Can you believe it’s almost the end of September? That means summer is well and truly over, the evenings are getting darker quicker and kids will soon be on holiday… again.
Make the most of the late October sun this half term at these family-friendly destinations.
Crete, Greece
Greece’s largest island stays warm throughout October so expect temperatures ranging from 20-25C. The crystal-clear waters of Elafonissi Beach, with its rose pink banks, are blissfully quiet at this time of year. If you need a break from the beach, a day trip to the archaeological site of Knossos will get the whole family’s brain synapses firing.
Located just a few kilometres south of Crete’s capital Heraklion, Knossos is the 3,000-year-old city where, according to myth, the famous half-man half-bull Minotaur was consigned to the depths of a labyrinth, built by the architect Daedalus.
Foodie families can also rejoice as Crete is renowned for its gastronomic offering, particularly olive oil, honey and hard, nutty cheeses. Head to the east-coast town of Agios Nikolaos and make a reservation at Pelagos, perfectly situated on the beach, with pastel walls and wicker lanterns. Every morning the chef bakes his own fresh sourdough and all their olive oil is homegrown. Save room for the lobster pasta and fava bean puree.
Where to stay: For fuss-free accommodation aimed at families, Cretan Malia Park is perfect. The four-star design resort is close to the busy towns of Stalida and Malia and features a private beach, kids’ clubs, a cookery school and an outdoor cinema, to keep everyone occupied.
Deluxe Family Bungalows are available from £445 per night over October half-term, cretanmaliapark.gr
Bodrum, Turkey
Loved by both the glitterati and tourists looking for a last-minute deal, the Bodrum scene is an eclectic mix of superyachts and all-inclusive family resorts. Nestled on the southernmost point of Turkey’s Aegean coast, the coastal town has transformed from a bohemian refuge of artists and writers in the Sixties to a go-to for tourists looking for late summer sun. In more recent history it has been a bolthole for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who spent the summer of 2017holidaying in a villa overlooking Yalıkavak Bay, away from all those prying eyes.
Privacy and royal-spotting might be catnip to some parents but there are few things more exciting for a child than a trip to the waterpark, and Bodrum is home to many. Bodrum Aqua Park, in Ortakent, is the holy grail of waterparks, with a cornucopia of slides, rafting and a wave pool that would churn even the sturdiest adult’s stomach. For more cerebral pursuits the Bodrum Maritime Museum is well worth a visit, with an extensive collection of model boats and sea shells.
Thanks to its moneyed clientele Bodrum is renowned for its upscale restaurants and bouji bars, but families looking for mouthwatering food with minimal fuss should book a table at Midyeci Sehmus Usta’nin Yeri. This seaside restaurant might not look fancy from the outside but the generous portions of rice-stuffed mussels, piles of garlicky prawns and grilled white fish humming with lemon will linger in your memory.
Where to stay: Family-friendly doesn’t have to mean verruca socks around the pool and screaming babies. Bodrum Loft is a super-chic, minimalist hotel overlooking the glittering Aegean. With a private beach, separate kids’ pool, gym, spa and even on-call electric buggies it’s the perfect getaway for parents looking for a mix of child-friendly facilities and several bars to pop into for a quick breather.
Three-person villa available from £428 per night over October half-term, bodrumloft.com.tr
Naples, Italy
Even the most sightseeing-phobic children will want to visit the ancient city of Pompeii. For older kids with a taste for the macabre there’s also the underground Fontanelle Cemetery laden with the skeletons of thousands of 17th-century plague victims in a scene straight out of a Dan Brown novel.
After a day or two in Naples, take a ferry to Ischia and spend a few days on Chiaia Beach. And obviously no trip to Naples is complete without pizza; head to Sorbillo in the Centro Historico for the sloppiest and most delicious.
Where to stay: The BW Signature Collection Hotel Paradiso is a family-friendly resort with views across the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. Facilities include a flower-filled garden, a large pool and kids’ menu to satisfy even the fussiest taste buds.
Family rooms for four people are available from £358 per night over half-term, hotelparadisonapoli.it
Eastern Algarve, Portugal
Head half an hour east of Faro and you’ll hit Tavira, one of the only authentic seaside towns left along the Algarve. White houses with terracotta roofs line either side of Rio Gilão, which flows throughout the town, crossable only by a pedestrian bridge. This part of the Algarve is in the Ria Formosa nature reserve, so you are surrounded by deserted beaches and mud flats. Hop on a boat from Tavira harbour to Tavira Island for crystal-clear waters and beaches populated solely by flocks of wild flamingos.
For those who want to experience a hit of adrenaline, the Kitesurf Eolis is the go-to place for watersports. The shop is just off Praia de Cabanas and offers short courses in kitesurfing for all levels. Alternatively, rent a paddle board for a slightly more leisurely experience then replenish your energy levels with dinner at Fábrica do Costa — the restaurant terrace looks over the Rio Formosa lagoon.
Where to stay: a traditional quinta like Hotel Quinta Do Marco, with 18 hectares of farmland to be explored, a pool, bikes to rent and views across the sea.
Family rooms for four people are available for £185 per night over half term, hotelquintadomarco.com
Mallorca, Spain
Mallorca has everything: neo-Gothic cathedrals, turquoise sea, lots of paella and enough Marmite in the supermarkets to make you feel at home. If you are looking for ease, fly into Palma, rent a car and stay around Playa de Palma; despite its proximity to party spot Magaluf it’s actually a refuge of pretty villas, unspoilt beaches and authentic seafood restaurants. The best of these beaches is Portals Nous, with its mountainous backdrop and cyan water, and it is home to one of the best beach clubs on the island, Roxy’s. Enjoy a sunset negroni or a plate of chips after a day’s swimming. Down the road are waterparks like Western Water Park in Magaluf and HidroPark in Alcúdia.
Further afield, Port Andratx is great for families, with sailing schools and beach clubs like Gran Folies on Cala Llamp. From here you can get a boat to Sa Dragonera island, inhabited by prehistoric looking black lizards.
Where to stay: Rent a villa in the hills — the chic neighbourhood of Costa De Blanes is just 700 metres from Portals Nous beach. Or for all-inclusive luxury check into the new Zafiro Palace Andratx, with its seven pools, five restaurants serving everything from hamburgers to Mediterranean mezze.
Family suites for four people are available for £375 per night over October half-term, zafirohotels.com
Muscat, Oman
Oman’s capital is sandwiched between the desert and the coast, meaning it’s drenched in sun all year round. There are few high-rise hotels or buildings, instead the skyline features mosaic-spattered domes, golden palaces and flower gardens. There is much in the way of history and culture: head to Old Muscat to find the National Museum, the Bait al Zubair art gallery and Wes Anderson-esque His Majesty’s Al Alam Palace, all within a stone’s throw of each other. Make sure you make a pit stop at Mutrah Souq, a labyrinth of stalls selling everything from frankincense to silver.
Enjoy the beach one day and go “dune bashing” (off-roading) at Wahiba Sands the next. To book a tour of the desert you can go through your hotel or book online to organise a camel tour or a quad biking tour. The beaches around Oman are popular for snorkelling and scuba-diving — head to the Shangri-La Al Husn Resort & Spa private beach for the best reef in Muscat. For pros, get a boat from Muscat to the Daymaniyat Islands, an archipelago of nine small islands and home to Oman’s only marine reserve, teeming with exotic fish, sharks and multicoloured coral.
Where to stay: The Grand Hyatt Muscat, in the heart of the city. Family activities include floodlit tennis, yoga classes, a pool and a lazy river for the kids.
