4 Inspiring Summer Holiday Ideas For Active Families
F&P TRAVEL
FOR WATER-BASED FUN
Sail Around The Islands Of Croatia
What To Do
One of the UK’s most popular holiday destinations, Croatia has over 1,200 islands to explore – and one of the best ways to explore them is by boat. Look to the likes of F&P Travel, Sails Of Croatia or Goolets, who can equip their vessels with safety nets and gates, organise a child-friendly crew and help families pull together a manageable itinerary with plenty of exciting stop-offs along the way. Head to the island of Brac for its striking white-pebble beach, Zlatni Rat, often referred to as the Golden Cape or Golden Horn. Here, visitors can try windsurfing and kitesurfing, before hitting the beachside restaurants. Blanca Hermitage, a beautiful 15th-century monastery is a must-see, as is Stina, a winery that runs speedy 30-minute tours and tastings for mums and dads. The neighbouring island of Hvar, which is equally beautiful, is a 30-minute boat ride away. A couple of days is enough time to see the highlights and soak up the laidback way of life. Visit Dubovica beach for its turquoise waters, then head for the small town of Fortica which is lined with medieval buildings, including a magnificent fortress.
The walled city of Dubrovnik makes for an idyllic family getaway at any time of year, with temperatures often reaching the mid-20s even in late October. Famed for its historic old town and harbour, the city is a great destination for culture buffs, as well as adventurers keen to explore the sites. Families with older children should embark on the mile-long walk along the city wall, and plan a visit to Fort Lovrijenac, a 13th-century fortress offering up panoramic views. For something more secluded, jump back on the boat to Lokrum to wander the shoreline backed by pine trees and eucalyptus.
Where To Stay
Olife Hotel on Brac has modern interiors throughout and an adjoining villa for six to eight guests. A ten-minute walk from the beach, the hotel is in Milna, a small fishing village with a beautiful harbour. This feels more like a guesthouse with its whitewashed walls, exposed brick and an elegant iron-wrought staircase. There are 26 rooms (six have sea views) plus a restaurant and terrace over the water for al fresco dining. Offering excellent value for money, rooms are comfortable, food portions are generous, and the staff can help you organise everything from boat transfers to family activities.
Hotel Lemon Garden, also on Brac, is set on its own private beach and surrounded by lemon groves. Spread across three stone buildings, the venue has all the extras you’d expect, including a heated outdoor pool, beach bar and spa with a Finnish sauna and steam room. Inside, expect chic Mediterranean-inspired décor in 35 bright rooms with pops of colour and Murano glass light fixtures, while en-suites are spacious with baths and showers. The hotel has its own destination restaurant and bar, serving the likes of seabass with lemon thyme, agnolotti stuffed with polenta and prawns, lamb fettuccine and lemon tart.
One of the most affordable hotels in Hvar, Podstine is the only property on the island with a rocky beach front where you can jump straight into the sea from the deck. Sheltered by the tall rocks of Podstine Bay, the hotel has 50 comfortable rooms, ranging from simple double bedrooms to superior rooms with balconies and sea views. Guests can swim in the freshwater pool and lie on sun loungers by the sea, book treatments at the spa, sip cocktails at the beach bar and try local seafood at Restaurant Amo. Ideal for large group holidays, Little Green Bay is a calm oasis close to buzzy Hvar Town. Sitting above an almost deserted beach, it offers afternoon boat excursions, complete with everything from snorkelling to kayaking. There are 15 boutique rooms with luxury bathrooms, as well as an outdoor spa where parents can enjoy treatments on the deck or relax in the jacuzzi. Little Green Bay is available for exclusive bookings.
This family friendly apartment in Dubrovnik looks out over the Adriatic Sea and comes with a large private terrace and spacious garden-cum-orchard. There are two bedrooms as well as two sofa beds, so it can sleep up to five guests in total. Expect to find an al fresco dining area on the terrace, as well as an idyllic sunbathing spot complete with comfy deckchairs. Nearby, there are plenty of local supermarkets, restaurants and boat rental companies.
COLIN LLOYD/UNSPLASH
FOR FRESH AIR & BIKE RIDES
Try Summer in The Alps
What To Do
The mountains aren’t just for winter and skiing – in fact, many of the resorts in the Alps really come into their own during the summer months, when activities such as horse riding, e-biking and lake swimming show the views and scenery at its finest. One of the world’s most-loved ski resorts, Chamonix sits on the junction between France, Switzerland and Italy, and at the base of Mont Blanc – the highest point in the Alps. Tourists flock there every winter to enjoy some of the best snow in the region, but come summer, the resort often enjoys temperatures of a balmy 25°C. Ski lifts remain open throughout the season, so visitors can still journey up the mountain to drink in the views, while music lovers should head to the annual Jazz Festival, which is scheduled to take place between the 16th and 22nd of August this year.
Journey 30 minutes out of Chamonix and you’ll reach Megève, a neighbouring resort with a pretty old town filled with charming boutiques and rustic restaurants. Take your walking shoes and embark on one of the easier trails that pass through the region’s green forests. Along with hikes and cycling routes, families can also book in for a spot of water rafting and canyoning.
Where To Stay
There is something for all ages at Évian Resort on the French side of Lake Geneva. The programme for children includes tennis and golf camps, treasure hunts and various learning experiences and it’s the ideal base for forest bathing, canoeing, horse‐riding and hiking – one particularly beautiful walk takes you through the Chablais region. The culture team can also arrange luxury picnics or electric bike trips along the mountain paths. You can opt to stay in the four-star Hotel Ermitage or the five-star Hotel Royal which provides free accommodation for under-13s. Parents of little ones should book into the ‘Le Fabuleux Jardin’ rooms, which were recently revamped by a Swiss children’s design specialist – expect lots of toys, cosy tents and stylish decor themed on the flora and fauna of the surrounding Alpine wilderness.
The charming Les Fermes de Marie is a traditional, rustic chalet-style hotel but with all the luxuries you’d expect from a five-star residence. Located a five-minute walk from Megève village, it acts as the ideal nesting hole for those wanting to explore the area. In Megève, try the Four Seasons. Among the activities available for families expect to book canyoning, farm visits, fishing, summer sledging, horse-drawn carriage rides, treetop adventure course, picking workshop, an initiation to golf or an afternoon in the swimming pool. Best of all, Nemo – the hotel’s dog – is on hand for family dog walks. In Chamonix, book a room at the iconic Hotel Chamonix Mont-Blanc, which offers guests panoramic views of the famous peak from every room.
Over in the Swiss Alps, Faern is a new collection of lifestyle resorts – Faern Arosa Altein is in the beautiful town of Arosa and Faern Crans-Montana in Valaisia. Ideal for families, Faern Arosa has a spa and chic 70s-inspired bedrooms with views of the mountains, alongside more than 200km of well-maintained walking and hiking trails. As well as horse riding and lake actitivies, families will love the Arosa Bear Sanctuary, where visitors can learn about the stories of the bears who have been rescued, follow an adventure trail, play bear-themed mini-golf and enjoy the playground. Faern Valaisia also has a spa, plus indoor and outdoor pools, a sundeck and solarium. Both hotels also offer all-day dining and have on-site restaurants and bars for unwinding after a day outside.
FOR SOMETHING GREAT IN THE UK
Catch Some Waves In Cornwall
What To Do
A summer family holiday in Cornwall is something of a rite of passage. As well as offering hundreds of beaches, miles of coastline to explore and the simple pleasures of eating Cornish pasties, fish and chips and ice-creams on the go, it’s got loads of great National Trust properties and pretty fishing villages to visit. The St Ives to Zennor coastal path in particular has beautiful sea views and takes around three hours to complete. With rugged patches and steep paths, it’s one for older children, but is well worth the climb. While you’re at it, look out for the cool rock formation at Man’s Head and the famous Trevalgan Stone Circle.
More adventurous families should look at booking an afternoon – or for older children, a course – at one of Cornwall’s many surf schools. If you want to improve your board skills or learn to hit the waves, St Ives Surf School teaches lessons on Porthmeor and Porthminster Beach. Suitable for both adults and children, visitors can also enjoy paddle boarding, kayaking and coasteering. George’s Surf School in Polzeath is one of the best surfing schools in Cornwall. You can book private lessons or group courses where the instructors will show you ropes. They also have a school at Harlyn Bay.
Elsewhere, The National Lobster Hatchery is a marine conservation charity in Padstow. You can adopt your own lobster, and donate to the charity, or simply learn about the sustainable fishing practises in the area. It might sound niche, but it’s a lovely afternoon out. Then there’s the Minack in Porthcurno, a unique open-air theatre perched on the cliffs high above the sea. They put on a range of summer shows and outdoor exhibitions each year – and children go half price.
Where To Stay
For glamping with a sea view, head to Lusty Glaze Beach near Newquay. Luxurious bell tents perch on the site's private stretch of sand and come equipped with double beds and washrooms, as well as beach blankets and hammocks. When it comes to dining, fire up your BBQ or make use of the on-site restaurant. Make sure to book some of the many beachside activities during your stay, such as surfing lessons or yoga classes, which the team run daily.
Interior designer Banjo Beale won BBC2’s Interior Design Masters last year. Now, guests can stay in the Cornish property he designed. On the same site as Watergate Bay Hotel in Newquay, Winnow is part of the Village complex, a design-led group of holiday homes. Ideal for a family holiday, the property has furnishings inspired by the local area, plus a range of sustainable features like sedum roofs, air source heat pumps and a special temperature control system. Sleeping up to ten guests across four bedrooms, it has an open-plan kitchen/dining room, floor-to-ceiling glass windows, a spacious living area with plush decorative accents, and underfloor heating throughout. Outside, there’s a first-floor veranda, a ground-floor patio and a surf shower. Guests can walk to Watergate Bay beach, dine at the restaurant, and book surfing lessons at Newquay Surf School or Wavehunters at The Extreme Academy.
Three Mile Beach in St Ives is a collection of 15 stylish self-catering beach houses is designed to evoke the carefree fun and nostalgia of childhood seaside holidays. Hidden among sand dunes, coastal grasses and palms, each of the three and four-bedroom cabins has an open-plan kitchen-lounge-diner, a log burner and wraparound terrace with sunken cedar hot tub, sauna and BBQ. The kitchens are very well equipped, but if you don’t fancy cooking, you can book a private chef or nip to the street food truck which comes round every lunch and supper time – think Indian curries, Tex-Mex burritos and pizzas. Older children will love learning to surf (all equipment can be hired) or you can walk or cycle (e-bikes are available) for miles to some of the region’s most beautiful spots. Just a short drive away is St Ives, with its colourful boutiques, galleries, restaurant, cafés and stunning sandy beaches.
A short walk from Trevone Beach in Padstow, Atlanta Trevone is a collection of five luxury holiday homes and self-catering apartments. Accommodation is spread across several buildings and a Victorian house which has been carefully restored over the last few years with help from HÁM interiors. Inside, guests can expect calm and serene décor with whitewashed walls, vaulted ceilings, sash windows and a combination of contemporary and modern furniture. All homes and apartments are kitted out with Lacanche cookers, open fireplaces, stylish en-suite bathrooms with rolltop baths overlooking the sea, and Egyptian cotton sheets. Atlanta House sleeps four adults and four children while Atlanta Apartment is a great choice for group holidays thanks to its spacious bedrooms and private patio BBQ area. The owners can help organise picnics and horse riding on the beach, wild cooking with local chefs and sea safaris.
STEVE WEAVER
FOR A TRIP OF A LIFETIME
Go Wild in Colorado
What To Do
It’s never been easier for travellers to visit Colorado with both United Airlines and British Airways flying direct from London Heathrow to Denver daily. And as the snow melts, visitors to the Centennial State have plenty of opportunities to explore the wild beauty of Colorado. Rocky Mountain National Park is home to towering mountain peaks, vast valleys, open meadows and ragged rock sculptures as well as 480km of hiking trails. Its outstanding natural landscape offers a wide range of activities such as fishing in the Big Thompson River, horseback riding, golf and bike tours – plus the opportunity to spot wildlife such as bears, moose, elk, marmot and bald eagles.
Elsewhere, the Colorado Adventure Center offers world class white-water rafting, ziplining and an challenging aerial adventure course in one location. Rafting trips for all abilities can be booked on Clear Creek, just 35 minutes from Denver. For those who love white-knuckle adventures, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is located above Glenwood Springs and is known as America’s only mountain-top theme park. This season, it’s launched Defiance, a one-of-a-kind roller coaster that promises to be a 56-second rocky mountain adventure like no other.
Where To Stay
Experience a true Southwest Colorado vacation at Canyon of the Ancients Guest Ranch. In the countryside of Cortez, near Mesa Verde National Park, the accommodation offers a peaceful place for guests to relax and rejuvenate while exploring thousands of years of ancient ruins. This summer, the attraction will unveil its new Sky Village project, including Star Tower and Sky Kiva guest houses inspired by nearby Hovenweep National Monument.
Just across the mountain from Telluride, Dunton Hot Springs is a romantic 1800s ghost town set in an alpine valley. The striking hotel offers lots for families to enjoy, such as stand-up paddle boarding on Trout Lake, and exploring Tellurideʼs high country and scenic views by travelling along the old mining roads of the San Juan Mountains on a four-wheel drive tour. The route takes visitors to a summit over 13,000ft, passes through the Tomboy Ghost Town and is well-suited to all ages.
Finally, Medano-Zapata Ranch is located on the eastern edge of the San Luis Valley of southern Colorado. The ranch borders the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, the newest national park in the United States. Home to a conservation herd of bison that run in a single 50,000-acre pasture, the ranch also runs a herd of Angus mother cows. The ranch has a 15-bedroom lodge that welcomes guests who are interested in exploring the ranch’s scenic and ecologically diverse meadows, wetlands, sand dunes and cottonwood groves. Its all-inclusive ranch holiday packages include all meals, lodging and activities on the ranch, such as horseback riding.
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