It seems a long way off now (and at times when there are still heavy frosts, hard to believe!), but before we know it summer will be here and there will be 8 glorious weeks to fill.
Even when living in the Test Valley, with so much on our doorstep, we can by no means rely on the weather being glorious, so for those who are considering venturing to lands afar, Ed Burke from Seventy Ten Travel has compiled a list of his top Family Summer Holidays.
Anything is possible and Seventy Ten travel can arrange a straightforward one stop shop, ranging from the more affordable but absolutely beautiful guest houses in Transylvania, to the all-singing-all dancing hotels in Europe, with some family adventures to Africa, USA and Borneo thrown in too. As a father of two himself, Ed understands what makes a family holiday special and how everyone’s requirements are different,
We hope you enjoy reading this little soupcon of what we can do. We understand every family’s idea of a summer holiday is different. Our skill is to interpret that and put together the perfect trip, which allows for new and exciting experiences for the little ones, some much needed rest for the parents and most importantly shared memories for all that will last a lifetime.
One word of warning; popular family destinations get booked up very quickly, so early booking is highly recommended. Not only will you get first pick and the best prices, you’ll also have something to look forward to, be much better prepared and have the time to make more informed decisions.
European Family Resorts
Unfortunately, due to the laws of supply and demand, the best family friendly resorts in Southern Europe have become incredibly expensive. We therefore urge those who can, to try and take their summer holiday in June, early July or September. If you are tied to August (like many of us), then we can certainly help, though you might just be paying slightly over the odds. Our favourite family resorts that won’t require a second mortgage include: Martinhal Sagres in the un-spoilt western corner of the Algarve, combines excellent childcare and activities for all ages, with excellent cuisine and plenty to do for the grownups – book early – if we can get rooms it does offer great value. Elounda SA Resorts on the island of Crete, is also a firm favorite, we like the balance it strikes between being family and convivial for grown-ups, with 3 separate hotels sharing some superb facilities and restaurants it has the benefits of a large hotel without feeling enormous. The Anassa and Almyra Hotels in Cyprus also strike this balance brilliantly and offer good value. Also, this time of year the iconic Tenerife resorts of Bahia del Duque and Ritz Carlton Abama are pretty good value as it’s not peak season – August is not as hot as you might think with temperatures mid 20’s to early 30’s – perfect beach temperatures in my opinion. If you do want to splash out and go for the very best, we would recommend Borgo Eganzia, Sani Resort and Forte Village as our top picks for families.
European Villas
We would highly recommend a villa holiday, especially if you plan to go away with another family. Your own villa gives you much more space and privacy. Depending on their ages, the children should entertain themselves (or you could bring a nanny along), leaving you with plenty of time to perfect your barbecuing, read a book or enjoy a glass of rosé. The only problem is the choice is endless! This is where we come in, we have a network of trusted specialist villa suppliers across Europe and beyond, all you need to do is get in touch with us, let us know your requirements and preferences and we’ll do the rest presenting you with a curated selection of the best options.
USA – East or West Coast
The USA is a great introduction to a family activity holiday – especially if your children are still quite young. There’s no language barrier, self driving is fairly easy and you generally know what you are getting. It’s also hugely eye opening for the children, from the large metropolises to the simply staggering coastlines on a scale you don’t see in Europe.
We took our 2 and 5 year olds on an East Coast Road Trip in the Summer of 2017 and it was an absolute blast. The highlight was Cape Cod and the island of Martha’s Vineyard, full of quaint holiday villages and stunning beaches. We also hired an RV camper van for a few days and mixed with the locals in the camp sites. New York and Long Island were also immensely fun.
The West Coast perhaps has more stand out destinations. California is a state of huge contrasts with the stunning beaches of Orange County and Santa Barbara, the glitz of LA (and Disneyland), and the rugged beauty of the Pacific Coast Highway and Yosemite National Park, not to mention the charm of San Francisco and the Wine Valleys. You could easily spend 2 or 3 weeks travelling in California alone, but you could also venture towards the Rockies or the desert via Lake Tahoe or head North for a ranch experience in Wyoming or Idaho where there really are some excellent family ranches.
The great thing about the US is that there is also a great range of accommodation options to suit all budgets; we often recommend mixing Motels with some more comfortable hotels.
Searching for Dracula in Transylvania
Still an area widely unknown to many and covering a vast swathe of Northern Romania and surrounded by the Carpathian mountains, this enchanting region really does give visitors the feeling that time has stood still for centuries.
Not only is the countryside incredibly beautiful, with wide open plains giving way to steep
forested hillsides, but the villages and towns are enchanting. Steeped in history having been home to both Saxons, ethnic Hungarians and Romanians, this lends itself to a treasure trove of historical buildings, churches and castles – not forgetting of course the famous Bran castle, mythical home to Bram Stoker’s Dracula!
Ripe for adventurous explorers, families can spend time exploring these wonderful villages in their own hire car which can be picked up either in Bucharest or alternatively there are direct flights from London to Cluj, which is slightly closer. Along the way, be sure to nose into some ancient squares, you will no doubt overtake many a horse and cart which is still the mode of transport for many rural families, taste some schnitzel and pork soups, stride up hillsides and for any driving enthusiasts, take on the famous Transfagarasan pass (voted quite rightly by Top Gear as one of the best mountain roads to drive in the world). However this area is not just for the speed seekers; with such a stunning array of historical buildings and countryside to explore I would absolutely recommend it to all ages and interests, a real family holiday with a difference!
Accommodation here can be found in beautifully restored local houses and buildings; not only
offering further insight into local life and culture but also offering extremely comfortable and tasteful rooms as well as deliciously prepared local food – all for a fraction of the price that you can expect to pay in Western Europe.
I can’t recommend this destination more highly, whether it be for a long weekend or even a multi-day adventure you can be sure that you won’t be disappointed.
Borneo Adventure
For a wildlife safari with a difference. Perhaps you’ve already experienced the wilds of Africa and are looking for something different? You can be sure to have a different experience in Borneo!
Here new species are being discovered all the time and so many are endemic to this unique and oh so special island. From pygmy elephants to clouded leopards, colourful beaked toucans, the bizarre proboscis monkey and the most famous of them all the Orangutan there really is so much to see.
Covered still by a large amount of rainforest, temperatures and humidity levels are high so make sure you’re prepared for this, but safaris here are less of the four-wheeled variety and more of the two-footed or river kind. We have had many happy families of varying ages enjoy exciting adventures undertaking both jungle treks and boat trips in search of wildlife, with a sighting of a wild Orangutan always being the holy grail! In areas such as the Danum Valley, a vast conservation area home to just 1 jungle lodge (and a very comfortable one it is too) you not only have a huge choice of trekking routes available, interspersed with refreshing dips under cascading waterfalls, but there are also canopy walkways high up in the trees which give a truly unique viewpoint right out across the treetops and down to the rainforest floor below.
For the really intrepid, how about heading into the rural areas and spending time with the local Sarawak tribespeople in one of their traditional longhouses? A real eye-opening experience for any age, you will be welcomed into the tribes’ home and entertained with delicious home-cooked food, dancing and music.
Malaysian Borneo boasts stunning beaches and idyllic tropical islands along its coastlines which can be paired with these thrilling jungle safaris and make for an ideal combination for a family holiday. The accommodation here varies from more simple lodges right through to the high-end luxurious hotels so again something for everyone.
Finally, if you have time, how about combining Borneo with further adventures to Indonesia such as mountain-biking, rock-climbing or white water rafting in Bali or a private boat charter in Komodo National Park?
Croatia and Montenegro
If you’re looking for perfect crystal blue waters, with stunning coastlines and a little bit of history then Croatia and Montenegro makes for an excellent holiday. Fly into Dubrovnik for some R&R at the Sun Gardens, a great family friendly resort just outside the city. They have spacious family residences that give everyone enough space to unwind. There’s also a great kids club for children from 4 months and a number of excellent restaurants. From here you can take a water taxi into the Old Town of Dubrovnik or arrange for a boat trip out to the islands of the Dalmation Coast. Once you’re sufficiently “unwound”, why not either venture out for a few days on one of the islands like Hvar, or take the drive down into Montenegro. The Bay of Kotor is has an “otherworldly beauty” rarely seen in Europe – it’s really not to be missed.
A Family Safari
For a trip of a lifetime, why not don your khakis and go on safari. British Summer is the best time for a safari in Southern and Eastern Africa where it’s the cooler dry season. For a first time family with young children I would recommend the Malaria free Waterberg District combined with the Big-Five Malaria Free Madikwe Reserve. The Waterberg district is awe inspiringly stunning, with quintessentially African landscapes of Bushveld punctuated with dramatic rock formations and escarpments; it’s a relatively undiscovered gem. In the area there are a number of private ranches and reserves, many of which are predator free meaning you are free to walk, swim in streams, discover ancient bushman paintings, ride bikes or horses and have stunning picnics within the reserve; this is a wonderful introduction to the bush and the magnificent nature of Africa.
Once you and the children have discovered all the little things in the African bush, it’s time to spot the larger beasts. The Madikwe Game Reserve is an easy drive or a short air-hop away. This enormous malaria free reserve has some of the best big five game viewing in the country and is also home to endangered wild dog. Within the reserve there are a number of excellent family friendly lodges.
Then, if your summer is not complete without some time on the beach, the stunning barefoot luxury lodges of Mozambique are not far away or Mauritius is an easy stop on the way home.
To speak with Ed or Rosie at Seventy Ten Travel, then their contact details are here.
