- Holiday ideas
Being pregnant or having recently had a baby (or two) make not seem like the ideal time to travel, but in fact there’s a good chance you’ll be more looked after than ever if you choose the right spot for your ‘babymoon’ (a last ‘hurrah!’ before your life changes for ever) or family holiday.
It’s a myth that travelling with babies is difficult – until they start crawling and walking, they’re remarkably portable creatures, especially if you breastfeed and don’t need to carry sterilisers and other equipment around with you. On the other hand, you are probably trying to get into some semblance of a routine, so if you choose to go abroad it’s wise to stick to short flights or to destinations that don’t involve crossing multiple time-zones. Also avoid places that require inoculations and/or that are very hot.
Simpson TravelFREE car seat + FREE car upgrade for families quoting TTF when booking
Cottages4YouCheck out the cottages most suitable for families with young children
New dad Jeremy finds ways of taking the stress out of holidaying with a baby.
A wonderful insight into a cycle-camping holiday with the family
Remember that it’s recommended that babies don’t fly before the age of 6 weeks, and that babies need their own passports.
Doublecheck that any childcare you will be reliant on (whether to indulge in spa treatments, partake activities, or simply have a lie-in with your partner) is suitable for your child: check age limits and hours/days of operation, plus child:carer ratios, official accreditation, and level of English-spoken.
Source an accommodation that can provide baby equipment to lessen your load – the vast majority of places will provide cots/travel cots, while some will also provide sterilisers, buggies, changing equipment and many other practicalities.
Think about booking a self-catering property such as a cottage or an apart-hotel – it will give you flexibility and space plus access to laundry facilities.
If you need specific brands for bulky items such as nappies and formula, look into having them delivered to your destination by a firm such as Bebebel.
Factor in extra time for journeys where possible – when driving, you may need to make unscheduled stops, so keep your plans as flexible as possible.
Always travel with spares of essentials – spoons, nappies, wipes, baby-food – for instance – plus a couple of changes of clothes for baby and one for you in your hand luggage.
If you’re taking a beach holiday, buy a UV pop-up tent to protect baby. See more on sun protection on our Beach Holidays/Summer Sun page.
See our Flying During Pregnancy and Flying with Kids tips pages.
Key:
Self-catering
Hotel
Editors favourite
Kids Club
Porto Elounda Golf and Spa Resort, Crete
Large 5-star family beach resort with a small private sandy beach and activities to keep the kids busy.
La Grange du Moulin, Poitou Charentes
Cosy gites offering all the facilities needed for you to enjoy a self-catering family holiday .
El Delfin Verde, Costa Brava
A top holiday park and camping choice for all the family on the Costa Brava, even more so for the little ones with loads of fun going on.
Les Deux Fontaines, Brittany
A relaxing holiday park by the Brittany coast, especially great with toddlers and grandparents (who stay for free).
Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, Sicily
Luxurious resort in Sicily offering complete relaxation for adults and excellent children's entertainment.
Pullman Timi Ama, Sardinia
This stylish hotel offers the ambiance and charm of traditional Sardinia, whilst being child-friendly.
Martinhal Beach Hotel & Resort, Algarve
Super-stylish accommodation on the Algarve, with childcare for all ages and often offering discounts for grandparents.
Forte Village Resort, Sardinia
A luxury village of fun for everyone in Sardinia, offering the ultimate holiday experience and regularly voted the World's Leading Resort.
Chalet Eva, Savoie
A spacious ski in/ski out fully-catered chalet in Reberty sleeping up to 21 people and with childcare included in the price.
Periyali Villas, Zakynthos
Attractive family villas in Zakynthos, in a quieter resort on this lively island with outdoor pools and close to the beach.
Sani Beach Hotel, Halkidiki
Family friendly contemporary luxury and service with sweeping views of the Aegean.
Fowey Hall, Cornwall
Great service and family-friendly facilities at the place that inspired Toad Hall, located on the south Cornish coast.
Moonfleet Manor, Dorset
Family-friendly, laidback and quirky, this country house in Dorset is located on the coast and is full of family treats.
The Rosevine, Cornwall
Luxury family holidays and breaks in Cornwall with a flexible twist – stay on a B&B basis, self-cater, or do a bit of both.
The Athenaeum Hotel, London
A 5-star hotel with luxury family apartments, just a 10-minute walk from Piccadilly Circus.
Country Kids, Languedoc-Roussillon
A family-friendly country estate in Languedoc-Roussillon region in southern France, with wonderful facilities for under-5s.
Club Med Villars-sur-Ollon, Vaud
Ski classes for older kids, kid's club for the younger ones and everything you could need for babies so you dont have to pack it all in your luggage here to Switzerland.
Club Med Kamarina, Sicily
Family-friendly all-inclusive bungalows for relaxing but active family holidays and breaks with children of all ages in Sicily.
Center Parcs Whinfell Forest, Cumbria
Set in lovely woodland on the edge of the Lake District, popular for activity-based, weatherproof family holidays or breaks.
Sea Garden, Bodrum Peninsula
An all-inclusive 4-star family-friendly resort combining loads of activities for adults and children, in a quiet location on Turkey's Aegean Coast.
Ocean Club, Algarve
Spacious self-catering villas ideal for flexible family holidays with kids clubs, 2 pools and easy access to the beach, on the Algarve.
San Lucianu, Corsica
Stunning location on the island of Corsica, excellent childcare and facilities and only a short flight from the UK.
Anassa, Latchi
5-star hotel in Cyprus overlooking a beautiful beach with a selection of watersports and a yacht for guests.
San Agostino Resort, Peloponnese, Peloponnese
A big sandy beach, enthusiastic staff, good food and great watersports makes this family resort in the Peloponnese, Greece a sure fire hit.
Lakitira Hotel and Village, Kos
Excellent childcare, family-friendly facilities, activities and watersports at this family resort in Kos.
Chalet Hotel Mariandre, Alpe d'Huez
A warm and inviting family-focused chalethotel ideally located for family ski holidays in Alp d'Huez.
Pierre & Vacances Premium Residence L'Amara, Avoriaz
A great self-catering option for family skiing in the car-free resort of Avoriaz; catering well for the youngest of children.
Park Farm, Littleworth, The Cotswolds
Family holiday or break away from modern life and electricity.
New Barn Farm, North Bedfordshire Wolds, South East England
A great place to relax and toast marshmallows on warm summer evenings whilst the kids run free.
Ash Park, Dungiven, Northern Ireland
Kids will love a ferry crossing and the scenic journey into the heart of the Northern Irish countryside.
Mount Pleasant Farm, Woolland, Blandford Forum, Dorset
A family camping experience with home comforts thrown in.
Warren Farm, Cheddar Gorge, Somerset
Explore or relax - you can do as much or as little as you want at Warren Farm.
College Farm, Aldeby, Norfolk
Guests have access to a private lake shore - ideal for a warm sunny day.
Glanmor Isaf, Talybont, Bangor, Wales
A luxury home away from home - in the picturesque Welsh countryside.
Lunsford Farm, Pett, Hastings, Sussex
You are sure to experience a luxury glamping farm experience with the family.
Chalet Alpenbulme, Obergurgl, Obergurgl
Great childcare and fun and friendly staff makes this chalet in Tirol a great option for family ski holidays.
Pant yr Hwch Farm, Lampeter, Cardiganshire
Family glamping par excellence: sleep in luxury but collect your own eggs.
East Shilvinghampton Farm, Portesham, Weymouth, Dorset
Cosy camping, with a wood-burning stove, comfy beds and eggs fresh from the coop.
Midgham Farm, Fordingbridge, New Forest
Funky family camping in the heart of the New Forest.
Sunninglye Farm, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Simple yet glam camping in the Garden of England.
Kefalos Beach Village, Paphos
With a fantastic pool scene just footsteps from the sand, the Kefalos Beach Village gets top marks on the swimming and sunbathing front .
Hotel Club Turban, Marmaris
With a beachfront location, three swimming pools and tree-lined pathways criss-crossing the grounds, the Hotel Club Turban has everything you need to relax.
Club Med Phuket, Phuket
This all-inclusive resort in Phuket, Thailand offers bungalows and its own beach plus has something to offer the whole family no matter what age.
Club Med La Caravelle, Guadeloupe
La Caravelle gives you a taste of water sports and farniente in privileged surroundings.
Tropicana Azure Club, Sharm el-Sheikh
With a great pool scene and easy access to the beach, this place ticks off all the family-friendly essentials in Egypt.
Planos Bay, Zakynthos
An awesome waterpark that's just a short walk from the hotel.
Club Med Les Deux Alpes, Les Deux Alpes
A cosy retreat from which families can gather to chat about the day's adventures and their performance on the slopes.
Club Med Cervinia, Cervinia
The hotel - with its original decor and authentic materials - is a luxurious mountain refuge.
Club Med Aime La Plagne, La Plagne
At the foot of the slopes, the Club Med Resort is a paradise for lovers of sport and the great outdoors.
Aparthotel Alcudia Pins, Mallorca
With a beachside setting and a buzzing entertainment scene, this place is a big hit with families.
Key:
Self-catering
Hotel
Editors favourite
Kids Club
Mallorca Holiday for Single Parents
An escorted holiday for single parent families who want a fun-filled holiday in the company of similar families in Mallorca, with prices including flights, transfers and all-inclusive hotel.
Family Twist - short breaks in Paris
Tailor-make your perfect family break in Paris - just choose your favourite from a large range of family activities, your child-friendly accommodation and services and Family Twist will do the rest.
