AMEX Family Travel Guide

FAMILY The

TRAVEL AUTUMN/WINTER 2019

Guide

WHERE WILL YOU GO?

In partnership with The Platinum Card® from American Express

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Contents 6 8 14 20 24 26 40

GLOBAL TRAVELLER Family-friendly news from around the world CULTURE VULTURES City stays for informed kids DESTINATION GUIDE: BALI Juliet Kinsman on the virtues of an Indonesian adventure with her daughter WALK ON THE WILD SIDE Never work with animals or kids, but do make sure you holiday with them OUT OF THE ORDINARY Lydia Gard finds places to stay for memories that last STRESS-FREE SKIING Book with Powder Byrne and enjoy hassle-free time on the slopes 25 OF THE BEST FAMILY HOTELS IN THE WORLD From countryside hotels to island hideaways, we’ve got you covered LAST WORD Model, presenter, racing car driver and now publican, Jodie Kidd shares her childhood holiday memories

PUBLISHED BY

schoolhousemagazine.co.uk

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Editor Daisy Finer Editor-in-Chief Lucy Cleland Contributing Editors Emma Love, Lydia Gard, Juliet Kinsman, Felix Milns, Harriet Compston Managing Editor Anastasia Bernhardt Features Assistant Clementina Jackson Creative & Production Director Parm Bhamra Junior Production Designer Samuel Thomas Online Editor Rebecca Cox Digital Manager Adam Dean Technical Manager Hannah Johnson Marketing Associate Director Gemma Cowley Advertising Sales Manager Eleanor Selby Senior Account Manager Ellie Rix School House Publisher Camilla van Praagh Group Publishing Director Tia Graham Finance Director Jill Newey Managing Director Jeremy Isaac Copyright © 2019 School House magazine published by Country & Town House Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited.

All prices are correct at the time of going to press but are subject to change. While every care is taken to ensure all information is correct at the time of going to press, it is subject to change, and Country & Town House Ltd. takes no responsibility for omissions or errors. Country & Town House, Studio 2, 115 Harwood Road, London SW6 4QL, +44 (0)20 7384 9011

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THE PLATINUM CARD ®

W Editor’s Letter

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appy memories are made of happy holidays.

Really, I think it’s that simple. We step out of the everyday, enter a new dimension. Forget the school run and battles over revision. The family holiday is about bonding, sharing, laughing, experiencing. And while there’s a lot of complaining about what modern life takes from us – just look, too, at what it also gives us – so generously and fabulously; it has literally given us the world. What used to be intrepid is now standard issue. From the rolling savannahs and wildlife of Zimbabwe to the big cats of India, we recommend our top safaris (p14).

We’ve also honed in on the world’s best family hotels, because these will always have a place (p26), but we also highlight some of the most extraordinary places to stay, from eco-cabins to igloos (p20). Whether you want to immerse yourself in a city (p6) or run away to Bali (p8), we’ve got it covered. Think of this guide as a magic wand that can fast track you to the best. There is no formula for the happy family, but none of us want to make a mistake when it comes to those precious times when we can drop the grind and simply be together. What’s the weather like? We make no guarantees. Are we nearly there yet? We’re trying our best.

e’ve teamed up with American Express to help you plan your next escape in style with all the benefits that The Platinum Card has to offer – from access to luxury airport lounges around the world and rewards for every penny you spend, to hotel room upgrades and comprehensive travel cover for the whole family.

Wherever you’re headed, The Platinum Card is the ideal travel companion you can’t leave home without – so let yourself be inspired to embark on your next adventure.

For more information and to apply for The Platinum Card, search ‘Amex Platinum’.

Annual Fee £575. Terms and Conditions apply.

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UPDATE

NEWS OF THE WORLD What’s making waves in the world of travel this year?

UK

NORFOLK STAYCATION

New dawn chorus bird walks, tractor safaris, one of the best beaches in England – earn eco cred and stay at Holkham Lodges at Holkham Hall. holkham.co.uk

FRANCE

DOWNWARD DOG

ITALY

PASTA, PER FAVORE

Taking your children to see Venice is made all the more magical at JW Marriott, located on its own reach-byboat island, and now offering pasta making masterclasses, rowing boat lessons, Venetian mask making and family spa days. jwvenice.com

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Ditch the screens and enjoy new complimentary ‘Yoga Play & Parenting’ sessions at Hôtel Ermitage, Evian Resort in France. They aim to introduce kids to yoga through playful postures that can be continued at home, and teach lasting methods of focus and concentration. evianresort.com

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LAAMU

MINI MINDFULNESS

Introduce them to meditation, basic Tai Chi and singing bowls through the new children’s wellness activities at Six Senses Laamu. There are kids’ spa treatments too, including hair braiding, and beautiful beachfront villas. Ommm. sixsenses.com

MALDIVES

OCEAN ADVENTURERS

There are hotels aplenty, but the newly renovated Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort and Spa is so close to the main airport that within an hour kids can be jet-skiing or paddle boarding. Beach cottages, water villas, interconnecting rooms – the choice is yours, ditto when it comes to the seven restaurants and the huge amount of water sports.

Sometimes more is more. marriott.com

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MAURITIUS

HEY, BABIES

A new Scott Dunn Kids’ Club accepting guests from as young as four months has put Shanti Maurice firmly on the family map. Don’t miss meeting Domino, the centenarian giant tortoise. scottdunn.com

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CITY STAYS

CULTURE VULTURES City visits give children a new perspective E M M A

LOV E

T O K YO

N E W YO R K

Tokyo is fabulous in springtime

The Mark, Upper East Side

STAY

STAY

EAT BUY

EAT

The Peninsula Tokyo* has family suites with views of the Imperial Palace; pack little ones off for a cool Karate Kid experience while you have a shiatsu massage in the spa.

Conveyor belt (kaiten) sushi at Genki Sushi in Shibuya, where dishes are ordered on iPads and arrive within minutes.

Hello Kitty characters from Kiddy Land, a toy shop Mecca in Harajuku, and Washi paper for arts and crafts at famed stationery store Itoya in Ginza.

The epicentre of teen fashion, Takeshita-dori Street for rainbow candyfloss and sticker photo booths.

Belt out Justin Bieber hits at Karaoke Kan in Shinjuku; hire a swan-shaped rowing boat in Inokashira Park; and visit the Ghibli Museum, which showcases the work of Japanese animators Studio Ghibli.

BOOK: Scott Dunn offers seven nights from £2,995pp B&B (family of four), including flights and transfers. scottdunn.com

SEE DO

The Mark* on the Upper East Side offers tours of the Met Museum for 10-13 year olds and a slumber party suite with a customised tent, plus chocolate milk for tiny tots before bed.

Hot dogs and fried chicken at hip retro joint Harlem Shake. Classic American comfort food – mac ’n’ cheese, Nutella pancakes – from Bubby’s in Tribeca.

Tickets for the Empire State Building – all ages will love the lifts that whizz up to the 86th-floor observatory.

The Statue of Liberty. Take the children’s audio tour with animal character narrators and then climb to the top of the statue’s crown.

Explore the city’s green spaces: Central Park; the David Rockwelldesigned Imagination Playground; and the High Line with its Pershing Square Beams.

BOOK: Carrier offers five nights from £8,520 (family of four), including flights and transfers. carrier.co.uk

BUY SEE DO

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BY

* These hotels are all American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts partners. ** This hotel is one of American Express hotel collection partners.

For more information on the benefits of staying at these hotels with your American Express Platinum Card see page 34.

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CO P E N H AG E N

AT H E N S

The Nimb, Copenhagen

Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens

STAY

STAY

EAT

EAT

BUY

BUY SEE

The Nimb**, on the edge of Tivoli Gardens, has a rooftop pool with a built-in tide, cargo bikes for rent and a babysitter service.

Fishcake smørrebrød and homemade ice-cream for lunch at the daily Torvehallerne food market; sticky cinnamon buns from any branch of the Ole & Steen bakery.

Organic children’s knitwear by Danish label Serendipity (0-11 years) and stylish basics by MarMar Copenhagen (0-14 years) at Illum department store.

The pretty city canals by GoBoat, a solar-powered boat with a picnic table in the middle.

Spend a day at the enchanting Tivoli Gardens amusement park where there are rides for all ages, from the nostalgic ferris wheel and mini bumper cars to tummy-twisting rollercoasters.

BOOK: Junior suite for four, from DKK 6,700 (approx £790). nimb.dk

SEE DO

Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens* boasts three private beaches, pools, a tennis academy, basketball court and kids’ club.

Oliver Family House is a garden café where children are kept busy with treasure hunts and colouring before tucking into mini cheeseburgers and milkshakes.

Family Greek food favourites such as honey and baklava from gourmet grocery store Pantopolion.

The Acropolis Museum has family trails and children’s games. At the iconic Panathenaic Stadium, the whole gang can run an imaginary Olympic race around the track.

Sign up for an alternative tour: kids will love the hop-on, hop-off Athens Happy Train that weaves through the historic centre; teens will be impressed with a street art walk with a local artist.

BOOK: One-bedroom suite, from €1,605. fourseasons.com/athens

DO

GET REWARDED

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All that culture may reward the mind, but the Membership Rewards® programme will reward your wallet at the same time.

Earn 1 point for every £1 you spend from the moment you start using your Platinum Card, plus additional points for anything spent at American Express Travel Online. Your points never expire, and you can choose how you use them – they can be redeemed with a wide range of shopping, travel and lifestyle partners or even converted into Eurostar points to get you on your next European adventure. How will you spend yours? Terms apply.

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It’s all in the balance: these Balinese women are taking tall baskets of fruit to a Hindu temple as an offering

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DESTINATION

SPIRITED AWAY Spend time away together amid temples and rice terraces J U L I E T

K I N S M A N

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DESTINATION FROM ABOVE: Bali Culture Centre is just one of the island’s many photogenic settings; Juliet and Kitty at Amandari in their Balinese temple dress

baskets on their heads laden with neon-bright floral offerings? Their ‘Canang Saris’ — small palm-leafed square baskets piled with red, white and yellow flowers — are daily gifts to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva and a delight to spot everywhere you stop.

South-East Asia is magnetic to most wanderers, yet the mention of Bali to me, for years, had a pullme, push-you effect. As powerful as it is at evoking tropical fantasies, it’s just as adept at conjuring mental slideshows of sunburned Aussies in Bintang Beer singlets or drunk surfing groupies. What comes as

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ilky sashes tightly swaddling our longsleeved blouses at the waist, we walk handin-hand to an open-air temple for a Balinese Hindu ceremony. Our neat Indonesian sarongs giving a geisha-like gait to this mother and daughter heading for a blessing.

Such scenes will endure as my most precious travel memories. Having an audience with a white-clad ‘pemangku’ (priest) as you kneel under bougainvillaea and sway palm fronds at an age-old stone shrine always feels a great privilege on this isle in Indonesia’s archipelago of 16,500. Where else, every morning, do you pass women balancing

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FAMILY TIPS AND TICKLIST

SAY

HELLO! Greet locals with the right phrase for that time of day: Good morning! is ‘Selamat pagi!’ or just ‘Pagi!’; then it’s ‘Selamat siang’ late morning/early afternoon; say ‘Selamat sore’, late afternoon/ evening; and then ‘Selamat malam’ once it’s night-time proper.

EAT

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a surprise is that many honeymoonworthy hideaways in Bali are also suited to soul-uplifting adventures with kids. Especially thanks to the unrivalled warmth of the gentle Balinese people.

Travel, for me, is at its richest when it surprises all your senses — alerting sight, sound and scent to new sensations. As anyone who’s spent time in Asia knows, the segue to time in its hotspots is rarely subtle. Step off from a 20-hour-or-so flight from the UK and the air smells and feels different. In the airport, taxi drivers jostle loudly for your attention — I’m lucky enough to have been introduced to a driver who’s become like family. What a tonic to have Wayan whisk us through the chaos to his waiting wheels.

Travel is at its richest when it surprises all your senses – alerting sight, sound and scent to new sensations

the classic nasi campur meaning mixed rice, steamed rice with a few meat and vegetable dishes, sambals and soto ayam, their delicious turmeric-rich chicken noodle broth.

COOK

age-old recipes using organic garden-grown ingredients with Australian chef Penelope Williams at Bali Asli, meaning ‘real Bali’ for the truest taste of this terroir with a grandstand view of Mount Agung.

It’s worth the excursion to this remote open-air restaurant. baliasli.com.au

FLY

kites on the beach — it’s a big tradition here with a festival in July — look out for the three types: fish-shaped Bebean, birdshaped Janggan and leaf-shaped Pecukan.

Beach hawkers love to sell paper-made butterfly and pirate ship kites.

WALK

the Campuhan Ridge near Ubud early in the morning for the finest views over the rice fields.

RAFT

the Ayung River — a must if you stay at Four Seasons Sayan which has its own dock.

FROM ABOVE: From coast to countryside, kiting and rafting adventures await – fun for kids of all ages

PAMPER

yourself with a ‘cream bath’ in a local salon — the trad Indo hair-conditioning and massage treatment which leaves your locks silky smooth.

SWITCH OFF

Sunset at beach bars in Bali sees the pastel panorama of sea and sand become a backdrop to a shadow-puppet show of smartphone silhouettes. Close your eyes and recall your fondest memories of travel — is it of an image you once posed for, or a ‘feeling’ that moved you? We say, chances are it’s the non-digital mental snapshots that you’ll cherish most, so don’t be a slave to your device and be present when in paradise.

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DESTINATION FAMILY-FRIENDLY AND STYLISH STAYS

FOUR SEASONS

MANDALA PLACES Mandala Places has a growing portfolio of stylish, fully-staffed, exclusive-use villas with a little sass — they offer cool holiday homes in surfer centrals, Canggu and Uluwatu. mandala.house

THE PAVILIONS BALI Beachside strolls and surf lessons await if you stay in the two-bedroom Pool Villa at The Pavilions Bali in the super-safe, slower-paced coastal enclave of Sanur. pavilionshotels.com/bali

CAPELLA UBUD An eccentric eco-deluxe camp in Keliki Valley, where designer Bill Bensley has reimagined life as a 19th-century spicetrade explorer with every 21st-century comfort. capellahotels.com/capella-ubud

KATAMAMA Next-gen designer den Katamama is opening a sister stay soon further towards the less-developed south-west of the island beyond Tanah Lot. Stay tuned. katamama.com

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SAYAN Dramatic riverside retreat Four Seasons Sayan is an otherworldly sanctuary in the Ayung Valley where the Sacred River Spa and riverside Cookery School are highlights. fourseasons.com/sayan

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FROM TOP LEFT: Peace out! Saluting spiritualism from sunrise to sunset, in Canggu or at the edge of the terraced rice paddies of Ubud

It was the 2016 opening of the forward-thinking design-led hotel, Katamama which at last lured me to tourist-saturated Seminyak.

Age-old craftsmanship married with contemporary architecture quickly proved paradise does await if you navigate your way wisely. As the sister of Bali’s most famous beach club, Potato Head, in-room cocktails and a perfect soundtrack enhance the scene. And it’s where Kitty and I had our first brush with a blessing.

After a few days by the coast, we decamped to the jungle —

and that’s the landscape that I love like no other. A vital valley of thriving nature and Ubud, the cultural heart of Indonesia’s most tourist-tagged island. Bali is an island of contradictions; it will have you wincing at its unbridled consumerism one second, then smiling at colourful shows of sacred community spirit the next. The Balinese hold resolutely onto ancient customs and rituals — no matter how much foreign money comes in. It’s paradise and a lesson in entropy in equal measures. Car journeys have you dodging perky-tailed packs of dogs and slaloming horn-happy scooters, then suddenly you’re at a standstill as a flamboyant parade of young and old dressed in their batik sarongs and the men in their cloth-tied ‘udeng’ headwear, as a memorial passes. Surrender to whatever rhythm presents itself and open your eyes, ears and hearts to their way. You may find yourselves sharing your own prayers of gratitude for such precious moments on a far-flung foray. n

GETTING THERE

SEE

My Bali highlights album on Instagram for inspo: @JulietKinsman

PACK

Insect repellent and coral-friendly Oxybenzone-free suncream.

BOOK

A reliable driver for the duration of your trip. WhatsApp my friend Wayan and he can connect you with someone trustworthy — +62 831 1933 0237.

BOOK IT Turquoise Holidays can plan a multi-stop trip for you — two weeks in Bali, including return flights from Heathrow, from £1,995pp. turquoise holidays.co.uk

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WALK ON THE

WILD SIDE

Think safari with children is a step too far? Not with these perfectly curated trips BY

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H A R R I E T

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SAFARI

KENYA For a combination of a Big Five safari and serious downtime on the beach, Kenya is just the answer, suggests George Morgan-Grenville, founder and CEO of Red Savannah.

After a double whammy of flights – Nairobi then a tiny plane to Loisaba – arrive and flop in Ol Malo, a privately-owned family ranch perched on the Laikipia Plateau.

It’s got that delicious feeling of being at home – even considering the sound of elephants and seeing giraffes, as you walk to breakfast.

There are interconnecting rooms, as well as cots and extra beds with massive windows to max out the view. The unusual safari activities will knock your socks off – alongside exhilarating game drives, there’s camel and horse-riding expeditions.

If children are getting restless, the local Samburu guides are happy to impart their knowledge, from

lessons in making bows and arrows and tracking to natural medicine making. Further adrenaline rushes can be found with spending a night in a treehouse. There’s also a leopard hide with four bunk beds for those wishing to sight the elusive leopard.

After your wildlife adventure, head to the coast for a magical jaunt on Tusitiri Dhow, a traditional wooden sailing boat in the Indian Ocean.

Dining is on deck before beds are rolled out for a night under the stars.

During the day, island hop, snorkel over reefs, kayak, water ski and picnic. As night falls, tuck into the freshest of seafood – the mangrove crab is exquisite.

BOOK IT Red Savannah offers a seven-night safari from £12,460 per adult and £3,300 per child based on a family of four, including all flights and transfers. 01242 787800; redsavannah.com

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INDIA Bewitchingly beautiful, intensely spiritual, spellbindingly colourful: India captivates even the hardest of souls. James Jayasundera, founder and MD of Ampersand Travel, recommends a big cat safari in the subcontinent’s brightest and most beguiling state: Rajasthan.

Start in cosmopolitan Delhi with its hypnotising throng of old and new. Continue to Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital, painted pink for the Prince of Wales’ visit in 1876, with two nights in the staggeringly grand Rambagh Palace. Then it’s onto the hot ticket: Ranthambore National Park – the best place in the world to see tigers

in their natural habitat. Bed down in Sher Bagh, SUJÁN’s ultra-chic tented safari camp. Owners Jaisal and Anjali Singh spend 200 days a year on safari with their young twins so they understand what children enjoy.

And they’ve nailed it. The Junior Ranger programme keeps little ones occupied: making plaster casts of paw prints, camel riding, designing your own sun cap and feeding the birds. Meanwhile, grown-ups can lap up some ‘me-time’ in the jungle spa.

Game drives are safari at its most indulgent: cosy blankets, flasks of tea and a sumptuous picnic so even the littlest members of the family are happy. For youngsters needing to let off steam, climb the rambling Ranthambore Fort which has breathtaking views of the park. Food is an Anglo-Indian feast, made with produce picked by the children from Sher Bagh’s kitchen garden.

BOOK IT Ampersand Travel offers a seven-night trip from £3,950, based on two people sharing a room, including flights, transfers and one game drive per day. 020 7819 9770; ampersandtravel.com

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SAFARI

GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS For quite possibly the best conservation education on the planet, Will Bolsover, founder and CEO of Natural World Safaris, suggests the Galápagos Islands.

Start in Ecuador’s exuberant capital Quito with its rich pickings of colonial architecture. Then hop across the shimmering Pacific to Isabela Island, the largest in the archipelago, with five volcanoes bursting out of its surreal landscape.

Check into Scalesia Lodge, tucked deep in the highlands, where children will love the forest setting.

Spend the day cycling around Los Humedales before stopping for a picnic on a solitary white beach, dotted with flamingos. Or head to Puerto Villamil, where children can handle tortoises and spot them on trails. However, the real honeypot lies a boat trip away at Las Tintoreras islets, formed by lava flows. Observe marine iguanas basking on the beach, penguins flocking to the shore and the occasional flash of a white-tipped shark. Continue your island hopping with Finch Bay Eco Hotel on Santa Cruz Island. A haven for children, it’s ideal for families with interconnecting suites and pelicans lapping at the pool plus the thrill

of a private yacht. Little ones will have the time of their lives swimming with playful sea lions.

The seafood is excellent, too, with prawns the size of your fist.

Finally, there’s the Charles Darwin Research Centre, a homage to the intrepid scientist who formulated his Theory of Evolution on the island. Staff here are brilliant with children and overflowing with endless mind-boggling facts.

BOOK IT Natural World Safaris offers a 14-day trip from £5,295pp, excluding international flights.

Meals, guides and transfers included as per itinerary.

01273 691642; naturalworld safaris.com

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SAFARI

SOUTH AFRICA For all-out adventure, Justin Wateridge, MD of Steppes Travel, suggests a South African odyssey.

Kick off in Cape Town with a hike up Table Mountain, enthralling exploration of Robben Island and Cape Malay feast in Camp’s Bay. Then continue along the coast, where the whole crew can splash in the surf in between spotting penguins, dolphins and whales.

Round off with a thrilling safari in Kapama Private Game Reserve, between the northern Drakensberg mountains and the Greater Kruger National Park. This is where the wildlife really ramps up. Home is the family-owned Camp Jabulani built above the savannah where lions roam at night. Particularly popular is the darting and notching of a rhino with a conservation expert, where the children are all given hands-on roles.

BOOK IT Steppes Travel offers a 12-day trip from £5,280 per adult and £4,995 per child, including some meals, some tours, three nights at Camp Jabulani, flights and transfers.

01285 601505; steppestravel.com

BOTSWANA Crowned the king of African safaris, Botswana is a mesmerising land so bountiful in wildlife they call it ‘Africa’s last Eden’. One of the best ways to experience it is with a horseback safari in the Okavango Delta, says Ruth Taggart, founding director of Ride World Wide. Here, David and Robyn Foot have set up shop with Ride Botswana, the only fully mobile riding safari in the Delta (which is at its watery best in July and August). The emphasis is on exploration so the pace is relaxed and you’re in prime position for spotting the Big Five from atop your well-schooled steed. Expect four to seven hours riding a day – crossing lagoons, palm-covered islands and open floodplains.

Minimum age for riding in the Delta is 12, but for non-riders and younger family members tailor-made rides, thrilling walking safaris and boating expeditions are all on the cards.

BOOK IT Ride World Wide offers a seven-night trip from £2,920pp, excluding flights. 01837 825440; rideworldwide.com

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LOUNGE LIFE

A ZIMBABWE ‘Zimbabwe has so much to offer families, such as an immersion into local culture with a visit to a village, the wildlife, the range of activities, but most of all the warmth of the people,’ says Caroline Grant, Wilderness Safaris Zimbabwe Service Manager. After flying into Victoria Falls, it’s a short flight to Hwange National Park, the country’s biggest nature reserve. Stay at Linkwasha Camp – impossibly sleek with nine sumptuous tents and wide-angle vistas of the surrounding savannah. Perfectly placed to lap up all the action, it’s not long before you spot passing wildlife.

Highly-trained ‘Bush Buddies’ will look after your youngsters – find them making casts of animal tracks, trapping antlions, creating scrapbooks, making pizza in the bus or enjoying a treasure hunt.

Continue to UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site, Mana Pools National Park, one of Africa’s best game-viewing areas. Opt for Chikwenya Camp overlooking the Zambezi River, with African décor and buckets of space, plus the

best brunch in the bush. Exciting encounters with the animals – impala, eland, elephant, zebra, buffalo and kudu – ensure children don’t get bored. If they do, pack them off for frogging, jewellery making and cooking lessons.

BOOK IT Africa Odyssey offers three nights at both camps, including air transfers and flights, from £6,500 per adult and £3,475 per child. 020 8704 1216; africaodyssey.com n

ll that adventure calls for some much-needed relaxation. Enjoy free access to more than 1,200 luxurious airport lounges in over 130 countries around the world including complimentary access to Priority Pass lounges with your Platinum Card. Use the lounge finder in the Amex App to find your closest one.

What’s more, you and your first Platinum Supplementary Cardmember can each bring one guest at no cost into any American Express lounge or Priority Pass lounge when you travel*. Platinum Cardmembers may also bring up to two complimentary guests into The Centurion Lounge. *Eurostar Business Premier lounges access to Cardmembers only – no guests permitted.

Terms apply.

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OUT OF THE ORDINARY Take children out of their comfort zone and see how they thrive BY

LY D I A

G A R D

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ome say that you should save the big trips, the real adventures, for when your kids are old enough to remember them. Not only does that mean stalling your own adventurous spirit – sometimes for several years – but it’s also missing the point. Kids thrive on new experiences and flourish in the great outdoors. Not to mention how much better they sleep after a day of walking, running, hiking and

tree climbing. Of course, there are fabulous family resorts the world over, with lickety-split kids’ clubs, but that comes with the pay-off: shushing them through meals in formal dining rooms and spending the days apart. Each to their own but, if family holidays are for reconnecting, then put down the screens, step away from the wi-fi and head somewhere out of the ordinary for a real family adventure.

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES

Spending time together in the great outdoors gives families a chance to reconnect

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ADVENTURE

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On the remote Skeleton Coast in Namibia, this string of ecocabins designed by an ambitious local architect resemble the thousands of shipwrecks that have washed up in the past.

Two family cabins with expansive decks are the ideal base for exploring the desert. shipwrecklodge.com.na

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The Glass Lodge in Cornwall is an architectural masterpiece. The A-frame house has vast glass walls that open onto a sun-drenched patio. Close to St Ives but tucked in the woods, explore the forest, hit the beach and then come back to BBQ on the deck. coolstays.com

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Little aviation enthusiasts will be psyched to stay inside a Jumbo Jet. Based at Arlanda Airport in Stockholm, this decommissioned Boeing 747 has been

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modified with sleep pods, a cafĂŠ and an observation deck. Please fasten your seatbelts. jumbostay.com

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Far from civilisation propped on stilts in the Arctic archipelago in Norway, these huts hover on the seaspray and glow in the northern lights. With no darkness from May to August, it’s surreal to say the least. In the winter, the northern lights will have everyone awestruck. thearctichideaway.com

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PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES

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Propped in an Elephant Pepper Tree overlooking the Mara River, Kenya, animal lovers can have an intrepid sleepover in The Nest. Watch the game move silently through the bush on night vision cameras, while the open walls make it every bit like sleeping in the boughs. serian.com

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On a remote, organic sheep farm in Wales, Living Room’s tree pods are slung in the lofty branches or larch and birch, precisely engineered to sway in the wind, with suspension bridges leading to composting loos. Not for scaredy cats. living-room.co

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Hike along the Salkantay trail, watch condors fly, have a traditional Shaman blessing ceremony and reach Machu Picchu, but crucially, stay at Pincopata Ecocamp for an incredible, sustainable and unforgettable experience in Peru (geared for kids aged 8+). kidandcoe.com

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Overlooking Kamala Village and the Andaman Sea, Keemala in Thailand is a canopy level adventure playground.

Choose between elliptical sky pods and birds nest tree houses, designed to emulate the Rung-Nok Clan (Nest Clan) moon gazing tribe, complete with cliffhanging pools. It’s not for the faint hearted. keemala.com

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PHOTOS: KEEMALA, PHUKET

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ADVENTURE 10

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Swedish Lapland’s Treehotel has something for everyone: from a floating cube, to a mirrored box suspended in the canopy. But budding astronauts will go crazy for the UFO. Sleeping five, kids have to scale a retractable ladder to reach the triple room with portholes over the dense pine forest and the starry night sky. treehotel.se

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Modern, slick but designed to have minimal impact on the local ecosystem, the Hen House is an award-winning lodge overlooking the waters of Loch Bracadale on the Isle of Skye. Ideal for outdoorsy kids who want to roam free, collect wildflowers and swim under glass skies. coolstays.com

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PHOTOS: KEEMALA, PHUKET

Sleep in a snow igloo in Finnish Lapland and spend your day Husky sledding with the Sami people or canoeing under purple skies. Cosy up at night for some family stargazing from your semi-submerged pod. kakslauttanen.fi

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What kid doesn’t love trains? Indulge them by sleeping right on the beach at Selsey in West Sussex, in a pair of lovingly converted railway carriages. Pop the kids in the bunk-room and soak up the British seaside atmosphere with a vintage twist. seabankselsey.com n

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ON THE SLOPES

STRESS-FREE SKIING If you’re worried about taking your children skiing, fear not, there is a company that makes it a breeze F E L I X

t’s the moment we drop our children off in the boot room that I am hooked. Two delightful Powder Byrne reps await with huge smiles and open arms, ready to get them suited and booted for their ski lessons. No more lastminute mad dashes to the slopes with crying children and armfuls of skis.

We are staying at the Tschuggen Grand, a contemporary grand dame-style hotel in the wonderfully traditional family resort of Arosa; a playground for skiing, sledging and sleigh riding.

M I L N S

Powder Byrne has been taking families skiing to Swiss hotels since 1985, and their experience is telling. Helmets, bum bags and even a customised pack of Top Trumps await on the kids’ beds, and the yeti ski club programme is one of the best in the Alps.

Imogen, four, skis in the morning then has crèche in the afternoon, and Maisie, six, has lessons morning and afternoon. By race day on Friday she is happily skiing through the gates.

Each small group has a Swiss instructor and PB PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES

I

BY

REST INSURED

Enjoy extra peace of mind with travel cover for you, your partner, your Supplementary Cardmembers and dependent children. Itching for adventure?

The Platinum Card travel insurance even covers skiing, scuba diving and gap-year cover for children under 25. Full details of the travel protection benefits currently available can be found in the Terms and Conditions at www.americanexpress.co.uk/platinuminsurance.

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FOUR FAMILYFRIENDLY CHALETS

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Shemshack Lodge, Courchevel Ski-in ski-out alpine chic at its best.

Sleeps 13, from €4,040pp per week. consensiochalets.co.uk

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES

helper, and the kids love it.

So much so that on Wednesday, the designated family day, they are aghast not to ski with their new friends.

All this means guilt-free ski time with your own PB guide, who leads you round the mountain and books lunch at the best mountain restaurants. Skiing with other parents of a similar level, it’s an engagingly sociable way to explore the area. Arosa has recently been linked with Lenzerheide, nearly doubling the size of the ski area, so there’s plenty of skiing for a week for all levels.

Then it’s back to Mario Botta’s award-winningly designed 5,000 sq/m spa, to explore the indoor and outdoor pools with the children.

Unless you want a couple’s massage of course, then the yeti crew are happily on hand to feed the kids.

BOOK IT: Seven nights B&B from £13,955 for a family of four in interconnecting rooms, including flights, luxury resort transfers and dedicated in-resort services, including complimentary ski guiding, resort driver service and access to our exclusive children’s programmes. powderbyrne.com

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Chalet Husky, Val d’Isère Playful chalet complete with climbing wall, archery and indoor pool.

Sleeps 14, from £1,700pp. scottdunn.com

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Tivoli Lodge, Davos The pool, soft play area and funky bunk beds are perfect for young families.

Sleeps 12, from CHF 4,583pp per week. leotrippi.com

4 Powder Byrne has the family skiing holiday sorted with superb staff, making ski stress a thing of the past

Como Suite, La Plagne Piste-side perfection, and you can walk to ski school in your slippers.

Sleeps 6-10, from £1,700pp. vip-chalets.com n

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OF THE BEST FAMILY HOTELS

What are the magic ingredients that make a family holiday unforgettable?

These hotels have the answer in spades E M M A

LOV E

ALL PRICES ARE QUOTED PER ROOM ONLY, PER NIGHT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

BY

Traffic free and with its own micro climate, Tresco on the Isles of Scilly makes a fabulous family destination

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25 HOT FAMILY HOTELS

CORINTHIA

ALL PRICES ARE QUOTED PER ROOM ONLY, PER NIGHT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

LONDON

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Within strolling distance of Covent Garden, Buckingham Palace and the London Eye, this is the smart choice for families who don’t want to waste time struggling on the Tube. Little ones are welcomed with cuddly toys, mini bathrobes, skin-gentle bath goodies and PG television channels in rooms (extra beds and cots are available too); and dedicated pool time in the ESPA spa. There are children’s menus in The Northall Restaurant and the Crafty Concierge can rootle out the capital’s coolest spots for teens.

BOOK IT: Executive family rooms, from £715 plus tax. corinthia.com

FOUR SEASONS HAMPSHIRE

Space makes family breaks swing and Four Seasons Hampshire has it in spades – 500 acres’ worth to be precise. They’ve really upped their offering too – in winter, there’s an ice-skating rink, while all year round you can enjoy a swimming pool with toys and slides. There are even pony lessons and an outside play area. If you don’t have to oversee activities – i.e. they’re old enough for clay pigeon shooting, falconry or archery – you must immediately decamp to the labyrinthine spa for some serious R’n’R. BOOK IT: Doubles from £325. fourseasons.com/hampshire

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GARA ROCK DEVON

ALL PRICES ARE QUOTED PER ROOM ONLY, PER NIGHT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

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Perched on the cliffs with dramatic sea views and surrounded by rolling countryside, this is a bucolic alternative to glitzy Salcombe with family-friendly apartments, cottages and the newly opened Signal House. There’s a snug and cinema, an Elemis spa, and in the restaurant, young superstar chef, Lewis Glanville showcases top-notch seafood and British fare. The best part? The Gara Rock Land Rovers on call to retrieve those on over-ambitious coastal jaunts.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £200 B&B. gararock.com

CALCOT MANOR GLOUCESTERSHIRE

This spa hotel is refreshingly easygoing and fully geared up for the whole brood: plump for one of the ‘Family Pads’ with bunks or mini beds, and baby monitors that connect to reception. There’s a crèche in the spa (and The Mez, for ages eight and above), and afternoon splashabout sessions for children in the heated indoor pool. In the evening, tuck into fish and chips at The Gumstool Inn, the traditional pub next door.

BOOK IT: Family pads from £354, including PlayBarn use, breakfast and kids’ tea. calcot.co

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25 HOT FAMILY HOTELS

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WATERGATE BAY HOTEL

ALL PRICES ARE QUOTED PER ROOM ONLY, PER NIGHT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

CORNWALL

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Set on a glorious two-mile beach with pancake-flat sand and rock pools, this hotel has seriously cool kudos. Not least because of the Extreme Academy where the whole gang can sign up for surf lessons and try stand-up paddle boarding. Family suites have splashes of vibrant colour; the restaurants are laid-back and lovely (especially The Beach Hut); and when they’ve had their fill of the waves, kids can spend all day in the shallows of the indoor pool at The Swim Club.

BOOK IT: Family suites from £295 B&B. watergatebay.co.uk

TRESCO

ISLES OF SCILLY

This family-owned island is like stepping back in time to an Enid Blyton-style pocket of paradise, all salty sea air and sand dunes. Choose between staying in New England beach houses, sea garden cottages or authentic flint houses. Days are spent crabbing, boating (there’s a sailing school) and collecting shells.

Stock up on supplies at the deli, hire bicycles to pedal about and linger over lunch on the terrace of the Ruin Beach Café as children build sandcastles below.

BOOK IT: Sea Garden cottages from £3,495 for a family of four. tresco.co.uk

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25 HOT FAMILY HOTELS

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GLENEAGLES SCOTLAND

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ALL PRICES ARE QUOTED PER ROOM ONLY, PER NIGHT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

Following an extraordinary overhaul, this legendary hotel is all polished Art Deco decadence with two Michelin-starred food, a magnificent spa and fireside whiskies.

Country sports activities for every family member include clay pigeon shooting, golf, off-road riding, croquet, squash and gundog training. Cocktails in the speakeasy-style bar and delectable Indian fare at Dormy golf club’s Grill and Tandoor Restaurant add a welcome cosmopolitan lick. Pack your Globetrotter, your wellies and your wallet.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £390 B&B. gleneagles.com

ASHFORD CASTLE COUNTY MAYO, IRELAND

At the heart of the 350-acre Ashford Estate, this is one of Ireland’s grandest castle hotels with fairytale turrets and towers that conjure up Harry Potter stories and bow-and-arrow knights of the realm fantasies. The sheer volume of awesome fresh-air activities – boat trips, horse riding, zip-lining, tree-climbing, falconry – means that there’s something to keep everyone amused. For quiet time, there are matinee movies followed by milk chocolate lollipops and vanilla milkshakes at afternoon tea.

BOOK IT: Deluxe Queen Family Rooms from €495 B&B. ashfordcastle.com

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COUNTRY KIDS OCTON, FRANCE

ALL PRICES ARE QUOTED PER ROOM ONLY, PER NIGHT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

Much more than just a rural resort with childcare tacked on, Country Kids is an intimate French farm escape for the whole clan. As soon as you arrive, you’re part of Laure and Sylvain’s warm family, the kids mucking in on the farm and going wild in the kids’ club while you relax by the pool or explore the Occitanie countryside. Come in peak season and you’ll get to know six or seven families so well that you’ll try and coincide next year’s booking so that you can enjoy it together all over again.

BOOK IT: Seven nights self-catering from €3,950. country-kids.fr

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MARBELLA CLUB SPAIN

When Mini Mec designed the kids’ club here it really set the bar: stylish and breezy, with a dedicated art room, dance studio, a library, perfumery, even a fabulous learning kitchen. Creativity and imaginative play are fostered and kids burn off steam keeping up with Pepe, whose stamina is renowned. The all new tiny tots program includes two hours babysitting (from top drawer ex-London nanny, Vendy) baby sensory classes and all the gear you can’t bear to lug with you waiting in your villa.

BOOK IT: Tiny Tots programme from €2,624 in a garden suite. marbellaclub.com

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PINE CLIFFS PORTUGAL

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VERDURA RESORT SICILY

This resort has it all. On a seaside estate the size of a small town, there are three swimming pools, two golf courses, four restaurants, tennis courts, a spa, a beach and a Kids’ Club crammed with activities.

The little ones can cook, garden, swim, trampoline and sleep (baby dormitory). For the big ones – tennis, golf, football and rugby academies under top Italian coaches. You get around on communal bicycles. Food and wine are top quality and the staff terrific – you never need to leave the site.

BOOK IT: Doubles from €240 B&B. roccofortehotels.com

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ALL PRICES ARE QUOTED PER ROOM ONLY, PER NIGHT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

Pine Cliffs is the smartest part of a mega resort on the Algarve so everything – pools with inflatable sharks, gardens for hide and seek, a gigantic play zone with two Pirates of the Caribbean-style ships – is a hop-and-skip away. Bag an apartment at the Pine Cliffs Residence, which has a kitchen and terrace for meals alfresco. There’s a raft of familyfriendly restaurants, a spa, and activities to tire out pocket rockets who will make new friends from day one.

BOOK IT: Two-bedroom suite from €200. pinecliffs.com

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SANI CLUB AT SANI RESORT HALKADIKI, GREECE

ALL PRICES ARE QUOTED PER ROOM ONLY, PER NIGHT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

A refined hotel within Sani Resort, Sani Club has family suites, gently shelving sandy beaches (take advantage of the brilliant Babewatch service where staff will keep an eye on little ones so you can take a break) and several casual restaurants such as Pines, which specialises in Greek farm-to-table fare. As well as a kids’ clubs and creche, there is also a sailing, dance and football (in association with Chelsea FC), as well as the Rafa Nadal tennis centre where budding talents can learn from the pros.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £126 half board. saniresort.gr

SCHLOSS FISS AUSTRIA

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Forget the crowded beaches of the Med and suck up lungfuls of life-affirming air at this hotel in the Tyrolean mountains instead. With an amazing evening buffet supper for the children, plus a DIY ice cream bar; a complimentary kids’ club that goes beyond the norm (think kite flying from the mountain top) and a swimming pool with fun floats, everything is on tap for a relaxed stay.

Of course, the real draw is the mountains – your own outdoor adventure park.

BOOK IT: Doubles from €163pp, full board. niche-destinations.com

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CLUB MARVY IZMIR, TURKEY

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BORGO EGNAZIA ITALY

One of the prettiest hotels in the Med, this dreamy idyll on the Puglian coast is a place where parents can holiday off-duty. There’s a drop-in kids club with cooking classes, puppet shows, trips to the farm, as well as a family pool and two private beaches. Six restaurants are smart with an emphasis on local cooking, bedrooms are high contemporary design. There are also umbilically attached villas – clever, so too the Vair Spa for deliciously intuitive treatments.

BOOK IT: Rooms from ¤269 B&B. borgoegnazia.com

STAY IN STYLE Indulge that little bit more with exclusive Platinum Card

benefits to make your holiday extra special at over 1,000 Fine Hotels & Resorts properties worldwide. Enjoy competitive rates, daily breakfast for two, free wi-fi and guaranteed 4pm late checkout with every stay, as well as early noon check-in and upgrade upon arrival, when available. You’ll even get a $100 amenity credit to use as you wish, whether to treat yourself to a relaxing spa treatment or delicious food and drink. Terms apply.

ALL PRICES ARE QUOTED PER ROOM ONLY, PER NIGHT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

This beautiful, all-inclusive resort ticks all the boxes for families but with a serious dose of boho chic. Activities include sailing lessons and a waterpark while adult-only areas are reserved for restful relaxation. Marvy also has its own organic farm and vineyards, and a restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Christina Bowerman. Add in an infinity pool, art gallery, and a spa in dramatic cliff-top cabanas and the whole thing is simply marvellous.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £126. clubmarvy.com

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25 HOT FAMILY HOTELS

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REIDS PALACE

MADEIRA

ALL PRICES ARE QUOTED PER ROOM ONLY, PER NIGHT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

Perched on the cliffs above Funchal Harbour this historic gem feels wonderfully nostalgic yet brilliantly set up for families too, from the welcome cuddly monk seal Zarco for little ones, to an indoor games zone for teens.

Alongside the usual kids club activities there’s a thatched Wendy House in the play area, and swimming and gymnastics lessons can be arranged in the children’s pool.

When you do fancy exploring, there are whale and dolphin watching trips, mountain picnics and horse riding.

BOOK IT: Garden Junior Suite from €832. belmond.com

THE RITZ CARLTON ABAMA TENERIFE

A sprawling cliff-top hotel on the west coast where nothing is too much trouble: car seats for the airport transfer, bottle warmers, pushchair parasols. The best bet is the stylish two-bedroom villas with a sitting room, private pool and terrace. There is masses to do, from the golf course to the Ritz Kids programme and sandy beach with a natural seawater pool. Children will love the breakfast buffet of dreams with chocolate fountains and waffle stations.

BOOK IT: Two-bed family suite from €665 B&B plus tax. ritzcarlton.com/abama

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ATLANTIS THE PALM DUBAI

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ALL PRICES ARE QUOTED PER ROOM ONLY, PER NIGHT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

It’s not the most sophisticated of Dubai’s hotels but a stay here will score you massive brownie points with your kids. The scale is head-spinning: 17 hectares of waterpark, 19 restaurants and the largest aquarium in the city. The resort’s latest opening is the Wavehouse, which has a bowling alley and the ‘wave rider’ pool. Water babies might also like the surreal underwater theatre or the PADI Bubble Maker programme – a diving taster (for ages 8 to 10) in a safe pool environment.

BOOK IT: Palm Queen Deluxe from £150 for two adults and two children sharing. atlantisthepalm.com

SIX SENSES ZIGHY BAY OMAN

A pared-back beachside hideaway with a mountain backdrop and the thrill of the desert right there. Villas have their own sandy gardens and small pools but most of your time will be spent out on the water taking Dhow trips and snorkelling. Little ones can feed the goats that wander about while teens try Wadi biking (as you relax in the spa). The Shua Shack is a Bedouin dining experience; afterwards settle down with homemade saffron and honey icecream for a movie on the sand.

BOOK IT: Pool villas from $708. sixsenses.com

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JW MARRIOTT MALDIVES RESORT & SPA MALDIVES

ALL PRICES ARE QUOTED PER ROOM ONLY, PER NIGHT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

Children will love the seaplane ride to this new resort on Vagaru Island. Choose between contemporary beach and overwater villas; each with its own private pool. Spend days kayaking or snorkelling and evenings tucking into Thai at treehouse restaurant Kaashi or trying dishes cooked over the curry pit at Riha.

There’s a spa, yoga pavilion and wine room for grown-ups, and the JW Kid’s Club with a pirate ship and reading corners.

BOOK IT: Duplex Beach Pool Villa from $1,502 B&B. marriott.co.uk

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SUGAR BEACH ST LUCIA

Wedged between the iconic Pitons, Sugar Beach is as lush as the rainforest it’s hacked out of with all the beach shack feel of authentic St Lucia, but with butlers and private plunge pools. Kids snorkel and kayak while you sip passion fruit daiquiris.

Of course there’s a kids’ club, but honestly, unless you’re booked in for a massage, they are happiest roaming with new friends, lolling in hammocks and playing coconut float in the water before regrouping at sunset for sandcastle one-upmanship.

BOOK IT: Cottages from around £696. viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/en/sugarbeach

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ROSEWOOD MAYAKOBA MEXICO

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THE LODGE & SPA AT BRUSH CREEK RANCH WYOMING, USA

Saddle up on some fine quarter horses for a Wild West experience. Wranglers in Stetsons and spurs take guests of all riding abilities on a multitude of trails at this 30,000-acre dude ranch (younger ones can take part in the Lil Wranglers programme plus activities such as fly-fishing and archery, zip-lining and ranger tours). Don’t miss the weekly gourmet hog roast, or toasting s’mores over the fire pit.

BOOK IT: Seven nights all-inclusive from £19,879 for a family of four, including flights and car hire. inspiringtravelcompany.co.uk

ALL PRICES ARE QUOTED PER ROOM ONLY, PER NIGHT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

Set along winding lagoons and an arc of pristine beach, 30 minutes drive from Cancun on the Riviera Maya, this hotel has cultural kicks on the doorstep (for the best back-to-school show-and-tell, take a Cessna to Chichen Itza). Children will love the food: tostadas at La Fondita, shrimp tacos and popsicles at Punta Bonita.

Learning about the natural world is made fun with eco bingo and a boat tour with a biologist, plus there’s Mayan story-telling, pirate nights and pyjama parties.

BOOK IT: Lagoon suite studios from $850. rosewoodhotels.com

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25 HOT FAMILY HOTELS

For more information and to apply for The Platinum Card, search ‘Amex Platinum’.

Annual Fee £575.

Terms and Conditions apply.

ALL PRICES ARE QUOTED PER ROOM ONLY, PER NIGHT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

ONE & ONLY LE SAINT GERAN MAURITIUS

An icon of the Mauritian peninsula, One&Only Le Saint Géran takes happiness seriously.

A tropical island playground, its two vast crystalline coastlines make for endless frolicking, water sports and hours passed in uninterrupted bliss. It was the island’s first five-star hotel, and recent renovations have stepped things up a notch with clubs for little ones to teens where they’ll be spoilt with everything from traditional dancing and cookery classes to movie nights and DJ parties. Just be prepared for the kicking and screaming when it’s time to leave.

BOOK IT: Five nights from £1,210pp. destinology.co.uk; oneandonlyresorts.com n

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If you’d prefer a Card without any rewards, other features or a card membership fee, an alternative is available – the Basic Card.

Applicants must be 18 or over.

Approval is subject to status and Terms and Conditions apply.

Full details of Travel Protection Terms and Conditions can be found at americanexpress. co.uk/PlatinumInsurance. Terms and Conditions apply to all Membership Rewards points earnings and redemptions.

PROMOTER: American Express Services Europe Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

T H E FA M I LY T R AV E L G U I D E

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LAST WORD

JODIE KIDD

Jodie’s first ever holiday was to Barbados

First family holiday? It was to Barbados and I was four months old so I don’t remember anything, but when I started recalling our trips, it was all big blue swimming pools, long white beaches and flying kites.

How were your summer holidays spent as a child?

Summers were always in the UK, nothing beats the British summer time.

Where was the first place you visited on your own as a teenager without your parents? I went to Mallorca with my friend when I was about nine. It was amazing but I couldn’t wait to get home at the end.

What are the essential ingredients of a perfect

family holiday? Things to keep everyone entertained, but also calm and restful times as you don’t want to be exhaustsed when you get back.

If you could pick one family holiday that has stood above all others what would it be? I love taking my son Indio skiing. Our the last trip to Chamonix was so much fun as Indi can ski really well and I love doing things all together as a family.

How do your family holidays now differ from your own as a child? Not a huge amount.

I had such a lovely time on family holidays that I try and recreate them for Indi.

Which three countries are on your family holiday bucket list? India, for its vibrancy, history and culture; Africa, though I may wait another year to take Indi on safari; and Japan, for its beauty and culture.

What do you always pack for a family holiday?

India (above) and Africa Everything but kitchen (below are on Jodie’s bucket sink, I like to be fully list for a family holiday prepared.

Do you have any fabulous family travel tips? You have to be organised, take a good medical kit, and have lots of things to do in case of delays. n

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