Best Summer Holidays for Families

Family Summer Holiday Ideas

Hot weather, blue sea, and white sand beaches; the summer holidays are a fantastic time to get away with all the family for some downtime or an adventure. Say goodbye to school runs and making pack lunches and hello to early morning swims and brunching with giraffes. Whether the family members are 8, 18 or 80, we’ve got the perfect itineraries to get hearts racing, taste buds tingling and eyes opening.

Scroll down for our top luxury summer breaks. Alternatively, browse all of our luxury family holidays.

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Top Destinations for Family Summer Holidays

Sicily

Sicily is the perfect coastal destination for a sunny family summer holiday in Europe. As an added bonus, it’s a place that doesn’t require too much travelling for the little ones. Whilst they might not be old enough yet to enjoy the olives that Sicily produces, they’ll love the Italian cooking experiences, the countless infinity pools, and the Mediterranean beaches. In between exploring the ancient Italian wonders in Palermo and Agrigento, you’ll be able to slink off for a slumber on the gorgeous beaches at Taormina, take the little ones out for a horse ride through the hills or navigate your way around the sea with the local fisherman.

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Kenya

Kenya during the summer holidays cannot be beaten. The drier weather creates excellent conditions for spotting the Big Five on safari-drives and all of the other loved creatures that reside there. If your kids are fans of the Lion King and you’ve timed it right (ask our Travel Experts), you’ll be lucky enough to catch the mighty spectacle that is the Great Migration. Take to the sky in a hot air balloon or jump in a jeep on the ground, and watch the huge herds of wildebeests cross the Mara River, dodging the crocodile-scattered water along the way. This is one of the most exciting and heart-racing safari drives to experience in Africa, and who better to share it with than all your nearest and dearest? Not to mention the luxurious safari lodges nearby.

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Peru

Peru during the summer holidays is arguably the best time to visit; sunny days and bright blue skies. This cultural adventure through the depths of Peru is great for all ages. But whilst Machu Picchu is fascinating for younger kids, the hikes here are challenging, so if you’re the adventurous family type, it’s better suited for older children. From long hikes and hot springs in the hills to culture and cuisine in the city, Peru has a little something for everyone. One of our favourite experiences to enjoy as a family is visiting the floating villages on Lake Titicaca to meet the locals and receive a blessing from the welcoming community. After a day on the water, you’ll make your way back to the homely glass Titilaka lodge for panoramic views over the water and to hunker down with a good book or pack of cards.

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Florida

Florida's summer months reveal a different side of the Sunshine State, one where families venture beyond conventional attractions. Private boats drift through mangrove tunnels as children spot ospreys diving for fish. Inland, expert naturalists guide young explorers through prehistoric springs where manatees gather, while marine biologists share the secrets of coral reef conservation in the Keys. Each day brings opportunities for hands-on discovery, whether learning traditional net casting from local fishermen or tracking sea turtle hatchlings under starlit skies.

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Indonesia

Underwater worlds, pink sand beaches, and Komodo dragons; this diverse country holds the key to all the jaw-dropping views and untouched marine environments possible. With fun activities for all ages of the family to enjoy, the dry weather during the summer holidays goes hand in hand with Komodo Dragon spotting in Komodo National Park. However, at the top of our Indonesian bucket list is diving deep into the sea to swim amongst the majestic manta-rays at Makassar Reef. Swim, snorkel, dive or kayak; make sure to pack an underwater camera on this truly once-in-a-lifetime holiday.

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Croatia

Summer in Croatia transforms family holidays into living history lessons. The Dalmatian archipelago becomes a natural classroom where local fishermen teach children to spot dolphins from traditional wooden boats. In Split, young adventurers trace Roman footsteps through Diocletian's Palace, decoding ancient symbols while sampling fresh figs from market stalls. Away from the coast, families kayak through the emerald lakes of Plitvice, pausing to identify rare orchids with expert naturalists. As evening falls, master recipes that have defined this stretch of coastline for centuries.

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Frequently Asked Questions

About Planning Your Luxury Family Summer Trip

What are the best summer holidays for families?

The best summer destinations for families depend on your children’s ages and what experiences you’re seeking. For wildlife, Kenya and Tanzania’s dry season (June-October) offers peak safari conditions. For beach and culture, Italy, Greece, and Croatia combine coastline with discovery. For cooler adventures, Iceland, Norway, and the Canadian Rockies offer dramatic landscapes under long summer days. We design every trip around your specific family—ages, interests, and energy levels. Explore destinations by age or tell us what you’re looking for.

How far in advance should we book a summer family holiday?

Summer is peak season, so early booking is essential. We recommend 9-12 months ahead for top-choice properties in Italy, Iceland, Kenya (during migration), and Norway—family suites and villas book first. 6-9 months is workable for most destinations. Under 6 months significantly limits options, especially for larger families needing multiple rooms. The earlier you start, the more flexibility we have to secure exactly what you want.

How can we have a summer holiday that doesn't feel crowded?

Three factors matter: timing (early June and late August are quieter than mid-July), destination choice (Norway, Scotland, Namibia, and Botswana see fewer tourists than Mediterranean hotspots), and how you travel. We arrange private guides who know optimal timing for popular sites, private boats instead of group tours, and properties in less-visited regions. In Italy, this might mean the Aeolian Islands rather than the Amalfi Coast. We design trips that feel exclusive even in peak season.

What makes a luxury family summer holiday worth it?

The difference isn’t just nicer hotels, it’s how the trip works for your family. Accommodations mean private villas with pools and space, or suites that actually connect (not “adjoining rooms available on request”). Experiences mean private guides who adapt to your children’s pace, activities designed for their ages, and early access that avoids crowds. Logistics mean private transfers so you’re never waiting with tired kids, and thoughtful pacing with built-in downtime. Everything is designed around your family specifically—not a package adapted to sort-of fit.