It’s time to start planning that family holiday if you haven’t started already. However, planning a holiday to a family-friendly destination isn’t always straightforward.
There are many aspects to consider when travelling, like budget, destination, accommodation, activities and more. We want to make choosing your destination a bit easier. So we decided to pick three holiday destinations that are family-friendly and unique. We’ve looked at the sunniest cities in Europe, filled with culture and history, to identify the top three spots for your family holiday.
Identifying the Top Three European Holiday Destinations
When going on a holiday with your family, you need to ensure it has kid-friendly facilities. It should also require lots for your family to do, reliable transportation services and self-catering facilities. This allows you to properly enjoy your holiday without too much worry, especially if you’re going on an extended trip.
Before picking a destination, consider what your family enjoys doing. Ensure your destination can accommodate that. There are famous spots like London, Paris and Prague that are often visited and great for families looking for a rich cultural experience. However, besides the well-known holiday destinations like London, Paris, and Prague, there are many other unique places to visit.
Alicante, Spain
Often a gem that is overlooked when planning a holiday, Alicante has mild, sunny weather almost year-round. It’s the perfect destination for you and your family, offering many family-friendly attractions. The Asia Garden Hotel and Thai Spa offers kid-friendly accommodation and facilities like swimming pools and the Pirate Kid’s Club. Enjoy stunning vistas of the Mediterranean ocean, the perfect backdrop for family photos.
The city is filled with rich history and culture and offers several exciting leisure parks. This includes Aqua Natura, a waterpark, and Terra Natura, a zoo. Besides that, there are also beautiful sandy beaches and seaside resorts to enjoy.
Catania, Italy
Catania is a port city rich in history and offers many museums, tours and family-friendly attractions. Go to see Mount Etna, the tallest volcano in Europe. Or visit the Aci Castello, the historical site of the Norman castle built in 1076. Many other similar historical sites, like the Parco Archeologico Greco Romano Di Catania and the Anfiteatro Romano, are fun to explore with the family.
Enjoy the Lungomare Di Ognina beach, known for its black sand. Or explore the Giardino Bellini Gardens, filled with fountains and walkways. This is the perfect place to hold a family picnic. The INAF Catania Astrophysical Observatory promises to be an educational day out. Maybe swing by the Musio Del Giocattolo, a doll’s museum that shows the toys of different periods.
Nice, France
Other than the well-known destination of Paris, France offers another great family destination in Nice. Nice offers several kid-friendly attractions. This includes the Promenade du Paillon, featuring ground fountains for the kids to run through. It also has dinosaur statues, boats, and a grassy boulevard. Take your kids to the botanical gardens and zoo at Parc Phoenix to explore over 150 different animal exhibitions.
Another favourite is Kid’s City, which offers inflatable slides and ball courts. A fun family activity to do together is attending the opera matinée at the Opera House on Sundays. You can also visit the Oceanographic Museum together. With Nice offering mild sunny weather most of the time, it’s perfect for taking your family on a scenic horse ride. You can also take them skating along the Promenade des Anglais.
Choose Your Holiday Destination
At the end of the day, you need to ensure the destination offers everything your family will enjoy. If you’re travelling during Summer, it might be better to visit a destination with beaches and pools. If you’re travelling during the offseason, maybe visiting a place with a rich culture and historical buildings is the way to go. While there are many beautiful cities in Europe, ensuring your family is excited about the trip is the most crucial part of planning it.