Family on a beach during sunset at a Club Med summer resort

Family on a beach during sunset at a Club Med summer resort

Reviews of winter sun family holidays in Europe and around the world

Wash-out summers followed by long hard winters can turn anyone’s mind to more exotic climes and a treat in the form of some winter sun. Our family travel specialists have covered destinations both long-haul and closer to home to help you decide on the ideal destination for your family holiday, taking into consideration flight times and transfers, jet-lag and the kind of temperatures you might expect to encounter, and ranging from luxury resorts to more budget-friendly options.

Tarpon and pelicans at Robbie's

A Sustainable Family Road Trip through the Florida Keys

North America, USA, Florida, Florida Keys

Rhonda finds out how green tourism is helping to save this iconic destination.

The Northern Lights over Jeris

The Best Bubble Holidays for 2021 and Beyond

Africa & Middle East, South Africa, Asia, Thailand, Australia & Pacific, Caribbean, Europe, Cyprus, Finland, Lapland, Indian Ocean, Latin America, Costa Rica, North America, United Kingdom, England, Cheshire, Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Norfolk, Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire, Scotland, Argyll, Wales, Snowdonia

We share the top contenders for family holidays far from the madding crowds.

Carnival kids © Rhonda Carrier

The Tenerife Carnival with Kids

Europe, Spain, Canaries, Tenerife

Rhonda discovers that the world’s second-biggest carnival has something for both adults and children.

Setting on an early-morning boat-trip [copyright]© Hotels Attitude[/copyright]

A Sustainable Family Holiday at the Zilwa Attitude, Mauritius

Indian Ocean, Mauritius

Rhonda experiences an eco-friendly resort inviting guests to truly get under the skin of the island.

Kids kayaking at the Shandrani in Mauritius

All-inclusive family holidays on the Indian Ocean islands

Indian Ocean

Our hand-picked selection of family-friendly all-inclusive resorts on the Indian Ocean islands.

Kids sailing at the Barcelo Maya

All-inclusive family holidays in Latin America

Latin America

See our recommendations for the best all-inclusive family holidays in Mexico and other parts of Latin America

Offer of the week

Looking to plan ahead for 2022? Book your 2022 Simpson Travel holiday at 2021 prices when you book before 30th June 2021.

Kids learning to dive

All-inclusive family holidays in the Middle East and Africa

Africa & Middle East

Our hand-picked best all-inclusive family holidays to the Middle East and Africa.

Exercise class at the Club Med on Bintan Island

All-inclusive family holidays in Asia

Asia

Check out our top all-inclusive picks for family holidays in Asia.

Kids learning to surf in the Caribbean

All-inclusive family holidays in the Caribbean

Caribbean

Explore our hand-picked selection of all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean.

Kids snacking at Beaches in Negril

All-inclusive family holidays inspiration

Our perspectives on all-inclusive holidays around the World, with recommendations that your family will love

The Ickworth, Luxury Family Hotels

Luxury family holidays inspiration

Africa & Middle East, Asia, Australia & Pacific, Caribbean, Europe, Indian Ocean, North America, United Kingdom

Get inspired by our hand-picked luxury family holiday options in the UK, Europe and around the World

Statue of President Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam © Vietnam National Administration of Tourism

A Family Holiday in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Asia, Vietnam

Dea and family learn about ‘the American War’ and Communism on a Southeast Asia trip

Columbia Beach Resort, Cyprus.

Best Winter Sun Family Holidays with Babies and Toddlers

The ideal places to take young children on a family holiday, carefully hnd selected for you

Four Seasons Resort Langkawi.

Best Winter Sun Luxury Family Holidays

Our hand selected Winter Sun Luxury Family Holidays for the family.

[copyright] © Fossil Expeditions, Florida[/copyright]

13 Thrilling Places to Find Fossils and Dinosaur Remains

Egypt, North America, Canada, USA, Florida, United Kingdom, England, Dorset, Isle of Wight, London, Shropshire, Yorkshire, Wales, Pembrokeshire

Georgina digs deep to uncover the world’s most fertile fossil and dinosaur-bone hunting grounds.

Food stall in the Seychelles[copyright]© Seychelles Tourism Board[/copyright]

A Self-Catering Family Holiday in the Seychelles

Indian Ocean, Seychelles

Dea Birkett reluctantly tries a family beach holiday.

View towards the Danna from the grounds.

A Family Holiday on Langkawi, Malaysia

Langkawi, Malaysia, Asia

Rhonda discovers a tropical paradise where relaxation and adventure come in equal measure.

Polar bears in Ranua Wildlife Park, Lapland © Activities Abroad.

5 Great Ideas for Christmas Family Holidays or Breaks

Caribbean, Turks and Caicos, Europe, Salzburg, Brussels, Denmark, Paris, Rhone Alpes, Lapland, New York, Cornwall, London

Inspiration for taking the kids away for the festive season, whether to visit Santa, hit the ski slopes or bask in the sunshine.

The Ghan © Great Southern Rail.

Top 15 Family Rail Journeys Around the World

Morocco, India, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Greece, Sicily, Turkey, Istanbul, Mexico, Peru, Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Scotland

Georgina scours the globe for the best family adventures by train.

Unwind on the deck of your treehouse at The Fish Hotel.[copyright]Open-air bathing at a treehouse at The Fish Hotel[/copyright]

Top Valentine’s and Romantic Breaks with Kids

Prague, Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence–Alpes–Côte d'Azur, Alpes Maritimes, Greece, Rhodes, Venice, Andalucia, Mauritius, Mexico, Berkshire, Cornwall

Places where you can combine quality family time with some 'us' time.

A Powerboat Adventure and Snorkel Tour, Grenada, with Island Routes.[copyright]© www.islandroutes.co.uk[/copyright]

Best Caribbean Resorts with Kids

Caribbean, Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Turks and Caicos

Rhonda rounds up the most family-friendly offerings in a region perfect for a dose of winter sun.

Desert camp in Wadi Rum © Rhonda Carrier[copyright]Rhonda Carrier[/copyright]

12 Reasons to Take the Kids on a Family Adventure Holiday in Jordan

Jordan

Rhonda rates the Middle Eastern nation as an unmissable family destination.

Dodging cacti at the Wild West themed Hotel Gold River at PortAventura.[copyright]Rhonda Carrier[/copyright]

18 Unmissable Theme-park Hotels around the World

Dubai, Asia, Japan, Europe, France, Ile de France, Marne-la-Vallée, Paris, Picardy, Italy, Italian Lakes, Spain, Costa Brava, USA, California, Southern California, Los Angeles, Florida, Orlando, United Kingdom, England, Berkshire, Staffordshire, Surrey

Rhonda takes a journey around the globe in search of the best places to stay at some of our favourite theme parks.

Sea turtles in Carlisle Bay, Barbados © Crystal Cove[copyright]

A Review of the Crystal Cove Hotel, Barbados

Barbados

Rhonda discovers the family-friendly delights of the Caribbean island.

Reading Road trip with the Sandals Foundation.[copyright]© Rhonda Carrier[/copyright]

A Family Holiday at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages and Spa, Caribbean

Caribbean, Turks and Caicos

Rhonda and her six-year-old son come face to face with rock iguanas and read to local schoolkids in the northern Caribbean.

Santa arriving at Beaches Negril, Jamaica.

15 Amazing Places to Take the Kids at Christmas

Africa & Middle East, Dubai, Caribbean, Jamaica, Europe, Austria, Vienna, France, Ile de France, Paris, Ardeche, Lapland, Norway, Canaries, Tenerife, North America, USA, Florida, Orlando, New York, New York, United Kingdom, England, Buckinghamshire, Dorset, London, Wales, Pembrokeshire

Great ideas for festive family holidays or breaks, whether you head to the beach, the ski slopes or the snowy wilds, or to a sparkling city.

On Negril beach[copyright]Rhonda Carrier[/copyright]

A Family Holiday at Beaches Negril, Jamaica

Caribbean, Jamaica

Rhonda and her 9-year-old check out the Caribbean's top-ranking hotel for families.

Ethan getting ready to tackle the bobsleigh on Mystic Mountain.[copyright]© Rhonda Carrier[/copyright]

A Family Holiday at Beaches Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Caribbean, Jamaica

Rhonda and Ethan go sky-high in the Caribbean.

Egypt family holidays

Egypt Family Holidays: Sharm el Sheikh

Sharm el-Sheikh, Red Sea, Egypt

A runner-up in our travel-writing competition describes her family holiday heaven.

Roman columns at Jerash © Rhonda Carrier[copyright]Rhonda Carrier[/copyright]

An October Half-term Family Break in Jordan

Jordan

Georgina and son discover history with a vengeance in the compelling Arab nation.

Alfresco massage in the New Forest © Lime Wood Hotel.

Top 10 Mums' Breaks Without Children: UK and Abroad

India, Bali, Caribbean, Saint Lucia, France, Malta, Mallorca, Maldives, Leicestershire, Hampshire, New Forest, London, Surrey

Rhonda asks what mums really want, and where they can get it.

Feynan Eco Lodge © Rhonda Carrier[copyright]Rhonda Carrier[/copyright]

Top 25 Eco-friendly Places to Stay with Kids in Africa and the Middle East

Africa & Middle East, Egypt, Jordan, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania, Zanzibar

Rhonda hunts down the best eco safari lodges and other environmentally friendly lodgings for families.

Falconry in Dubai © Visit Dubai.

Top 10 Destinations to See Birdlife with Kids

Africa & Middle East, South Africa, Dubai, Caribbean, Dominican Republic, Spain, Costa Rica, USA, Florida, Orlando, Birmingham, Norfolk, Pembrokeshire

From barn owls to quetzals and hummingbirds, Georgina shares the best places to introduce kids to winged creatures.

Hot-air ballooning in Kenya[copyright]© www.governorscamp.com, Kenya[/copyright]

The Best Family Safaris

Kenya, Cape Town, Zambia

There’s only one real way to see wildlife and bring ‘The Jungle Book’ to life, and that’s on safari.

The Pego do Inferno © VisitAlgarve.

A Winter Family Holiday in the Algarve

Algarve, Portugal

Teresa and family enjoy an out-of-season break in the family-friendly region of southern Portugal.

Water-park fun in Dubai.[copyright]© Visitdubai.com[/copyright]

7 Winter Sun Family Holidays Within a 7-Hour Flight of the UK

Africa & Middle East, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, Dubai, Malta, Azores, Canaries, Tenerife

Rhonda gives us the low-down on the best winter sun destinations with the kids without a long flight.