Family Travel Toolkit
Real family trips

Real Family Trips — No Gloss, No Filters

These are honest trip reports from real families — the highs, the meltdowns, the unexpected gems, and the things they'd do differently. No sponsored stays, no PR trips.

BeachEuropeWith toddlersMid-range

A week in Tenerife South with a 4-year-old and a 7-year-old

Tenerife, Spain7 nights · October2 adults, ages 4 and 7
Would go back in a heartbeat

We nearly didn't go — the 4-year-old had just recovered from a chest infection and we were this close to cancelling. Best decision we ever made not to. Tenerife South in October is genuinely perfect for families: 26°C, calm seas, and half the crowds of August.

Highlights

  • Siam Park — worth every penny. Book first thing in the morning to beat the queues.
  • Los Cristianos beach — shallow, calm, and the kids could paddle independently within 10 minutes.
  • The cable car up Teide — genuinely spectacular even with a 4-year-old who complained the whole way up and loved it at the top.

What didn't work

  • The hire car was a category smaller than booked. Argue at the desk — they upgraded us eventually.
  • Playa de las Américas strip is relentless. Stay in Los Cristianos or Costa Adeje instead.

Top tip: Fly into Tenerife South (TFS), not Tenerife North (TFN). It's 20 minutes to your resort vs 90 minutes.

City breakEuropeMid-range

Barcelona long weekend with school-age kids (ages 8 and 11)

Barcelona, Spain4 nights · April2 adults, ages 8 and 11
Brilliant but exhausting — pace yourself

Barcelona with kids who are old enough to actually engage with the architecture and culture is a completely different experience to going as a couple. The 11-year-old was obsessed with Gaudí. The 8-year-old was obsessed with the churros. Both were right.

Highlights

  • Sagrada Família — book the tower tickets in advance. The interior is genuinely jaw-dropping even for kids who don't care about churches.
  • Park Güell — go early (8am entry slot). By 10am it's heaving and the magic is gone.
  • CosmoCaixa science museum — a full half-day easily, and the kids would have stayed longer.

What didn't work

  • Las Ramblas is a tourist trap. Walk it once, then avoid it.
  • 4 nights wasn't quite enough. We ran out of time for the Gothic Quarter properly.

Top tip: Stay in the Eixample district — central, quieter than the Gothic Quarter, and easy walking distance to most sights.

City breakEuropeWith toddlersSplurge

Paris with a 2-year-old: disaster, delight, and a lot of croissants

Paris, France3 nights · June2 adults, 1 toddler (age 2)
Magical in moments, brutal in others — wait until they're 4+

We went because we'd always wanted to do Paris and thought 'how hard can it be?' Reader, it was hard. The Metro with a pushchair is genuinely hostile. The restaurants close between 2pm and 7pm. The 2-year-old had strong opinions about the Louvre (negative). And yet — the Eiffel Tower at dusk with a toddler pointing at the lights is something we'll never forget.

Highlights

  • Jardin du Luxembourg — the kids' sailing boats on the pond are a genuine highlight. Bring coins.
  • Eiffel Tower at dusk — worth the queue. The light show at the top of the hour is genuinely magical.
  • Staying in the 7th arrondissement meant we could walk to most things and avoid the Metro entirely.

What didn't work

  • The Paris Metro is not pushchair-friendly. Most stations have no lifts. Research your route before you go.
  • French restaurant hours are brutal with a toddler. Eat at 12 sharp or 7:30pm — nothing in between.
  • The Louvre is too much for under-5s. Save it for when they're older.

Top tip: Use the Vélib' bike share with a child seat, or hire a cargo bike for the day — it's the best way to see Paris with small children.

BeachEuropeWith teensMid-range

Antalya all-inclusive with teenagers — better than we expected

Antalya, Turkey10 nights · July2 adults, ages 14 and 16
Surprisingly good — teens actually relaxed

We booked all-inclusive expecting the teenagers to be bored within 48 hours. They weren't. The 16-year-old discovered he actually likes history (Aspendos theatre blew his mind). The 14-year-old lived in the pool. We ate too much. It was exactly what we all needed.

Highlights

  • Aspendos Roman theatre day trip — genuinely one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world. The teenagers were more impressed than they'd ever admit.
  • The resort pool complex kept the 14-year-old occupied for 10 days straight.
  • Antalya old town (Kaleiçi) — a half-day wander is well worth it. Beautiful harbour and great food.

What didn't work

  • July is genuinely very hot — 38°C most days. Afternoons are only really manageable in the pool or with AC.
  • The FCDO amber rating means some travel insurers add an exclusion. Check your policy before booking.

Top tip: Book a day trip to Aspendos and Perge through your hotel rather than a street tout — the guides are significantly better and the price difference is minimal.

BeachBudget tripBudget

Cornwall staycation on a tight budget — 5 nights, 4 kids

Cornwall, UK5 nights · August2 adults, ages 3, 6, 9, and 12
Proof you don't need to go abroad

Four kids, one hire car, a self-catering cottage, and a budget of £200/day all-in. We were sceptical. Cornwall in August is expensive and crowded. But we found a cottage 10 minutes from Porthcurno, packed our own food, and had one of the best family holidays we've had. The beaches are genuinely world-class.

Highlights

  • Porthcurno beach — turquoise water, white sand, and the Minack Theatre above it. Stunning.
  • Self-catering saved us a fortune. We ate out twice in 5 nights and spent the rest on beach snacks.
  • The Lost Gardens of Heligan — a full day out that kept all four ages engaged, which is basically a miracle.

What didn't work

  • August traffic in Cornwall is genuinely awful. Leave before 8am or after 7pm for any significant journey.
  • Parking at popular beaches costs £10-15/day. Factor this into your budget.

Top tip: Book your cottage for Saturday-to-Saturday changeover and arrive on a Sunday — you'll miss the worst of the changeover traffic.

BeachLong haulSplurge

Dubai with school-age kids — extravagant, exhausting, unforgettable

Dubai, UAE7 nights · February2 adults, ages 7 and 10
Once-in-a-lifetime — but once might be enough

Dubai is not a subtle destination. Everything is enormous, expensive, and designed to impress. With kids who are old enough to appreciate the spectacle, it genuinely delivers. February is the perfect month — 25°C, no humidity, and the beach is actually usable.

Highlights

  • Burj Khalifa at sunset — book the 124th floor tickets months in advance. The view is genuinely incomprehensible.
  • Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis — a full day and the kids still didn't want to leave.
  • The Dubai Frame — underrated, cheaper than the Burj, and the glass floor walkway is terrifying in the best way.

What didn't work

  • It is expensive. Budget significantly more than you think you need — everything costs more than the headline price.
  • The Mall of the Emirates is enormous and the kids wanted to spend the whole trip there. Manage expectations.

Top tip: Stay on the Palm Jumeirah if budget allows — the beach access and views are worth the premium, and you're close to Atlantis.

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We're always looking for honest trip reports from real families. No sponsored stays, no PR trips — just the truth about what it's actually like.

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