Family has never felt more important.
If you’re going to get the whole gang together and spend quality time making precious memories, there’s really no excuse for heading off on a run-of-the-mill ‘normal’ holiday.
We’re not going to waste time discussing kids’ menus or interconnecting rooms when there’s so much more to talk about.
So, let us introduce some truly spectacular holiday destinations sure to make you your family’s favourite
1. Take a family cruise adventure
Make next summer unforgettable with Regent Seven Seas Cruises' Kids Sail Free voyages, perfect for families seeking adventure. Experience the thrill of spotting grizzly bears and breaching whales in Alaska, or enjoy a leisurely stroll along Miami’s vibrant promenade, all enhanced by complimentary unlimited shore excursions.
Young adventurers will love the Club Mariner Youth Programme, offering engaging activities like movie nights and dance parties tailored for kids and teens. After exciting days of exploration, families can retreat to the ship’s spacious suites to relax and savor world-class cuisine on board.
Speak to our Cruise Specialist for more information on the destinations and itineraries on offer.
2. Go road-trippin’ in California
Fuel your family’s imagination with an unforgettable road trip through sunny California—perfect for families with young kids, thanks to the flexibility a fly-drive offers to set your own pace.
Kick off your adventure in Los Angeles with VIP tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood, then cruise along the breathtaking Big Sur coastline to visit the elephant seals at the Piedras Blancas Rookery.
Continue north to Carmel, where hands-on beekeeping workshops at Carmel Valley Ranch will captivate curious minds. In nearby Monterey Bay, experience the wonder of whale watching before heading to San Francisco. Here, wrap up your journey by cycling across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge or exploring the history of Alcatraz prison.
Find more advice in our guide to the best driving routes in California.
California holidays for families
3. Explore Australia
For families with teenagers, Australia offers the perfect mix of adventure and culture. For your tailor-made tour during the school summer holidays, we recommend exploring the best of Queensland and New South Wales, blending cosmopolitan city life with stunning natural landscapes and unique wildlife encounters.
Dive into the vibrant underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef, go on a crocodile safari in the Whitsundays, and ride the waves with private surfing lessons in Byron Bay. Cap off the adventure by climbing the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge for breathtaking views of the city.
If you're new to the world 'down under', our guide to visiting Australia for the first time is a good place to start.
Australia family holidays
4. Get some fresh air in New Zealand
For families who love the great outdoors, New Zealand is a dream destination that promises adventure, natural beauty, and unforgettable experiences.
Embark on a bespoke, family-friendly tour of both the North Island and South Island, combining adrenaline-packed activities with awe-inspiring landscapes. Start with a magical visit to the lush green pastures of the Hobbiton™ Movie Set. Then, take on mountain biking trails in Queenstown and marvel at floating icebergs on Tasman Glacial Lake at Mount Cook.
Get up close to incredible wildlife at Abel Tasman National Park, where kayaking along the coast reveals playful New Zealand fur seals. To finish your bucket-list adventure, hold on tight for a thrilling jet boat ride on Dart River—a heart-pounding experience the whole family will cherish.
We have a guide with even more adventure holiday ideas for families with teens.
New Zealand family holidays
5. Admire nature in Borneo
Borneo is a paradise for nature-loving families, boasting some of the planet's most biodiverse ecosystems and unforgettable wildlife encounters.
A highlight of any trip to Borneo is meeting its lively orangutans. Watching these extraordinary primates swing through the rainforest is a once-in-a-lifetime experience—both awe-inspiring and educational, offering travelers of all ages a profound connection to the natural world.
Our Borneo Wildlife Adventure itinerary provides the perfect introduction for families. Begin with a breathtaking canopy walk 41m above the ground in Kinabalu Park, where you'll enjoy panoramic views of Mount Kinabalu. Then, visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre to observe rescued orangutans up close and learn about their rehabilitation journey back into the wild.
Wrap up your adventure with a scenic boat ride along the Kinabatangan River, where you might spot pygmy elephants and other incredible wildlife along the way.
6. Be immersed in culture in Morocco
Morocco may be often overlooked as an adventure destination, but its unique landscapes and rich cultural heritage make it an ideal choice for an action-packed family holiday.
Start your adventure in vibrant Marrakech, hiking along ancient pathways in the High Atlas Mountains, and enjoy a private cooking class in a traditional Berber village. For an unforgettable experience, ride camels through the vast desert, finishing your day with a magical dinner beneath the stars in the sand dunes.
When you're not exploring Morocco's diverse terrains, immerse yourself in the Red City’s captivating 12th-century mosques and lively squares, where you can admire the stunning Islamic architecture.
Whether you’re seeking thrilling activities or enriching cultural experiences, Morocco offers the perfect balance for families.
Family hotels in Marrakech
7. Take it easy with a villa holiday in Portugal
Traveling with toddlers can be challenging, but villa holidays offer the perfect solution for a relaxing family getaway. Enjoy the privacy of your own space without the worry of disturbing other guests—making it much easier for parents to unwind.
For an ideal balance of luxury and convenience, Vila Vita Parc in Portugal is a standout choice. Families can stay in secluded villa accommodations while enjoying full access to the resort’s fantastic family-friendly amenities.
Spend leisurely days by your private villa pool, complete with butler service and a private chef to whip up a mouthwatering barbecue lunch. For a bit of “me time,” book your little ones (ages 1–3) into Natalie’s Creche for a day filled with fun and activities.
More family holidays in Portugal
8. Family fun in Sardinia
Escape to Sardinia and delight even your fussiest relatives at the sprawling Forte Village resort.
Within the resort, there’s a range of four and five-star hotels and luxury villas to choose from. The resort comprises ten unique areas; so it’s no problem if you’re in the mood for a relaxing stroll through tropical gardens one day, and the little ones want to play on the beach the next.
While you’re relaxing, you can send the kids off on adventures that will be the envy of their friends. The children’s wonderland in-resort has bowling, a Barbie activity centre, go-karting and plenty more.
Got any budding Premier League stars in the family? Hit the Chelsea football academy so they can brush up their skills ahead of next season. Alternatively, set sail with the resort’s exclusive yacht chartering service and spend a day exploring this beautiful area’s hidden beaches and dramatic coastlines.
Explore Forte Village
9. Football fun in Cyprus
If your family is an active one, book a trip to Parklane, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa for a luxury adventure that’s spot on for sports fanatics.
Guests aged 5-15 can enrol on the Football Escapes course, which is coached by football A-listers. Every child who enrols receives coaching from their heroes and a full kit. There’s also a medal and certificate upon completion of the course, which will be a wonderful souvenir.
More of a beach babe than a football fanatic? No problem, thanks to the 300m long beach that fronts this 25-acre property. Parklane’s location means Limassol is only 15 minutes by car, so daytrips to explore the historic harbour and bustling centre are simple.
Elsewhere in the resort there’s plenty to keep your family occupied. The 3,000 sq m Park Kidz adventure park features a castle, waterslide, playground and a pool with its own pirate ship!
More family holidays in Cyprus
10. Tropical sun in St Lucia
At the St Lucian resort of Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort, even kids get their own dedicated spa treatments! The Rainforest Spa has specially created menus for those 5-11 and 12-17. We highly recommend trying some of the treatments that use local chocolate!
Once you’re done relaxing, Sugar Beach is a place to make unforgettable memories. So, go rainforest ziplining, scuba diving, or soaring over the island on a helicopter tour.
The Sugar Club’s activities for youngsters aged 4 to 12 means your brood will never have time to be bored. Coconut bowling, treasure hunts, sandcastle building, billiard tournaments, kayaking and paddle boarding are just some of the activities here.
More family holidays in St Lucia
11. Make a splash in the Maldives
On the island paradise of Soneva Fushi, every villa has its own butler (called Mr or Mrs Friday!) and a set of bicycles for family adventures around the resort.
Water slide villas will take your holiday Instagram game to the next level!
Sure to delight young visitors (and the young at heart), slides plunge straight into the impossibly blue waters. Perfect for cooling off after a day in the hot sun.
This Maldivian resort is in the UNESCO-protected Baa Atoll, so the marine life and landscapes here are superb. There are over 30 dive sites nearby. Also, a private sandbank is available for special dinners or camping trips on your luxury Indian Ocean family holiday.
Then there’s the outdoor Cinema Paradiso. Here, family movie nights are taken up a notch with a giant screen floating over the waves and complimentary fresh popcorn to snack on.
After that, spend evenings at the observatory, head out on a snorkelling adventure or take part in local cooking classes. Spot native wildlife, dine in luxury at the amazing restaurants and even indulge in complimentary chocolate and ice cream parlours! There are up to 60 flavours of ice cream on offer, so you really could spend your entire holiday simply heading back to refill your cone!
See more of the best resorts in the Maldives for families.
12. Something for everyone in Dubai
Dubai is always fantastic for holidays with the family, and Atlantis, The Palm is a superlative spot with so much to do as part of your stay.
Wavehouse is the place to be for youngsters (and even grown-up kids), with a bowling alley, an amazing surf wave rider and properly sensational burgers on offer.
Family holidays can be difficult to manage in terms of dining – everybody wants something different and you’ve got fussy eaters to appease. Foodie families will be in their element here, thanks to a truly world-class dining experience.
The excellent Half Board package means you’ll be able to sample an array of amazing meals here, and there’s something to entice even the pickiest of eaters. From breakfast to supper, you and your family will be spoilt for choice; there’s Lebanese cuisine, Tex-Mex favourites, Asian specialities and destination restaurants including Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street and Nobu.
13. Make little dreams come true in Orlando
Of course we had to include Disney in our list! As well as being almost literally on the Cinderella Castle’s doorstep and having Universal Studios 25 minutes away, Four Seasons Resort at Walt Disney World has a whole host of facilities and activities to make your family holiday unforgettable from start to finish.
The property, full of quintessential Four Seasons style, has its own five-acre waterpark, a beautiful lazy river and a complimentary kids’ club. While the youngsters are off having the time of their lives, the grown-ups might fancy a restorative dip at Oasis, the adult-only pool area.
A luxury Disney holiday is the perfect way to get in some quality family time.
Goofy and his friends make an appearance each morning for breakfast at Ravello restaurant, so let us book you the best seat in the house to share pancakes with your favourite characters!
14. Try something new in Thailand
For something a little different, jet off to Thailand for an incredible family jungle experience. Your private Guest Experience Maker will be on hand to completely tailor every activity to your family.
At Six Senses Samui, youngsters can try Muay Thai, cooking, sustainability walks, games, umbrella painting and even coconut leaf origami – a true paradise. The Library at the resort offers plentiful activities for budding artists – including rock painting, traditional batik making and even soap making. Make sure your little ones get a stamp for their Six Senses passport – each resort around the world has its own unique stamp.
Whether you choose to take to the water for watersports, head on a gourmet picnic somewhere in the lush Thai landscape, or even head out on a personalised tour to a local village, your Guest Experience Maker will create the perfect itinerary for your family holiday in Asia.
15. Beach bliss in Antigua
Set on 17 acres of lush gardens and pristine beaches, the family-owned resort, Blue Waters, provides spacious accommodations, ideal for families of all sizes. Choose from beachfront rooms with spectacular Caribbean Sea views or private villas for extra space and privacy.
The resort caters to children with the complimentary Blue Waters Kids' Club, where kids over five can enjoy a wide range of activities such as arts and crafts, treasure hunts, and even feeding tortoises. Younger children can explore the Secret Garden, a safe play area filled with toys and friendly animals.
For the whole family, there’s no shortage of fun. Take a family boat trip to snorkel in crystal-clear waters, enjoy tennis on the floodlit courts, or splash around in one of the family-friendly pools. Evenings are filled with live music, themed nights, and the vibrant atmosphere of The Pelican Bar.
While the kids are entertained, parents can unwind with a spa treatment, knowing their little ones are having the time of their lives. Blue Waters in Antigua is the perfect destination for families seeking both relaxation and fun in paradise.
Plan your family holiday with the experts
Like any of the ideas on this list? Or would you like more ideas and advice from our expert team? Simply give us a call, and we'll start tailoring your perfect family holiday.
More family holiday guides:
Top family holiday destinations in Europe
Where to stay with babies & toddlers in Europe
