Holiday types · Family
Family holidays
The right answer changes completely depending on the ages. A four-hour flight with a toddler is a different proposition from an eleven-hour one with two teenagers.
The right answer changes completely depending on the ages. A four-hour flight with a toddler is a different proposition from an eleven-hour one with two teenagers.
It's the single decision that most determines whether the holiday works.
Under about four, we'd keep it to four or five hours — the Canaries, the Balearics, Türkiye or Egypt. Between five and ten, a seven-hour flight to the Gulf is manageable, especially overnight. From about ten upwards, long-haul opens up properly and Florida, Thailand and the Caribbean become sensible. The other thing that matters more than the star rating: connecting or family rooms. Two adults and two children in one room for a fortnight is a false economy that ruins holidays.
Ordered roughly by flight length, with the ages each suits.
Four hours, same time zone, huge all-inclusive choice. The default for under-fives.
Two hours, calm beaches on the north and east coasts, and short transfers.
Turkish resorts do family all-inclusive better than anywhere — waterparks included.
Shallow calm water at Protaras, English widely spoken, and drives on the left.
Waterparks, aquariums, and indoor everything when it's hot. Seven hours, overnight.
Two fully indoor theme parks on Yas Island. The Gulf's best family answer.
The big one. Seven nights of parks maximum, then a Gulf beach.
All-inclusive resorts with cenotes and Maya ruins for older children.
Three nights, huskies and Santa. The one trip small children genuinely remember.
There's no rule, but we'd generally suggest keeping under-fours within about five hours. It's the recovery at both ends that catches people out, not the flight itself.
We quote them as standard and show you the cost of two rooms alongside. You choose, but you'll see both numbers.
Florida, Thailand, Mexico or Dubai — somewhere with things to do beyond the pool. Teenagers get bored of resorts faster than younger children.
Yes, and we check rather than assume. Tell us the ages and we'll only quote places that genuinely cater for them.
Chosen for flight length, transfer time and what there is to do when the pool palls.
Four parks, ten days minimum, and a fourteen-day ticket costing barely more than seven.
Official hotel, Extra Magic Time, and the train drops you at the gates.
Flat, cyclable, sandy, and nowhere more than forty minutes from the airport.
Shallow bays in the north around Alcúdia. The shortest flight on this list.
Parks first, then ninety minutes to a Gulf beach. Don't do fourteen days of queues.
Five-star all inclusive at prices Spain gave up on a decade ago.
Huskies, reindeer and snow to the treeline. Not the one-day trip.
Three nights of city, a week of parks. The combination teenagers actually want.
Guide prices, per person, based on two sharing, including return flights, accommodation and transfers where stated. They indicate what a holiday of this type has typically cost and are not an offer or a quotation. Your price depends on dates, party, board basis, departure airport and availability, and is confirmed in writing before any payment is taken.
No forms with twenty fields. Send us the rough shape and we'll come back within one working day with real options and real prices.