If the past couple of years have taught us one thing it’s the high value of leisure time. The shackles are off and we can now reignite our inner passion for adventure and exploration.

Holidays are a valuable commodity so it’s important to use them wisely. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of top family destinations to give you inspiration. So, sit back and relax as we take off to some of the best places to travel with kids.

1.  The Best European Hotspots

We are starting big and bold because holiday destinations don’t get much further away than Europe. It’s also a continent made up of 44 different countries, so where do you begin?

The ability to be able to speak English is a key driver for a trip to the UK or Ireland. Both nations are awash with iconic sites, from Buckingham Palace to Big Ben and Dublin Castle.

Cool as it is to meander its streets, London is busy and expensive. It is possible to get the best of both worlds by staying in a town, city or resort outside of the capital and then travel in by train for some sightseeing or a show. Bath or the vibrant seaside city of Brighton would be good choices.

There are a whole host of low-cost airlines in Europe all vying for your business. Most of the popular destinations are no more than a 2-hour flight apart. Here are our choices of the best family holiday destinations in Europe:

• The Spanish Balearics

Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera are the 4 best-known of this small group of islands just south of Barcelona. They have ‘family destination’ and ‘travel with kids’ stamped all over them.

Mallorca, the biggest, is world-famous for its extraordinary beauty. It feels like a country within a country. It has a buzzing capital city, Palma, endless sandy beaches, turquoise seas, a train network, its own language and is the hot destination for aspiring cyclists.

• Lisbon, Portugal

European capitals don’t get more manageable (or reasonably priced) than this. What makes Lisbon so attractive for families is that it’s small enough not to give you that overwhelming feeling.

The city has a relaxed atmosphere and you can walk everywhere, perhaps stopping off in the Bairro Alto for a leisurely coffee and traditional custard tart. The beach is a short drive or bus ride away. Cascais is a smart, atmospheric seaside resort close by.

The neighbouring town of Sintra with its fairytale castles and stunning gardens is one of Portugal’s (and Europe’s) must-sees and is easily accessible by train.

• Croatia

Once part of Yugoslavia, this country has built a reputation for being one of the best holiday destinations for families in Europe. You’ll find mile upon mile of white sandy beaches. There are also stunning cities like Dubrovnik, all with a rich historical past.

Some of its islands in the Adriatic Sea (the northernmost arm of the Med) are ideal bases for families. For example, Brač (pron: bratch) is just a 50-minute ferry ride from Split and its international airport. Brač is famous for its long, pine-lined beaches.

Top Tips:

• Best months: May and September when the weather’s good with fewer crowds
• The UK rail network offers family railcards for big savings
• Stop off en route for a short island break in Langkawi, Malaysia

2.  Australia and New Zealand

They’re neighbours, speak the same language and have just a few cultural similarities. It’s no surprise then that there’s a substantial exchange of tourists every year between these two countries.

Given both are international holiday destinations in their own right, it’s also no surprise that many choose to take a break in their home countries. Of course, there are the obvious hotspots from Uluru to Byron Bay and from Auckland to Queenstown. But, how can you get more bang for your buck? 

The answer lies in the humble campervan. There are few countries in the world that are better set up for a road trip.

For starters, the weather tends to be fairer, the roads are usually in great condition and campsites have the luxury of space and an endless supply of idyllic settings. Some sites have amenities that would give the best-known hotel chains a run for their money.

Road trips give you a sense of freedom, an emotion that has become ever more precious over the past two years or so. Here are a couple of ideas of where to go:

• The Coastal Route from Sydney to Brisbane

This is arguably as iconic as California’s Route 101. Weave your way through the Blue Mountains for a spot of wine-tasting before heading to the coast. There are plenty of must-see destinations en route, including Port Macquarrie, Nambucca Heads and Coffs Harbour.

• Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu

Ok, the scenery is stunning but make your adventure complete and give the kids a holiday to remember. Try some bungee jumping, jet boating, white water rafting, paragliding, rock climbing, mountain biking or even some downhill skiing.

Top Tips:

• Have a rough route plan to begin with but be ready to deviate
• Be sure any vehicle rental includes breakdown cover

3.  Bali, Indonesia

Australians continue to have a passionate love affair with their northern neighbour. Bali, one of the 17,000 or so islands that make up Indonesia, is a particular favourite. It’s a magical island famed for its coral reefs, jungles and warm hospitality.

This is one destination where buying some sort of all-inclusive package probably makes most sense. It ensures a more gentle introduction to a totally different culture.

Make street food the star attraction. Dishes are famous for their unique taste due to generous helpings of tasty spices. They’re also cheap making them budget-proof.

There are key kids’ attractions too, such as the sacred monkey forest sanctuary and waterparks that are not for the faint-hearted.

Top Tips:

• Choose your base carefully as moving around can be tricky
• Give stray or wild animals a wide berth!

4.  Fiji

Its relative closeness is a key reason this holiday destination is ever popular. Fiji is bursting with colourful culture. It’s the sort of place that welcomes its visitors as though they were long-lost friends. Many island hotels like those on Nadi have kids’ clubs.

A key attraction is the opportunity to swim and snorkel near massive manta rays. There are several hotspots including the Yasawas where resorts take an ethical ‘look but don’t touch’ approach to manta ray encounters.

There are plenty of diving opportunities to see huge bull and tiger sharks at Shark Reef Marine Reserve.

Fiji is a place made for birdwatching, hiking and surfing. Fijians are also passionate about rugby, even boasting their very own 7-dollar banknote, issued to honour the national rugby sevens team.

Top Tips:

• Try a home-stay for a few nights in one of the many traditional Fijian villages
• Even if you’re not religious, attend a Sunday church service: colourful and loud!

5.  Cape Town and Hazyview, South Africa

This holiday is not going to come cheap but there's a guarantee that it’ll be unforgettable. The 11-hour direct flight from Perth to Johannesburg is small-fry compared to getting to Europe.

South Africa has 11 official languages, although most people speak excellent English.

Overlooked by the majestic Table Mountain, Cape Town is a vibrant, colourful and cosmopolitan city. It has a slightly European feel about it. Here, you’re going to eat well and enjoy some of the best-tasting wines from the Cape’s world-renowned vineyards in the Stellenbosch area.

Cape Town is a great jumping-off point for all or part of the not-to-be-missed Garden Route. This is a 300-kilometre expanse of the south-eastern coast of South Africa. It stretches from Witsand to the edge of Tsitsikamma Storms River in the Eastern Cape.

The Garden Route gets its name from its green, lush and varied vegetation. You’ll find it dotted with estuaries and lakes along the coast. This is arguably the world’s

must-do road trip.

From Cape Town, take a flight to the northeastern city of Nelspruit. From there it’s a short drive to the little town of Hazyview, the last chance saloon before the Kruger National Park, a few kilometres away. Hazyview is a great place for families to base themselves.

This park is a well-protected nature reserve and home to giraffes, elephants, rhinos, hippos and the odd lion and leopard. There are strict controls about when and for how long you can visit. It is possible to stay overnight and take advantage of one of the many safaris on offer.

Top Tips:

• Car hire is relatively cheap in South Africa and major roads are in good condition
• Leave enough luggage space to bring back stunning African artwork

Start Packing!

Now you have some holiday ideas, it’s time to make some to-do lists and think about what you’re going to pack. We want you to enjoy your well-earned break so one thing you can tick off straight away is nanny payroll if you use Pay The Nanny.

We are an end-to-end nanny payroll service that ensures you’re always tax compliant and takes care of all the admin complexities from payslips to keeping track of sick pay.

We know that not outsourcing your nanny payroll is likely to be a false economy.

Talk to us today to find out how we can save you precious time and money.