What is a Family Activity Holiday?

Proud parent of a mini explorer? Desperately seeking inspiration to keep little adventurers happy? Or perhaps on the hunt for something spectacular to tempt teenagers? We have just the thing....

Everyone's idea of an adventure holiday differs. So we offer you a wide range of family activities, from the gentle diversion to the full-on, action-packed adventure.

As pioneers of family travel, and travellers-turned-parents ourselves, we know that adventures are made much better with the whole family so if you (or your kids) have your heart set on getting up-close-and-personal with Gorillas and Chimps in Uganda, perfecting the art of the perfect curry in India, Kayaking around the coast of Croatia, or exploring the Costa Rican jungle by zip-wire - look no further.

Check out our family activity holidays

Travelling with Teenagers

Teenagers can often be amongst the hardest age group to satisfy, and often prefer to travel with others of a similar age. Opting to go in a group holiday with other families and their teenagers ensure they will mix well with like-minded peers and engage with each other as equals, easily making new friends along the way.

Socialising through activities provides a perfect cure for any teenage gripes, improves their self confidence, and helps them feel more independent.

We have recently set up a selection of our trips that we have pegged as particularly suitable holidays for teenagers in your family. 

From the rainforests, volcanoes and adrenalin adventures in Costa Rica, a family safari in Tanzania to a language and activity holiday in Spain... we may just have the inspiration for you!

For Teenage departures and family activity holidays for teenagers - click here. 

The Lewis Family on 'Abruzzo and Rome' in 2012

In the summer of 2012, the Lewis family enjoyed our Abruzzo and Rome family adventure. They enjoyed exploring the Coliseum in Rome, spotting numerous wildlife in the Abruzzo region, canoeing along the Tirino River and even tried their hand at some traditional Italian cooking!

Below is a compilation of all their photos and videos from their family adventure. If you would like to see more information about this trip, click here...

Father & Son? Mother & Daughter?

As a father, I’m often conscious of the changes that have taken place during my lifetime in terms of technology, schooling and working life. In my own boyhood I spent a good deal of time with my Mum and Dad, and we had constant interaction through games, sport, reading, mealtimes, holidays etc. TV was a very small part of our lives, and computers, computer games, the Xbox, Wii, Smart-phones, Nintendos DS, Gameboys etc did not exist.

I’ve observed and commented on such changes many times, noticing in particular the obsession/addiction that my 14-year old son Joseph had with screen games etc. Also his lack of engagement with the outside world at times, and a lack of ability to concentrate on one thing at a time.

In May 2011, having thought long and hard about the need for more time together, I decided to take him on a real ‘boy’s own adventure’ to Slovakia; trekking and bear watching in the Tatra Mountains.

This holiday later became the first ‘Father and Son’ adventure developed by my company, Families Worldwide. These trips are being developed to help working parents bridge the gap with their children, to help overcome missing out on quality time together as they grow up.

In particular, I’d noticed that fathers feel the need to spend some quality time with their children when they’re in their teens.

“Most rights of passage have now disappeared from western culture.”

Sociologists and anthropologists have noticed that today, unlike in early civilisations and tribal cultures, most rights of passage, in which father and son or mother and daughter come together in some kind of initiation, have now disappeared from western culture.

These experiences, or ‘journeys’, help youngsters into adulthood and teach them to face and resolve wounds from the past, as well as inspiring, equipping and empowering them to lead successful lives as adults.

“You may get to see, in a new light, the amazing adult that your child is growing up to be.”

We highly recommend a ‘father and son’ or ‘mother and daughter’ holiday – you’ll be glad to get them away from the TV screen and the computer, and it’s likely that you’ll both return with a new-found respect and admiration of each other, thanks to the bonds that are inevitably formed from shared experiences. You may get to see, in a new light, the amazing adult that your child is growing up to be.

Mark Wright

Managing Director of Families Worldwide.

Click here to browse our family holidays or talk to our consultants today!

Family Activity Holiday to Turkey: New for 2012/13 - Turkey Sailing Week

Based on the edge of a village on the Datca Peninsula in southwest Turkey, this delightful beach front location offers a great setting for families wanting to spend some quality time together.  The main large bay forms a wonderful natural harbour, a perfect place to learn or improve your dinghy and windsurfing skills. There are some sessions designed specifically for the kids, and dinghy and windsurfing courses are available to children old enough to participate (generally 8 years and above). Perhaps  hire a car and take the opportunity to explore the attractive local area, or combine this  trip with a one-week flotilla hire on the Aegean coast.

You will stay in a small taverna-style hotel, with just 20 rooms, all with private facilities. There is a freshwater swimming pool, bar and restaurant serving a wide range of dishes. The beach is sand and shingle with a large wooden jetty perfect for the sailing activities. We also included a 2-day sailing or windsurfing course for two members of a family of four.

For more details of this exciting new family adventure holiday in Turkey - Click here

Family Activity Holiday to Italy. New for 2012/13 - Active Sicily

Enjoy walking through canyons and gorges, exploring ancient Roman ruins and discovering picturesque villages steeped in tradition. Children can spend a day on the farm, helping to feed the animals and sow crops, then walk on an active volcano, exploring crater rims and recent lava flows. Swim in crystal clear rivers, and enjoy fabulous Italian food and ice creams.


From £669 per person, this holiday offers a great combination of culture, activity and nature. 

For more information about this exciting new Family Adventure Holiday in Sicily - Click here. 

Family Activity Holiday to Italy. New for 2012/13 - Abruzzo and Rome

A week in the beautiful unspoilt Abruzzo region, one of the unknown treasures of Italy. Explore alpine meadows, beech forests and mountain streams  which trickle down deep limestone gorges. Paddle along the Tirino River in Canadian canoes, then spend a day trekking through a stunning gorge to find the hidden sanctuary of a Middle Ages rock hermit. Learn how to cook authentic Italian cuisine, and end the week on a high with two days in the ancient city of Rome and its spectacular sights.

From £979 per person, this holiday offers a combination of active and cultural interests whatever time of year you travel, with accommodation in comfortable hotels and many meals included in Abruzzo. In Rome the hotel is centrally located, close to famous highlights and only a short bus ride to the Vatican and Coliseum.

For more information about this exciting new Family Adventure Holiday in Italy - Click here.