Three new 2014 family activity holidays, plus Easter availability – from Activities Abroad

Family activity holiday specialist Activities Abroad introduces two new family holidays in Croatia, plus a new itinerary in the magnificent Meteora region of Greece

Catering for families who are keen to get the most out of their holidays, each itinerary is packed with activities that all ages can enjoy together. There’s also an age-matching service which provides parents with the peace of mind that their offspring will find themselves amongst like-minded friends.

Comments Amy Griffiths , Product Manager at Activities Abroad, “This year we have tripled the number of Croatia holidays that we offer, which reflects the interest in our Adriatic Family Adventure last year. We have constant demand for holidays which offer a combination of beautiful beach locations and exciting activities to keep the whole family entertained. Croatia’s ideal for this.” The destination’s also been in the limelight, with some of the filming of the Game of Thrones taking place in and around Dubrovnik.

NEW: Island-hopping adventures, Croatia

With an activity for each day – bar a free day towards the end of the week – this holiday uses a medley of activities as a means to explore the area. A gentle day of cycling on Sipan Island will take you through picturesque villages, past fortresses and along coastal paths with a picnic stop at a local farm. A boat ride will take you deeper into the archipelago to Mljet Island with its forests, lakes, 14th century monastery and spectacular views. Another day will see you hiking and visiting picture-perfect Dubrovnik, while two days of sea kayaking provide ample opportunities for swimming and snorkeling. On the penultimate day, kayak to Lopud Island, home of idyllic white-sand beaches and a beautiful Franciscan monastery. Each evening, return to Hotel Božica – a charming four-star hotel on the island of Sipan, complete with outdoor pool and private beach.

– Departing May, July and August, the new Croatia – Dubrovnik and Sipan Island Multi-Activity Holiday costs from £1,225 per adult or from £1,175 per child (8-12) – two sharing (or a child sharing with two adults) – including flights (London), transfers, seven nights’ B&B accommodation, five other meals, all activities, equipment and tuition.

NEW: The watery playgrounds of Plitvice, Croatia

This new trip is based around the spectacular Plitvice National Park – a stunning area made up of 16 striking lakes and numerous waterfalls. Ideal for energetic families, you’ll explore the area via various means: on foot, by bike and through the water. Count waterfalls on a hike whilst traversing walkways and bridges, whizz across a canyon on a zip wire, white-water raft along the Croatia-Bosnia border, explore vast caves on foot, kayak through a canyon and negotiate rapids on a canoe safari. Swimming stops are factored into the itinerary, as are farmhouse lunches with opportunities to try both Bosnian and Croatian dishes. With activities tailored to keep all family members happy, you’ll soak up the local culture as well as trying your hand at a range of activities. A free day allows families to explore independently (or to take a well-earned break), whilst the wooden bungalow accommodation also provides each family with time to themselves.

– Departing May, July and August, the new Plitvice Lakes family trip costs from £995 per adult and from £945 per child (8-14) – family of four sharing – including flights (London), transfers, seven nights’ B&B accommodation, six other meals, all activities, equipment and tuition.

NEW: Magnificent Meteora, Greece

Brand-new for Easter, this family adventure is centred around Kalambaka, a town located within the Meteora region of Greece. The beautiful surroundings lend themselves to all sorts of activities: hike along ancient trails used by the monks of Meteora, have a lesson in rock climbing and maybe mountain bike around the area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other highlights include canoeing around the beautiful man-made Lake Plastira, stopping for a picnic lunch and canyoning at Mouzaki Grand Creek Canyon where you’ll rappel, slide and jump down the rocks and waterfalls. Plenty of time is set aside for families to relax on their own too, be it splashing about in the hotel’s pool, pottering in the local town, booking additional activities and watching numerous (but always impressive) sunsets over the intriguing Meteora landscape.

– Departing April, July and August, the new Meteora – Family Adventure in Greece costs from £1,045 pp (two sharing – suitable for children aged 6+) including flights (London), transfers, seven nights’ B&B accommodation, three other meals, all activities equipment and tuition.

In addition to the new Meteora trip, which has availability on its 11 April departure, the following trips also have good availability during the Easter holidays:

UK, THE LAKE DISTRICT: Based in and around Keswick and the picturesque Borrowdale Valley, this six-night holiday shows the very best of the Lake District through a range of family-friendly activities. Abseiling, rock climbing, gorge scrambling, archery, raft-building and orienteering all feature, as well as a day of caves, mines and rivers in the Lakeland Mountains and a day of dinghies and Canadian canoes on Derwent Water. Departing 4 April, Active Lakeland costs from £595 per adult and £455 per child (8-14) – two sharing or a child sharing with two adults – including six nights’ B&B (hotel), six other meals, transfers, all activities, equipment and tuition. May, July and August departures also available.

FUERTEVENTURA, THE CANARY ISLANDS: Take your water babies to Fuerteventura this Easter and spend a week in, on and under the sea. Pack in three days of surfing lessons, with an instructor picking out the best beaches for your level, try stand-up paddling and spend time sea-kayaking. But, if you’re imagining overcrowded beaches and resorts, think again. Instead, you’ll be in relatively untouched El Cotillo, a surfing hotspot with picture-perfect beaches. Departing any day in the Easter holidays, the week costs £695 pp (family of four sharing – children aged 8+) including car hire, seven nights’ B&B, two dinners, all activities, equipment and tuition. Flights extra. May, July and August departures also available.

GOZO, MALTA: This family adventure starts with a boat trip along the coast, factoring in numerous stops for swimming and snorkelling. Stop, too, at the Blue Lagoon, a glorious bay with swimming-pool-clear water and white sand, situated near the neighbouring island of Comino. Another day will find you paddling sea kayaks, dipping in and out of caves, stopping for a snorkel and working up an appetite for the evening’s poolside BBQ. The penultimate day is spent mini B diving – a simplified form of SCUBA diving. Departing 15 April, Malta – the island of Gozo costs from £1,345 per adult and from £1,245 per child (8-12) – a child sharing with two adults – including flights (London), seven nights’ B&B, eight other meals, transfers, all activities, equipment and tuition. July and August departures also available.

Contact Activities Abroad on 01670 789 991 (www.activitiesabroad.com).   

ENDS – 4 March 2014

Note to editors: The Activity Travel Company has been running for eleven years and consists of three brands: Activities Abroad, The Aurora Zone and The White Circle. Activities Abroad specialises in family holidays in both winter and summer, while The Aurora Zone was created to highlight the innovative concept of Aurora-hunting (actively going out to seek the lights rather than remaining in one location). The White Circle is the latest addition to the portfolio, and offers adult-only winter experiences in Lapland.

For press enquiries, to discuss press trip commissions or for photography: please contact Helena Hamlyn at Travel PR, tel: 020 8891 4440, email: h.hamlyn@travelpr.co.uk.