When planning a luxury family holiday that genuinely delights every generation, thoughtful destination choices make all the difference. Luxury travel specialist Sorrel Ashton believes the most memorable trips combine adventure, culture and restorative downtime for parents and children alike. With more than fifteen years of experience designing bespoke journeys through her business Sorrel Travel, she shares her top five exceptional destinations where families can explore, learn and relax together. From alpine landscapes to vibrant coastal cities, these five locations offer inspiring experiences perfectly suited to curious, well-travelled families seeking something a little more extraordinary.
South Tyrol, Italy
South Tyrol is home to copious luxurious spa, mountain hotels that were designed for the peak season in winter, but are absolutely breathtaking in the summer too. The beauty of this region is that families can enjoy sunshine without blistering heat, while there are outdoor activities aplenty to keep all ages entertained and an abundance of spa amenities to balance adventure with relaxation.
It’s the perfect holiday for multi generation families – kids will love the mountain activities while it shouldn’t be too hot for grandparents, unlike the likes of Spain – and everyone can enjoy the pools and spa facilities.
Check out the Falkensteiner Family Resort Lido, Casteldarne – this luxury spa hotel is specifically designed for families. It has the largest indoor water slide in South Tyrol and rooftop sky adventure park with a year-round ski slope and lessons included.
San Sebastian and Bilbao, Spain
The neighbouring Spanish cities of San Sebastian and Bilbao are great options for those wanting a less obvious alternative to a classic Spanish coastal holiday. There are lots of apartments suitable for families, ideal for those who prefer to be self-contained rather than in a family hotel.
Known for Pintxo (sophisticated small bites), these more upmarket alternatives to Tapas are ideal for discerning families on-the-go as there is no pressure to all sit down and have a big meal at the same time. It’s a great way for foodies to explore the cities too.
For those heading in August, northern Spain is ideal for viewing the solar eclipse on the 12th August, with the coastal backdrop promising an unforgettable and educational experience.
Sicily, Italy
A great twin centre holiday for families in Sicily is combining Cefalu for the beach and Taormina for the culture. Cefalu has a long sandy beach, which is ideal for younger children to play on, while there are plenty of watersports activities like surfing, stand-up paddleboarding and boat trips for older kids and adults. For great views, hike the Rocca, which is suitable for kids too.
The town itself features charming narrow streets which are enjoyable to explore, with plenty of shops and restaurants to while away an afternoon and take in the history.
For the second part of the holiday, Taormina is located near the active volcano Mount Etna, which in itself will be exciting for children! Take the cable car to the stunning Isola Bella beach, with its turquoise waters which are ideal for snorkelling. Pizza and pasta is served in abundance here, so ideal for any fussy eaters too.
Swedish Archipelago then Stockholm
For families not looking for a ‘typical’ family resort holiday the Swedish Archipelago, which consists of 30,000 islands, is ideal for kayaking, boating and hiking. I’ve just made an itinerary for a family holiday that involves three nights in the Swedish Archipelago followed by four nights in Stockholm – a great blend of coastal adventure and city exploration.
Iceland
Often associated with the winter, Iceland is actually a fantastic year-round destination. It offers plenty of unique, memorable experiences centring around its natural landscape, that children and adults will find exciting. There are also plenty of flights from all over the UK, ideal for busy diaries and working around school holidays, while the flight time is only around three hours too.
Explore natural volcanic sites including The Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon or Raufarhólshellir or Víðgelmir for lava tunnel tours. Iceberg boat tours will delight family members of all ages, and for wildlife lovers there are whale-watching boat tours and, of course, the adorable puffins!
For those holidaying later in the year, there’s a chance to see the Northern Lights between September and March too.
About the expert
Sorrel Ashton is an independent luxury travel specialist with over 15 years of industry experience who specialises in creating unforgettable, tailor-made holidays, destination weddings, and honeymoons for discerning travellers through her own, independent business Sorrel Travel (@sorrel_travel on Instagram). Known for her personal touch and expertise, Sorrel crafts bespoke itineraries that turn bucket-list dreams into reality. Organising her own destination wedding in Vietnam made her realise her passion for helping others enjoy a trip of a lifetime. Having travelled extensively across the globe, Sorrel brings insider knowledge and connections with local independents to create unique experiences that go beyond a typical holiday. She is also part of the award-winning Travel Counsellors network, which gives her access to a wealth of other travel experts and means her clients have access to a 24/7 support line, should they need assistance.
