Many parents’ dream getaway involves sun, sea, sand, a smattering of waving palm trees and perhaps a kids’ club thrown in for good measure. Yet this fantasy isn’t for everyone. Avid skiers will be itching to get their family on the slopes this winter, and activity-loving parents might have their eye on some festive snow experiences to soak up the Christmas vibes. Whether you’re team sunshine or team snow I’ve found some holidays to suit all kinds of travellers.
By Amanda Statham
BRING ME SUNSHINE…
Beaches Turks & Caicos
How does 12 miles of white sand, 21 gourmet restaurants, a Sesame Street kids’ camp and pirates waterpark with nine slides and a surf simulator sound? If you want to go all out this winter, you can’t do much better than the all-inclusive Beaches Turks & Caicos in the Caribbean, where pretty much everything’s included in the price, from water sports to snacks (and we all know how many snacks kids eat on holiday …).
Seven nights all-inclusive at Beaches Turks and Caicos costs from £3,499 per adult (£909 per child under 12) based on a family of four sharing including British Airways flights in January with Beaches.
Jumeriah Beach Hotel Dubai
You’re near guaranteed sunshine at this Middle Eastern playground, which is worth its weight in gold when you live in the grey UK. The wave-shaped Jumeriah Beach Hotel Dubai is perfect for families, with a large beach and unlimited access to the Wild Wadi Waterpark, not to mention five swimming pools, floodlit tennis courts and an abundance of water sports. While everyone’s involved in activities, there’s plenty of time for you to slip off and indulge in the top-end spa, and sample some of the 13 restaurants and bars. And the whole family will enjoy checking out The Green Planet Dubai, a rainforest with more than 3,000 plants and animals, including sloths and toucans.
Away Holidays offers seven nights from £1,615pp this winter including flights.
Safari & Beach Holiday, Kenya
Start your fun-filled adventure staying in a family tent at Kichwa Tembo Camp in the Maasai Mara Reserve, famous for its big cats. As well as two safari drives a day, the camp also offers kids a Wild Child Programme, where they can learn to track, fish, make traditional bows and arrows, craft, paint and cook up a storm in the camp’s kitchen. Could it get any better? Yes, because you’ll end with seven nights in Kinondo Kwetu, an all-inclusive luxury boutique hotel set among baobabs and palm trees where there’s an abundance of activities for the family to enjoy, from snorkelling, kayaking, sailing and tennis to kite surfing, horse-riding and excursions.
Mahlatini has an 11-nights Kenya Safari and Beach Family Holiday from £5,200 pp (based on a family of four), including safari, flights, accommodation and some meals.
Toddler Tour of Mexico
A tour? Don’t panic, this holiday actually has one base at luxurious Las Villas Akumal near Tulum, so you can go off and enjoy excursions without the need to pack up and move to somewhere new each day. The villas are very private with a fully-equipped kitchen, dining and living room area and en-suite bedrooms. Excursions include visits to the magnificent Mayan ruins of Coba overlooking the sea in Tulum, and world-famous Chichen Itza. Kids will adore paddling near the Sian Ka’an Reef, the Punta Laguna Nature Reserve where they can spot monkeys, and swimming in cenotes (natural swimming holes).
Fleewinter offers the 10-day Toddler Tour of Mexico from £2,000 pp excluding flights.
Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita, Mauritius
If you fancy sunshine over Christmas and money’s no object, a villa at the immaculate Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita should raise some smiles. With three beaches, a kids’ club (think cooking classes and footie skills) and even a teens' club (there’s a DJ booth), nobody’s going to get bored at Twixmas (the festive gap between Xmas and New Year).
Inspiring Travel has seven nights from £18,885 per family, including free upgrade to an Island Ocean Villa, return flights, transfers, a saving of 20% on accommodation and breakfast.
BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE…
Kurula’s Resort, Finland
A tranquil setting of snow-covered trees and lakes on the edge of the Arctic Circle, Kurula’s Resort is a short walk from ski lifts and the oldest National Park in Finland. Whether your family wants to meet Santa Claus, try snow-shoeing, skiing or ice-fishing, it’s all possible in this winter wonderland. With 17 suites (some have their own sauna) and a gourmet restaurant heated by geothermal energy, it’s a modern, sustainable getaway guaranteed to enchant.
Activities Abroad has a three-night Pick & Mix trip from £1,435pp including return flights to Rovaniemi, accommodation in a family suite, breakfast and dinner.
Brändön Lodge, Sweden
A wilderness skills course and husky safari are included in this epic getaway to the snow-dusted islands of the Luleå Archipelago in Lapland. This will be an unforgettable winter break for the whole family, and you can also enjoy guided snowmobiling, hovercraft trips, ice fishing and snow-shoe hikes over ice that freezes up to a metre thick during winter. And when you’ve finished playing around in the snow, you’ll gather back at the lodge for hearty evening meals and the chance to relax in a sauna with views across the frozen sea.
A four-day visit to Brändön Lodge costs from £1,400pp including return flights and accommodation with Best Served Scandinavia.
Alexane, Samoens, France
Want to get the whole family on the slopes this winter without spending a fortune? Better make a beeline for this beautiful ski village with lifts linked to the Grand Massif ski area (the fourth largest ski area in France) which has extensive runs for all levels, and great ski schools. Make your base Alexane, self-catering apartments located just a short walk from the Grand Massif gondola, with a children’s area, ski lockers, and wellness hub with hot tub and sauna.
Seven nights at Alexane in a one-bedroom apartment (sleeps 2-4) costs from £1,598 (total), arriving on 4 January 2025, with Peak Retreats.
Fly-drive, Iceland
If you’d prefer something a little less strenuous, but still super snowy and scenic, a five-day tour of southern Iceland could be the answer. From relaxing together in the thermal water of the Blue Lagoon to (hopefully) catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights and exploring Skaftafell National Park before returning to Reykjavík, it’s an action-packed itinerary for the whole family.
A five-day Iceland fly-drive tour costs from £985 pp with Regent Holidays.
