Jonny Hughes

Santa Eulalia

Bring Your Beach Babies to Santa Eulalia

Costs on a family holiday can quickly spiral out of control, which is why I suggest to par-ents trying to budget that they head for a beach holiday. Sun, sea and sand are free to enjoy, so you only need to splash for sun cream and a few ice creams instead of costly activities! The kids can make sandcastles, play games and paddle in the ocean whilst mum and dad enjoy some much-needed relaxation and catch some rays.

There are dozens of great beach holiday destinations to choose from, but I think that Santa Eulalia in Ibiza is the pick of the bunch. You may think that Ibiza lives for pumping clubs and all night parties (which, in some parts, it is!), but Santa Eulalia is not a part of this scene and actually a very pretty and quiet resort. This is also somewhat of a hidden gem as parents do not think to come to Ibiza for a holiday – shh, keep it a secret!

Beach-hopping? Read our guide on Ibiza’s stunning secret beaches here.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico: A Budget and Child Friendly Holiday Destination

In search of a warm, cheerful, fun, affordable and family-friendly holiday destination? You might think that a place that ticks all of the boxes does not exist, but you would be wrong. Puerto Rico is a superb place for families that do not want to spend a fortune or sacrifice entertainment that will keep the kids happy (no, not the island near Cuba – those flights wouldn’t be budget friendly!).

Puerto Rico is a holiday resort located on the south-west coast of Gran Canaria. Due to its exotic location just off the coast of Western Africa, you can enjoy a fabulous climate here that is kept comfortable by the cooling sea breeze. Many holidaymakers simply flop on the beach during their stay and soak up the sun, but there is plenty to explore and a wide range of fun, safe and friendly places that are geared towards children.

Planning an island hopping adventure? Check out our guide to the Canary Islands here!

Here are a few of the exciting, enjoyable and affordable activities that your little ones are sure to love that won’t break the bank.

Salou

Surviving (and Enjoying) Salou with Kids

Holidays when you have a few kids to keep happy, full and entertained can do serious damage to your bank balance, but I think that it is possible to have a fun, memorable and valuable family vacation on a budget.

The destination? I recommend the charming Spanish resort town of Salou in the Tarra-gona province. Here you will find gorgeous sandy beaches, a lovely warm climate and plenty of great activities to keep the little ones engaged.

Here are a few suggestions for keeping costs down whilst not sacrificing the fun factor on your sunny Spanish vacation.

Roquetas de Mar

Can Roquetas de Mar Appeal to Teens?

Picking a family holiday becomes a lot trickier once your little ones become teens. Ideal-ly, you will want somewhere that you can all enjoy together, but with the option for them to be independent and explore by themselves (this peace and quiet is important for mum and dad too!). The perfect destination will be somewhere that has many activities and facilities for teens, but also somewhere that is safe and you do not have to worry about them getting into trouble.

My personal recommendation would be Roquetas de Mar on the southern coast of sunny Spain. This picturesque resort town on the Costa Algeria is a tranquil fishing village that boasts a gorgeous 3km sandy beach, a handful of places to visit and stunning natural surrounds – the entire area is designated a National Park!

Due to its location, Roquetas de Mar has a lovely Mediterranean climate and is never too hot due to the cooling sea breeze. Heavenly.

Puerto Pollensa

Best Cycling Routes in Puerto Pollensa

When vacationing with your teens, I think that it is really important to find plenty of activi-ties to keep them happy and engaged on the trip – the last thing you want is to be stuck with a pair of moody adolescents on your summer holiday!

The scenic coastal town of Puerto Pollensa in Northern Majorca is an excellent choice for active families. This is thanks to the range of cycle routes that take you through the heart of the town, along the beautiful coastline and deep into wine country (be sure to finish your ride with a hard-earned glass!). It is really easy to hire bikes here, and the dedicated cycle paths mean that it is a very safe place to explore, so it is sure to be a fun and rewarding experience that you will all enjoy.

Looking for another fun family-friendly activity? Check out our guide to scuba diving in Puerto Pollensa!

Alicante

Bullfighting, Bonfires and Beautiful Classics: Exploring the Art and Culture of Alicante

For me, no holiday is complete without a heavy dose of local art and culture – this is the best way to understand the heart, soul and history of a destination. The sunny port city of Alicante on Spain’s southeastern Costa Blanca is a superb place that is bursting with culture.

It is sometimes viewed as merely the gateway to the coastal resorts as it hosts the nearest airport, but upon closer inspection it is a fascinating, beautiful and cultural city. It could be a great place to spend a few days exploring before venturing on for plenty of sun, sea and sand at one of Spain’s resorts.

Continuing on to Benidorm? Check out these top attractions.

Alicante is home to a handful of unique art galleries and museums that any culture vulture will enjoy. Here are a few of my favourites that celebrate the rich history of the city.

Sölden

Sölden: Snowparks and After Darks, a Teen Ski Paradise

Deciding on a ski resort can be tricky, but it is also a decision that should not be taken lightly. This will have a direct impact on how successful and enjoyable the trip is – this is particularly true if you are travelling with teens.

The terrain will need to be exhilarating and challenging, but if it’s too difficult then they will become disheartened and lose interest quickly. One resort which has this healthy balance is Sölden, one of Europe’s most renowned resorts nestled in the scenic Ötztal valley of Tyrol in Austria.

Sölden boasts superb ski and snowboard terrain with over 145km of slopes, guaranteed snow and an excellent snowpark. When you factor in the highly rated ski schools, it means that this is a resort where they are sure to hone their skills and return home a happy and more confident rider. They will also be able to boast to their mates that they shredded powder on the slopes that were featured in the 2015 James Bond film Spectre!

Looking to soak up some culture as well as shred powder? Read up on the nearby city of Innsbruck.

Benalmádena

Sharks, Slides and Super Fun Parks – Benalmádena for Teen Travellers

Choosing a family holiday destination becomes a lot trickier once you are add teens into the mix. It is important to find somewhere that is bursting at the seams with a range of activities to keep them happy and engaged, but they may also require some time to themselves (as will mum and dad!).
One fantastic choice is Benalmádena – a beautiful town on the southern coast of Spain’s sunny Costa del Sol. This is a great place for teens as it has fun theme parks, inviting sandy beaches and a cool, laid-back atmosphere that you will all enjoy.
Exploring the area? Check out our guide on Malaga’s local culture and history.

París

A Bloom with a View: Exploring Paris’ Most Beautiful Gardens

You simply cannot beat visiting the beautiful French capital city of Paris. “The City of Love”, Paris is famed for being a global centre and hotspot for culture, fashion, gastronomy, art and plenty more. It features a host of legendary tourist attractions, cool cafes, bars and restaurants and there is a peaceful and intimate atmosphere swirling the streets that is completely infectious.
When discussing the city, it is likely that images of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame, the River Seine or its alluring café culture will flash through your mind, but today I want to highlight the gorgeous public gardens found throughout the city. It is home to a host of lovely manicured green spaces that are perfect for a leisurely stroll and soaking up the unique ambience found here.
On a romantic getaway? Discover our top places to visit with somebody special.
Be sure to check out these gardens on a gentle walk through the Parisian streets:

Annecy

Get Animated in Annecy at the International Animation Film Festival

Each year, the alpine city of Annecy in the stunning Haute-Savoie region of the French Alps becomes the global centre of animated films for the much-anticipated International Animation Film Festival, drawing over 8000 industry professionals.

All the big names in the world of animation come together in a celebration of the industry, where festival-goers can marvel at the most recent animated masterpieces and even get to interact with filmmakers, producers and other creative forces.

Extending your stay in Annecy? Check out our guide to the highlights.

Maspalomas

A Luxury Holiday in Maspalomas

I believe that the best type of holidays are the ones where you can fully unwind and relax – this always helps you to feel fully recharged and fresh when you return home.

If you agree, then I would recommend the beautiful town of Maspalomas as a holiday destination. This luxury resort town is found to the south of Grand Canaria – one of the most popular, beautiful and glamorous Canary Islands. This means that you can expect plenty of sun, inviting sandy beaches, turquoise waters, excellent golf courses and a relaxed pace of life. Perfect.

Prefer an island-hopping adventure? Check out our guide to the Canary Islands.

Shopping in Puerto Banús

If retail therapy is a key component of your ideal vacation, then I highly recommend that you check out the glamorous marina of Puerto Banús in Marbella, Spain on the Costa del Sol. The rich and the famous flock to this luxury region throughout the year to splash their cash at the many high-end boutiques, restaurants and bars. This is all against a beautiful backdrop of dramatic mountains and a yacht-filled marina (this looks spectacular lit up at night!).

Only 48 hours to work with? Check out this two-day itinerary.

Here is everything that you need to know about shopping in Puerto Banús:

Bourg Saint Maurice

Set Up Base Camp in Bourg Saint Maurice

Any ski enthusiast will know the importance of selecting the right base so that you can maximise time shredding the slopes and finding the best powder. I highly recommend Bourg Saint Maurice as a base camp; this fun and lively town in the Tarentaise Valley, which is world-famous with winter sports enthusiasts, puts you in the heart of the French Alps.

In addition to the cool atmosphere, cultural events and bustling town centre, you are surrounded by skiing areas that are both varied and fantastic. 7 minutes on the funicular and you will arrive at Les Arcs’ four resorts and the legendary Paradiski region – the largest ski area in the entire world!

Check out our handy guide to Paradiski here!