The term family adventure holiday might seem like a bit of an oxymoron at first. How is it possible for two weary parents with an extremely lively toddler to pursue any kind of adventure without becoming incredibly stressed?
You’d be forgiven for asking this question, but it really is doable – and without a tacky resort in sight! Here are five family adventure holidays that are perfect if you’re looking to do something different on your next break.
Tour Egypt
If you have a young toddler in tow, this is the ideal holiday for you! There are several tours available aimed at young families looking to take in Egypt’s top sights and enjoy its warm climate without being overly active – and while staying in comfortable accommodation equipped with child-friendly facilities.
You can expect to see the Pyramids and the Sphinx while in Cairo, before making your way along the banks of the Nile and exploring the Valley of the Kings. Toddlers (and grown-ups) will love activities like donkey rides and trips to local amusement parks, so there’ll be something fun for everyone! Make sure your itinerary includes a trip to the Red Sea coast to satisfy any longings for the beach.
Get active in the Pyrenees
Spanish holidays don’t have to involve lying in a half-catatonic state on a beach packed with other Brits. Perfect for families with teenagers to impress, a break in the Pyrenees offers a much more active prospect. You can choose from pursuits ranging from kayaking and abseiling to white water rafting and mountain biking for a great way to immerse yourself in the spectacular mountain landscape here.
If that sounds a bit too strenuous for your liking, it’s worth noting that tour operators offering this type of holiday really do ensure the activities are suitable for those with no prior experience of them – and that you only require a reasonable level of fitness to participate.
Explore Turkey
Turkey is a land steeped in history and culture – so you might be forgiven for thinking it’s not the best place to take a toddler on a family holiday. However, some specialist tours here really do deliver on all fronts, providing a great combination of educational sightseeing for adults and fun activities for little ones.
Head to Iztuzu Beach between May and October, for example, and you might see rare loggerhead turtles emerge from the waves to lay eggs in the sand. Lake Koycegiz offers an excellent opportunity to relax in hot springs and to get messy at the local mud baths – we all know which member of the family is most likely to enjoy the latter! Other highlights include visiting the sunken city of Kekova – a potentially spooky experience!
Stay in Romania’s Ice Hotel
Ice hotels are a relatively recent phenomenon, and Romania is home to the only one located outside of the Arctic Circle. Perched high up in the Carpathians, the hotel has to be rebuilt every winter using massive ice blocks and snow. Stay here and you can take advantage of the hotel’s ice bar, ice restaurant and even the ice church.
You can also try out fun winter sports like ice skating, tobogganing and snowshoeing as you explore the Transylvanian Alps. It’s possible to keep your family break at Romania’s ice hotel quite short here, with Explore offering trips starting at £445 without flights – perfect if you’re planning your trip around half-term holidays. Ideally, any children you take should be no younger than eight years old.
Spot wildlife in India
If your kids are aged five or over and love animals (and what child doesn’t?!), India could be a great destination thanks to its mixture of natural attractions and more grown-up cultural highlights.
As well as seeing all the main tourist hotspots like the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, you can look for tigers on a game drive in Ranthambore, explore local villages in a bullock-drawn cart, go on a camel trek and see exotic birds in Keoladeo Ghana National Park.
