Europe Family Holidays

For British families, Europe is a no-brainer. You can either stay in the UK, with its exciting cities and towns, beautiful, varied landscapes and wonderful seaside resorts – from buzzing London to the stunning, sleepy coast of Suffolk or the wilds of Scotland – hop over to lovely, leisurely Ireland, or make the short, pain-free and usually relatively cheap journey to a large choice of other family-friendly destinations.

Western Europe is prime family holiday territory: France is the perennial favourite, especially among parents with younger children, for whom its many self-catering gites, holiday parks and campsites are perfect. As everywhere in the Eurozone, France is not as good value as it once was for British visitors. However, the short travelling time and the possibility of paying certain accommodation providers in sterling means it remains an affordable favourite. Also popular for family holidays are the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Andorra and Portugal.

If it’s beaches you’re after, France and Portugal have them in spades, but classic child-friendly destinations offering Mediterranean fun and lots more besides include Greece, particularly its islands, Cyprus and North Cyprus, Turkey (still outside the Eurozone), Italy, Malta, and Spain and the Canaries.

There are some great beaches in Scandinavia, too, as well as a whole range of exciting activities for lovers of the great outdoors. However, you’re more likely to head to Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Lapland and Iceland in the winter months, for skiing and other frosty frolics, from husky sledding to meeting Santa and his elves.

Then of course there’s Eastern Europe, much of which remains outside the Eurozone and so remains great value, whether you opt for a family holiday on the beaches of Lake Balaton in Hungary, a city break in the Czech capital Prague, or budget-conscious skiing in Bulgaria. Other destinations worth considering are Croatia and Romania with their good-value beach resorts, outdoorsy Slovenia, and Krakow in Poland, which sparkles at Christmas-time.

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