For many years, the classic “family holiday” has meant a week in the sunshine at a beach resort with all inclusive. Sun, sea, pools, cocktails, kids’ clubs – it ticked a lot of boxes. And let’s be clear: that’s still a hugely popular choice with our clients. But there’s also a growing number of our families who are coming to us as they want to explore something different. Instead of a week or two on the sun lounger, they’re looking for adventure, exploration and new experiences, so they’re coming to us for advice and recommendation and here’s why…

  • Value for money– Prices of all-inclusive resorts in Europe have risen sharply, and some families are asking is this the best way to spend their money?
  • The heat factor– Clients are telling us that their last holidays were just too hot, they chose a resort for its facilities but also because they could get out and about and explore, but when they arrived, they did nothing as it was just too hot. So with summer temperatures soaring, many are asking for destinations with cooler, more comfortable climates.
  • Teenagers to entertain– we have our ‘top twenty’ list of hotels we love for older teenagers with football pitches, included water sports and huge slides – however, due to their popularity we’ve seen a sharp uplift in cost particularly during school holidays. But it’s not just about cost, we’re seeing a trend in families looking for trips that are more educational and engaging.
  • Exploration over repetition– More travellers are keen to see new sights, try new foods, and bring home stories rather than suntans.
  • Once-in-a-lifetime experiences– Families are increasingly prioritising unique, memorable adventures.

Here are six families who took a different path this year – and loved it.

One family swapped the traditional fly-and-flop beach holiday for something completely different – a no-fly Mediterrean cruise. This summer, our admin superstar Stephanie set sail once again on P&O’s Arvia, after loving it so much the first time. Driving to Southampton and boarding with ease, they were soon settled into a spacious balcony cabin with their luggage waiting. Days were filled with pool time, kids’ clubs and more dining choices than they could ever try, while shore days brought new adventures – including a behind-the-scenes Formula 1 circuit tour. With smooth sailing and variety at every turn, it proved the perfect, stress-free family holiday.

You can read more about Stephanie’s family cruise here.

A family of four with teenagers chose Mauritius this summer – and loved it. The island offered cooler, more comfortable temperatures than Europe, an excellent value all-inclusive package, and a hotel full of activities from water sports and tennis to paddleboarding and cycling. Mum enjoyed some relaxing beach time while the girls made friends at the excellent kids’ club and joined in supervised water sports. Thanks to the island’s compact size, exploring by car was easy, and they came home feeling they’d experienced far more variety than a standard beach break.

One family of five, with three older adult children, decided to swap the beach for the open road. They hired a big car and headed on an epic US road trip through Sedona, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. With jaw-dropping scenery, buzzing cities, and plenty of fun stops along the way, it gave them quality time together and an adventure none of them will ever forget.

Another family of four, with two older teenagers, wanted a true adventure – and chose a self-drive tour of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. Starting and ending in Durban, their journey took them through the Drakensberg Mountains, to the historic battlefields of Rorke’s Drift, on safari, and finally to a luxury stay at the famous Oyster Box hotel in Umhlanga. This was a trip that combined culture, wildlife, adventure and relaxation – all at their own pace.

Not every alternative holiday has to be long-haul. One family of five opted for beautiful Madeira – with its milder temperatures, excellent walking, and a wealth of things to see and do. They explored the island by hop-on hop-off bus and cable car, wandered through gardens, and enjoyed time around the hotel pool. By choosing B&B rather than all-inclusive, they also had the freedom to sample local restaurants and flavours.

Another family flew into Toronto, hired a car, and set off to explore Ontario. Their trip began at the mighty Niagara Falls, with boat rides and viewpoints that wowed the whole family. From there, they headed north to Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, a lakeside retreat in the Muskoka region. Here they found water sports, hiking trails, golf, spa facilities, and evening campfires under the stars – the perfect mix of Canadian adventure and resort-style comfort.

A New Way of Holidaying

What all these families had in common was a desire to do something more meaningful, more memorable and often better value than a standard all-inclusive in the Mediterranean. But whether it’s a cruise, island adventure, a safari, a road trip or a classic all-inclusive, the real joy is in finding the holiday that’s right for your family.

If you’re starting to feel that the traditional two weeks on the beach just isn’t quite enough anymore, there’s a whole world of alternatives waiting for you. And if a sun-soaked all-inclusive is still exactly what you want – that’s wonderful too. The only question is: where will you go next?