It’s winter, the skies are grey and the temperature has plummeted. Thoughts naturally turn to the year ahead and where you can take the family for a holiday.
But if you’re bored of the same old trips, Mark Frary, family editor at 101 Holidays looks at what is new and exciting for the coming 12 months to inspire holidays with the kids.
Hot destinations
Lonely Planet has named Sri Lanka the best country to visit in 2019, citing “its mix of religions and cultures, its timeless temples, its rich and accessible wildlife, its growing surf scene and its people who defy all odds by their welcome and friendliness after decades of civil conflict”.
Highlights for families include climbing to the top of the Sigiriya rock fortress and elephant-spotting in Minneriya National Park. Experience Travel Group has a Classic Family Sri Lanka tour that also features leopards in Yala National Park, the Dambulla cave temples, cooking, cycling and a train journey.
Lonely Planet has also picked out Belize as a hot spot for 2019 where tourist numbers have been growing faster than many places around the world thanks to its pristine marine environment and a growing number of eco-resorts. Explore has a family adventure in the country that takes in Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Sanctuary, the Mayan ruins of Lamanai and the pirate lair of Caye Caulker.
Conde Nast Traveller has named Greece’s Peloponnese peninsula as one of its 19 for 19 calling it “the go-slow corner of the Mediterranean”. The Costa Navarino - the brainchild of shipping magnate Vassilis Constantakopoulos who grew up there - has a focus on environmental awareness and conservation.
The place to stay for families is the Westin Resort Costa Navarino which has its own water park, bowling alley, racquet academy and water sports centre as well as an indoor sports arena.
New flights
Norwegian Air has been rapidly growing its long-haul low-cost network from the UK in the last few years. 2019 will see them launch services to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil from £209.90 one way.
Dehouche, named Condé Nast Travel Specialist for Brazil for seven consecutive years, recommends staying at an eco-lodge in the Pantanal wetlands for families. You can venture out on horseback, by motor boat or in an open-top jeep to meet giant anteaters, armadillos, raccoons and pumas.
Ryanair has restarted flights after a long gap from Stansted to two destinations in the Ukraine: the capital Kiev and the Unesco-listed city of Lviv in the country’s west. Ideal for anyone researching their family connections in the country as are new services from London City Airport with LOT Polish Airlines starting in early 2019 to Warsaw and Budapest.
Regent Holidays has tours of Kiev while Abercrombie & Kent recommends the Four Seasons Gresham Palace in Budapest for families.
The Rugby World Cup heads to Japan in 2019 and British Airways is taking advantage of the renewed interest by launching direct flights to Osaka, one of the 12 host cities.
Take in a match or two with rugby-loving kids and then head off on tour of the country visiting mount Fuji, Hiroshima, a ride on a bullet train and a trip to the famous Ghibli anime museum with On The Go Tours from £1,645 per person. InsideJapanTours also has a 7-night Price Cruncher tour from just £920 per person. Both exclude flights.
The Vietnamese coastal city of Da Nang will get better connections in 2019 as Qatar Airways launches new direct services from Doha, linking up with services from the UK. The city is renowned for its French colonial history and spectacular sandy beaches on the nearby coast, with picturesque Hoi An nearby.
The Four Seasons Nam Hai has villas for families and there are plenty of things to do that will keep the children entertained – learning how to plant rice or to make paper lanterns. Seven nights from £7,245 for a family of four staying in a Family Villa with breakfast, including international flights with Qatar via Doha and private airport transfers with Turquoise Holidays.
New hotels
The Hoxton hotels group, which started with its London property in the area of the same name, spreads its wings further in 2019 with the opening of its first US hotel in Chicago. The 175-room hotel is due to open in spring in Fulton Market, a former meatpacking district that is now one of the city’s trendiest neighbourhoods.
The city has some first-class family-friendly places to visit, including the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and the Shedd, one of the world’s largest aquariums. There’s another reason to go this year; renowned kosher chef Laura Frankel is reportedly in talks to open a new restaurant in 2019.
American Sky can organise tailor-made itineraries to the heart of the American Midwest.
Tel Aviv now has plenty more luxury places to stay thanks to a hotel boom in the city – three iconic properties opened here recently, including The Jaffa, part of Marriott’s Luxury Collection, at the end of the summer. 2019 marks the 90th anniversary of the founding of the first modern Jewish city and the new Independence Trail is a great way to explore the city’s highlights.
Something different
If your family have their sea legs, there are a new series of adventures for them off the coast of Scotland in 2019 – one of the top regions to visit next year according to Lonely Planet. St Hilda Sea Adventures has new small-boat cruises to St Kilda, the Isle of Mull, Skye and the Small Isles with wildlife guides and art tutors on board.
Spend days exploring sea lochs, rugged coastlines and messing about snorkelling or kayaking at remote anchorages. A five-night cruise for a family of four normally costs from £3,465 but the company is offering a 20 per cent discount for all families who book by 15 January 2019 - just quote JCFC20 when booking.
This winter also sees the opening of a new Alpine Coaster Toboggan in the family-friendly French ski resort of Les Carroz d’Araches, which has short transfers from Geneva. The Speed Dragoz 4 Seasons runs day and night and lets thrill seekers ride solo or in pairs on a toboggan on rails through a rapid descent of some 850 metres.
Peak Retreats has apartments at the 4* Les Chalets de Leana with a private indoor pool, wellness area and fitness room.
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