If the kids’ first question on holiday is “What’s the wifi code?” perhaps it’s time for a new kind of getaway? Samantha Laurie looks at multiactivity family breaks
Last year, as per the previous one, I spent my summer holiday cycling, sea-kayaking, canyoning and whitewater rafting. No beach, no sun lounger by the pool and only one book (not even half-read). To be honest it sounds so unlike me, it makes me laugh writing it. And the reason behind this transformation? Simply the desire to keep our three teenagers wanting to go on a family holiday. We’ve had to find a formula that works for us and if the growing market for family adventure holidays is anything to go by, it would seem we are not the only ones.
“Our key market is families with 11–15 year olds,” says Tim Winkworth of The Family Adventure Company, an arm of Intrepid Travel, which runs multi-activity trips for groups of up to 16 (usually three or four families, matched by ages of children) in Europe and further afield in places such as Vietnam and Sri Lanka. “Parents get to switch off – the leaders are brilliant at enthusing the kids – but it’s not like kids club, you’re doing it too so you get to share their excitement when they’re doing new things.”
The group experience is a big part of the appeal. Kids like to be around other kids, and the organised trips by specialists like Family Adventure, Explore and Exodus, usually throw in some adult-only aspects such as wine tasting to jolly along the grown-ups. Croatia, Slovenia and Montenegro are some of the most popular destinations, although last year, South East Asia where the pound goes a lot further, proved to be a big hit too. Most are based in one location, usually away from traditional resorts and follow the ski chalet model – you go off each day to do exhausting things, coming back to a lovely meal and communal chinwag.
Of course, you don’t have to go with an operator (the activities can feel a bit tame second time around) and for a more challenging group experience it’s easy to contact local agents directly (Responsible Travel, is a great place to start, see below). If the group thing isn’t a clincher for you, you can put your own holiday together.
Inevitably, there will come a time when even whitewater rafting no longer cuts the mustard. Last year was probably our last activity holiday as a family. Post-15, the market falls a bit flat. Shame, as I now can’t imagine going back to the poolside villa…
Most popular trips
- Summer Pyrenees Family Holiday, Andorra a constant favourite with families: small, local hotel with hiking, zipwiring and rafting. Adults £875 in Aug, incl flights, min age 6, familyadventurecompany.co.uk
- Family Tuscan Active Adventures An energetic combination of sightseeing (in Lucca and Pisa), cycling, hiking and kayaking, staying ina beautiful Tuscan villa. Adults £1,279 in Aug, incl flights, min age 11, explore.co.uk
- Finnish Summer Adventure Canoe, raft and learn wilderness skills in the spectacular Oulanka National Park Adults £1,199 in Aug, incl flights, min age 8, exodus.co.uk
- Surf’s Up on the Alentejo Coast, Portugal Surfing, canoeing, cycling, abseiling and zip-wiring on the Atlantic coast Adults £1,195 in Aug incl flights, min age 8, activitiesabroad.com
BlueOrange Studio
Doing it yourself
Responsible Travel
It doesn’t run its own tours but promotes over 370 trips reflecting its ethos: treat local places and people well and you get a better overall travel experience. Its most popular is Undiscovered Montenegro’s kayaking, hiking and wild swimming trip on Lake Skadar. A beautiful villa, sleeping 10 with nearby wine tasting adds to the appeal. From £695 in August, not incl flights; responsibletravel.com
Alternatif Outdoor, Turkey
Owned by the effervescent Vedat, chief guide and first class wilderness cook, the activities – hiking, canyoning, rafting and an unforgettably challenging two-day sea kayaking trip combined with overnight camping on a beach – are tailored around the confidence of the group. New family trips this year to Montenegro. Min age 10-12. From £510, not incl flights; alternatifoutdoor.com
Huck Finn Adventure Travel, Croatia
This is a chance to see the astonishingly beautiful hinterland of a country at the forefront of activity trips. We did Land of Waterfalls, hauling double kayaks upriver so as to fly down the rapids at breakneck pace. Trips are mixed (not just families) which makes for more exhilarating experiences. Rooms are in good three-star family hotels. From £667, not incl flights; huckfinncroatia.com
La Rafting, Sort, Spain
This Pyrenean company runs guided trips on one of the best whitewater rivers in Europe, the Noguera Pallaresa. There’s a 10-mile stretch of rapids, including one aptly named La Lavadora (the washing machine). The outdoorsy mountain town of Sort is a great base for canyoning and abseiling too. We booked activities (£45-£65 per head) with laraftingcompany.com and stayed at family-run hotelpessets.com
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