Choosing the Perfect Holiday for Families with Children
When it comes to the best family holidays in Europe, there is plenty of choice. While vibrant city breaks often steal the spotlight, you shouldn’t overlook the hidden gem of the countryside. There’s a unique charm to be found in rural destinations in Europe, with many benefits for families seeking a rejuvenating and enlightening experience.
Let’s delve into why more families are deciding that rural retreats are the best family holiday destinations in Europe – and uncover why you’ll want to book your next European family adventure with Country Kids.
Rural Retreats Offer a Transformative Experience
Serenity. Relaxation. Excitement. Adventure. Education.
You’ll find it all and more in the countryside. And Europe is home to some of the world’s best.
Away from busy city streets, you can rewind and regenerate. You can get in touch with nature as you ‘forest bath’, and connect with yourselves and your family. Your children will develop a greater appreciation for the natural world around them.
There is an abundance of adventures to be experienced in idyllic rural settings. From hiking through lush forests to cycling along tranquil country roads, there’s something for everyone. Combined with physical and mental well-being, such experiences offer fantastic family bonding opportunities that simply aren’t possible in the hustle and bustle of city streetscapes. Perfect for creating life-long memories.
There are many countries in Europe that deliver superior countryside holidays. Croatia is up-and-coming, but four always spring to mind:
- The Algarve on the coast of Portugal, a holiday with sandy beaches along a rugged coastline
- Italy, with farmhouses nestled among scenic landscapes – where you’ll experience the incredible Italian hospitality
- Spain’s rustic countryside and sprawling olive groves offers a peaceful getaway
- France’s rolling hills, meandering rivers, vineyards, and picturesque villages that capture a blend of history, culture, and charm
How do you choose which is best for you?
Choosing Your Perfect Destination for Families
There are several crucial factors to consider when selecting your holiday destinations for families in Europe.
Of course, the most important is to select a location and resort or villa that offers plenty of family attractions and activities to keep your whole family entertained. You’ll need to consider your rest and relaxation, as well as having plenty of activities to keep the kids entertained and engaged.
You’ll also need to think about safety and security, as well as proximity to healthcare facilities and family friendly dining.
Think about what you’ll want to do outside of your chosen resort, too. Visit a water park? Spend a day at a theme park? Relax on a beach?
Among the most popular with families are Tuscany, Andalusia, and Languedoc:
- Tuscany in Italy offers an eclectic mix of cultural exploration and outdoor adventure
- Andalusia in Spain provides a scenic environment that is ideal for immersing into nature
- Languedoc in France offers adventure and tranquillity, with seas of vineyards and forest where families can relax and taste local culture and cuisine
Accommodation Options for Rural Family Retreats
It’s not only the destination that matters. Your accommodation is also key to the ideal family-friendly holiday. There is plenty of choice for spring, autumn, and summer holidays:
- One of the most popular are farm stays and rural guesthouses. These provide amazing opportunities to experience local hospitality and gain insight into rural life.
- Holiday rental properties and self-catering cottages provide the freedom to create your own schedule and design your holiday at your pace.
- If you’re seeking a more adventurous time in Europe, you might select camping or glamping – immerse yourselves in nature without sacrificing comfort.
Consider how near you are to family-friendly attractions, and what onsite facilities there are to keep you and your children amused – things like playgrounds, swimming pools, nature walks, horse riding, and more will ensure the excitement is never-ending.
Unleashing the Adventurous Side of Country Vacations
If you’re getting into nature, then you’ll want to engage in outdoor activities. Hiking and nature trails offer an opportunity for your family to connect on a deeper level, while helping children of all ages to gain a greater appreciation for our planet.
Cycling and bike tours can be thrilling. Imagine pedalling through picturesque villages, and gliding past vineyards and fields of wildflowers.
Horseback riding offers a unique perspective of the countryside. Appreciate the beauty of nature as you meander through hidden trails and bind with your four-legged companion.
Water sports, such as kayaking and paddle boarding, can add a new and refreshing element to your family holiday. Lake swimming, boating, or fishing on a pristine, clear water lake can be enjoyed by all.
Of course, we mustn’t forget simply being surrounded by nature. The inherent serenity of your surroundings while you explore all that nature has to offer ─ from birdwatching to identifying native flora and fauna, the countryside offers a smorgasbord of natural wonders to be discovered.
Experiencing Local Culture and Traditions
One of the most enticing aspects of rural holidays is immersing yourself in authentic local culture. You’ll want to be close to local markets to experience the engrossing community spirit as you browse stalls with local produce, artisan crafts, and traditional products as you taste an authentic atmosphere.
Talking about taste – trying local culinary experiences is a must-do. Farm-to-table restaurants showcase a region’s specialities. Why not try a cooking class? Wherever you travel, food is an integral part of local culture. If you stay on a farm, your children will quickly gain a greater appreciation of where our food comes from.
Educational Opportunities in the Countryside
For young children and older kids, a countryside family holiday offers unique learning opportunities. A visit to a working farm can provide incredible insight into livestock, crops, and sustainable farming practices. Your children can engage in hands-on activities including feeding animals and harvesting crops as they foster connections with the source of our food.
Being in nature, especially if you visit a destination known for its conservation programs, promotes greater environmental awareness. Children will learn about how we can all take responsibility for protecting local ecosystems.
Then there’s the history of your holiday destination. Delve into the past by exploring local historical and cultural heritage, and becoming immersed in a region’s past.
Find It All at Family Favourite Country Kids
The countryside of Europe is diverse and exciting. It offers unique opportunities to create a holiday that delivers adventure, tranquillity, and cultural immersion. Engaging in outdoor activities, embracing nature, and experiencing local culture provides an unequalled experience for families.
To choose the best family holiday in Europe for your family, you’ll need to consider all your needs and desires. This doesn’t mean you have to compromise on any. You can have it all at Country Kids.
- Our car-free gated resort means you can safely allow your kids to roam freely in nature
- Your kids will love immersing themselves in our working farm, meeting and feeding the animals and learning about our sustainable farming
- Explore our 30-acres of grounds at your leisure
- Visit the local villages and towns to experience authentic French culture
- Take advantage of our baby-sitting services that allow you to visit one of the many fantastic restaurants nearby
- Take part in our full range of on-site activities, or other off-site activities that are a stone’s throw away
You don’t need to do hours of research to find your perfect family holiday destination. You don’t need to spend days planning and organising what to do while away – we do all that for you on day one of your holiday with us. As for the accommodation – five-star, all the way.
Don’t take our word for the wonderful holiday you and your children will have at Country Kids. We have a five-star rating on Tripadvisor, with 121 ‘excellent’ reviews out of 123. Here are a couple of examples:
Heather V wrote this:
Our stay at Country Kids was absolutely fantastic. From the moment we arrived (which happened to be a rainy evening), we were greeted warmly. A delicious meal of lasagne and salad was awaiting us in our unit. Our children were so excited to play with the toys in our unit and to cuddle with the stuffed animals in their room.
Every detail is carefully thought out from the delicious meals to the local wines available in the wine cellar. Our unit was everything we could need for our children. Plastic dishes and cutlery as well as tear free shampoo and soap, bath toys and even small bath robes were provided.
Our kids (3 & 7) loved Beatriz at the kids club. She planned fun activities to keep them busy and they looked forward to them daily. Going to see the animals each day with Farmer Syl on his tractor was a favourite activity as well. While they were at kids club my husband and I were able to actually relax by the pool, play tennis and have an actual vacation.
The beautiful scenery and delicious restaurants nearby were an added bonus on our two date nights when babysitting was provided on-site. We absolutely cannot wait to plan our next trip back!
Anna R wrote:
This has honestly been the best family holiday we’ve been on. It’s one of very few places where the kids have a wonderful time, and the parents get to have a rest as well. Syl and Laure, the owners, have thought about everything. And I mean EVERYTHING. The setting is beautiful and serene. The kids don’t have a chance to get bored between feeding animals, riding bikes, watching tortoises, playing in an amazing playground ─ treehouses, zip wires, mini golf, trampolines, slides, mud kitchen ─ you name it, it’s there. The space is very well thought-out and very well secured and child proofed so you can let the kids go and play without a worry. The kids club is great ─ the staff are experienced, caring and engaging.
The formula of booking Saturday to Saturday works very well as there’s a weekly program of well-thought-out activities and with a number of other families on-site, there’s a chance to get to know each other. It gives a cosy, family feel, and the kids can make friends.
There are lots of things to do in the area ─ pony riding, the beach, a dinosaur museum, restaurants, and hiking trails. There’s very helpful information available from staff. The service is absolutely amazing. Nothing is too much trouble. Usually Emma, the manager, and Laure knew what we needed before we did!
We are coming back next year. My kids keep asking to go to Farmer Syl’s farm and say they wish they could live there forever. We kind of wish we could too!
What are you waiting for? Book your European family holiday of a lifetime before we’re fully booked!
