Amazing family holidays your children will never forget

Learn to ski in Switzerland

If you’re planning your first family ski holiday, Villars in Switzerland is a good place to start. The ski school here is a favourite for young beginners, with lessons available for those aged three and above. Children can choose from standalone ski lessons, classes with lunch and pre-school activities included, or you could book them in for one-to-one sessions. Villars has two dedicated snow gardens, meaning your children can practice in a safe environment; and there’s also a nursery slope in the heart of the village, which you don’t need a lift pass to access. For those who already know how to ski, Villars has over 100km of slopes where they can hone their skills. The Chalet Royal Hotel & Spa is a top family pick. Teens can hang out in the games room while youngsters are kept busy with the free children’s activity programme. There’s also a swimming pool and private cinema for cosy family film nights.

Learn to dive in the Maldives

Kuramathi is our most popular island in the Maldives and great for a family holiday. You can all try your hand at stand-up paddle boarding, snorkel among brightly-coloured fish and older children can learn to dive. Those aged eight or nine can try out the mini scuba gear and have a gentle introduction just under the surface, with a maximum depth of two metres. Those over 10 can actually work towards a junior diving certification – and you can learn together if you’re new to diving, too. You could soon be swimming alongside turtles and clownfish.

The kids’ club offers treasure hunts, nature trails and mini discos, and you can have a memorable family movie night on the beach under the stars. Opt for a Two Bedroom  Beach House, which sleeps up to four adults and two children, and you can wake up to astounding views of the lagoon and step straight out onto the sand.

Discover the sweet life in Mauritius

Younger ones are in for a treat at Sugar Beach, Mauritius. This iconic plantation-style resort, perched on the shores of pretty Flic-en -Flac beach, is one of our favourite family-friendly hotels on the island. Your children can live out a fairy-tale fantasy in the Hansel and Gretel inspired kids’ club, designed around a charming cottage with ‘candy’ pillars, a thatched roof and quirky features; they’ll love cooling off under the ‘milkshake’ beach showers after splashing in the pool. Through the day, there’s a range of animated activities from crepe making to crab hunting, and after dark the fun doesn’t stop with disco nights, movies and marshmallow-roasting by the campfire. While the kids are busy, treat yourself to a rejuvenating spa treatment or sneak off for a date night in the new Buddha Bar Beach, the perfect spot for sunset cocktails.

Go glamping on a jungle safari in Thailand

Elephant Hills is an award-winning jungle retreat nestled in the misty limestone peaks of Khao Sak National Park and is an exciting adventure to twin with a family beach holiday in Phuket. Your children will feel like jungle explorers as they canoe down the pretty Sok River, spot monkeys in the treetops and best of all, spend time with Thailand’s gentle giants at an elephant sanctuary. You’ll split your stay between two luxurious safari tents. On your first night, you’ll stay at the main camp, where the kids can enjoy a dip in the pool while you relax with a cocktail or two at the jungle bar. For the second night, you’re all in for a treat, as you’ll stay in a gorgeous floating tent tucked away on a peaceful lake. Competent swimmers can jump into the lake for a refreshing swim while others simply kick back on the deck and soak up the stunning views.

Sunbathe with the penguins in South Africa

We know the best spots for a family-friendly safari escape and you and the kids can discover the best of South Africa on our Cape Town, Sun City and Safari suggested itinerary. with our Cape Town, Sun City and Safari suggested itinerary. Start in the beautiful city of Cape Town and take the children in a cable car to the peak of Table Mountain before heading off to Boulders Beach to watch the wild penguins waddle around the sand.

We can then take you all to The Palace in Sun City, a grand hotel inspired by the myth of a lost African kingdom, where you’ll find Valley of the Waves waterpark, a manmade beach and kids’ camp. The final part of your journey will stay in their memories forever – a safari in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve. Just watch their faces when they spot a herd of elephants or snoozing lion.

Go for goals in Italy

Footie-mad children should pack their boots for a stay at Forte Village on Sardinia’s south-west coast, where wannabe football stars can hone their skills under the guidance of professional trainers. At the extraordinary Chelsea FC Foundation Soccer School, kids can don an official Chelsea kit and train with the players and coaches that have made ‘The Blues’ so successful. This award-winning resort features a collection of five-star hotels and luxury villas, plus action-packed activities for all ages. A particular highlight is the Children’s Wonderland, where little ones can have adventures with childhood icons like Barbie™, Mario™ and Thomas the Tank Engine™.