Collaborative Post¦ So, Christmas is round the corner, and you’re already thinking about the next summer holiday. It’s only natural; with a full month of Christmas songs, Christmas shopping and Christmas dinner planning to look forward to, the last thing we actually want at the end of it all is Christmas!
Much as a solo weekend break on the French Riviera, Aperol Spritz in hand, would be your just reward for a Christmas well-planned, it’s all-but certain that you’ll have to bring the rest of the household with you. As such, you’ll have kids and another parent to contend with – all of whom have their own designs for the perfect summer holiday. Where, then, can you go that’ll please just about everyone?
Canary Islands – Year-Round Sunshine
One of the most obvious options on the table is, of course, the Canary Islands. Whether it’s Tenerife or Lanzarote, the Canaries are a quintessential sun-and-sea destination for a family holiday. They’re the first place you think of when you think ‘all-inclusive’, and they’re so, so sunny to boot. A week spent lapping up sunshine in Hoya Fria is always a week well spent, whether for you or for your kids.
Turkey – All-Inclusive Fun for All Ages
For something a little less obvious, why not look to Turkey? This Anatolian destination is the south ‘wall’ of the Black Sea and the north-eastern shore of the Mediterranean; with Europe to the west and Asia to the east, it’s a doorway nation of cross-cultural amazement. And an often-overlooked opportunity for a holiday that everyone can agree with.
One particularly arresting place to spend a summer holiday is Fethiye, nestled in a cove facing south-west towards the Greek isle of Rhodes. This port city is a thriving hub of culture and a deeply relaxing place to get a little tan going; there’s also beautiful resort hotels like Liberty Fabay, with its family-friendly pools, dining, and kids’ activities so you can take a little time poolside.
Cyprus – Sunshine and Culture Combined
Go straight south from Turkey’s southern-most point, and what do you find? Floating right there in the Med, it’s Cyprus – another quintessential destination for resort holiday-makers and ex-pat settlers, with a great deal of coastline to explore. And this is to say nothing of the beautiful inland landscapes waiting for your traversal! Small as the island is, it’s easy to get around; Paphos is a great base for this thanks to its road connections and peerless coastline.
Portugal’s Algarve – Relaxed Coastal Charm
Last but not least, we come to Portugal. Though Spain runs away with a lot of the summer-holiday accolades, Portugal is severely underrated as the destination for a family-friendly getaway. You can find similar resort experiences on the southern shores, particularly Ferragudo and Faro – but the cultural magic is in the cities. As long as you get at least one day tasting wines in Porto, a Portugal holiday should suit everyone just fine.
Cover photo by Mikhail Nilov: https://www.pexels.com/photo/aerial-view-of-sea-and-coastline-8322901/