Rafting in the Grand Canyon (Image: Getty Images)
HIT THE ROAD
Take an epic road trip through the super-sized scenery, sights and star-filled skies of the American West, exploring at your own pace from the comfort of a home-from-home on wheels. Pick up a family-sized RV and hit the road together on a 10-day trip in search of adventure.
Fun for all ages can be found en route at attractions such as Anaheim’s theme parks and San Diego’s USS Midway (a converted aircraft carrier museum) and in the great outdoors – hiking in Joshua Tree National Park or the lunar-esque landscapes of Arizona’s Monument Valley or rafting in the Grand Canyon.
AMERICAN DREAM: Travel in a campervan and you can enjoy desert skies at night (Image: Getty Images)
Along the way, take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to the top of the San Jacinto Mountains and marvel at the mighty redwoods (the world’s tallest trees) in Yosemite National Park before gathering around the campfire at the end of the day.
THE DEAL: Bon Voyage offers tailor-made trips from £1,649 per adult (£1,399 per child) including flights, one-night’s hotel accommodation in LA, RV sleeper rental and pre-booked campsites.
bon-voyage.co.uk, 0800 316 0194.
CHUTING STARS: All generations can enjoy some fun and games at Lalandia Water Park in Denmark (Image: Getty Images)
DANISH DELIGHTS
No one ever really grows out of Lego, do they? And a trip to Billund in Jutland, southern Denmark, where it was invented, is a great way to build some family memories.
The big attractions of this tiny town are the Lego factory and the original Legoland.
Both are fewer than 15 minutes from the small and remarkably stress-free airport, as are Lalandia waterpark and the newest attraction, the Lego House educational centre, opened in 2017.
This area isn’t all about the plastic bricks though – the South Jutland coastline is full of places to picnic and paddle and birdwatching is excellent on the west coast’s intertidal wetland, the Wadden Sea.
Legoland in Billund where Lego were invented (Image: Getty Images)
Further afield you can experience Viking life at the evocative Ribe VikingeCenter or buy Danish pastry by the traditional half-foot measure in the historic cobbled town nearby.
Best of all, most places of interest are fewer than 40 minutes’ drive from Billund on empty roads – so cries of “are we there yet?” will be blissfully absent.
THE DEAL: Family rooms at Hotel Legoland (legoland.dk, 0045 7951 1350) start at £280 B&B per night, including two-day Legoland entry.
British Airways has flights from Heathrow to Billund from £98 return.
ba.com, 0844 493 0787
Panoramic landscape from Azores lagoons (Image: Getty Images)
ISLAND ADVENTURE
Even with the arrival of no-frills flight routes to the Azores a couple of years ago this archipelago of nine volcanic islands still qualifies as one of the last “great mysteries of Europe”.
Lying west of the Iberian Peninsula in the North Atlantic, these wild islands, still unspoilt by mass tourism, offer an adventure the whole family can go on.
Basing yourself on the capital island of São Miguel you can head out to wander around Portuguese colonial architecture, or explore the dramatic, tectonically sculpted landscapes.
Snorkel in a volcano crater lagoon before enjoying lunch cooked underground by the volcanic heat of the geothermal valley of Furnas.
OUT OF THE BLUE: Islet of Vila Franca do Campo, formed by the crater of a volcano in the Azores (Image: Getty Images)
You can go hiking along plentiful trails – the Faial de Terra takes you all the way to a waterfall, while looking out for one of Europe’s most endangered birds, the Azores bullfinch, known locally as the Priolo.
Slightly easier to spot are the whales and dolphins breaking the frothing Atlantic waters as you bob beside them on a boat ride – go in spring and you might even see majestic blue whales migrating past the islands.
THE DEAL: Families Worldwide offers seven nights B&B from £1,699 per adult and £1,649 per child, plus six lunches, activities and transfers. Flights extra.
familiesworldwide.co.uk, 01962 302062
Villefranche, France (Image: Bruno De Hogues/ Getty Images)
FLOATING FUN
You can pack up your family in one place and let the world come to you on a cruising holiday, with enough distractions to keep even the most eye-rolling teenagers on board.
Modern cruise ships have the lot – restaurants, bars, spas, evening entertainment and activities from waterparks and cinemas to surfing and skydiving simulators.
Children’s clubs for little ones allow parents and grandparents time to relax at the spa or by the pool or to try a wine-tasting or dance class.
BRIGHT STUFF: You could see Manarola’s colourful houses in Liguria, Italy, during a European cruise (Image: Getty Images)
Royal Caribbean’s newly refurbished Independence of the Seas will transport your brood from Southampton around Europe, taking in Gibraltar, Villefranche, La Spezia, Civitavecchia, Naples and Cagliari, without any need to fly or repack.
It’s maximum holiday with minimum stress – and the ship has outstanding facilities for passengers with accessibility needs, ensuring everyone in the family can enjoy their time at sea.
THE DEAL: Royal Caribbean International has a 14-night Italian Mediterranean Cruise from £1,599pp, full board (excluding alcoholic drinks).
royalcaribbean.co.uk, 0844 417 0290
COMFY CAMPING: Enjoy the great outdoors from the warmth of a Wigwam Holidays insulated cabin (Image: Getty Images )
GREAT OUTDOORS
Children love the excitement and adventure of a camping holiday but there’s no need to rough it. Glamping, with its creature comforts, is the perfect option for “softies”.
You can take the dog to most sites so no one gets left out.
Wigwam Holidays’ timber cabins are double-glazed and have heating, fridges and firepits – some even come with hot tubs.
If that feels like cheating, focus on the fact that you won’t have to listen to anyone complaining that their toes are cold or their tent has collapsed.
Instead, sit back and enjoy nature as nature intended – in a dry, fully insulated pod with easy access to a kettle and biscuits.
Many campsites offer activities and crafts such as scenic walks and stargazing, providing a chance for the family to enjoy the great outdoors in comfort in some of the most beautiful and rugged spots in the UK.
THE DEAL: Wigwam Holidays has Big Chief Wigwams at Humble Bee Farm in the Yorkshire Wolds sleeping a family of up to five from £25-£30 per adult per night and £12-£16 per child per cabin. wigwamholidays.com
NATURAL BEAUTY: Take in sights such as Sgwd Ddwli Uchaf waterfall while holidaying in Wales (Image: Getty Images)
WALES OF A TIME
Large and extended families can congregate for some quality time at The House in the Hills in the Black Mountains in the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Three bedrooms in the main house and a separate two-bedroom converted barn mean it sleeps up to 10 – with room for both sets of grandparents.
Children will love the second sitting room, complete with Wii console and Xbox as well as traditional board games – there’s a hot tub too (at extra cost) plus a terrace with a barbecue for everyone to enjoy.
Further afield, there is something to appeal to every generation – from long rambles through the moody splendour of Llanthony valley, ending with a pint at a cosy pub, to a trip to Hay-on-Wye, five miles away.
Intrepid family members can explore the scenery through mountain biking, horse-riding, gorge-walking or canoeing, all also within easy reach.
And at night everyone can share stories over a meal, before heading out for some spectacular stargazing in the Brecon Beacons International Dark Sky Reserve.
THE DEAL: Seven nights self-catering in The House in the Hills start at £1,726 with Quality Cottages.
qualitycottages.co.uk, 01348 837871
