Our Ultimate Guide to Bucket-list Family Holidays

By Tracey Davies

Snorkel with manta rays in the Maldives, see elephants drinking at a watering hole in South Africa or ride the wildest rollercoasters at Walt Disney World in Florida…  These are just some of the bucket-list holidays requested by our customers.

If you've always fancied skiing in Japan or want to chase the Northern Lights across an Arctic tundra, now is the time to plan it. From luxury family holidays in Europe to wildlife adventures in far-flung corners of the world, we’ve compiled our best once-in-a-lifetime family holidays for 2025 and beyond.

"Go white-water rafting down jungle rivers, learn to surf in Kuta and go snorkelling near sea turtles and reef sharks in Bali Barat National Park. And then there’s hiking up Mount Batur for sunrise, cycling through the rice paddies and exploring Ubud’s Monkey Forest Sanctuary."

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Explore Canada's Sunshine Coast

If your family craves adventure, few places rival the dramatic coastlines of Canada. A once-in a lifetime holiday destination, British Columbia's Sunshine Coast stretches for 180km from Howe Sound to Desolation Sound, and Canada family holidays here are perfect with teens; kayak on shimmering turquoise lakes, hike through lush forests and wander along rugged coastal paths. Expect plenty of stops for ice cream, wildlife spotting and impromptu dips in lakes.
Best for: kids age 12 and over

Have Fun at Walt Disney World in Florida

This has long been the centrepiece of many a magical Florida family holiday, but in 2025 Team Disney are raising the bar even higher. New for this year are the reimagined Test Track at EPCOT and Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away, a new night parade to light up Magic Kingdom Park.

Over in Hollywood Studios, Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After brings all our favourite baddies to life. It's also where you can catch the new The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure show. Add in all the rollercoasters and thrill rides, water parks and dazzling daily shows, and Walt Disney World is forever a once-in-a-lifetime holiday for families.
Best for: kids age four and over.

Go Wet 'n' Wild on a Water-Park holiday

The most popular of the UAEs is home to some of the best water parks in the world, so a Dubai family holiday delivers up epic thrills for those who like to spend most of their time in swimmers. The OG is Wild Wadi Waterpark, themed around Juha, a character from Arabian folklore, with 30 wild slides, including the tornado-themed Tantrum Alley. Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm is another popular park, particularly with teens, thanks to more than 100 rides, including the heart-stopping Leap of Faith.

Closer to home is the brilliant Siam Park in Tenerife, renowned for its famed Thai-inspired architecture and record-breaking slides such as the 28m Tower of Power.
Best for: kids age three and over

Learn Water Sports in Mauritius

If you're looking for a palm-fringed paradise, think about Mauritius for your family holiday in 2025 or beyond. It’s jam-packed with luxury family hotels, and unlike in many Mediterranean resorts, they often include water sports, making it surprisingly affordable in high summer (see our feature on Mauritius Versus the Med).

Whether you want to try kayaking, go snorkelling or learn to sail a catamaran, luxury resorts such as the Westin Turtle Bay, Constance Belle Mare and Shandrani Beachcomber offer inclusive water sports, as well as activities such as glass-bottom boat tours, suitable for all ages. 
Best for: kids age five and over

Experience A Place Where Ski meets Manga in Japan

Japan might not be your first thought for a family ski holiday in 2025 or beyond, but with its combination of ski resorts with gentle slopes, futuristic cities and unique culture, it’s an unforgettable once-in a lifetime holiday destination. Ski resorts such as Furano and Tomamu are ideal for beginners and intermediates, and you can also try ice fishing or snowmobiling while you're there.

But the real magic of a Japan family holiday is what happens off the slopes. It’s a true cultural adventure, with kids of all ages loving Kyoto’s Manga Museum, and teens taking part in a samurai workshop and shopping for the coolest threads in Tokyo. See our feature on Tokyo and Osaka with teens.
Best for: kids age eight and above

Adventure 

Chase the Northern Lights in Lapland

Often bagging the top spot on the bucket list of once-in-a-lifetime family holidays, Lapland trips to see the Northern Lights are something kids never forget. By day, you can explore the Arctic tundra on a snowmobile, dash through snowy pine forests on a sled driven by huskies, or meet a local reindeer herder.

There are some incredible places to stay in Lapland, such as the Northern Lights Village in Levi, which has aurora cabins with clear roofs, or the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, which has glass igloos so you can witness those elusive Northern Lights dancing across the sky.
Best for: Kids age six and over

Go Wild in Costa Rica

Fertile rainforests, towering volcanoes, cloud forests… Costa Rica is a place for an ultimate adventure holiday for families. Cruise along the waterways of Tortuguero, fly through Monteverde's forest canopy on a zip-wire, and meet the monkeys, sloths and toucans of Corcovado National Park.

Costa Rica is easily one of the top 10 holidays of a lifetime. Guided tours make it easy to explore its natural attractions, but factor in plenty of time for enjoying the Caribbean coast's gorgeous palm-fringed beaches or book a chocolate-making workshop.
Best for: Kids age seven and over

Go on Safari in South Africa

For fans of The Lion King, an African safari is the ultimate bucket-list trip. And with family-friendly lodges, malaria-free reserves and a high chance of spotting the Big Five, South Africa is one of the top destinations for a family safari holiday.

Ulusaba, Sir Richard Branson’s private game reserve, is a fantastic option for a South Africa family holiday. Kids can join bush walks and learn to track animals, or even try their hand at being a junior ranger. And after a day of roaming the African savannah, they can cool off in the two pools while you can enjoy a sundowner or two overlooking Sabi Sand.
Best for: Kids age six and over

Explore India’s Golden Triangle

Tigers, the Taj Mahal, train rides through the Himalayas… What’s not to like?! An India family holiday is the ultimate adventure, with sights, sounds and scents that will blow all your minds.

India’s Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur provides a great introduction to the country. Ride rickshaws through the streets of Old Delhi, rumble around the ancient Amber Fort in Jaipur, and witness the ethereal shimmer of the Taj Mahal at sunset. And what makes it a truly once-in a lifetime holiday is a tiger safari in Ranthambore National Park.
Best for: Kids age eight and over

Monkey Around in Bali

If you want to combine a luxury family holiday with some proper jungle adventure, Bali is the ideal destination. Go white-water rafting down jungle rivers, learn to surf in Kuta and go snorkelling near sea turtles and reef sharks in Bali Barat National Park. And then there’s hiking up Mount Batur for sunrise, cycling through the rice paddies and exploring Ubud’s Monkey Forest Sanctuary – plus palm-fringed beaches. 
Best for: Kids age six and over

Visit an Ethical Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand

Thailand is a perennial favourite for luxury family holidays and family adventure holidays, not least because you can meet a real life Dumbo. It's important to choose an ethical elephant sanctuary such as Elephant Hills in Khao Sok National Park, which has a true hands-off approach and a strong focus on animal welfare.

Beyond the elephants, a Thailand family holiday can also include zip-lining through the jungle, meeting hill tribes in Chiang Mai and a cooking class in Koh Samui.
Best for: Kids age five and over

Explore Australia’s Great Sights

This vast country (and smallest continent!) Is packed with incredible experiences, from seeing Uluru at sunrise to coming nose-to-snout with actual crocodiles in the Daintree Rainforest.

Sydney is a great starting point for an Australia family holiday. The more adventurous can climb Sydney Harbour Bridge or learn to surf in Bondi. Then head north to Queensland and go snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef. For more inspiration, check out our Top Picks with Kids Down Under feature.
Best for: Kids age seven and over

Luxury 

Go Fancy Island-hopping in Greece

Greece is easily one of the best holiday destinations in Europe for families, and its many islands are tailor-made for island-hopping. For a luxury family holiday in Greece, hop between Mykonos, Santorini and Crete, and stay in five-star resorts such as Domes Zeen Chania in Crete, which has a Montessori kids' club and Michelin-level dining. Kos and Rhodes are another good pairing – LuxMe Kos near Kos Town is a luxury family holiday perfect for all-inclusive fans. Find more in our guide to Greek island-hopping with kids – the luxury way.
Best for: Kids age three and over

Stay at a Luxury Hotel with Football Academies

Many of Europe’s best luxury family hotels offer professional soccer academies alongside all the usual kid-friendly amenities. Ikos Odisia in Corfu, Sani Beach, which has a Chelsea FC-associated academy, Pine Cliffs Resort and Martinhal Sagres in Portugal's family-friendly Algarve offer courses with pro football coaching sessions, tournaments, and plenty of pitch time for wannabe Mo Salahs.
Best for: Kids age six and over

See Epic Marine Life in the Maldives

No longer the preserve only of honeymooners, Maldives is now a great place for a luxury family holiday. Perfect for water babies, its gin-clear waters are great for snorkelling, although you can even spot turtles or gentle reef sharks from the shore. A Maldives family holiday is also a chance to learn to dive on pristine atolls such as Baa Atoll, where you can swim near manta rays and whale sharks.

Maldives all-inclusive packages are available at resorts such as The Standard Maldives. which offers inclusive water sports, kids’ clubs, and marine biology sessions. Or check out our feature on child-friendly resorts in the Maldives.
Best for: All ages

Have Five-star Family Fun in Turks & Caicos

For the ultimate luxury family holiday, these Caribbean islands hit the spot. Perfect for families with kids of all ages, Turks & Caicos have safe, shallow beaches such as Grace Bay and a host of kid-friendly activities, including snorkelling, dolphin and whale watching, and visits to Iguana Island – a.k.a Little Water Cay, home to the native rock iguana.

With nine hotels in one, Beaches Turks & Caicos is all about all-inclusive luxury. It has access to 18km of beaches, plus 20 restaurants, a vast water park, kids’ and teens' clubs, water sports and entertainment on-tap, making it one of the best family holidays abroad for all-inclusive fans.
Best for: All ages

For more information or a quote for any of these holidays, or for more ideas and inspiration, call our family travel experts on 020 3633 0653 or get in contact using our enquiry form.