The idea of heading off to an island getaway is something that appeals to everyone, and once you've reached your tropical paradise you'll certainly want to get the most out of it. To do so, you're best off going for an all inclusive break, as this will remove all the hassle from organising and paying for things after you've arrived, allowing you to simply unwind and have a great time.
Given the popularity of this type of getaway, it's no surprise that several resorts have been developed on some of Europe's most beautiful and sun-drenched islands, offering highly competitive deals on all inclusive holidays. There are plenty of top-rate hotels to choose from, all of which have got family holidays down to a fine art, offering everything you could possibly need to enjoy the perfect island break.
For a run-through of some of the best places to go, read on.
Majorca
Located just two-and-a-half hours from the UK, Majorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands and has an established all inclusive holiday industry. Among the most popular areas for families is Alcudia, which boasts a 3.4 km stretch of coast lined with hotels, known as the Golden Mile.
Much of the area's appeal lies in the fact that the beach is one of the widest and longest on the island, with a depth of around 80 metres, meaning there's plenty of space for everyone. While the resort does contain a number of cafes, bars and restaurants, it doesn't feature the nightclubs found in other regions of the island, and as a result the hotels have had to up their game in terms of offering in-house entertainment.
Cala d'Or, meanwhile, is the liveliest and most frequented resort on the island's east coast, featuring five separates coves to explore as well as a picturesque marina. Families who visit during the summer holidays can also enjoy the annual Fiesta de la Mare de Deu del Mar, which takes place each August and features an impressive maritime procession, live concerts and other forms of entertainment.
Tenerife
Tenerife is the most popular of the Canary Islands, attracting some 4.5 million holidaymakers a year. The great thing about this isle is that it offers outstanding variety, with Playa de las Americas being known for its party atmosphere while other resorts along the Costa Adeje are more family oriented.
Many of the hotels here offer fantastic activities for both kids and adults, with water sports and other fun-filled aquatic games particularly popular. Anyone who wants to get away from their resort for a day can also visit one of the two world-class water parks on the Costa Adeje, with Aqualand and the oriental-themed Siam Park boasting a number of thrilling slides and other attractions.
As well as providing great beach holidays, Tenerife also contains Spain's highest mountain, Teide, which stands at 3718 m tall and overlooks the 17 km wide Canadas del Teide Caldera volcanic crater. Visiting the Teide National Park makes for a thrilling day trip, while whale and dolphin watching is another must-do while on holiday here.
Cyprus
Walking around this tiny island nation in the Mediterranean, one can often feel like they’ve been transported back to Ancient Times. With history being told from building on every street corner, as well as the wealth of fascinating archaeological sites it’s easy to get lost in the historic culture of this island.
In addition to being the birthplace of Aphrodite, Cyprus offers some of the best beaches in the world. In fact, a recent study by the EU found that all 112 of the island's bathing spots met the necessary standards to be awarded Excellent status for water, making it one of only two countries to achieve a 100 per cent rate.
Many of the island's most popular resorts are found around Phinikoudes Beach in Larnaca, and Kapparis Beach, and this year could be a particularly good time to bag a bargain as local tourism officials are keen to stress that all inclusive holiday prices have plummeted in the wake of the country's recent economic bail-out.
For a run-through of some of the best places to go, read on.
Majorca
Located just two-and-a-half hours from the UK, Majorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands and has an established all inclusive holiday industry. Among the most popular areas for families is Alcudia, which boasts a 3.4 km stretch of coast lined with hotels, known as the Golden Mile.
Much of the area's appeal lies in the fact that the beach is one of the widest and longest on the island, with a depth of around 80 metres, meaning there's plenty of space for everyone. While the resort does contain a number of cafes, bars and restaurants, it doesn't feature the nightclubs found in other regions of the island, and as a result the hotels have had to up their game in terms of offering in-house entertainment.
Cala d'Or, meanwhile, is the liveliest and most frequented resort on the island's east coast, featuring five separates coves to explore as well as a picturesque marina. Families who visit during the summer holidays can also enjoy the annual Fiesta de la Mare de Deu del Mar, which takes place each August and features an impressive maritime procession, live concerts and other forms of entertainment.
Tenerife
Tenerife is the most popular of the Canary Islands, attracting some 4.5 million holidaymakers a year. The great thing about this isle is that it offers outstanding variety, with Playa de las Americas being known for its party atmosphere while other resorts along the Costa Adeje are more family oriented.
Many of the hotels here offer fantastic activities for both kids and adults, with water sports and other fun-filled aquatic games particularly popular. Anyone who wants to get away from their resort for a day can also visit one of the two world-class water parks on the Costa Adeje, with Aqualand and the oriental-themed Siam Park boasting a number of thrilling slides and other attractions.
As well as providing great beach holidays, Tenerife also contains Spain's highest mountain, Teide, which stands at 3718 m tall and overlooks the 17 km wide Canadas del Teide Caldera volcanic crater. Visiting the Teide National Park makes for a thrilling day trip, while whale and dolphin watching is another must-do while on holiday here.
Cyprus
Walking around this tiny island nation in the Mediterranean, one can often feel like they’ve been transported back to Ancient Times. With history being told from building on every street corner, as well as the wealth of fascinating archaeological sites it’s easy to get lost in the historic culture of this island.
In addition to being the birthplace of Aphrodite, Cyprus offers some of the best beaches in the world. In fact, a recent study by the EU found that all 112 of the island's bathing spots met the necessary standards to be awarded Excellent status for water, making it one of only two countries to achieve a 100 per cent rate.
Many of the island's most popular resorts are found around Phinikoudes Beach in Larnaca, and Kapparis Beach, and this year could be a particularly good time to bag a bargain as local tourism officials are keen to stress that all inclusive holiday prices have plummeted in the wake of the country's recent economic bail-out.
(This post was written by Hari Apostolides)
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