Unusual and alternative family holidays (2024)

You can’t beat a family holiday by the seaside – whether it’s a weekend on the Isle of Wight or a fortnight on Corfu. But if you fancy something less ‘bucket-and-spade’ and more alternative, try one of these ideas for a more unusual family holiday. They include far-flung family-friendly adventures, new twists on popular European destinations, plus some unusual places to stay in the UK.

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UK holidays – Europe – Long haul

Unusual family holidays in the UK

West Country self-catering specialist Classic Cottages has a range of glamping options for families, including luxury safari tents, Airstream caravans and even a glammed-up shipping container, affectionately known as “Rusty the Tin Tent”.

Staying on a farm is another fun and rewarding way to get in touch with nature – and it certainly makes for a more unusual cottage holiday. Try holidaycottages.co.uk for farm holidays for children in converted barns, farmhouse apartments and cottages.

Unusual family holidays in Europe

I can recommend some fabulous all-inclusive family holidays, as well as hotels with first-class kids clubs. However, if you’re looking for something a little bit different in Europe, there are plenty of family holiday operators venturing ‘off-resort’.

For example, why not get the grandparents, cousins, uncles and aunts together and rent a chateau in France? Oliver’s Travels has some impressive piles such as Chateau Gombardy in the Loire Valley. It has room for 16 and comes with its own swimming pool, tennis court and coach house.The Big Domain also goes XL on accommodation.

If destination, rather than accommodation, is the driving force behind your ‘unusual family holiday’, it’s easy to sidestep the tourist hotspots.

In Spain, for example, Vintage Travel offers an antidote to the Mediterranean Costas with its selection of family villas inNorthern Spainwhere you can combine time on beautiful (less crowded) sandy beaches with adventure activities in the mountains.

Likewise, Puglia in Italy provides an offbeat alternative to the more touristy parts of Italy. You’ll find unspoiled beaches, traditional fishing villages and ancient hill towns – not to mention some excellent family hotels. Check out the stunning 16th-century Masseria Torre Coccaro with its private beach, ancient olive gardens and gorgeous pool.

Then there are the countries you might not have even considered for a family holiday. TakeIceland– it’s one big outdoor adventure playground, offering activities ranging from whale watching and horse riding to snowmobiling and glacier trekking. Regent Holidays can help you plan a family fly-drive holiday.

Activities Abroad has an action-packed line-up of holidays that are particularly suitable for families with teenagers. Take your pick from whale-watching in Madeira, white-water rafting in Croatia, surfing and orienteering on Portugal’s Alentejo Coast. Older teens can try tubing in Turkey and diving in Gozo.

Teenagers may prefer these luxury crewed yachts in Greece which are surprisingly good value. You can explore a string of pretty ports, swim in deserted bays and try out a range of water sports – including water-skiing, wakeboarding, windsurfing and SUP – all included in the price.

In winter, it’s a short hop to Finnish Lapland for an activity holiday in the snow. Stay in a magical forest setting, meet Santa around a campfire, catch a sight of the Northern Lights, try husky sledding and ice fishing, and see moose, Arctic fox and otters.

Long hauloptions

Travelling long haul opens up a whole range of possibilities for unusual family holidays, whether it’s somewhere alternative and little visited or an opportunity to embark on an exciting adventure.

Family-friendly safaris are well established, withmalaria free safarisin South Africabeing particularly popular with young families – this twin centre itinerary combines Madikwe Game Reserve with a stay at Sun City.

Rainbow Tours has this 11-nightholiday in Kwa-Zulu Natal packed with Big Five game drives, spear-fishing, orientation, bush tracking and interaction with elephants and even crocodiles. You’ll stay at two amazing camps, Amangwane CampandUmkhumbi. It also has a one-weekCape Town and Eastern Cape holiday that works well for half-term.

For amazing family holidays in South America, I recommend Dehouche, a Rio-based company run by British expats, who know the region inside out. They can put together some amazing family trips to Brazil including a stay on a cattle ranch in the wildlife-rich Pantanal where you can glimpse jaguar and go piranha fishing.

Borneo is off the map for most families but it’s actually a great destination for kids with its combination of wildlife, rainforest, tribal culture, hiking and beaches. It’s also a good place to visit in the summer holidays. Check out this family adventure holiday in Borneo.

Last updated: 24 December 2023

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