GREECE
Why go? Whether you are looking to stay in a luxury villa with your own private pool, an all inclusive, boutique hotel or traditional stone house in a timeless village, Greece is an ideal getaway for families with children. Parents are drawn to its reliable sunny weather, aqua marine coastline dotted with picture perfect islands, historical sites and natural beauty.
ATTRACTIONS
The quality of the accommodation in Greece and the hospitality of the people keep British families going back time and time again. The Greeks are passionate people, not least about their food which is fresh, healthy and simple. They love small children and the traditional tavernas provide a friendly atmosphere perfectly suited to families with a brood in tow.
Most of the hotels also have pools, beach clubs and babysitters, so there’s lots to keep little ones entertained including tennis, swimming, sailing and windsurfing.
If you are looking to go off the beaten track, try a farm-stay villa. Set amongst olive and lemon groves, rolling hills, vineyards and an organic farm, many offer rural retreats with five-star service.
While the kids go off enjoying the mountains on their bikes why not indulge yourself with a relaxing massage, wine-tasting or cookery class.
For a touch of glamour the island of Santorini is just the place. The white-washed, sun-bleached buildings are characteristic of the idyllic traditional Greek scene with splashes of intense blue from the flawless sea and sky.
Although this island is not set up for young children, with very little in the way of child –riendly amusement parks, there is plenty to see and explore and teens will love the shopping and lively night-life.
FAMILY FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION
Sani Resort
Located on the beautiful Halkidiki Peninsula, is an ecological resort perched on the very edge of the Aegean sea’s crystal clear waters. The resort offers the ultimate inrelaxing luxury as well as a great place to go with kids. Go dolphin spotting with the family or leave the kids in the children’s club while you explore.
Prices: Sani Resort rates from £215 for two-bedroom suite per night for a family of six.
Karavomilos
Kefalonia is the perfect place to introduce your children to the Greek islands. It’s a relatively short flightand it boasts plenty of beautiful self-catering villas. The islands have everything from peaceful fishing villages to long sand beaches. For families with an adventurous spirit there are plenty of caves to explore and boat trips that go around the islands’ beaches as well as the shallow waters – great for toddlers taking their first steps and the over-eights wanting to try their hand at snorkelling.
Prices: A villa in Karavomilos with a shared pool directly overlooking the bay, sleeping 4-7 costs around €550-€1,200 a week in high season.
Pelican Bay Art
Uber-trendy Mykonos is having a revival: it’s Greek luxury travel at its absolute best. Pelican Bay Art is a four-star hotel that epitomises the white-washed island style, overlooking the island you can sunbathe as the children enjoy the pool.
Price: Pelican Bay Art from £539 per person in June, including return flights and accommodation with breakfast.
THE LOWDOWN
When to go:
Mediterranean Greece spends its summers bathed in sunlight, with its southerly points reaching 37degrees in peak season. Its cooler evenings are perfect for spending on the terrace or wondering cobbled streets. But Greece’s good weather extends beyond the highs of summer. The country, particularly in the south, and its islands, during the winter season offer a great place to see some winter sun. Even in January temperatures rarely fall below a 15 degrees on average. Travelling to Greece off-season is a cost effective way of seeing the country that has much to offer beyond its sunshine.
Price: Simpson Travel (0845 508 8211) offers one week at the end of October for four for £610 per person.
How to get there: easyjet, Aegean Air, Virgin Atlantic, Pegasus Air, Turkish Airlines, British Airways as well as other international airlines all fly from the UK to many Greek destinations year-round. All from around £150 return.
Travel time: Estimated flight time to Athens is 3 hours and 30 minutes, Santorini 3 hours and 45 minutes, with very few flights exceeding 4 hours to any airport.
REASONS TO GO
- Nirvana on the Island of Lefkas
- Island hopping
- Toddler-friendly beaches