Family Holidays in the Sun

If you are wondering where to take your family holidays this year, take a look at a few destinations that can offer you holidays of sun, sea and sand. Ranging from Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean to the Canary Islands in the Atlantic, here is a brief guide to some wonderful places to take holidays in the sun.

Tenerife

Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands located off the west coast of Africa. With temperatures that barely dip below 20° Celsius all year, this is the place to come for sun holidays. In the summer months, you could see temperatures in the 30s, perfect for sizzling on a sun lounger and enhancing that tan.

As well as soaking up some rays, your holidays in the sun might include a walk into the craggy mountain ranges and the National Parks. Mount Teide is the highest peak, at the centre of the island. It reaches a commanding height of 3718 metres, and you can take a dramatic cable car ride to the top.

Lanzarote

Lanzarote is another of the Canary Islands with dramatic National Parks to explore on family holidays, but one here in particular is very different. At Timanfaya National Park you can see volcanic landscapes with ashen sand and giant volcano craters. There are tours of the area by bus or on camel back over the lava landscape.

There are beautiful beaches on Lanzarote often with facilities for water sports. You will be happy relaxing on the golden sands here or enjoying the sea on your holidays in the sun. Because of the volcanic activity, some of the beaches have black sand too.

Cyprus

This island in the eastern Mediterranean has good beaches, beautiful views and plenty of sun. Holidays here will benefit from summer temperatures that can reach 36°C with almost no rainfall.

Paphos, the former capital of Cyprus, is a historical coastal city with a number of examples of ancient Greek architecture. There are some grand hotels around Paphos such as the Alexander the Great Hotel and the St George Hotel, which are made with family holidays in mind. With well kept grounds, palm trees and sea views, these are relaxing and comfortable places to take your holidays in the sun.

Croatia

Croatia doesn't get the attention it deserves, and may not be the first place you think of for family holidays. It is a green place with fresh air and rich forests, such as the ones that surround the beautiful lakes at Plitvice National Park, which is a great place for nature lovers - there are even wolves and bears here.

Croatia has plenty to offer holiday makers looking to see come culture too. In the cities of Split and Dubrovnik you can find medieval forts, graceful churches, and gothic palaces. A visit to the historic City of Trogir will show you a well preserved example of buildings from the renaissance and the preceding Greek and Roman empires. It's once of six historical sites in Croatia protected by UNESCO because of its cultural importance.

What's more, with seaside resorts on a long varied coastline, and temperatures to rival Italy on the other side of the Adriatic, Croatia makes its case for being a venue for holidays in the sun.