Make the most of the forthcoming half term with these family holiday suggestions from Travel PR.
Spellbinding Family Adventure in Snowy Finland – from £1,755 pp with Activities Abroad
Nestled in the centre of Finland, the village of Vuokatti is the ideal location for family fun in the wintertime, with the landscape transforming into a spectacular natural activity playground. Enjoy a husky safari into the forest, explore the wilderness by snowshoe during the day and hunt for the Aurora Borealis by night, visit a reindeer and horse farm for a magical sleigh ride, and experience the thrills of a snowmobile and ice-fishing tour. This trip is priced from £1,755 pp for adults / £1,535 pp for children (4-12 years), including flights (London), transfers, seven nights’ half-board accommodation, one lunch, activities listed and expert guides. Departs 10 Feb. Call Activities Abroad on 01670 789 991. (Cover photo: credit Vuokatti Safaris).
Kids stay free at Bovey Castle during February half term – Dartmoor from £409 per night for a family of four
Situated within Dartmoor National Park, Bovey Castle is the perfect place for families during half term. An extensive range of daily complimentary on-site activities includes falconry displays, egg collecting and meeting the ferrets. Bovey Rangers activities such as survival skills, archery and raft building are also available (7-14-year-olds; £35 per session). For little Bovey Bears, activities include painting, puppet making and biscuit decorating (3-7-year-olds; £15 per session). Adults can relax with a treatment in the spa or swim in the Art Deco pool. A night’s B&B in a Junior State Room (two adults and two children sharing) costs from £409 per room. Valid 10-17 Feb. Call Bovey Castle on 01647 445 007.
Lashings of family fun at Thurlestone – Devon from £720 per family with Pride of Britain Hotels
Just moments from a sandy Blue Flag beach on Devon’s south coast, Thurlestone is the oldest family-owned hotel in the UK. The hotel offers a free children’s club during the school holidays with baking, arts and crafts and movie nights alongside sporty pursuits such as badminton, tennis, golf and swimming. Family dining is welcomed at the newly-renovated Trevilder restaurant and at The Village Inn a short stroll away. A two-night stay during February half term costs from £720 per family (two adults and two children aged 3-7 sharing) including dinner, full English breakfast and use of all facilities. Call Pride of Britain Hotels on 0800 089 3929.
Winter sun in family-friendly Jordan – from £900 pp with TravelLocal
With eight hours of sunshine a day, mid-February temperatures reaching 21 degrees, and an abundance of archaeological sites and museums to explore, Jordan is the ideal location for a winter sun and educational half-term break. On TravelLocal’s nine-day tour, the family can take in Jordan’s stunning coastline, explore the iconic archaeological sites of Petra and Wadi Rum, and float in the breathtaking emerald waters of the Dead Sea, before spending three days in the coastal city of Aqaba for snorkelling and watersports. Cost is from £900 pp (two sharing) including B&B accommodation, transfers, excursions and the services of a local guide. International flights not included. Call TravelLocal on 0117 3257898.
Hungary for knowledge? Budapest from £2,598 for a family of four with Kirker Holidays
One of central Europe’s most fascinating cities, Budapest’s the perfect solution for families seeking an educational slant this February half term. Kirker’s short breaks to Budapest now feature a private three-hour walking tour that’s sure to pique the interest of even the most truculent teen, while a soak in one of the city’s famous outdoor (heated) spa baths will give them something to tweet about. A three-night stay at the five-star Hotel Aria costs from £2,598 for a family of four (two adults, two children under 18) including BA flights (Heathrow), private transfers, accommodation with breakfast, private walking tour, Kirker Guide Notes & Concierge Service. Call AITO* member Kirker on 020 7593 2283.
Active half term in sunny Portugal – from £804 pp with Sunvil
Treat the family to a week of sun, sand and exciting activities in the glorious Algarve. Positioned on a cliff-top, within walking distance of the fishing town of Sagres plus several sandy beaches and restaurants, is the ideal base for families looking for an action-packed half term. Featuring an outdoor pool and a tennis court, families can also try surfing, paddleboarding and other watersports at the resort, or have a go at mountain biking, nearby. Departing 10 February, a seven-night holiday costs from £804 pp (two adults and two children sharing a Family Room), including flights (Gatwick) and car hire. Call Sunvil on 020 8758 4722.
