Our guide to family holidays

Don’t stay at home just because you’ve got youngsters!

Travelling with kids can be stressful, let alone ensuring they (and you!) enjoy themselves while on holiday, but don’t let this put you off planning a holiday for the entire family. Just because you’ve got kids doesn’t mean that you’ve got to miss out on an adventurous, relaxing or exotic holiday. In fact, it can be a great opportunity to connect with your teenagers or bond with your toddlers by turning the holiday into quality time for everyone involved.

There are now many different options for travelling with your very own little tribe, and below we have given some examples of different types of family holiday you can find, along with a brief description. These holidays are designed with families in mind.

Stay in one place

Family activity centres – For many families, flexibility is the key on a holiday. Activity centres have one base from which we offer a range of exciting, fun and educational activities - rafting, cycling, climbing and many others -that may appeal to all the family or just some. You can choose how many activities you do and who in the family does them. A perfect opportunity to show your teenagers that adults don't have to be boring!

Family friendly hotels – You just want to stay somewhere different with your family, without a packed itinerary. From family friendly hotels to apartments, from farm-stays to luxury accommodation, there are lots of family friendly accommodations in the UK, Europe and more exotic locations to choose from and be inspired by.

Group Tours with a few other families

Family adventure tours – If you love more adventurous travel, and don't see why you should stop just because you have kids then family adventure holidays are for you! Exploring more remote parts of the world or undertaking challenging activities are just some examples of trip themes that would fall into this category.

Family cultural tours – Family cultural holidays enable you and the kids to immerse yourselves in another culture, be inspired and educated by the local people, and see some amazing sights together. On our site there is a wide choice of family cultural holidays from leading specialist operators committed to benefiting the destinations they visit, ranging from Romania to Peru, from Botswana to India.

Family tours just with your own family

Family luxury holidays – We have a selection of luxury holidays ranging from private tours and safaris to luxury resorts are available in this section.

Individual family adventures – An individual family holiday is a more adventurous family holiday that has a set itinerary but where you travel only with your own family, not other families, and in some cases a guide. Typically the tours can depart at a time to suit your requirements.

Special interest family holidays

Family safaris & wildlife holidays – Let your kids go wild on a family safari. These thrilling and educational wildlife and safari holidays are designed especially for families by leading specialist tour companies committed to destinations, communities and conservation.

Family walking holidays – If you and your family enjoy walking, a family walking holiday - designed with you and your children in mind - may be just what you are looking for; getting active outdoors, surrounded by some new and wonderful scenery.

Family beach holidays – These family beach holidays may be organised tours which mix up beach activities, sightseeing and cultural interaction, or they may simply consist of excellently located, environmentally and family friendly accommodation. Anything varying from simply lazing on the beach to tracking turtles!

Family winter sports – From activity holidays, to specialist tours, to winter sports friendly accommodation, there’s something to interest both active and less active family members! You can stay at the ice-hotel, brave the slopes, go on a husky safari or stay in an eco-friendly alpine chalet.

For different types of family

Baby friendly holidays – There are now various tour operators and accommodation owners who cater for families with very young children by providing baby friendly holidays with special provisions for your little one(s). From anything like baby friendly accommodations to adventures in Morocco and Egypt , there is no reason why parents’ need for exploration - or relaxation can’t be satisfied on one of these trips.

Family holidays with teenagers – If you’ve got adventurous teenagers, who enjoy spending time with kids of their own age, then take them on a teenage family holiday. Your holiday will be organised and led by an experienced tour guide, and you will travel with typically 2 or 3 other families.

Single parent trips – Taking the kids on holidays can be even more stressful for a single parent, with no-one to share the workload. These single parent holidays are an ideal solution – low-impact, organised tours that take the hard work out of the holiday, leaving you with time and energy to enjoy the experience with your kids.

We hope that this guide has provided you with an overview of the various types of holidays that are available for families, and that it helps you find that perfect trip for you and your family. Of course if you need any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Rosy at rosy@responsibletravel.com, our travel expert, who can help you find the right holiday. Happy planning!