Krabi, Thailand
On southern Thailand's west coast. Krabi province is a family-friendly alternative to Phuket or Koh Samui. Its eponymous town is the jumping-off point for longtail boat trips to Koh Phi Phi or Phang Nga Bay, including the tourist hotspot that has been known as James Bond Island since it was used as a location for The Man with the Golden Gun. For views of the bay's moss-topped limestone karsts, check into Banyan Tree Krabi on Tab Kaek Beach (its turbo-charged kids' club has a small waterpark, Naga-themed cave, zipline and climbing wall), or The Tubkaak (better for older children). The latter's eponymous two-bedroom suite has its own pool, and the hotel has a choice of Thai and Italian restaurants. Further south, the mangroves and lagoons of Thalane Bay are a renowned kayaking spot. Another big draw is Railay Beach, once best known as a hippie hangout; it is joined to the mainland but only accessible by boat from Ao Nang. Rayavadee, near the tip of the Railay Peninsula, is the place to stay here. Its pavilions are set among coconut palms, on-site activities range from tennis lessons to arts and crafts, and monkeys swing through the trees in the tropical gardens. It is a peaceful sanctuary away from the often-busy beaches.
A tropical beach holiday can be combined with visits to temples like Wat Tham Suea.
November to March is the dry season, so should offer sunny days and clear skies for the beach, sightseeing and island hopping.
Banyan Tree Krabi is a good all-rounder with plenty to keep both adults and children happy.
Puerto Rico, Caribbean
From the blockbuster Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico to bomba music and traditional street foods, such as green-plantain mofongo, this culturally rich island has much more to offer than the usual fly-and-flop Caribbean beach break. The capital San Juan - one of the oldest cities in the Americas - is an obvious starting point, with hotels ranging from the recently opened Alma San Juan in the old town (children will love the churro doughnuts on the brunch menu at rooftop restaurant Mar y Rosa) to The Ritz-Carlton, which is due to reopen this year after a complete refurbishment. Until then, there is oceanfront Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, a 30-minute drive away and offering a kids' club, nature trails and a waterpark. In San Juan's historic district, explore El Morro fortress before joining kite-flying locals on the grass on Sunday afternoons. Further afield, tropical El Yunque National Forest (sacred to the indigenous Taíno people) is the place to spot parrots and swim in natural pools under waterfalls. For a slower pace, Rincón on the west coast is a mecca for surfers and the Rincón Surf School runs lessons for children. Stay at The English Rose, a hilltop B&B that has just five rooms and a pool, and which welcomes children aged 10 and above.
With its museums, historic architecture and street food, capital San Juan has lots more going on than your average Caribbean destination.
Avoid hurricane season - from July to November.
Alma San Juan is in the heart of the action, while Dorado Beach is a family-friendly resort.
Tenerife, Canary Islands
In recent years, the largest of the Canary Islands has been shrugging off its package-holiday image, as more adventure-seeking travellers - with or without children in tow - discover its rugged, wilder, western side. On the coast around Los Gigantes, for instance, you can book dolphin and whale-watching boat trips. Classic stays further south include Bahía del Duque, which has traditional Canarian architecture, plus Michelin-starred restaurant Nub and a children's activity programme. This year's new opening, Royal Hideaway Corales Villas near the fishing village of La Caleta, combines the privacy of staying in a villa (which has pared-back, K-Studio-designed interiors, a kitchenette and a pool) with a spa and clubs for kids and teens. At the heart of the island is the Tide National Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site with a volcanic landscape that includes Spain's highest peak, Teide Mountain. You can take the cable car to the summit, explore child-friendly trails, or book a sunset excursion for spectacular stargazing. In the north, July will see the unveiling of the new-look Gran Hotel Taoro, a Neoclassical building that has been closed for 50 years. It makes an ideal urban base for days spent paddling on Puerto de la Cruz's sandy beaches.
With regular flights from the UK, it offers year-round sunshine. and accommodation at a range of prices.
The weather is good year-round, with higher summer temperatures.
Royal Hideaway Corales Villas has stylish design credentials, plus lots of activities for children.
Tanzania, East Africa
For first-time safari-goers, Tanzania's Serengeti national park is a reliable choice. One of the best places in the world to spot wildlife - there are thousands of lions, and hundreds of leopards, cheetahs and species of birds - it also offers camps at a variety of price points. These range from ultra-luxe Wilderness Collection's new Warangi Ridge Lodge (due to open in June), through Lemala's handful of camps with the Lemala Cubs kids' programme, to the less expensive Serengeti Pioneer Camp and Kati Kati Tented Camp. Warangi Ridge Lodge will have 20 tented suites with private decks and plunge pools, including two-bed options for families. Many of the tour operators have combined safari and beach itineraries, which tag on travel to Zanzibar. Tribes Travel's 11-day Tanzania Family Safari and Beach trip costs from £3,110 per person. At the luxury end, Scott Dunn's Family Fun in Tanzania 11-night package, including tailored experiences, costs from £7,400 per person. For special occasions or larger families travelling together, Singita has recently opened two new villas in the Grumeti Game Reserve, which is located next to the Serengeti: Kilima, and Milele. Both sleep 10 people.
Animal sightings are guaranteed - whatever your budget.
During the dry season - June to October.
Accommodation options range from Singita's ultra-luxe private villas to Lemala's tented camps and lodges.
Norway, Scandinavia
One of the best places in the world to spot the Northern Lights, Norway is ideal for active families, as there are many interesting itineraries that combine visits to fjords and national parks with cities such as Oslo and Bergen. If hiking, kayaking and swimming in the sea are on the agenda, visit in the summer when the midnight sun illuminates the sky all day and night and temperatures are higher. In winter, dog sledding, skiing, snowshoeing and stays in ice hotels are all possible in the magical, white-coated landscapes. Family travel specialist Stubborn Mule Travel has winter and summer itineraries covering different areas of Norway. Its six-day winter holiday starts in Tromso in the Arctic Circle and includes a boat trip through fords and tastings of local seafood, before moving on to Malangen in rural Norway, away from light pollution, for the Northern Lights, winter sports and visits to reindeer herders. This costs £7,600 for a family of four, excluding flights (likely to cost about £200 each). The 12-day summer itinerary kicks off and ends in Bergen, and includes a scenic train ride on the Flam Railway, kayaking among icebergs, glacier hikes, mountain bike rides and opportunities to learn about the local Viking heritage. It costs £10,000 for a family of four, excluding flights.
It offers spectacular natural scenery in both summer and winter.
For the Northern Lights, travel from September to March. For kayaking in fords and swimming, July and August are best.
Expect charming but simple wooden cabins and B&Bs - so no kids' clubs in sight.
Peloponnese, Greece
The Greek Islands can be overcrowded in summer, so consider instead a trip to the Peloponnese, within driving distance of Athens for families who wish to combine a coast and city break. Or you can fly direct to Kalamata and spend at least a week exploring the beaches, medieval towns, fishing villages and the ancient ruins of Mycenae, Olympia and Messene. Split into three fingers that extend south from mainland Greece, the Peloponnese covers a large area, so it is best to concentrate on one part. The middle finger, the Mani Peninsula, has an off-the-beaten-track feel, with lovely beaches and stylish but inexpensive hotels such Korona, Ippola and Kyrimai. Through Villa Collective, it is possible to rent all or part of the estate belonging to the late writer Patrick Leigh Fermor. Less intrepid families should consider Costa Navarino in the western finger, where five-star resorts range in price from the new Mandarin Oriental to The Westin Resort and W Costa Navarino. On the easternmost finger, Kinsterna Hotel is our pick; it is well located for a visit to the fortress town of Monemvasia - built on a tied island connected to the mainland by a 400-metre-long narrow strip of land.
Rich in history, the peninsula has calm beaches a couple of hours' drive from Athens.
The weather is pleasant year-round, but May to October is warmest.
For kids' clubs, head to the resorts of Costa Navarino. For authentic charm, choose Kinsterna Hotel.
Riviera Navarit, Mexico
Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula has long been a family favourite for those seeking winter sun, thanks to direct flights to Cancún, the wide selection of resorts, and the proximity to Mayan ruins and the creative capital of Mérida. This has, however, caused overtourism and a loss of authenticity in the area, which has us looking to up-and-coming Nayarit on the Pacific coast as an alternative. Fly via Mexico City with Aeroméxico and combine the beach with a city break exploring the capital's museums, markets and ancient sites such as Teotihuacán. On Nayarit's coast, just an hour's drive from Puerto Vallarta, One&Only Mandarina provides the smartest accommodation options. with treehouses and multi-bedroom villas. Surf lessons. visits to a butterfly farm. child-friendly hikes and a 3,900-square-metre playground will keep children engaged. Belmond and Rosewood are also opening hotels along the coast in 2027 and, about 30 miles from One&Only Mandarina, Auberge's Susurros del Corazón resort is another great choice for families. For those who prefer a smaller, boutique vibe, Imanta, La Joya and Casa Selva all offer good value for money.
Enjoy a more authentic experience away from the crowds of Cancún and the Yucatán.
From November to April.
One&Only Mandarina is a five-star favourite For a stylish boutique vibe, choose Imanta or Casa Selva.
Forte dei Marmi, Italy
This smart Tuscan town on the Versilia coast has attracted generations of Italian families (and everyone from royalty to film stars), who come for its wide sweep of golden sands lined with beach clubs, designer boutiques and the La Capannina di Franceschi night-club. Opened in 2023, intimate La Serena has connecting rooms (all neutral palettes and natural linens) with views of the Apuan Alps. There is a pool, rotating art in the lobby and bicycles for guests to borrow. Far grander is the Augustus Hotel & Resort - the La Nave building has the more modern rooms. There is a private beach club with a heated pool and, in summer, swimming lessons are available on request. Younger children will love driving the mini cars in the town's Piazza Marconi, as well as the playground in pine-tree-shaded Giochi Sabin Park, while, for teens, the open-air food market is a fun place to practise their Italian. After a street-food-style fish lunch at Pesce Baracca, stroll along the pier. Huge blocks of marble were once shipped from here; now, it is a vantage point for watching surfers ride the waves. For those who prefer to be a little further from the action, low-key hotel Albergo Pietrasanta is in a 17th-century palazzo, a 10-minute drive away in the medieval town of Pietrasanta.
Enjoy a glamorous beach break Italian-style.
From June to August, the beach clubs heave with smart families;
September and October are warm and quieter.
Augustus Hotel & Resort has a heated pool in the gardens as well as a private beach club.
Istria, Croatia
Think of Croatian holiday destinations and it tends to be the Dalmatian Coast that springs to mind first. Yet, in the last few years, the north western peninsula of Istria has been quietly evolving, with a burgeoning producer-led food and wine scene, and a slew of hotel openings. In the historic coastal town of Rovinj, these include the Piero Lissoni-designed Maistra behemoth Grand Park Hotel, which caters for all ages, from its two-Michelin-starred restaurant and spa to the kids' club. Or opt for The Melegran, a less expensive, small-scale address in Rovini's old town, the Studio apartment has a sofa bed for older children and a kitchen. Of the nearby beaches, one of the best is the pebbly Lone Bay, backed by the Golden Cape Forest Park. A short drive away is Glavani Park, the place to go for high-rope courses, and the Dinopark Funtana theme park, partly set in an old stone quarry. Vineyard stays can also work well for families. Rooms at Roxanich Winery & Design Hotel, in the hilltop town of Motovun, come with novel king-size bunk beds, and vintage Land Rover Defender tours of the region can be arranged. Meneghetti, near Bale, has three-bedroom pool villas and a children's playground, plus cellar tours and tastings.
Enjoy an off-the-beaten-track holiday away from touristy Dubrovnik, with enough going on for adults and children.
May to October.
At Grand Park Hotel Rovinj activities range from watersports to bowling. In wine country, Meneghetti's three-bed villas offer all the comforts of a hotel.
