TRAVEL TRENDS

10 activity holidays for your family

Last updated 17th July 2022

Kids in wetsuits on a beach in portugal

1/10 Portugal for young families

Why? Occupying one-third of Portugal, yet inhabited by just 6% of the population, the Alentejo, situated north of the Algarve, is beautifully unspoilt and gloriously peaceful. The region’s coast holds appeal for a broad spectrum of people, but particularly young families looking for fewer crowds as well as a number of activities to entertain the kids.

What? Head to the golden, rugged beaches along Portugal’s Alentejo Coast for a fun-filled activity holiday. If you can drag the children away from the seaside hotel’s two swimming pools, playground, mini golf and tennis court, there are plenty of activities to try out. From a day of surfing lessons and orienteering, to picnics in a pine forest and raft-building (including putting it to test on the water!) – all ages will be kept entertained. There’s also cycling, archery, abseiling and zip-wires to tackle, as well as plenty of beach time.

How? Activities Abroad offers a week-long trip to the Alentejo coast. The price includes seven nights’ hotel or apartment accommodation, return flights (London), return airport transfers, all breakfasts and six other meals. Opt for the number of activities at time of booking (all equipment, tuition and supervision from fully-qualified instructors included). Departure dates are available in July and August.

Price:  From £795 pp (ideal for children aged eight years or older), based on a family of four sharing.

Book it: activitiesabroad.com

A man diving in borneo

2/10 Borneo for older kids and teens

Why? It’s notoriously tricky to get teenagers enthused, but this diving trip to Borneo is sure to turn even hardened couch potatoes into scuba enthusiasts. The Sabah region of Malaysian Borneo is renowned for its spectacular subaquatic offerings. Think bright darting fish in a cocktail of tropical colours, idly gliding turtles and jagged forests of rainbow coral.

What? The trip includes a 3½ day PADI Open Water Diver course (age 15+) taught through classroom-based and practical sessions – the essential first step for all learner divers. There will also be the chance to enjoy Borneo’s wildlife above the surface, with a jungle night walk, rainforest boat trip, jungle rafting, and visits to an Orangutan Rehabilitation Sanctuary, the Sun Bear Conservation Centre and Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary.

How? Departing 31 July & 14 August, Activities Abroad’s 11-night trip includes airport transfers, accommodation, daily breakfasts, nine other meals, all activities listed in the itinerary, and all equipment, tuition and supervision from fully-qualified instructors. Flights extra – Activities Abroad can advise on flight options.

Price: £2,375 pp (children aged 15-17), based on a family of four sharing.

Book it: activitiesabroad.com

White water rafting

3/10 Turkey for smaller families

Why? This slightly more relaxed itinerary offers a good mix of beach time with some fun, laid-back activities, and is priced for a small family – one adult sharing with one child. Based in Kas, Turkey, families will love the impressive coastline, warm climate, traditional culture and friendly locals.

What? While away the hours in the warm sunshine, enjoying the hotel’s pools, Jacuzzi, Turkish bath and seafront location. Head out and paddle over a sunken city in a kayak, admire dramatic scenery on a gorge walk, try your hand at tubing – stopping for a mud fight along the way – and head inland for mountain biking and hiking.

How? Departing in July and August, Activities Abroad offers a seven-night trip that includes hotel accommodation, return flights (London), return airport transfers, daily breakfasts and six other meals. Opt for the number of activities at time of booking (all equipment, tuition and supervision from fully-qualified instructors included).

Price: From £950 per adult and £900 per child (age 8-11), based on one adult sharing with one child.

Book it: activitiesabroad.com

Grandparents taking part in outdoor activities in Austria

4/10 Austria for multi-generational families

Why? Energetic adults will enjoy taking the children to Austria’s Oetz Valley on an unusual trip specifically designed to appeal to all ages. It uses a points system, allowing families to tailor-make their own holidays and pick their preferred activities from those on offer.

What? Catering to all levels, activities include hiking, mountain-biking, white-water rafting, climbing and via ferrata, and you don’t all have to do the same thing. So while grandparents take the children to the archery range, parents could be enjoying a well-deserved and indulgent time at the nearby thermal baths – all included in the points system. The hotel is a short walk from the village of Oetz – and wandering through the village, shopping for souvenirs and stopping for coffee and cake takes up no points at all!

How? Activities Abroad offers a week-long trip to the Oetz Valley. The price includes seven nights’ accommodation, daily breakfast, 16 activity points (additional activity points can be purchased in Austria) and all equipment, tuition and supervision from fully-qualified instructors. Travel extra – Activities Abroad can advise on flights/self-drive options. Departure dates are available until mid-October.

Price: From £425 per adult and £325 per child (age 10-16), based on family of four sharing.

Book it: activitiesabroad.com

Calypso Isle

5/20 Gozo for culture vultures

Why? Steeped in myth and legend – being Homer’s Calypso’s Isle, complete with forts, historical sites and stunning vistas – the island of Gozo is also a wonderful family holiday destination. Gozo is known as the hidden treasure of the Maltese Islands – greener, more rural and slower-paced – with strong culture and traditions.

What? Take a boat trip out onto the clear blue waters, visit nearby Comino Island and go snorkelling – a day bound to bring the family together and provide a chance to make new friends. Kayaking is another popular activity: discover the coastline in a small group, with plenty of chances to snorkel as you go. Away from the sea, there’s an introduction to rock climbing and abseiling under the expert guidance of your instructors.

How? Activities Abroad offers a week-long trip which includes accommodation in a 300-year-old converted farmhouse, return flights (London), return transfers, daily breakfast, eight other meals, all activities as listed in itinerary, and all equipment, tuition and supervision from fully-qualified instructors. Departures dates are available until mid-October.

Price: From £1345 per adult and £1245 per child (age 8-12). Based on two adults sharing with one child.

Book it: activitiesabroad.com

Image credit: Ted Attard & Viewing Malta

Rafting in Spain

6/10 Spain for adrenaline addicts

Why? Forget the beach this summer, and instead head to the mountains. Ideal for adrenaline-seeking families, the Catalan Pyrenees in Spain has become an activity Mecca during the summer months, plus it offers around 300 days of sunshine annually.

What? Activities on this exhilarating holiday include a half-day white-water rafting, canyoning, kayaking, a jeep tour and hiking in a national park, as well as either mountain biking or horse riding.

How? Activities Abroad offers a week-long trip in the Catalan Pyrenees that includes seven nights’ hotel or apartment accommodation, return flights (London), return airport transfers, daily breakfasts and four other meals. Opt for the number of activities at time of booking (equipment, tuition and supervision from fully-qualified instructors included). Departure dates are available in July and August.

Price: From £885 per adult and £885 per child (age 8-18), based on a family of four sharing.

Book itactivitiesabroad.com

A woman smiling as she gets a splash from her raft

7/10 Croatia for coastal lovers

Why? Based in Novigrad, Croatia, this small fishing village is situated on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. The Mediterranean climate is perfect, receiving an average of 2,600 sunshine hours annually. Packed with seaside activities, this is a treat for all kinds of water babies.

What? Pedal past the picture-perfect Visovac Lake, sea kayak to some of the area’s best beaches, white-water raft and hike in the dramatic, rocky Paklenica National Park. There’s also time to explore the area and to try paddling on a river canoe safari: whizzing down waterfalls and easy rapids, and discovering hidden swimming pools.

How? Activities Abroad’s Adriatic family adventure includes seven nights’ apartment accommodation, return flights (London), return airport transfers, daily breakfasts and five other meals. Opt for the number of activities at time of booking (all equipment, tuition and supervision from fully-qualified instructors included). Departure dates are available in July and August.

Price: From £798 per adult and £775 per child (age 8-12), based on a family of four sharing.

Book it: activitiesabroad.com

Boy taking photo of seal in south america

8/10 South America for wildlife enthusiasts

Why? The Galapagos Islands top many lists of dream trips – but, rather than just admiring the scenery, why not actually spend a week amidst it? With a treasure trove of endemic species, the Galapagos Islands are renowned for natural wonders and unique wildlife.

What? Try snorkelling in Charles Darwin Bay (home to sea lions, turtles and tropical fish), paddling a sea kayak past volcanic rocks and blue-footed boobies, hiking around the island’s volcanic craters, relaxing on picture-perfect beaches or learning about the islands’ eco-systems. Precede this with a week in Ecuador, including zip-lining across the Pita River Canyon, exploring pre-Incan ruins, descending Cotopaxi Volcano by bike, rafting in the Amazon Basin and relaxing in hot springs on the edge of a cloud forest.

How? Departing in July and August, Activities Abroad’s Ecuador and Galapagos trip includes 14 nights’ hotel accommodation, return airport transfers, return internal flights, daily breakfasts, 21 other meals, all activities as listed in the itinerary, all equipment, tuition and supervision from fully-qualified instructors. International flights extra.

Price:  £3,650 pp (children aged 8-12),Based on two sharing a room.

Book it: activitiesabroad.com

Rafting in germany

9/10 Germany for no-fly families

Why? If you believe the journey is part of the holiday then the nine-hour drive from Calais will be time well spent. When you arrive you will discover that the Bavarian Alps hold just as much spectacle as their French and Austrian counterparts. With your own car, you can pick and choose what, where and when to explore.

What? Based in the wonderfully traditional town of Bad Hindelang, Southern Germany, surrounded by mountains and emerald-green meadows, there are a number of outdoor fun and active pursuits to choose from on this seven-night holiday. Choose from a team treasure hunt, kayaking, canyoning, a high ropes adventure course and alpine coaster and mini-rafting to create the perfect mix of action to relaxation.

How? This Activities Abroad Bavarian holiday is available from 12th July to 23rd August and includes seven nights’ hotel accommodation, seven breakfasts, five lunches (with activities), seven dinners and activities the number of which you opt for at time of booking (all equipment, tuition and supervision from fully-qualified instructors included).

Price: £520 per adult (based on two sharing) and £375 per child (aged 8 – 11) or £520 per child (aged 12 -15), based on sharing with two adults.

Book it: activitiesabroad.com

Costa Rica

10/10 Costa Rica for real adventurers 

Why? For the action loving family, Costa Rica has a huge range of landscapes and terrains to explore. This holiday gets you amongst it in an active and immersive way during which you will discover some of the incredible variety of wildlife and 13,000 plant species to be found here. As it’s a small country there are no horribly long journeys to endure while you’re there either.

What? Stay in a luxury jungle lodge, in tented suites, a hotel with views of a volcano as well as a resort on the Pacific coast. Activities include rainforest canyoning, a volcano hike, kayaking through the Tortuguero Canals, a twilight boat trip, horse riding, white-water rafting, a treetop canopy tour, a day of volunteering and more. There’s also time to relax on the coast where the kids can enjoy the beautiful Matapalo Beach and you can spend time at the swim-up bar if you so desire.

How? This twelve night Activities Abroad Costa Rica – Active Adventure is available in July and August and includes 12 nights’ accommodation, 12 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 8 dinners, time in the Poas Volcano National Park, a coffee estate tour, a visit to a conservation centre, a rainforest hike, a wildlife boat trip, a horseback ride, canopy tour and white-water rafting, Arenal Hanging Bridges hike, canyoning, an eco-day, stand-up paddling and a visit to Las Pumas Rescue Centre. (All equipment, tuition and supervision from fully-qualified instructors included).

Price: from £2,125 per adult and £875 per child (aged 8 – 11), based on two adults sharing with one child.

Book it: activitiesabroad.com