Book it: Red Savannah (01242 787800; redsavannah.com) offers a week in a Grand Luxury Villa at Sugar Beach from £5,750 per person, based on two people sharing, including international flights and airport transfers.
Five affordable family holiday ideas
This year, the May half term for England and Wales begins on Friday May 24 and ends on Sunday June 2. Alas, because they break for summer in June, Scotland’s schools get only two days (May 6-7).
Frustratingly for parents, it’s well known that tour operators cash in on these bottleneck travel periods and hike prices accordingly, but despite this, it’s still generally cheaper than travelling during the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays, and still possible to grab some good deals. Here’s a round-up of our top five half-term holidays suitable for families with school-age children.
Self-drive through fire and ice in Iceland
Don’t let Iceland’s recent volcanic activity deter you from an action-packed trip to the Land of Fire and Ice. With many tourists currently steering clear, you’re likely to find bucket list routes, such as the Golden Circle, to be far quieter than they normally would be. This self-drive itinerary around the island’s south-east coast includes whale watching, horse riding, snowmobiling, a super-jeep safari and the opportunity to explore an ice cave. What stories they’ll have with which to regale their classmates.
Book it: Discover the World (01737 428595; discover-the-world.com) has the seven-night Family Explorer the Icelandic Way from £3,478 (for a family of two adults and two children). Includes self-catering accommodation and car hire, but excludes flights. Departs May 25.
Bears and Dracula’s Castle in Romania
Travel in a pack on this group tour for families through the myth-laden landscape of Transylvania. City stops in Bucharest and Brasov are combined with kid-friendly days at Therme Spa, one of Europe’s largest indoor water parks, a forest adventure park with zip line and assault course, plus the turreted towers of Dracula’s Castle, and the chance to peep at brown bears from a hide at the Libearty Bear Sanctuary.