October half term holidays
Half-term is just around the corner and if you want to head off on a foreign family but can't decide where to go then read our suggestions for early winter sun, a city break for all ages, something exotic or a touch of adventure. If you're feeling the pinch of the credit crunch, don't worry, there's something in there for you too!
Where's hot?
Egypt is a safe bet at this time of year — in fact, October is when you'll see it at its best — and Sharm el Sheikh is fab for families. It's got great hotels - many of which have kids' clubs -and lots of activities including the world's best scuba diving and snorkelling. You could be lying on a deep, sandy beach or relaxing by a hotel pool within five hours of leaving the UK. Plus, because there's only two hours' time difference, so no jetlag, making this a good choice for very young families.
Libra Holidays has 7-nights all-inclusive packages to a 4-star hotel which costs £3,147 for a family of four, including flights.
Which city?
A perennial favourite with families, Paris adds to its child-friendly credentials in late October when it hosts the 5-day Salon du Chocolat exhibition, which includes Chocoland, where kids can indulge in chocolate tastings, see chocolate sculptures and even try out chocolate make-up. See chocoland.com for more details. Then of course there are trips to the top of the Eiffel Tower, cruises along the Seine and days in nearby Disneyland, which will be in the midst of its Halloween celebrations. Best of all, there's no need to fly — just hop on Eurostar at St Pancras or cut costs and travel by ferry.
Where's cheap?
Although they can't guarantee warm weather at this time of year, the Spanish coasts are the cheapest place to get some winter sun. Lastminute.com has 5-night packages to Los Pinos on the Costa Brava from £338pp including all-inclusive accommodation in a 3-star hotel and flights.
The most southerly of the Greek islands are still pleasant at this time of year and, although you'll have to shell out a bit more than for a holiday in Spain, they are pretty affordable. Once again Lastminute.com has some great deals, including 7 nights at a posh all-inclusive hotel in Rhodes for £439pp, including flights.
How about an adventure?
Let's face it, most teenagers don't want to lay on the beach with mum and dad anymore and they're too old to be dumped into kids' clubs so, unless you want to listen to ‘I'm bored’ a million times a day, you're going to have to be a bit more imaginative when it comes to planning a family holiday.
Several companies including Explore, Exodus, Adventure Company and Families Worldwide offer active holidays specifically targeted at older families, such as safaris, mountain treks and off-road bike rides. For this half-term, Exodus has an 8-night Big Cat Family Safari to Namibia, departing on October 25, which costs £1,839 per adult, £1,548 per child. There's no risk of malaria at this time of year, and no need for jabs — but check with your GP or health professional.
Or something exotic?
Long-haul specialist Kuoni says Barbados tops its league of family destinations and it's easy to see why. The ‘Little England’ of the Caribbean has pure white sandy beaches, smart child-friendly hotels and lots of sporting activities including horse rides along the sand and scuba diving. It's a bit of a long haul with the flight taking at least 8 hours, but there's only a 4 hour time difference. With the hurricane season almost over, this is one of the best months to visit the Caribbean. Kuoni has 7-night flight inclusive packages to the all-inclusive Turtle Beach Resort, just 15 minutes from the airport, for £1496 pp during half term.
Bookmark this article
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
