Thousands of families find that their only opportunity to get away together is during the school breaks, which limit their options to half-term weeks, Easter, summer and Christmas, all of which are peak travel periods when prices are often at their highest and resorts at their busiest.
We also speak with countless families who find the conventional beach break less than relaxing, with kids of various ages who have different interests and are easily bored, or active children who quickly tire of sitting around the pool or find that they need more stimulation to remain occupied and engaged.
Our range of adventure holidays in Europe provides a solution, mixing stunning locations and immersive outdoor activities with time to unwind and enjoy quality time together. All are within a short flight from most major UK airports. Short-haul flights, action-packed itineraries, and guided excursions mean you can make the most of even a few days away in some of the most incredible, hidden gems across the continent.
Demand for Active Family Holidays in Europe
Although some of the most-visited European destinations are well-known, including Spain, Turkey, Greece and Portugal, we also appreciate that busy hotel resorts, sweltering coastlines and long queues at attractions and theme parks aren’t everybody’s idea of a fantastic holiday.
Family activity holidays are an excellent alternative. They combine high-quality accommodation, captivating rural settings, and the chance to try mountain biking, rock climbing, sea kayaking, and even whitewater rafting, injecting energy and enthusiasm into every day!
The other unique benefit of active holidays is that they are suited to every age, meaning the whole family will have an unforgettable time, whether you’re travelling with little ones, teenagers, grandparents or a diverse mixture of ages.
Active families can join in on as many or as few adventures and day trips as they like while exploring locations off the beaten path or booking a family holiday in the winter to discover a snowy wonderland just a few hours away.
The Best Places in Europe for Family Adventure Holidays During School Breaks
As always, the perfect break depends on your preferences, and it’s all about choosing trips, destinations, and countries that appeal to you and your family. For example, you could visit an island paradise with endless swimming and water sports or head to a national park full of exotic wildlife and panoramic views.
Below, we’ve summarised a small handful of our popular family holidays in Europe for all seasons of the year.
Spring and Summer Holidays
Most families can organise a trip during the easter break, over the summer holidays, or in the half-terms which fall between each term, noting that the weather in warmer locations starts to heat up from July onward in central Europe, which may influence your preferred destination.
- Baltic Capitals is a 10-day adventure that takes in the best of the Baltics, travelling from Riga, Latvia, to Tallinn, Estonia, Helsinki, and Lappeenranta in Finland, located on the banks of Lake Saima. This family trip includes tour guides, exploring cultural and historic monuments, beach days, concerts and two days relaxing or participating in boat rides and activities around the lake.
- The Classic Faroe Islands Fly-Drive is an eight-day family holiday where you can explore this area of breathtaking natural beauty at your own pace. The series of small islands form an archipelago in the Atlantic and are officially part of Denmark. You can visit Viking settlements, take boat trips around the cliffs at Vestmanna, hike up Enniberg, and spend a day on the island of Nólsoy, famous for its rare seabirds and enormous lighthouse.
- Our Active Fjord Experience is an eight-day South Norway adventure holiday with no end of thrills and adrenaline-field excursions, including mountain biking, fjord safaris, whitewater rafting, glacier walks, and a visit to Naeroyfjord, a valley surrounded by snow-capped mountains soaring above—one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Some higher-octane activities are suited to older children and teenagers, but there are always alternatives, such as relaxing on the beach or shore or enjoying a boat trip to see the sights.
Autumn and Winter Holidays
During the winter, the fun doesn’t stop when the snow and ice set in, and winter activity breaks are often once-in-a-lifetime experiences where you and your family will make amazing memories together.
We often recommend a trip to a location where you have a great chance of seeing the Northern Lights, heading into the wilderness or glamping away from city light pollution. However, you’ll also find numerous other festive activities to keep everybody entertained.
- A four-night Iso-Syote Hilltop Escape is an excellent choice; a five-day break to Southern Lapland, where you can stay in a cabin or suite and try everything from husky sledding to snowmobiling, swim in the Arctic Sea, enjoy a traditional sauna, and head on a Northern Lights hunt in the evening.
- Another active getaway ideal for families is our Aurora Cabin and Winter Wonderland package, where you’ll stay close to Lake Inari and enjoy a private cabin on your final night and, with any luck, will see the Aurora directly overhead. Activities like snowshoeing and husky sledding make this holiday truly exciting, with the snowy Ivalo region as a backdrop.
- Finally, if you’re looking for a winter family holiday and want to see as much as possible, we recommend the Polar Express Train Journey, which traverses Swedish and Norwegian Lapland over five days. Along the way you’ll experience the Abisko National Park, a dog sledding safari, enjoy local delicacies and spot the native wildlife, from reindeer to moose, wolves and bears in the Polar Park.
For more information about these or any family holiday packages you’re interested in, you can contact the Baltic Travel Company or review full itineraries, pricing, departure dates, and airports via our website.
Each package includes return flights and luggage, ATOL/ABTOT protection, a 24-hour emergency helpline, and all taxes, ensuring you can pick your adventure and enjoy the experience as a family with everything else taken care of.