Where to go on holiday in the summer with children

With summer in full swing across the UK and Europe, many families take their biggest holidays of the year during time. Here are some of the destinations that we think make for a great family summer holiday.

Costa Rica

As one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world, one quarter of it’s land is protected and it is home to almost 250 species of mammals and more than 900 kinds of birds. There is every chance that you will find playful spider monkeys, colourful macaws, lazy sloths, vibrant toucans and sunbathing iguanas right outside your door. It is therefore no surprise that it is fast becoming a family holiday favourite.

As a great year round destination it is geared to those people that love the outdoors, from bridges suspended in the forest canopy, seeing smouldering volcanoes, canoeing, whale watching, swimming in waterfalls or watching turtles lay their eggs to playing on one of the beautiful palm fringed beaches.

During July until mid- August the country has a local weather condition called "Canicula", it is like an extended short dry season, in which they experience drier days, much less rain and higher temperature as well; making it great for a summer holiday

It is possible to experience the whole country from coast to coast in 2 weeks, the transfer times between some locations can be quite lengthy so this is something to take into consideration when planning your itinerary.

Sri Lanka

Perfectly balancing outdoor adventurous activities with heritage and relaxation on the beaches, Sri Lanka continues to be a favourite when it comes to family holidays.

It is the east coast, north and central hills that are the best places to visit during the school summer holidays as their monsoon season has finished. The Kandy Perahera is an elaborate festival and procession that celebrates the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha.

Elephants are everywhere in Sri Lanka from tea plantations, town festivals (of which there are many) to the swimming elephants at Gal Oya National Park. More nature is on offer at any of six National Parks and three wildlife sanctuaries around Yala and with many different ecosystems the region is teaming with wildlife, not least Asian elephants, the famous leopards and birdlife.

One of our favourites is the train ride running from Kandy to Ella in Sri Lanka. It's undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and magical train journeys in the world. About an hour out of Kandy, the ride takes you through scenic hillsides of misty tea plantations.

Thailand

With year round sunshine, it is always a good time to visit Thailand, however the weather differs across the regions so visit the islands at the right time to be certain of the best weather. During our summer months the island of Koh Samui has perfect weather and a host of activities to keep you entertained. 

It’s laid back vibe welcoming vibe not only makes it a great family adventure but also a good first step into your Asian adventures. Speedboat adventures around some of the picture perfect islands offer the chance to do some snorkelling, see more of the coastline and see wild monkeys (although I would recommend keeping your distance). 

A stop off in Bangkok on the way allows you to experience the hustle and bustle of the city and take in some of the capitals many parks and outdoor spaces as well as the famous Golden Palace. This was one of our first big family holidays as a family of 4 and our children (who were 1 and 3) loved it.

Mauritius

It is officially the dry season in August some of the country is still experiencing some wind and rain, so for the best weather head to the North West Coast. 

With the opportunity to take a 4x4 safari through nature reserves where you might spot herds of Java deer, wild boar, the rare Mauritian Black Bulbul and Echo Parakeet. 

Croatia

From the cobbled streets of Dubrovnik to the luxury yachts of Hvar, the clear blue Adriatic sea and a coastline that seemingly never ends, Croatia is becoming more popular as a family holiday destination. It is still much quieter than it’s neighbours, and is a great place to visit on it’s own or combined well with a trip through Slovenia.

Island hopping as day trips or a short overnight stay from the towns is a great way to see what each of them have to offer.

The street festival Spancirfest usually takes place for 10 days in August and is a spectacle of creative arts, dancing, workshops, street theatre and musical performances.

Kenya

Kenya has it all – the big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo), crocs, hippos, rare giraffe species, and an abundance of antelope including the endemic Mountain Bongo. Kenya forms part of the annual wildebeest migration route with huge herds moving between Tanzania and Kenya.

Throughout August the temperatures are pleasant and it's mostly dry, making it one of the best times to visit. Fantastic game viewing can be enjoyed during this time, with the Great Migration at its height in the Masai Mara providing lots of action at the river crossings as countless wildebeest and zebra gather and cross the Mara and Talek Rivers.

Montenegro

Montenegro is great for exploring stunning landscapes and seeing nature at its best. The quaint, and some say 'spectacular' World Heritage town of Kotor is in the Bay of Kotor. For the best views of the town and neighbouring villages a boat ride along the coast has you thinking of Norwegian Fjords. The winding medieval streets and cafes of the beautifully preserved old town and the street music and theatre make it a wonderful venue for keeping the little people constantly entertained.

At the start of July, the Festival of Theatre takes place and children can take part in workshops or cultural events that take place in the town.

Canada

August sees warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine in Canada and it is the perfect time to see humpback whales in British Columbia or the Black Bears in the Rockies. With so much to visit you can tailor the itinerary to areas that have flight times that suit you. 

Once you are there the cities are safe and whether you fly - drive or take a helicopter to a remote island you can easily do everything on your terms. 

If you have a love of the outdoors there is endless mountain biking, horse riding, hiking, kayaking and cruise boats to keep you all entertained. The cities add a contrasting vibrancy with an up and coming foodie scene. 

As with many of the places we describe the possibilities of seeing wildlife in their natural environments is endless. Be it the Black bears and humpback whales we have mentioned or dolphins, otters building their dams or listening to the wolves howling at night.

If you’re ready to start planning your next family summer holiday, we’d love to help. And perhaps inspire you, with new ideas you might not even know are possible yet.

Just call 0118 336 0363 or click here now to reach us personally & talk more about your plans.