Five Family-Friendly Destinations

Sometimes, all you want to do is get away somewhere nice. However, this can become difficult when you've got children in tow, as it severely limits your choices. Do they have a children’s menu? Do they have enough to keep the little ones entertained? Do they even welcome kids? These are some of the questions we have to ask as parents.

However, we’re here to help, with five great places to visit, all of which will be fun for the whole family!

Long-Haul Adventure

India – Yab Yum Resort, Goa

Ditch the idea of a hotel completely and stay in one of the 14 thatched igloos, resembling the houses of Hobbiton! There are family domes available, each of which is more than capable of housing four as well as a baby, and they’re inexpensive too – starting at £60 a night for a medium family dome, breakfast included.

There’s plenty for the kids – a toy-filled tepee, dolphin-watching, going via tuk-tuk to the local markets or even watching turtles hatch. Best of all is the secluded white sand beach – beautiful!

Thailand – Golden Buddha Beach Resort, Andaman Sea

If you’re looking for peace and tranquillity amongst pure natural beauty, look no further. The Golden Buddha is the only resort on the island of Koh Phra Thong, nestled between gorgeous ocean and unspoiled rainforest.

With ten miles of golden sands there’s lots of room for play, but there’s also swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving and kayaking – available for the kids too!

Short-Haul Excitement

Egypt – Siwa Villa, Siwa Oasis

Head to Siwa for a true adventure. More than 300 miles from Cairo, you are an eternity away from the hectic Egyptian city life, so make the most of it. Grab your fedora and start digging – there are fossils, meteorite shards and Roman tombs aplenty!

For something a bit different, kids can try learning to sand-board. If that’s not to your taste, there’s also swimming (in cold and hot springs!), sand-dune safaris and donkey rides. Siwa is completely different from the rest of Egypt.

France – Le Castel, Normandy

At Le Castel, you can relax in the luxury of a 19th-Century chateau while the kids splash in the pool or explore the woodland den. Nearby is the Parc Festyland, a mini-theme park good for a day out, or you can visit the beaches of the D-Day landings.

The suites are all double bedrooms, with an additional twin or triple room for the children. You can get a babysitter if you want to explore without the little ones, or you can send them on a treasure hunt around the local abbeys, designed by the English owner, Jon.

Close to Home Fun

Wales – Dee Valley Cottages, Corwen

The Dee Valley Cottages were converted from ancient barns and have earned the full five stars. Close to the Roman city of Chester as well as the Welsh coastline, there are a lot of options here. You could even visit the Llangollen Canal in North Wales – captain a boat over the stream in the skies (Pontcysyllte Aqueduct) or take a horse-drawn boat trip around Horseshoe Falls.

The Cottages are fully furnished with a complete kitchen (including dishwasher!) and are within easy driving distance of seaside towns Llandudno and Rhyl, if you fancy a trip to the beach!