If you haven’t been to a music festival with your kids before, then I would recommend it, with a few tips you can make it the most amazing experience. It is good to choose a more family-friendly festival, so here are 7 taking place in Ireland, UK and Europe to enjoy.

This year’s family friendly Body&Soul Festival takes place in Ballinlough Castle, Co. Westmeath from 16th-18th June 2023 with Moderat, Gilles Peterson and Sorcha Richardson amongst the music acts.

Body&Soul invites you and your family to come down to the woods on the summer solstice weekend to dance with the fairies and follow twinkling pathways to secret corners unknown, all with new sights, sounds and stories that will thrill, excite and enchant the spirits of your Soul Kids.

For the wee ones check out the Soul Kids programme with lots of fantastic activities for children, including yoga, creative workshops and wonderful surprises.

“We’ve been to Body and Soul for 4 years and the kids love it! There is a lovely wooded area when you can wander around and you’ll happen upon all kinds of quirky entertainment. The Soul Kids area is great for the younger ones and because it’s contained within a walled garden, it is beautifully sheltered and safe. We’re going again this year and we can’t wait – the count down is on!” – Paul

More info at www.bodyandsoul.ie.

Kaleidoscope is returning to Wicklow’s Russborough House Friday 30th June to Sunday 2nd July 2023, promising magnificent music, terrific theatre, incredible inspiration, super sports, fantastic food, and more.

They will have plenty for kids with specific programs for ages 2-5, 6-11 and 12-17-year olds.

Headline acts are still to be announced at time of writing.

“We had a fabulous time at Kaleidoscope, music, workshops and activities for the kids, it was just great fun” – Katie

Visit www.kaleidoscopefestival.ie.

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Latitude Festival takes place at Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolks Thursday 20th – Sunday 23rd July 2023. This year’s headline acts include Pulp, Paolo Nutini and George Ezra.

Latitude’s awards for “Best Family Festival” and “Best Major Festival” (UK Festival Awards) are testament to the huge array of family-friendly activities available at Latitude for children and parents alike.

Arranged around the banks of the central Latitude lake you will find the incredibly enticing Kids’ Area, where children are entertained all day and into the night with everything from pond dipping and stargazing to bush-craft skills and French knitting. A real hive of activity, your only problem is how you’ll fit it all in!

“All 4 of us thoroughly enjoyed Latitude, it’s very child-friendly. There were lots of kids activities throughout the day and we loved the library tent where you could borrow kids books from and bring them away with you. There was plenty of wide open space too so you never felt over crowded and you could easily find a good spot at the back where it wasn’t too loud” – Jill

Visit www.latitudefestival.com.

WOMAD 2023 takes place 27th – 30th July 2023 at Charlton Park, Malmesbury with a feast of world music. There’s usually a couple of acts you will have heard of, but one of the joys of WOMAD is experiencing all sort of music you haven’t heard of before.

WOMAD is a feast of culture. Apart from experiencing the hottest musicians and inspiring new talent from around the world there is always much more to discover. Children and families have always been a priority at WOMAD so it’s no wonder that festival atmosphere is safe, welcoming and a little bit magical. And with children aged 13 and under free, it’s very child friendly.

“The good thing about Womad and kids is because the acts are not that well-known (but of exceptional quality) you can discover the acts with your children. It’s great to see them respond to “non-pop stars”, as it were. One of our favourite things was the Food & Music workshop where different musicians talked about their life and album while cooks made a dish from their country and we got to taste it at the end” – Ramsay

Visit www.womad.co.uk for more information.

Camp Bestival takes place in two locations in 2023:

• Lulworth Castle in Dorset 27th – 30th July 2023 with top acts including Grace Jones, Craig Davis and Sophie Ellis-Bextor
• Weston Park in Shropshire 17th – 2oth August with Primal Scream and The Human League amongst the acts

Kids are king at Camp Bestival. There are tons of activities for children of all ages; 2 to 62! A large section of the festival site is devoted to the little-uns with the Upper Kids Garden and Lower Kids Garden, separate Toddlers’ Area, Breastival Mother and Baby Chill Out section plus activities, theatre, shows, fairground rides, face painting, Soft Play Tent and Sandpit (for under 5’s) as well as a separate area dedicated to 13-17s.

And inter-mingled amongst all this are plenty of food markets, cafes, bars, talks and music stages to ensure the slightly older clientele don’t stand a chance of getting bored.

Visit www.campbestival.net.

The Tollwood Summer Festival takes place from 16 June to 16 July 2023, at Olympiapark Süd in Munich, at the foot of the Olympic Hill. It’s known for its theatre productions from all over the world, for its concerts with regional, national and international stars of the Rock and Jazz scene, and for its more than one hundred free shows featuring performance groups and bands from the genres of Rock, Pop, Salsa, Reggae and the Blues.

It also has a big ecological and social commitment, with more than 80 percent of all events being free of charge, while the big theatre and concert events are offered at far below the usual local price.

There’s also a special “Market of Ideas”, with hundreds of small stands with handcrafted arts and culinary treats (all certified organic) from all over the world.

This year’s headliners include Bonnie Tyler & Chris Norman, Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa.

Visit www.tollwood.de.

Pohoda takes place 6th – 8th July 2023 at Trencin, Slovakia, situated 120km from Bratislava and 190km north-east of Vienna. Jamie xx, Sofi Tukker and Wet Leg are amongst this year’s acts.

Described as a music and arts festival where alternative, indie, electronica, world music & punk meet classical; alongside literature, dance, visual art, film and theatre, it specialises in putting together interesting combinations of different artists.

The festival is based at a former military airfield in the valley of the river Vah surrounded by three of the Western Carpathian Mountains. From a visitor’s point of view, the festival area is easy to reach and provides an ideal and generously designed area for a limited capacity of 30,000 visitors. Forget about queuing for food or toilets, cramped camping or moving around the site in large crowds – the capacity is set in a way that ensures it is comfortable and open, to match the name of the festival: Pohoda/Slavic/: peace, ease, contentment.

There’s a children’s park available at the festival where you can have your child babysat by a professional service provider. The park has several attractions available, programmes for children, and a changing table as well as a family camping area.

Visit pohodafestival.sk.

Top Tip from one parent: “Do your research before booking any campsite as the accommodation offered by different providers can not only vary wildly in price, but also in quality.” 

Just 20 minutes from Girona airport makes Cala Gogo an attractive proposition for those travelling with children. Dad Bill recommended this campsite as a good option for children of different ages, from toddlers to teens.

It is situated on the beach and has a good range of accommodation options including camping, caravan stands, mobile homes and bungalows which sleep up to 6 people. Within the campsite you will find a waterpark with slides and 6 swimming pools, a playground, sports pitches, entertainment club, restaurant, beach and pool bars, workshops, a supermarket, laundry facilities and much more. There is really something for everyone in the family to do while holidaying at Cala Gogo.

Mum Allison recommended Villanova Park Campsite which is just outside Barcelona. She tells us it is only a 30 minute drive to Portaventura theme park and for football fans, close to Camp Nou where Barcelona play. You can also easily visit Barcelona for a day trip.

The site offers camping, caravan and campervan pitches or you can choose to stay in a selection of mobile homes, chalets or bungalows and they even offer 6 person glamping options.

The campsite has 3 pools, 2 outdoor and 1 indoor and a great restaurant with amazing ice creams. There are on-site sports pitches, playground, waterslides, kids club, gym, crazy golf and more. Allison’s 3 kids were aged 9 to 14 and all of them were entertained throughout. And all want to go back. Which is usually the best recommendation you can get!

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Mum Anna recommended Sangulí Salou which is on the beach and near Cambrils, Barcelona, Tarragona and PortAdventura Theme Park. She said it is an absolutely super spot and that she has booked again for next year before she left this year.

There is a large range of accommodation options available including, pitches for tents, caravans & camper vans, mobile homes, bungalows, lodges, villas and glamping.

Entertainment is the order of the day, with a sports team, show team and a mini club team. There are a variety of activities organised for all ages and they even have an on-site amphitheatre for live entertainment shows. There is plenty of variety when it comes to food too, with a choice of restaurants, snack, pool and beach bars. There is also a commercial centre with a bakery, supermarket, laundrette and souvenir shop.

Several parents recommended Camping Castell Montgri as there are many activities for kids of all ages to enjoy and for adults too from swimming in one of the 3 on-site pools to bowling, archery and other sports. You can also hop on the free shuttle bus to take you the beautiful l’Estartit Beach or take the bus further afield from just outside the entrance to the campsite.

There is no shortage of great places to eat with a pizzeria, a creperie, ice cream parlour, 3 restaurants, snack bar, bar and take away and supermarket options all on-site.

Accommodation options include pitches for tents, caravans and campervans, glamping and mobile homes.

Dad John recommended the Playa Montroig Camping Resort. He said the children, aged 8, 12 & 14 all made friends and there were loads of activities to keep them occupied throughout their 10 day stay.

The site borders the beach and offers plots for campervans, caravans and tents along with self catering bungalows. There are 4 large swimming pools with slides and one with water activities for younger children. In addition there is a sports centre with pitches, tennis & basketball courts, mini golf and a variety of other sports options available. The camp also offers a beach club with water sports.

Younger children can take part in the kids club, older children can enjoy The Loft and there is an evening entertainment program too. There are several restaurants and bars on-site and you can enjoy fresh, local produce from the La Plaza Shopping Centre.

Mum Dawn recommended Yurts Tarifa as a complete break away for the family but still only a short distance from the town of Tarifa on the Costa de la Luz. She said you would need transport but are guaranteed a lovely break surrounded by nature.

This is a glamping experience rather than a campsite and there are 3 yurts to choose from which form part of the family run farm. There are shared bathroom and kitchen facilities. On-site there is a small play area for younger children and you can meet the animals on the farm. The owners are really helpful and will advise you on day trips and give you recommendations on everything from where to eat to the best beaches.

The Con Coromines Campiste offers 50 pitches for camping and has a couple of glamping pods and apartments for self catering holidays in Spain. Dad Derek recommended Can Coromines which is in the grounds of a stunning Catalan farmhouse.

Onsite there is a swimming pool, playground with a zip-wire, a football and table tennis table and ample grounds to enjoy exploring. You can hire bicycles to explore the surrounding area including the local villages of Maià de Montcal and Besalú. There is also a restaurant and bar to enjoy local produce. And they offer a bread, milk, eggs and croissant delivery service.

Most of these campsites offer mobile home camping experiences, but some do tent camping and glamping.

Many of you recommended the Bella Italia Campsite at Lake Garda saying it was fantastic for families with loads of activities to enjoy nearby.

They offer a range of camping facilities from basic pitches for tents and camper vans to mobile homes, bungalows and apartments. Mum Etain told us “the campsite was very well set up with a small supermarket and a few shops. There were lots of bathroom blocks which had laundry and washroom facilities (the bungalow had its own bathroom so I only used the washing machines). Eating options onsite ranged from 3 restaurants to a snack bar and a pub.”

Ever thought you could camp in Rome? Well now you can says Mum Louise! Once you have pitched your tent at Camping Roma, you are only 15 minutes away from this amazing city!

It has a bus stop right outside the entrance so it’s a perfect base to explore the eternal city while having all the familiar family camping facilities. They also offer a bus service to and from Fiumicino and Ciampino airports.

Family friendly facilities include a beautiful pool; restaurant, grocery store and a bar with a sports screen. There is a variety of accommodation choices on offer including pitches for caravans, campervans and tents, mobile homes and bungalows.

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The 5 star Union Lido campsite offers camping, glamping, lodges and a hotel on-site all within striking distance of Venice. In addition there are two aqua parks an entertainment centre, shops, restaurants and a wellness centre to ensure everyone in the family catered for.

Mum Elaine recommended this campsite and said they return year after year at the request of the children, who don’t want to go anywhere else!

Mum Josie recommended Norcenni Girasole Club Campsite in Figline Valdarno in beautiful Tuscany. There are 3 pool complexes with waterslides and a lazy river. There is also an on-site spa, tennis & basketball courts, cinema, mini golf and an underground disco!

The park offers a kids club and has restaurants on-site. It is also close enough to enjoy trips to Florence, Siena and Pisa.

Carol recommended Park Albatros Village campsite which lies on the coast in Tuscany. It has 5 pools including an olympic sized one, kids sized one and 3 lagoons. She did say it is best suited to younger children rather than those with teens.

Parc Albatros Village is set in 30 acres, you can book a variety of different accommodation options including camping, safari tents and mobile homes. There is a free mini train service to take you around the park.

On-site the kids can enjoy activities including kids discos, evening shows and daytime entertainment. Or you could take a trip to the sandy beach. There are a variety of restaurants including a pizzeria, traditional Italian restaurant, buffet, creperie, gelateria and a snack bar.

Dad Declan recommended the Spiaggia e Mare Holiday Park on the Adriatic coast of Italy for a great family campsite holiday. The park offers camping pitches, bungalows or large maxi caravans. And has a host of on-site activities including an entertainment program with shows and activities for all ages.

It is set beside the beach and has a selection of swimming pools on-site including a fun water activity park for younger family members to enjoy. There are shops, and a family friendly restaurant serving Italian dishes and pizza which can be order to take away. You can also hire bikes to explore the Po Delta or enjoy the market town of Lidi Ferraresi.

If you are someone who wants to try camping but doesn’t want to have the full camping experience, then the Canonici di San Marco is a beautiful family-friendly glamping lodge nine miles from Venice set up in African/Italian style.

They offer luxury safari tents, decked out in an exuberant fashion – four poster beds, opulent decor, soft furnishings and vintage tubs are the order of the day. While you are unlikely to see any of the Big Five here, there’s plenty of space for wild children to roam.

With Venice only a 20 minute journey by train away, you can really maximise the city culture while preserving your 5 star expectations!

Amanda recommended Camping Tonnara in Sardinia who offer accommodation in Bungalows, Mobile Homes or Coco Sweet Glamping Pods and Bungalow tents along with regular pitches for tents and mobile homes with electrical sockets, shower blocks and clothes washing facilities.

The site offers direct access to the beach where you can swim in the warm Sardinian sun or enjoy exploring rock-pools. On-site there is plenty to entertain with a freshwater swimming pool, playground, tennis and volleyball courts, football pitch, bowling green and table tennis.  There is also a bar, restaurant, pizzeria and supermarket.

Recommended by several parents Camping Ca’Savio near Venice offers a variety of accommodation including Airstream Trailers, mobile homes, bungalows, Coco Sweet tents for those who want to travel light and regular pitches for caravans, tents and campervans.

You loved the long sandy beach easily accessed from the campsite. And many of you visited Venice by boat from the Punta Sabbioni on the Lagoon. On-site there are 2 large swimming pools, play areas, entertainment for all ages including a kids club and many organised sports for adults and kids. There is a great choice too when it comes to food and drink with an amazing supermarket with a bakery, a restaurant serving Italian and international food including Pizzas, a Snack Bar, Coffee bar, self service restaurant and a pub.

Another family favourite on Lake Garda was Butterfly Camping Village. They offer accommodation in mobile homes, bungalows, apartments and have regular pitches for caravans, campervans and tents.

It is only a short walk into the historic town of Peschiera del Garda and you can easily access the shores of Lake Garda for swimming and water sports, while being surrounded by nature. The campsite has 2 swimming pools, one with slides and a play area for younger children, supervised kids club and daily and nightly entertainment for all ages. You are close to the famous Gardaland Theme Park and have other attractions all within easy reach.

On-site there is the Butterfly Bistro which has both table service and take away options, there is also a mini-market for daily essentials and washing and laundry facilities available.

LEGOLAND locations include theme parks and water parks all around the world, as well as educational discovery centres that combine play and learning for the whole family!

LEGOLAND Billund welcomes you with high-speed action and excitement for the whole family, thanks to more than 50 exciting rides and plenty of fun events.

Miniland is the place where the LEGOLAND park adventure began in 1968. Miniland – built out of 20 million LEGO bricks – lets you experience the whole world in miniature, with its exciting places, capitals, small cities and famous buildings, among others five of the world’s tallest buildings including the impressive 5.5-metre Burj Khalifa.

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You don’t have to be a lover of the small plastic bricks to have a good time here. In fact, even if you’ve trodden on them in bare feet more times than you care to remember, we think you’ll find something to love at LEGOLAND Windsor, with over 55 rides to choose from and plenty to see and do.

While the rides aren’t made out of billions of tiny bricks, pretty much everything else is, like the LEGO Reef where you can design your very own cubed creatures to explore a digital landscape beneath the waves. You can even fill their fishy bellies with interactive buttons.

Then, of course, there’s Miniland which takes you on a tiny tour of the world. From Australia to Russia, leave no brick unturned. Car mad kids can even get their first “driving licence” in the LEGOLAND driving school.

LEGOLAND California is filled with more than 60 kid-powered rides, shows and attractions all built for fun and geared for families with children between the ages of 2 and 12!

Don’t miss the largest Miniland showcase, where you can see the whole Las Vegas strip made entirely from bricks, as well as intricate detailed replicas of New Orleans, San Francisco, New York, Washington DC and southern California.

Inside the theme park, take a trip on the Coastersaurus or LEGO Technic Coaster, get dizzy on the Bionicle Blaster, splash around on the Aquazone Wave Racer and lots more, before cooling off at the water park with slides to ride and rafts to build!

Ride, climb, splash, and build your way through seven themed lands at the ultimate LEGO theme park destination just 60 miles from New York City.

Here you can transform into a minifigure on the world premiere LEGO Factory Adventure Ride, master the art of Spinjitzu on NINJAGO the Ride, save the kingdom on the Dragon Coaster, get your official LEGOLAND Driver License in LEGO City, and explore cities built out of millions of bricks in Miniland.

Ready, set, explore! What will you do first? Conquer the Dragon or get your driving licence at the Ford Driving School? The LEGO theme park is built just for kids, with more than 50 fun ride rides, interactive shows and brick-tastic attractions inspired by popular LEGO brands.

Don’t miss the water park where you can splash and slide with a day of fun in the sun with a wave pool, lazy river, 14 slides, and other interactive LEGO play areas!

LEGOLAND Deutschland has 64 amazing attractions and thousands of models made from more than 55 million LEGO bricks!

You can visit Germany in miniature format in the MINILAND, or discover all sorts of rides and attractions at the LEGOLAND amusement park. Race around extreme bends on roller coasters, soar through the air on the Flying NINJAGO, surf over the water on the Aquazone Wave Racers, and much, much more.

Where else can you learn to drive, pilot a plane, dive deep under the sea and slay a dragon? LEGOLAND Dubai Theme Park is an awesome playground for all ages!

And the LEGOLAND Water Park is the only UAE water park designed specifically for kids aged 2-12 and their families. Take on the Joker Soaker, build your very own LEGO raft, go on a splash safari or slip and slide your way down many more attractions!

Over 40 different rides, shows and attractions await at LEGOLAND Japan, including Spinjitzu Spinners, Flying Ninja Go, Coast Guard HQ, Cat Cloud Busters, and many more.

The first thing you see when you enter the park is the colourful 60m Observation Tower which rotates slowly, giving a 360-degree view of the entire park from the sky. As you rise higher, you can get a panoramic view of the city of Nagoya and the coastline.

The latest addition to the LEGOLAND locations around the world is LEGOLAND Korea which plays home to over 40 LEGO themed rides, shows and attractions designed for families with children 2-12.

Enter a world of knights and princesses as you conquer the Dragon Coaster. Kids can get their own Driver’s License at Driving School or save the day at Rescue Academy. Then, marvel at cities built out of millions of LEGO bricks in Miniland!

Over 70 rides, slides, shows and attractions await at LEGOLAND Malaysia between the theme park and the water park.

Explore 8 awesome themed areas in the theme Park. Whether you want to become a fearless Knight, meet swashbuckling pirates, explore ancient lands or even be transported all around the world in just a few steps!

At the water park, you can ride the surf at the LEGO wave pool, float along the Build-A-Raft lazy river, climb and slide down the most awesome tube and body slides, enjoy interactive play structures such as the Joker Soaker or DUPLO Safari!

Dive, slide and build your fun at LEGOLAND Water Park, the new fantastic Water Park at Gardaland Resort in Verona, Italy.

Fun is guaranteed at LEGOLAND Water Park, where you can dive into millions of LEGO bricks, in a sea of interactive water games, play on the colourful slides and relax in the extraordinary fully themed areas!

There are more than 25 LEGOLAND Discovery Centres around the world, in the following locations:

Europe

• Birmingham, UK
• Manchester, UK
• Berlin, Germany
• Oberhausen, Germany
• Scheveningen, Netherlands
• Istanbul, Turkey

North America

• Tempe, AZ
• Atlanta, GA
• Bay Area, CA
• Boston, MA
• Chicago, IL
• Colombus, OH
• Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
• Kansas City, MO
• Auburn Hills, MI
• East Rutherford, NJ
• Plymouth Meeting, PA
• San Antonio, TX
• Westchester, NY
• Toronto, ON

Asia

• Beijing, China
• Shanghai, China
• Shenyang, China
• Osaka, Japan
• Tokyo, Japan
• Hong Kong

Australia

• Melbourne

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Palma Aquarium houses 55 tanks, which contain a staggering 5 million litres of salt water – and more than 8,000 different specimens of around 700 different species. But they also have Mediterranean gardens and a tropical jungle on their roof – the largest roof garden in Spain.

Don’t miss the chance for a show-stopping experience with one of the largest creatures in the world thanks to the 3D 360º immersive experience into the world of humpback whales.

The showstopper here is their enormous shark tank, which is the deepest shark tank in Europe. Get on the glass bottom boat inside the shark tank and observe these magnificent animals from another point of view – and, if you’re brave enough, you can actually take a dive into the tank!

Heading back inland and nestled high in the hilltops above the city, you will find the majestic and circular Bellver Castle. You can let the kids’ imaginations run wild, as they explore the castles nooks and crannies whilst you can enjoy the surrounds and stunning scenery.  This 14th Century royal fortress is surrounded by pine forests and has several permanent exhibitions as well as a museum with excellent displays on the history of Palma and Mallorca.

Children will absolutely love running through the tunnels and secret staircases that lead to and from the various levels. On certain days, actors are there to entertain the children with tales from the castle, and there are also lookout towers that have the most amazing views of the Bay of Palma.

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If you like a historic sight, then the Cathedral is definitely worth a visit. One of the must see places in Palma is the grand Gothic cathedral and the surrounding area. Built in the 13th century, its central nave is approximately 44 metres high, making it one of the tallest cathedrals in Europe.

Take a tour of the Cathedral’s terraces (not suitable for under 8s), an extraordinary experience where you can contemplate the immensity of the sea and the beauty of Palma, as well as the spectacular main rose window, the bell tower and the city’s skyline.

The beautiful Parc del Mar, complete with a large playground, sits beneath the cathedral. With extensive palm trees and a beautiful man-made lake, the park is a popular weekend and summer spot to enjoy in Palma with several cafes, a mural donated by Joan Miro, and an art gallery in the vaults of the old city walls.

Originally designed to bring citrus from the Sóller valley to the city, now the Palma to Soller train makes a great day trip and is a fantastic way to see the stunning countryside. The vintage train takes you along the 27km route through the scenic mountains to the quaint town of Sóller.

Having explored Sóller, you can take the old tram that regularly trundles through citrus groves down to Port de Sóller.

Marineland Mallorca is another popular attraction, situated on the coast between Palma Nova and Magaluf. It offers more in the way of sea life fun with the star attractions being the dolphins. The dolphin show wows crowds twice daily, and visitors can even walk through an underwater tunnel and watch the dolphins as they swim in the water.

Marineland also has a tropical house which houses reptiles and piranhas; an aviary with tropical birds; and aquariums with sharks, penguins, sea lions and turtles. There is a kids zone area for younger children to have a play in, or you could spend some time on the beach which has direct access from the park.

Located at the heart of Palma de Mallorca, this traditional market has serves locals and visitors since 1951. Here, you’ll find a huge selection of fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, seafood, cheeses and cold cuts, as well as a wide selection of restaurants and bars and a growing shopping centre.

Open Monday to Saturday from 7am to 2.30pm (3pm on Saturday) and from 2.30-8pm on Fridays.

Ordered to be built by King Felipe III and built in 1610, the tower was constructed due to the necessity to defend the maritime area and especially the zone of Porto Pi, which in the 17th century was the natural port of the city of Palma, from the continued attacks from pirates and barbarians that invaded the Mediterranean.

Today, visiting the museum is a great way to learn about the region and history of Palma. The building itself is also an intriguing space, thanks in part to its unusual polygon shape.

See Palma from a unique perspective with a fun segway tour. Suitable for over 12s, this is a great option for older families with teens and multiple companies offer tours ranging from 1-hour to half-day.

If you have little legs in your tour party that might not cope with a full city tour by foot then you can explore Palma at your own pace with a 24- or 48-hour ticket to the open-top hop-on, hop-off bus. Discover the city’s top attractions through the on-board audio commentary (available in multiple languages) and jump off at any of 20 stops en route to explore further.

Also popular with families are the old style horse and carriages which set off from outside the cathedral and other major attractions to take tours around Palma – it isn’t the cheapest mode of transport though and don’t be afraid to barter!

A day at the beach is always a fun experience, and Palma’s soft sandy beaches are a great place to while away an afternoon, top up the tan, splash in the sea and build sandcastles. There are plenty of beautiful beaches near Palma to enjoy, including:

• Illetas: Just 15 minutes from Palma you’ll find this small, calm beach with turquoise water and white sand, makes it the perfect place to spend a morning, an afternoon or even a whole day.
• Cala Pi: Accessed by some fairly steep stairs, this is possibly not one for bringing a buggy or very young children, but is certainly worth a visit. With its mostly sandy beach (you can find a couple of stones here and there) it is surrounded by pine trees.
• Cala Blava: This white-sand cove is only 20 minutes from Palma. Once you walked down the stairs to access the beach you’ll just want to stay forever!

When you are planning a family holiday you want to stay somewhere that ticks all the boxes. Family friendly accommodation, good food the kids will also enjoy, sun, pool, activities, maybe even some treats for Mum and Dad too.

Check out these amazing family resorts around Europe.

The Sun Gardens Dubrovnik is a very child-friendly resort, with a beach and gorgeous views over the Elaphiti islands, not far from Dubrovnik. It offers self catering option as well as hotel rooms with balcony or terrace.

Facilities include three outdoor pools (two for families; one adults-only); a Sports Centre with gym, three clay tennis courts and a squash court; and a shopping promenade. For the kids there’s a Sports Academy with football, tennis, water polo and basketball for 7-15 year-olds and a Marco Polo kids’ club managed by Worldwide Kids with activities and games. Babysitting services also available

In summer, a hotel boat runs to Dubrovnik (30 mins away by boat) and there are other trips to nearby islands and destinations should you be tempted away from the resort.

The Delphina’s Le Dune Resort has plenty to offer with accommodation designed for families with children. Their dedicated kids entertainment area called Village Fantasia is perfect for entertaining young guests, complete with play area, swimming pool, Indian reservation and “Fort Crock”, a cowboy fort.

With a variety of clubs available for all ages of kids, there’s also the Peter Pan Restaurant, for guests of the Baby and Mini Club. And best of all, the vegetables and eggs come directly from the resort, collected by the children from the Il Peperone organic vegetable garden and the “Puddaggiju”, the onsite aviary.

At the Le Dune Resort you’ll find 10 restaurants and a homemade ice cream shop, 6 swimming pools of which two are reserved for children, “Duneland” castle for the youngest guests with creative workshops, games area, cinema, soft area, dining area, nap room with cots and bottle-feeding preparation area, and a wide range of free sports and fun activities, including five-a-side football, tennis, basketball and archery.

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If you always look for something a bit different for your family holiday, Efteling might be the perfect destination. Located just half an hour away from Amsterdam, Efteling World of Wonders is a theme park, with a variety of rides from rollercoasters for older kids to the enchanted world of the Fairytale Forest where you can walk between giants and trolls.

Efteling Theme Park Resort offers various accommodation options:

• Holiday Village Efteling Loonsche Land – located in the heart of the nature area ‘Loonsche Land’ with a hotel and cosy holiday houses. You will find a restaurant for breakfast and dinner, as well as various play apparatus for children and a small animal pen. From the reception you can walk to the entrance of the Efteling theme park in about 20 minutes.
• The Efteling Hotel – less than a 5 minutes walk from the theme park, in one of their 20 enchanting theme suites, such as The Sleeping Beauty Suite or The Flying Dutchman Suite. Kids even get to help check in at their own special reception area/desk. All stays include access to the theme park.
• Holiday Village Efteling Bosrijk – in the middle of the woods of Brabant and within walking distance of Efteling, this spacious holiday village covers approximately 16 hectares of varied landscape with dunes, dense woodland and an open space. Visitors can spend the night in luxurious and atmospheric houses.

Not only is Daios Cove Resort breathtakingly beautiful, but this 5 star resort makes sure that the activities available here for kids and parents alike make it a winner for a family holiday to Greece.

Babies and toddlers are supervised in the Crèche Club by UK childcare experts Worldwide Kids Co, with qualified nursery staff meeting UK standards and regulations. Meanwhile, older kids can check in for fun at the well-equipped Children’s Club where friendly, highly trained multilingual staff will make them feel at home and provide games and activities.

Daios is geared up for families, with a child-friendly beach, pool games, outdoor playground, special children’s menus and high chairs at all restaurants, toys for indoor and outdoor play, and babysitting services.

Portugal is a great destination for a family holiday, my family has visited twice and enjoyed both holidays.

The Pine Cliffs Resort in the Algarve has won Europe’s Best Family Resort six times, has been presented twice in Condé Nast Traveller’s ‘Gold List’ and, most recently, has been highlighted as “Europe’s Best Luxury Family Resort” in the World Luxury Hotel Awards.

You can see why it is a leading family destination with its array of watersports, Annabel Croft Tennis Academy, Junior Club for 8 to 13 year-olds and Porto Pirata Kid’s Club with its lifelike pirate ship and 7,000m2 children’s village for 6 month to 8 year olds.

The resort is close to Falésia Beach, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal, you access the beach via a scenic walkway and panoramic elevator leading to a private area reserved for Resort guests.

The Playa Andaluza Beach Resort in Estepona has plenty to offer families in the way of comfortable accommodation with a choice of spacious rooms with a kitchenette or apartments with living room and full kitchen, all with balconies.

The family-friendly resort has 4 pools including an indoor pool, and sits beside a sandy beach if you fancy a change from the pool. There’s plenty of fun for kids with a kids’ club, play area, sport courts, teen zone with table tennis, pool and air hockey, and daily fun activities.

There is a spa for a bit of parent pampering while the kids are occupied, and babysitting services are available if required. With restaurants and bar and a shop in the resort, you might be tempted to stay put, but there’s plenty of fun nearby the resort including Roman ruins, Alcazaba, Picasso Museum, historic towns, shopping, dining, water sports, golf and more.

From France to Greece, these resorts work hard to welcome families and make your holiday one to remember.

Exclusively designed for families with young children, Imagine Roussillon is the definitive hidden gem of family holidays.

Kids club and babysitting are always included, along with heated pools, a play park, fitness classes and a gym. In short, it’s the perfect getaway for both parents and children.

Nestled amongst vineyards and just 7 minutes’ drive from sandy Mediterranean beaches, Imagine Roussillon resides in a prestigious former wine domaine.

Once you experience Imagine Roussillon, you really won’t want to holiday anywhere else!

Only 30 minutes from the coast, La Lohuas Gîtes are five individual, child-friendly, stone gites that provide a relaxing, stress free setting to enjoy the simple pleasures of France with your children.

Your little ones can help feed the chickens and collect eggs which are also available along with fresh produce like milk, local ciders and camembert. There are four acres of space for the kids to play, with a grotto, pool, barn, swings, trampoline and lots more.

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Perfect for keeping the kids occupied and ideal for adults needing to wind down, Montengrand is set in 30 acres of pasture, wild flower meadows and woodland in this unpoilt region of southern France. Located only 5 minutes away from the Mirepoix, with its beautiful mediaeval square, twice-weekly markets, cafés and restaurants.

There are ponies, sheep, chickens and guinea pigs to feed and water daily, so small helpers are always welcome, plus they cater for families with toddlers so you don’t have to pack everything.

The famous Alton Towers is a kids’ dream to visit. With enchanted treehouses, lodges, stargazing pods, themed rooms in 3 hotels, you’ll have a range of places to stay to suit your budget.

Of course, there is also plenty to keep the kids entertained – CBeebies Land, the Waterpark, Theme Park, Extraordinary Golf and Enchanted Forest. Adults can join in too or for those who would like a little bit of child-free time out, there’s also the Spa at Alton Towers.

With five Center Parcs locations across England and one in Longford, Ireland, they cater superbly for families with varying ages of children.

From adrenaline-fuelled thrills and wild adventure to creative activities and relaxing spa treatments, there’s something to suit everyone, whatever the weather, on your holiday. Parents can join in with their childrens’ activities or some, including toddlers, can be supervised giving the parents some time out.

Read what mum Caroline’s top tips for a family holiday at Center Parcs.

In the exquisite ForteVillage resort you mix luxury with relaxation plus loads of activities for your children to enjoy.

The kids have their very own Children’s Wonderland and the days of fun can be planned ahead including sports, art, writing, swimming, dancing, shows, and even their own restaurant. The adults can relax whilst their children are supervised by specially trained staff or you can plan your own fun with the kids.

The Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido Resort is located right on the Venice Lido beach away from the crowds in the centre of Venice so it is perfect for families with access to the beach and private cabanas.

This 5 star resort offers a seasonal kids club for 4-12 year olds giving the parents some alone time in romantic Venice. The resort has family friendly rooms and public areas plus activities for kids of all ages.

The Alva Park resort is situated an hour outside Barcelona in the Costa Brava region. This luxurious resort welcomes families where every member is catered for including a complimentary kids club for 3-12 year olds.

Situated next to a beach it also has a pool, indoor golf practice range and a kids cinema plus lot of other amenities for children of all ages. Babysitting is also available so the parents can have a romantic night to themselves.

This 5 star hotel has its own stretch of private beach with shallow waters which is ideal for children and water sports. The Skiathos Princess Hotel has two kids clubs, 6 months to 4 yrs and 4- 12 yrs, plus large family rooms and suites.

Everything, including dining, is family friendly with an indoor playroom and outdoor adventure garden. Kids can be kept occupied or family activities can be arranged exploring the island.

The child-friendliness of Sani Resort, a family-run resort on the Halkidiki Peninsula in northern Greece is legendary. It has five hotels, with Porto Sani Village, overlooking a lovely sandy Blue Flag beach, being the best for facilities for the small ones.

The resort’s creche looks after babies of six months up to children of four years, and it has a varied and creative programme to keep everyone stimulated. With delicious menus crafted by children’s chef Annabel Karmel, your kids will be well fuelled as they explore everything Sani has to offer — from ziplining and scuba diving to tennis and water skiing.

Our family spent a week in Bordeaux and thoroughly enjoyed this stylish and friendly French city. It’s beautiful to walk around, and the tram system makes travel very easy. We rented a house for the week through AirBnB, not far from a tram stop so we could hop on and get into the city centre easily. The Garonne river, which runs through Bordeaux, is not only picturesque but means you can enjoy boat trips too.

The region is famous for wine production, and there are plenty of vineyards and wineries to visit if you fancy a day trip.

We’ve chosen 10 fun things to do in Bordeaux and the surrounding areas so that you can be ready to explore all this beautiful French city has to offer!

The Miroir d’Eau (Water Mirror) or Miroir des Quais (Quay Mirror) in Bordeaux is the world’s largest reflecting pool, covering 3,450 square metres. It’s a very unusual pool, made of granite slabs covered by 2cm of water.

You’ll find the Miroir at the quay of the Garonne, in front of the Place de la Bourse. In summer, a system creates fog every 15 minutes. When we were there it was during a heatwave, so this was a lovely treat to cool off the feet in!

It’s particularly pretty at night when the nearby buildings are lit up and reflect off the water.

We went with Croisières Burdigala for a river boat trip. They have a one and a half hour cruise which leaves from Quai Richelieu near the Frog and Rosbif pub. Ludmilla, our tour guide, did a lovely job of explaining the sights on the way.

It’s a pleasant journey and allows you to see some of the interesting sights along the river, including the fabulous Wine Museum Cité du Vin, its shape apparently inspired by the movement of wine swirling in a glass.

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While not the most interactive of museums, there’s plenty to look at in the Musee de l’Aquitaine – and kids go free which is a bonus.

It takes you from Neanderthal times right up to the 20th Century. Look out for a full size Roman mosaic and a replica shop showing all the goods that came from trading in the port. We also enjoyed the shipping section with all the different models of boats that came in and out of Bordeaux.

The Botanical Gardens in Bordeaux make a pleasant break from city streets and are nice for a stroll through. They are open daily and are free to visit.

There’s also a playground at the side of the gardens to enjoy once you’ve finished exploring.

There are three tram lines in Bordeaux and a tram ride is a fun thing to do with the kids. You get to see the city, do some people watching and kids love any kind of new transport in my experience.

Buy tickets at automatic machines at tram stops. You can buy e.g. a card of ten journeys which covers the family – just make sure you “punch” it in the machine on board the tram for the amount of journeys you are using in case any inspectors come to check it.

Cap Sciences is a science and discovery museum located in an old warehouse on Quai de Bacalan, with permanent and temporary exhibitions. There are activities for different ages of children to encourage exploration and discovery. There is also a café on site.

Tip: Ask at reception if they have audio guides in English for the exhibitions.

The Jardin Public is a lovely spot right in the middle of Bordeaux. There are lakes where you can see ducks, as well as a well-maintained playground and carousel for the kids to enjoy. Bring a picnic and enjoy some relaxing time in the garden.

Zoo Pessac is located 30 minutes outside the city and hosts lions, tigers, lemurs, red pandas, tapirs, and giraffes.

You can get to the Zoo by taking bus 23 from the city centre and then walking 900m to the entrance, or you can drive and avail of the Zoo’s free parking. In addition, there are snack cafes, picnic areas, playgrounds, an inflatable play area and also a small farm where you can feed goats.

Located 25 minutes outside of Bordeaux, is the strikingly pretty Château de La Brède, – complete with a moat! – that was once the home of philosopher Montesquieu.

While you have to pay to access the grounds, it’s worth the fee for a pleasant walk up and a photo op at the castle.

You can also pay to go on a guided tour and see the interior of the castle, including the library and Montesquieu’s bedroom, both preserved as they were in the 18th century. There are ice creams for sale at the ticket reception.

Take the train for a day trip to the seaside resort of Arcachon, with sandy beaches galore, ice cream shops, cafes, and plenty of seaside fun!

It’s a five minute walk from the station to the centre of the town. We grabbed ingredients for a picnic from the supermarket on the main street of the town and enjoyed our lunch before taking a dip.

Tip: Allow yourself a little extra time to get back for the return train and be early for the train to get a seat, as it gets busy in summer time.