering the Canary Islands? Most people will immediately be drawn to Tenerife with its luxury resorts or Fuerteventura with its large hotels, but Lanzarote is one of the more laid-back, family-friendly islands. Because Lanzarote has focused on being eco-friendly and cut back on big developments, it has lots of unspoiled beaches and volcanic landscapes that are not interrupted by big hotels. Kids will love seeing the active volcanoes and lava tunnels on the island, and there are plenty of family-friendly places to eat that still manage to be authentic.
- Corsica
If you love the sun-soaked Mediterranean, then Corsica is a great destination for all ages. It is a mountainous island, surrounded by the Ligurian Sea, and has a mixture of French and Italian culture. The island is great for hiking, with routes that suit beginners and younger hikers, while the beaches have light sand and turquoise sea that is shallow for a long way out. You can also take a ferry from Corsica to Sardinia for a day trip, taking in the culture of both unique islands. Of course, Cagliari has it’s own airport and if you fly in, you can get a Cagliari airport car rental as well!
- Orlando
Even if your family have done Florida recently, this year is bringing a load of new attractions to Orlando, so you can catch the things you missed before. Sci-fi fans can visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, an immersive experience at Disney World, while The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal and LEGOLAND Florida are also set to expand. Smaller kids will love Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, opening in March 2020, while bigger kids who are obsessed with the solar system will enjoy Space 220, a new Epcot restaurant that gives you the experience of dining on a space station.
