Easter is a great time take the family to Europe, with great deals to be had, fewer people and milder temperatures than in the summer high season. We’ve round-up some of our all-time favourite destinations in the region for Easter 2023.
This Mediterranean island stands out for us for its tranquillity and relative lack of development – the latter due to its status as a UNESCO biosphere reserve as well as its lack of long coastal roads. It also has more beaches than its Balearic neighbours Ibiza and Mallorca combined. We particularly love Fornells, a fishing village famed for its sweeping bay hosting all sorts of water sports, and for its delicious lobster stew. Another spot that’s always on our list is S'Albufera des Grau, a nature reserve of dunes and wetlands, dotted with fascinating Talayotic and Roman ruins so you can sneak a bit of local history into your day out.
Off the beaten track in in north-east Greece, Halkidiki is made up of three lovely peninsulas (Kassandra, Sithonia and Mount Athos – the latter the holy mountain of Byzantium monasteries). Jutting out into the Aegean, they consist largely of unspoilt villages nestled amidst fragrant pine forests. Families come here to get away from it all, although Halkidiki's famous, award-winning luxury resorts (Sani and Ikos) certainly don’t lack the facilities and amenities to keep all ages well and truly entertained. Our favourite thing to do here is take a boat out to fish and snorkel, stopping at little fishing villages with unpretentious beach restaurants lapped by the waves.
The most-visited of the Canaries never gets boring. Fifty percent of its territory is protected, and beyond its beaches are other natural wonders including the otherworldly, UNESCO World Heritage listed Teide National Park, centred on a mountain an astronomical observatory. Teide is great for hiking and cycling (very popular on Tenerife), as is much of the rest of the island with its lunar-like landscapes, ancient forests and dramatic coastlines. But if there’s one thing not to miss with the kids while you’re here, it’s the epic whale- and dolphin-watching off the south-west coast, where more than 20 species make their home.
With its own international airport making for short transfer times to its family-friendly hotels, this south-western city has been inhabited since Neolithic times and was the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite. As such, it’s packed with historic sights that create an atmospheric backdrop for your holiday as well as giving plenty of scope for days out for those who can tear themselves away from the beaches and water sports. They include Paphos Castle and Paphos Archaeological Park with its ruined villas, fortresses, theatres and tombs. The city also has a lively harbour great for people- and yacht-watching from café terraces.
In our opinion, this largest of the child-friendly Italian lakes has it all - crystal-clear waters for swimming and water sports (windsurfing, sailing and canoeing), tranquil little towns on the shoreline, medieval castles, Roman ruins, fast food in pizza parlours, trattorias and gelaterias galore, and even a theme park, Gardaland – Italy’s largest. The sportiest of the Italian Lakes, it’s also surrounded by opportunities for horse-riding, mountain-biking, treetop adventures and hiking.
To book your Easter family holiday or for more inspiration, call your Travel Counsellor today.
Aruba beckons with its serene beauty, making it an irresistible choice for those seeking a luxurious tropical getaway. Aruba boasts award-winning, uncrowded, white-sand beaches that promise a slice of paradise where you can unwind to your heart's content. With guaranteed sunshine, crystal-clear waters, and stunning architecture, Aruba is a gem waiting to be discovered.
The personal experiences of our Travel Counsellors, together with their combined insider knowledge of hotels, resorts, and destinations, ensure that they can hand-pick the very best holidays for your needs.
Continuing the pioneering spirit of the innovative, award-winning Virgin Voyages cruises, Brilliant Lady is set to cross the United States in her highly anticipated 2025 debut season. Highlights among the once-in-a-lifetime five- to 16-night journeys will include a voyage through the Panama Canal and a trip through the glaciers and fjords of Alaska.
