Julian Allason suggests tempting holidays.
At a famous London day school this term the parents' chat network, usually an incendiary commentary on teachers' shortcomings, took on a very different tone. The subject was holidays, recent and future. As an exchange of raw intelligence it was remarkable, not only in its geographical scope, but in the swingeing critique provided. Dubai is over, its climatic appeal drowned out by construction noise, it was agreed. Oman and Jordan's new Dead Sea Riviera, on the other hand, received rave ratings. And so did some surprising destinations nearer home.
With today's travel experience often purgatorial, and hotel rates and airfares hiked to coincide with school holidays, parents need to be on the ball, electronically or otherwise. In fact there is precious little “otherwise” left in Britain today as travel agents vanish from the high street, or become little more than brochure distributors, too inexperienced to offer the advice required. Into this gap has stepped a new breed of travel company offering specialised help for what have emerged as quite distinct market niches. For whatever hoteliers may claim in the way of all-round child-friendliness the needs of parents with infants are very different to those of families with energetic teenagers.
“Guilt is a significant factor in driving family holiday business,” confides one luxury tour operator. But there is a twist. For while parents who feel they see too little of their offspring in term time may want to bond on holiday, they still want adult levels of comfort.
Prominent amongst the reliable destinations for winter sun is Sharm-el-Sheikh on Egypt's Red Sea coast, where the Four Seasons resort is an outstanding, if pricey, choice for parents with younger children. Fortunately British Airways Holidays offer exceptional value at the Hyatt Regency resort close by, which has good facilities for all age groups. Between beach and the Sinai's mountainous interior is a desert hinterland to be explored by camel or four-wheel drive. The Gulf Sultanate of Oman, has recently opened up as a family destination by Shangri-La's well featured Bar Al Jissah resort, with an accessible local culture. Getting the parental thumbs-down along with Dubai are the Maldives where the complaints are “too hot/too wet” and “insufficient for youngsters to do.”
Try the Caribbean, namely Barbados and Antigua. The Coral Reef Club on Barbados is run by the third generation of the O'Hara family, who display a real understanding of the needs of children. Carlisle Bay on Antigua is especially well suited to families, with competitive packages from the Azure Collection. Hotel Isle de France on the chic French island of St Barthélemy (St Barts) has also become family-friendly with the added opportunity to practise French in the island's safe open-air discos. For those with older children prepared to travel further, Africa offers the prospect of memorable experiences in sunshine. Imaginative Steppes Travel in Zambia offer wonderful private houses designed with children in mind. Combine safaris with a visit to Victoria Falls, bungee jumping and white-water rafting.
Not that it is always necessary to travel so far. The Almyra, hipper younger
sister to Cyprus's luxurious Anassa resort, offers a Baby Go Lightly scheme to
supply the paraphernalia with which infants customarily fill their parents'
luggage. From Easter to October, southern Sardinia's microclimate appeals. Here
the outstanding property is Forte Village, arguably Europe's best all-round
family resort for its ease of access, choice of accommodation and extensive
facilities. As managing director Lorenzo Giannuzzi modestly observes, there is
no other resort in Europe with so much land and beachfront. Little wonder this,
and the privacy offered, attracts celebrity parents.
Britain has emerged as the surprise destination for all-year round holidays. Guests at Hertfordshire's ultra-luxurious resort, the Grove, need journey no distance from central London to enjoy tennis, an 18-hole golf course and the Kids' Club. Herein lies an important clue to the success of a modern family holiday. “It is vital that each member of the family gets out of it what they want,” notes Amanda Clow of specialist travel advisor BabyGoes2, who rates resorts according to child-friendliness. At Bovey Castle on Dartmoor you can all find something, from a spa to quad biking. And Bovey is open all year round. Interestingly, the first accommodation to be reserved during school holidays is the most expensive, so early booking is advisable. The lodges are three-bedroom towers with a lake view.
If pampering is a priority and cost not an issue, then look at Jeffersons' private jet holidays to Europe for yachting and skiing too. You are collected from home in a chauffeur-driven car - or minibus if necessary - and driven to a local airport and your aircraft. On board a picnic hamper awaits as the plane prepares to take off for the nearest small airport to the holiday destination. Jeffersons managing director Robin Fawcett reckons that the timesaving often amounts to two half-days added to the holiday. In comparison with scheduled travel, stress levels are trifling.
As half-term approaches, the school chat circuit is doubtless all about plans to keep children occupied and looking ahead to Christmas. After the worst British summer since the record books began, winter sun looks more appealing than ever before.
The Azure Collection www.azurecollection.com
BabyGoes2 www.babygoes2.com
British Airways Holidays www.baholidays.com
First Luggage www.firstluggage.com
Jeffersons private jet holidays www.jeffersons.com
Steppes Travel www.steppestravel.co.uk |
