Fabulous boat trips, swimming, snorkelling, and diving make Belize a paradise for kids

Why?
The Central American destinations of Belize and Guatemala make for the perfect family summer holiday combination. For Belize, think coral reefs, crystal clear waters, and jungle. For Guatemala, indigenous culture, volcanoes, and Mayan ruins. Both countries work exceptionally well on their own, but combine them and you have an unforgettable summer family holiday!

How?
Combine Belize with neighbouring Guatemala in our Belize & Guatemala Highlights sample itinerary. Or opt for either of our Belize Adventure Highlights or Best of Guatemala, highlighting each country’s very best. For further inspiration, take a look at our Belize with Kids Top 10 feature and our Belize & Mexico Photo Blog.

Search for wild elephants, proboscis monkeys and orangutans on a river trip

Home to both thrilling cities and the unique Amazon Basin, a family summer holiday in Brazil is a top choice

Why?
For the ultimate in FUN family summer holidays, look no further than Brazil. Get the beach vibe in Rio, search for jaguars and giant anteaters in the Pantanal and meander the gorgeous colonial cobbled streets of Paraty.  Re-enact your inner Tarzan in the tropical waterfalls of Bonito – Brazil’s eco-tourism adrenalin capital. Swimsuits a must!

How?
Our Highlights of Southern Brazil itinerary covers it all, as well as the magnificent Iguazu Falls. Or head over to the Amazon on our Rio, Amazon & Salvador sample itinerary. Check out our Brazil with Kids Top 10 or how about combining Brazil and Argentina?

Meet traditional dancers at world-famous Angkor Wat

Why?
There’s so much more to Cambodia family holidays than the largest religious complex in the world – Angkor Wat. Travel here and you’ll discover gorgeous tropical beaches, colourful markets, mouthwatering food, and a friendly welcome. It’s Asia in microcosm and an incredibly wallet-friendly option, too.

How?
We have two sample itineraries to inspire: Cambodia Highlights and Vietnam & Cambodia Highlights. You might also want to check out our Cambodia with Kids Top 10 feature.

Active families will love the spectacular hiking scenery and views

Why?
A road trip to the Canadian Rockies has to be on every family’s bucket list. Spot black bears, seal lions, or whales on a guided sea kayaking expedition on Vancouver Island. And hike on glaciers at the Icefields Parkway. You can gaze at the exquisite mountain reflections in Lake Louise and enjoy the freedom to stop as often as you like on a self-drive family summer holiday from Vancouver to Banff.

How?
Our Western Canada for Families itinerary takes you from city to island to mountains in just two weeks.  Or enjoy the quieter charms of the Lakes, Falls & Cities of Ontario. Canada is perfect for a self-driving family holiday, and we can easily extend either route if you can stretch to a longer trip. For more ideas, see our Canada with Kids Top 10 feature.

Relax on the beach after flying through the skies on ziplines or hiking along canopy walks

Enjoy some family time on the island of Crete, with active days and delicious food eaten al fresco

Why?
As the largest island in Greece, we’ve allowed Crete its own individual section because of the huge number of family-friendly activities. Wander the atmospheric streets of Chania, go hiking in a spectacular hidden gorge, enjoy sea-kayaking, or try your hand at cycling, slow-travel style, through picturesque villages.

How?
Want to know more? Take a look at our 10-day Crete Adventure for what you could be doing this summer. You may also be inspired by our Top 10 Crete with Kids post. Parakalo!

The kids will love kayaking, rafting and cliff jumping on a family summer holiday in Croatia

Why?
Croatia has fast become one of our most popular destinations for a family summer holiday – and with good reason. From the Game of Thrones walled cities of Dubrovnik and Split to gorgeous coastal towns, idyllic islands and waterfalls, there’s endless scope for active adventures too. While Croatia is renowned for its stunning coastline, neighbouring Slovenia has chocolate-box gorgeous mountain scenery, so why not combine the two?

How?
We’ve three sample itineraries to choose from; Highlights of Croatia (2 weeks), our 7-day Croatia Short Break or you can combine Slovenia and Croatia. Check out our Croatia with Kids Top 10 feature too!

Swim with sea lions, spot weird and wonderful birdlife, and get up close to giant tortoises

With rafting, sea kayaking, hiking and dining al fresco, what’s not to love on a family summer holiday in Greece

Why?
If you want a more adventurous Greece family summer holiday experience than those offered by the usual fly-and-flop, we’d love to help you. Explore sea caves by boat, gorge on delicious fresh calamari, go white-water rafting in crystal clear waters, and discover ancient ruins.

How
Our popular Athens and Cyclades trip combines the mainland with the best the islands have to offer. You can also take a look at our Peloponnese Adventure and check out our Greece with Kids Top 10 feature, too!

Why?
For jaw-dropping, mind-bending scenery, look no further than Iceland for your summer holiday. Sunshine is not guaranteed, but dramatic (sometimes erupting) volcanoes, raging waterfalls, icebergs on the beach, puffins, hot springs, and more are all on the cards. Check out Iceland with Kids for more inspiration.

How?
If you have almost two weeks, our Iceland in 10 Days is the answer, where you’ll tick off all the highlights and more. Don’t have that long? Stick to the south and west of the country on our Iceland in 7 Days, which will give you the perfect snapshot of the country, including the Golden Circle geysers and waterfalls, whale watching and more.

Enjoy some adrenaline-fuelled white-water rafting on the Ayung River

Why?
Lush rice-terraces, oodles of fun family-friendly activities, live volcanoes, and mouth-watering food – Indonesia is a microcosm of Asia. Most of our families concentrate on the well-known island of Bali and the snorkelling paradise that is the Komodo Islands, home to the famous dragons. But you can also add in the beaches of Lombok and the temples of Java – even the orangutans in Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo) if you’re really up for adventure!

How?
We can create a bespoke itinerary to any island or combination of islands, but take a look at our Relaxing Bali or Active Bali & Komodo for a flavour. You might also want to check out our Bali with Kids Top 10 feature, too.

Kids will be fascinated by the mix of neon-lit, futuristic cities and traditional ways of life

Why?
Japan offers an experience like no other. From snapping geishas as they waft by on the ancient streets of Kyoto, to soaring up to the top of a skyscraper in Tokyo to admire the sea of neon below, this is a place of contrasts, where the children will always be agog. We will show you the highlights and some captivating off-the-beaten-track places too.

How?
Check out our Japan with Kids Top 10 feature for inspiration then choose our Highlights of Japan trip if you’ve got 14 days, and our Japan in 9 Days if you’ve got a shorter duration.

With superb child-friendly safaris and palm-fringed beaches, Kenya is a top choice for a family summer holiday

Why?
There’s no better time to visit Kenya, the quintessential African safari destination, than the summer holidays!  Scan the rolling plains for the Big 5, share stories around the campfire, and sleep under canvas. Kenya has a long and beautiful palm-fringed coastline too, for perfect R&R.

How?
Check out our sample 15-day Highlights of Kenya itinerary or our 10-day Kenya Out of Africa trip. You might also want to look at our Kenya with Kids Top 10 feature or read our family safari overview.

Tropical beaches, wide-eyed lemurs, and extraordinary vistas are just some of Madagascar’s attractions

Why?
Bigger than Spain or Germany (a fact that comes as a surprise to many of us), this fourth-largest island in the world has an amazing variety of landscapes and wildlife to encounter, from rainforest to rice paddies, from wide-eyed lemurs to dainty butterflies. The activities available in Madagascar are incredible, too. Think night walks to seek out nocturnal creatures, whale-watching, canoeing, and swimming and snorkelling off tropical beaches – to mention just a few.

How?
For the classic wildlife-and-beaches combo (including some brilliant beach hotels), we have a fantastic Natural Madagascar itinerary. Or, as the name suggests, Landscapes of Southern Madagascar adds some more stunning scenery to the mix, including Isalo National Park with its rugged canyons and rolling plains. Note that this trip involves a certain amount of moving around, so with Madagascar’s limited infrastructure this is only suitable for more adventurous families.

Family summer holidays here mix colourful cities and Mayan ruins with wildlife spotting and beach time

Enjoy a serious family adventure in Namibia with visits to safari sanctuaries, huge sand dunes and boat trips

Our favourite tub-with-a-view, the perfect way to soak up Norway’s spectacular fjord vistas

Why?
For the active outdoor family, Norway is the perfect destination. It offers cheap short flights, jaw-dropping fjord scenery, waterfall hikes, glacier exploration, body rafting, kayaking, incredible cuisine, remote lakeside hotels, and floating saunas. Breathe in the fresh air and enjoy a blissful lack of crowds even in the height of summer.

How?
Where else can you take one of the world’s most scenic railway journeys high into the mountains to zip wire back down through the valley, then hop on a mountain bike and cycle to your exquisite fjord hotel? That is just one morning in our Norway in Summer family holiday itinerary. For a fabulous mix of mainland activities and polar maritime exploration, see our Norway – Voyage to the Arctic.

Peru is an exciting destination for outdoor activities as well as exploring the iconic sites

Why?
Peru offers an incredible range of activities and adventures: hike (or train) to Machu Picchu, fish for piranhas in the Amazon, raft or zip-line in the Sacred Valley and wander the streets of Cusco for a magical family holiday. This is not your destination if you want heat – our summer is Peru‘s winter, but July and August offer beautiful blue skies and magnificent Andean views.

How?
We’ve got a two-week Peru and a three-week Peru option depending on how long you can eke out your holiday for. If you need more inspiration have a look at our Peru with Kids Top 10 feature.

Adventurous kids will love canyoning with easy slides and jumps into crystal-clear pools

Why?
Staggeringly beautiful mountain landscapes and fantastically family-friendly activities make tiny Slovenia a paradise for outdoorsy parents and kids – hiking, cycling, kayaking, paddleboarding, and white-water rafting are just some of the great sports you can sign up for. You can also explore caves, go bear-watching, and experience all the fun of truffle hunting. For more inspiration, see our photos of Slovenia feature.

How?
Slovenia has a tiny Adriatic coastline with a pretty little seaside town, Piran, stuck out on a peninsula. The country is so compact that you can enjoy the interior and coast in one day. Our Highlights of Slovenia itinerary combines the mountains with a short trip to Piran. However, if you want more beach action, we advise you to hop over the border to Croatia where there is a greater variety of good beach accommodation, as on our Slovenia and Croatia holiday.

The UK’s summer is the perfect time to go on safari in South Africa’s Kruger National Park

Why?
Year-round sunshine, zero jet lag, fantastic beaches, and stunning safari experiences make South Africa a perennial favourite for family holidays. In our summer months (South Africa’s winter), our trips focus on Kruger National Park, the mountains of Eswatini (Swaziland), the lush wetlands of St Lucia, and the beaches of Durban. (Note that Cape Town and the Garden Route are best saved for another time of year as July and August can be a bit wet and cold).

How?
Take a look at our Kruger & Beach Family Safari for a taste of what’s on offer here. And be inspired by our South Africa with Kids Top 10 feature.

Explore by ox cart, see elephants, visit ancient ruins, chill on a gorgeous beach – what’s not to love!

Why?
Sri Lanka offers the perfect blend of culture, wildlife, historic sites, palm-fringed beaches and family-friendly activities. With so much variety on offer, Sri Lanka will always be a sure-fire, all-round family holiday winner. Some amazing hotels too! No wonder Sri Lanka is one of our most popular destinations.

How?
Our two-week Sri Lanka Summer sample tour offers a huge range of family-friendly experiences you’ll remember for years to come! Do check out our Sri Lanka with Kids Top 10 feature, too.

Spot the Big Five on safari, learn bush survival skills, and then relax on a gorgeous beach

Why?
Tanzania is one of the greatest wildlife destinations on earth and the perfect location for the ultimate safari family summer holiday. Head here for the Big 5, the Little 4, and everything in between. You’ll take in the Serengeti Plains and Ngorongoro Crater as well as Mt Kilimanjaro and the spice island of Zanzibar for gorgeous beaches.

How?
For world-class game viewing and beaches, see our sample Tanzania Safari and Beach itinerary. Active families will be inspired by our Tanzania with Kids Top 10 feature, and those wanting some R&R should check out Zanzibar with Kids Top 10. You might also like our Tanzania Customer Photos post.

All the family will love Thailand’s glorious coastal scenery, the beaches and the food

Why?
If you want a quintessential Southeast Asia family holiday, Thailand is the perfect introduction. From trekking through the rainforest and visiting hill tribe villages, to bustling, colourful markets, and paradise beaches, ‘The Land of Smiles’ (and it really is!) has it all. Adding to Thailand’s expansive activity list, nature lovers can help take care of elephants at an ethical sanctuary and budding chefs can learn the secrets of Thai cookery.

How?
Choose from our Highlights of Thailand sample itinerary or our Southern Thailand Adventure – both 15 days. Take a look at our Thailand with Kids Top 10 feature for some of our favourite family-friendly activities and our Thailand Customer Photos feature.

Kids love exploring Cappadocia, where they can climb, hike or bike through the lunar-like scenery

Why?
There is far more to a Turkey family summer holiday than just the beach! Boasting a beautiful coastline, other-worldly landscapes, magnificent ancient ruins, amazing cuisine, and the intoxicating buzz of Istanbul, there’s something for everyone. Be as active or relaxed as it suits you. Plus the food is lip-smackingly good with even the fussiest children enjoying mezze, kebabs, and traditional baklava.

How?
See our 2-week Highlights of Turkey sample itinerary or our 10-day Turquoise Coast Adventure.

Go horse riding, drive ATVs in the desert, and chill by the pool on our summer family holidays in the USA

Why?
Travelling across the States (or even just one state!) is for many families the ultimate bucket list family summer holiday – with something for everyone. From national parks like the Grand Canyon or Yosemite to embracing your inner cowboy, say ‘Yee-ha!’ to the USA! Check out our customer reviews to see what other families have said.

How?
We can create many exciting combinations of routes but here are our tried and tested most popular USA family summer holidays: Classic California for Families and Western National Parks USA.

Take a ride in a traditional circular basket boat in Hoi An

Why?
One of the friendliest countries in South East Asia, Vietnam’s sheer geographical length delivers huge diversity in terms of landscapes, culture and food. We show you the best of it, from hill tribe homestays to overnights on traditional junks in Halong Bay.

How?
We’ve three sample itineraries to choose from: Highlights of Vietnam; Northern Vietnam and a combo trip, Cambodia & Southern Vietnam. For the best ideas of what to see and do there, take a look at our Vietnam with Kids Top 10 blog post.

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