Off the beaten path holidays for the whole family

We’ve spent hours reading the hundreds of reviews you’ve shared with us, to produce a visited & verified shortlist of off the beaten path holidays for the whole family. We hope you find this really useful, and if you do, we would be most grateful if you could book via the affiliate links in the article meaning we make a small commission (and can keep providing you with this kind of content!)

Love, Frankie & Becky x

If you’ve ever felt you were born in the wrong decade, or wished you could step back in time to days of past, this one is for you. Pastel hued Procida Island, baby sister to glitzy and glamorous Capri, is arguably Italy’s best kept secret – a little slice of paradise where time seems to have stood still. A maze of sun bleached, ice cream coloured houses line narrow stone streets, and weathered fishermen sit on sunny corners savouring cups of coffee. In scenes straight from a postcard, ambling uphill walks are rewarded with unspoilt views over the harbour and bay, dotted with bobbing fishing boats

A tiny freckle in the Bay of Naples, Procida is easily reached via a one hour ferry from the Port of Naples. Perfect to explore on foot (meaning no one has to forgo the vino!), she has more than her fair share of treasures to uncover; from volcanic beaches to crumbling hamlets, abandoned prisons and hidden foodie hotspots

Stay

Procida Camp Ciraccio radiates easy breezy, boho vibes – the infectious kind, which will have you floating round barefoot before you know it. Close enough to the sea to jump straight in, wake up to the sound of a gentle breeze rippling through your tent and lapping waves from the beach below. Nestled beneath a swaying canopy of lemon trees, spacious glamping tents with all the mod cons dot safe and secure grounds. Little legs will love running wild whilst the grown ups savour some down time, cocktail in one hand and homemade pizza in the other, courtesy of the on site bar. Private verandas kitted out with double sun loungers make the perfect midday dozing spot, after mornings spent leisurely exploring this laid back island

From: £133 p/night

A surreal, jurassic landscape where T-Rexes wouldn’t feel out of place, São Miguel is a lush, volcanic island in the Azores archipelago with absolutely no instagram filter required. Promising a holiday in vivid technicolour with crater lakes, waterfalls and dramatic mountains at every turn, here nature plays its trump card, offering a glimpse at our planet as it was. But fear not – survival skills definitely aren’t necessary; a brilliant, family friendly destination, the island is a natural playground for tiny travellers, jam packed with mind boggling adventures (and accessible via direct 4 hour flights from the UK!)

On the migration route of many whale & dolphin species, marine life spotting trips will leave aquariums paling in comparison. The sprawling pineapple greenhouses at Ponta Delgada offer up many sweet treats,  while the natural hot springs at Poça da Dona Beija make for a bubbling bath to remember. Roam rolling tea plantations at Gorreana or Porto Formoso, the only in Europe, or marvel as your dinner is cooked underground at volcanic hotspot Furnas, no oven required (head to Caldeiras & Vulcões for the best version of local delicacy Cozido das Furnas)

Stay

A converted farmhouse rich in peace and privacy, hugged on one side by mountains and the other by sea, Senhora da Rosa boasts 35 elegant rooms plus a stunning outdoor pool, spa, and 2 restaurants. The real showstopper, however, is the heated plunge pool in the farm’s pineapple greenhouse. For children, a kids club and indoor playground await, plus meals are happily tailored for tiny tastebuds and all the essential parental paraphernalia provided. Lovingly created to showcase local crafts and produce, whilst rooted in sustainability, Azores-made products adorn bathrooms, artisan touches elevate decor and solar panels power this authentically rural Azores escape

From: £105 p/night

Hidden amongst the peaks and valleys of the dramatic Italian Alps, South Tyrol is  north Italy’s crowning glory renowned for its storybook crumbling castles, tumbling glacial rivers, and vast wildflower meadows. From the fresh mountain air to the mineral rich waters, even the elements are supercharged, ready and waiting to rejuvenate bedraggled parents seeking serious R&R. Though the ‘getting there’ bit needn’t heap on extra hassle – Innsbruck, a one hour transfer away, is served by regular direct flights from London courtesy of my favourite orange and white friend, EasyJet

In winter, snow dusted mountains dominate the landscape while come summer, you are dwarfed by verdant, sun drenched valleys; whatever the season, the allure of the outdoors is irresistible. Holidays here are a wholesome balance of open air adventures, activities and refined Alpine wellness, though in which quantities is for you to decide

Stay

A stunning, sophisticated nature resort tailor made to relax and rejuvenate, shed the stresses of every day life and reemerge restored and rebalanced having stayed at Feuerstein Nature Family Resort. A mountain retreat for the whole brood with Europe’s first family spa, collectively unwind and lose track of time with days spent cocooned in sumptuous robes, nourishing body and mind with quality family time, pampering treatments and spoiling, seasonal dining. If you’re the proud owner of a less-than-zen tiny traveller, and that paints a blissful, but unrealistic, picture, fear not (and know I’m right there with you). Excite (and exhaust) little ones as you head off on pony treks, explore surrounding hiking trails, splash in the family pool and make plenty of furry friends. Or failing all else, with 70 hours of creative, complimentary childcare a week, skip the guilt trip and enjoy some adult indulgences whilst the kids have the time of their lives. With a painting studio, wood workshop, indoor mud room and play barn to run riot in, the only issue you’ll face is herding them back onto the plane home

From: £385 p/night

A real life land of make believe, memories from a magical stay in Cappadocia could easily pass as the tall tales of a child’s imagination run wild. From fairy chimneys to underground cities and enchanted caves, the UNESCO World Heritage site is a weird, wonderful (*and slightly phallic…) natural playground children are free to explore, clamber and climb over. If you’ve ever been on Instagram, you’ve already seen the photos of hot air balloon studded sunrises, but what you might not have realised is just how much there is to enchant tiny travellers. Beyond taking to the skies, kids will love getting grubby as they squeeze through underground passages at Kaymakli City (though maybe one to miss for any claustrophobic folk), throwing pottery at Chez Galip, weaving through the fairy chimneys at Pasabag Valley and gliding through the water in a glass bottomed gondola

The down side? If you’re travelling from the UK, don’t expect direct flights – this is a Turkish delight that requires a bit of determination to reach. The quickest route takes around 6 and a half hours, with a stop in Istanbul along the way

*Wait until the kids are out of sight to google ‘Cappadocia stone penises’

Stay

A thousand year old monastery converted into 51 award winning rooms and suites, soak up the history as you sleep in a cave where hundreds have before you, at stunning Argos in Cappadocia – words just don’t do this place justice. If you’re seeking Kids Clubs and creches this isn’t the spot for you, but for an authentic experience that warmly welcomes tiny travellers, and leaves a lasting impression long after the holiday ends? Unbeatable

From: £265 p/night

Affectionately known as ‘the Venice of the North’, Bruges might not deliver the same hard hitting sights and bright lights as more conventional city breaks (I’m looking at you Paris, Barcelona & Amsterdam) but where family travel is concerned, few spots are better suited for a long weekend away

For starters, there’s no plane required, but an easy peasy 3.5 hour Eurostar promises you’ll arrive relaxed and ready to pound the pavements. Its compact size makes the city seriously walkable, and should little legs require some respite, hop on a boat around the city’s sprawling web of waterways. Conquering The Belfry Tower of Bruges is perfectly doable with tiny travellers and in return, rewards you with views stretching for miles. Playgrounds, parks and beautiful green spaces are aplenty, and last but (definitely) not least, of course there’s the chocolate. Learn about it at The Choco-Story Museum, make it in a Belgian Chocolate Workshop, or cut to the chase and sample the city’s finest (Dumon is something of an institution). I could also wax lyrical about the waffles and the beer but maybe that’s a story for another time…. Pint sized but seriously pretty, Bruges proves the best things really do come in small packages

Stay

The only five star hotel in Bruges, a short stroll from the historic heart of the city, Hotel Dukes’ Palace might look grand at first glance, but the real focus here is on making you feel at home. A choice of family suites, connecting rooms, cots and extra beds cater perfectly for tiny travellers, whilst the polished, professional service promises getaways without a glitch

From: £132 p/night