Where will you holiday this summer?
A favourite resort or destination? Or are you interested in trying somewhere new?
Here we present ten summer destinations for the whole family to enjoy, from beach holidays to adventures.
Kenya Safari
Summer is the best time for a safari in Kenya, as over a million wildebeest migrate into the Maasai Mara.
Kenya has added some outstanding contemporary lodges suitable for all ages.
Combine the popular safari destination of the Maasai Mara with a more exclusive experience in the Laikipia Plateau, where you can connect with endangered rhinos and Maasai culture.
We love Angama Mara because it represents the family-friendly appeal of a Kenya safari, with special activities for kids and a very relaxed atmosphere.
Madeira
The Portuguese island of Madeira has beautiful beaches that are nowhere near as crowded as most other beaches in Southern Europe.
A new direct flight from Prague to Madeira makes this a comfortable option for families.
Thanks to the Atlantic Ocean breeze, the summer temperatures are cooler than most of Southern Europe.
Madeira is more than a beach holiday. It’s a large island full of adventures, in volcanoes, vineyards, forests, ocean and more. We recommend Reid’s Palace, a stunning waterfront property where you’ll enjoy Belmond Bellini Club benefits.
French Polynesia & Fiji
Ever dreamed of Bora Bora? Or Fiji? The South Pacific islands are best experienced from June to September.
They’re different from the Maldives because there are more islands and many are much bigger, yet there are a lot fewer resorts and visitors.
We recommend breaking the journey to French Polynesia or Fiji with a multi-day layover in one of these destinations: Dubai, Australia, Singapore, Thailand.
Allow at least two weeks, ideally three or four, like this ultimate French Polynesia itinerary. These are the best resorts in French Polynesia, with recommendations for families and couples.
Sicily
For a European island destination, we love the variety Sicily can offer.
It has excellent beaches and family beach resorts, plus a lot culture and cute places to discover. Oh, and the food!
Did you watch The White Lotus Season 2? Then maybe you want to explore all the filming locations? The hotel from the series is the Four Seasons San Domenico Palace in Taormina.
Consider a week in the east of the island around Taormina, then a week in southern Sicily or western Sicily. You’ll discover authentic culture along with all the opulent island vibes.
St Barths & Anguilla & St Martin
Interest in Caribbean holidays is growing quickly and we have this nice three-island combination we like to recommend. It’s beautiful, convenient and perfect if you demand the very best beach resorts.
Fly to St Martin, via Amsterdam or Paris, and stay at La Samanna. From here it’s only a 25-minute speedboat to Anguilla, where we recommend staying at Cap Juluca, a Belmond hotel, or the Four Seasons Resort & Residences.
Complete your island hopping in the Caribbean with a short speedboat to St Barths, where you have the choice of Rosewood Le Guanhani and Cheval Blanc St Barths, among others.
Croatia
Croatia has always been a beautiful destination.
It’s undergoing a resurgence and is transforming into a more luxurious destination, with better accommodation and more authentic local experiences.
Firstly, the quality of five-star accommodation has improved along the coast, with excellent new properties like the Maslina Resort and Falkensteiner Punta Skala.
Secondly, visitors are finally exploring the culture and landscapes of inland Croatia, getting away from the busy coastline.
Galapagos Islands
Chartering a luxury yacht and sailing around the Mediterranean is a great idea in summer. For example, in Croatia or the French Riviera. It’s also the busiest and most expensive time to charter a yacht.
So how about chartering a yacht to explore somewhere very different? Or doing a small-group cruise with your family? To beautiful beaches you will share with sea lions and endemic lizards?
Cruising the Galapagos is a very relaxed summer holiday idea, especially with older children.
Here’s our Galapagos Islands cruise guide. and how to combine Ecuador and Galapagos on a two- to three-week holiday.
Japan
The hottest destination of 2023? After almost three years without tourism, Japan is back to its best, with a series of new hotels and destinations to discover.
It’s a fantastic destination for both couples and families.
Complex multi-destination holidays are very comfortable, thanks to easy transportation and high quality of accommodation.
For your summer holiday do you want a quiet tropical beach? A vibrant city? An experience in nature? A connection with a unique culture? In Japan you will have it all in two weeks.
Crete
Crete is sometimes stereotyped as a destination for mass tourism. For our clients, it’s certainly nowhere near as popular or chic as Santorini or Mykonos.
However, Crete is almost 50 times larger than Santorini and Mykonos combined!
Crete has so much to discover, including many remote and hardly visited beaches. It’s easy to get away from the tourism hotspots.
Crete is our pick for a summer 2023 holiday in Greece. We know a great collection of new villas, excellent Crete hotels, some exceptional local guides, and many ideas that are different to typical Greece holidays.
Indonesia
Indonesia is another far-flung island destination that is perfect for travel during the European summer. Bali is a one-stop flight from Prague or Vienna, with Emirates.
It’s the world’s largest archipelago and there are many different islands and beach resorts to consider. We recommend combining Bali with islands like Lombok, Sumba and the Komodo Islands.
Indonesia is great for kids. Local people love to spend time with children and the country’s atmosphere is very family friendly.
Your 2023 Summer Holiday
Summer is usually when we have time for a longer holiday, especially with family. It can be the best time to get away from Europe and the popular summer destinations.
You can find excellent value elsewhere in the world, along with new experiences and travel memories.
