Summer family holidays done differently with Activities Abroad

Family travel specialist, Activities Abroad, knows how important a summer holiday can be – getting away from the usual routine, spending quality time together exploring and making lasting memories.

For this year’s May and summer school holidays, Activities Abroad has crafted an exciting selection of itineraries offering extraordinary experiences to inspire families. From re-imagined island getaways on volcanic Tenerife, magical Madeira and sublime Sicily, to exploring Croatia’s stunning Plitvice Lakes National Park or the wild Costa Rican jungle, each of these holidays offers a different kind of summer family adventure.

NEW: Active Family Adventure on Tenerife

Highly regarded for its pristine beaches, sunny climate and abundant marine life, Tenerife also offers a host of exciting experiences for families seeking an active break. Head out to sea by kayak to get up close with Los Gigantes cliffs, try stand-up paddle-boarding, take a cable-car ride up Mount Teide (Spain’s highest peak), zip-line through the treetops and enjoy a short walk through the unusual rock formations known as Los Roques de Garcia. Alongside plenty of opportunities for snorkelling and swimming, a whale and dolphin-watching boat trip offers close encounters with Tenerife’s fascinating sea creatures, and dining in a traditional guachinche restaurant allows families to experience the island like locals.

Tenerife – Active Family Adventure costs from £1,285 per adult aged 13+/ £1,055 per child aged 7-12 (based on two adults and one child sharing), including direct flights (London), transfers, seven nights’ B&B accommodation, five lunches, two dinners and guided activities. Departures between 11 April and 24 October, 2020.

NEW: Family rainforest adventure in Costa Rica

Costa Rica packs a big punch for its small size, with landscapes ranging from pristine coastline and mountain regions to rainforests and cloud forests, wetlands and other aquatic habitats. Beginning in San José, families will admire the incredible wild and plant life in Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast, come face-to-face with the impressive Arenal volcano, stay in a rainforest camp in Sarapiquí and spend time relaxing by the beach in the beautiful Guanacaste Province on the Pacific coast

Activities along the way include canyoning and rafting through the jungle, paddle-boarding, a canopy zip wire tour, boat rides through rainforest canals and a visit to an animal rescue centre to meet the local wildlife, all while enjoying the country’s delicious food and warm hospitality. A new activity includes visiting the Eco-Centro Danaus conservation centre and planting a native tree at a local elementary community school.

Costa Rican Rainforest Explorers features upgraded accommodation for 2020, including a city-centre hotel in San José, a jungle lodge in Tortuguero National Park and a tranquil hideaway between two rivers in Guanacaste. The cost is from £2,945 per adult aged 12+/ £1,245 per child aged 8-11 (based on two adults and one child sharing), including transfers, 14 nights’ B&B accommodation, 13 lunches, 10 dinners and guided activities. Flights extra. Departs 18 July and 1 & 15 August, 2020.

NEW: Plitvice Lakes Adventure in Croatia

With 16 lakes and more than 90 waterfalls, the Plitvice Lakes National Park is not just a UNESCO World Heritage Site but a brilliant playground for an active family adventure holiday. Whether it’s discovering the Park’s walkways and bridges on a hike, cycling to the Barać Caves, stand-up paddle-boarding on the Mrežnica River or canoeing through the Zrmanja and Krupa Canyons, all of the experiences on this week-long itinerary are designed to make the most of this incredible location. Staying just 15 minutes away, at Plitvice Holiday Resort (just added for 2020), there is also time for families to relax and explore independently.

Croatia – Plitvice Lakes Adventure costs from £1,345 per adult aged 13+/ £1,240 per child aged 8-12 (two sharing), including direct flights (London), transfers, seven nights’ B&B accommodation, two lunches, five dinners, guided activities and National Park entrance fees. Departures between 23 May and 24 October, 2020.

MUST VISIT: Whales, Dolphins and Volcanic Landscapes on multi-award-winning Madeira

Voted the World’s Leading Island Destination by the World Travel Awards for five consecutive years, Madeira is an ideal holiday destination for families seeking to spend sun-filled days on exciting adventures. Based in Funchal, the island’s small and fascinating capital, traverse the island by Jeep to experience the stunning volcanic landscapes, get a different perspective while canyoning through the island’s interior and explore the island’s levadas (irrigation channels specific to Madeira, now used as pathways) on foot and by bicycle. Off-land adventures include sea-kayaking, snorkelling and bathing in saltwater lava pools, plus whale watching and swimming with dolphins (weather dependent).

Madeira – Whales, Dolphins and Volcanic Landscapes costs from £1,335 per adult aged 12+/ £1,125 per child aged 8-11 (based on two adults and one child sharing), including direct flights (London), transfers, seven nights’ B&B accommodation, two lunches and dinners, plus guided activities. Departures between 3 April and 25 October, 2020.

BEST SELLER: Coastal and mountainside splendour on Sicily

This seven-night tailor-made trip, based in the area of Giardini Naxos, on Sicily’s east coast, offers activities such as snorkelling and sea-kayaking for families to make the most of their proximity to the sparkling blue waters of the Ionian Sea. With a flexible itinerary allowing guests to choose the level of activity they seek, other experiences available include cycling through valleys and old railway tunnels, hiking up Mount Etna to reach the Sartorius Mounts craters, body rafting in the enchanting Alcantara Gorges and a visit to the traditional village of Motta Camastra for insight into authentic Sicilian life.

Sicily – Mount Etna and the Ionian Coast costs from £970 per adult aged 12+/ £740 per child aged 8-11 (two sharing), including direct flights (London), transfers, seven nights’ B&B accommodation, three lunches and two dinners. Guided activities priced as extra. Departures between 23 May and 18 August, 2020.

Activities Abroad has been curating holidays for over 16 years, and its team of family travel experts will help you travel the world with the whole family in tow, taking care of the finer details, cultivating the moments that matter and ensuring the smooth running of your holiday from beginning to end.

To speak to a Family Travel Expert for more information, or to book a summer family holiday, contact Activities Abroad on 01670 789 991 (www.activitiesabroad.com).

Note to editors: Part of The Artisan Travel Company, award-winning Activities Abroad specialises in family travel and experiences for all the family to enjoy together. It is a sister company to inspiring holiday expert Artisan Travel and the original Northern Lights travel specialist, The Aurora Zone.

Press: For press enquiries or high resolution photography, please contact Kate Chapman, George Curtis or Julia Farish at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 or email k.chapman@travelpr.co.uk, g.curtis@travelpr.co.uk or j.farish@travelpr.co.uk.