Looking to escape the sweltering heat this summer? Why not take the kids on a family holiday somewhere cooler this year? There’s so many fabulous destinations that are just a plane ride away.
While it’s not necessarily known as the cheapest holiday destination, it’s certainly built with kids in mind. For one, there is Tivoli in Copenhagen – a fairytale amusement park with lots of great music, nightly fireworks and delicious food. Similarly, just outside of Billund in central Jutland is Legoland – a 20 million piece Miniland with world icons. It’s also home to great rides, and you can even stay in the 4 star Legoland Hotel to ensure you’re the first one in line in the morning.
Aussies love the Whistler Ski Resort due to the amount of trails (over 200!) and the family friendly village where everything is within walking distance. From luxurious accommodation, to budget options, there’s plenty to choose from and between Whistler and Blackcomb, there’s so many mountains to explore. The two mountains are connected by a Peak 2 Peak Gondola, so the kids can enjoy riding across the two mountains and take in the view through the glass floors.
There’s something truly magical about New York in winter. With some many movies made about this city during this time of year, it’s hard not to imagine yourself in your very own film when you step out, all rugged up with kids to explore this incredible town. There is so much to see and do in New York and if you’re visiting around Christmas time, everything is amplified, from the Central Park lights to the department store displays. The museums and art galleries have a host of programs and are always brimming with exciting exhibitions, so you’ll never be short of things to do even when you need to head inside for an afternoon to beat the chill.
Aspen is one of the very best winter holiday destinations because of its ‘winter wonderland’ status. The picturesque Colorado Rockies are the perfect backdrop for a magical holiday vacation spent in the snow. Once you’ve had your fill of sledding with the kids, you can enjoy Aspen’s high-end shopping precinct, galleries, festivals and museums.
There is so much fun to be had by taking the kids on a European holiday during the winter. From the Alps to the Dolomites, it offers so much for families who enjoy winter sports. There are plenty of ski resorts in Switzerland, France, Austria and Italy all of which offer ski routes for skiers of all capabilities. For those who are too young or simply don’t ski, there’s still so much fun to be had with sleigh rides pulled by horses in Zermatt or Salzburg and in Swedish Lapland, you can enjoy a ride with reindeer. Or why not check out the longest sledding run in Europe near the Swiss town of Grindelwald – it’s 10 miles long! Switzerland also has the most snow tubing runs in Europe, but you can find some in Austria, Finland and Germany as well. For those who love ice skating, you can enjoy outdoor rinks with the kids all the way across Europe – in Somerset House in London, the Eiffel Tower in Paris and at the Rathaus in Vienna.
Once you’ve all had enough time enjoying winter sports, you might want to explore some of the castles in Europe which the kids will love. Fairy tales will come alive when you visit Neuschwanstein in Germany, which was actually the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty. Then there is the Tower of London and Prague Castle, the world’s biggest castle complex.
Japan is a wonderful place to take the kids for a winter escape. From Hokkaido in the north to Honshu, you’ll be able to enjoy beautiful snow and an array of activities on the steeps and slopes designed for those of every skill level. The kids will also enjoy the traditional culture that is still very much alive here and the vibrant cuisine that puts Japan on the map. There are plenty of family-friendly ski resorts to choose from so you can tailor your experience to make it what you want it to be.
You don’t necessarily need to travel too far to enjoy a winter escape. New Zealand offers a fabulous winter holiday for families and the reduced time spent in the air is a huge bonus for parents with toddlers and infants. Queenstown makes the perfect base for families, even if skiing or snowboarding aren’t necessarily on your winter holiday ‘to do’ list. There’s plenty to do here apart from hitting the slopes including jet boating, gold panning, Lord of the Rings tours and adventure jeep riding.
If your family is tired of sitting by the pool every holiday, why not try something different this year? A world of winter wonderland possibilities is only a plane ride away.
