Best all-inclusive resorts with great food 2025
From Spain to St Lucia, we reveal the best all-inclusive resorts across the globe that guarantee delicious food
Forget beige buffets and limited drinks menus, today’s all-inclusive resort is aimed at an ever-younger, travel-savvy crowd who demand boutique design and the comfort of knowing that all those craft cocktails have been factored into the headline price. The luxe all-inclusive concept, long-established in the Indian Ocean and Caribbean, has lately picked up firmly in Europe. Premium wines, chef-led tasting menus and glasses of fizz are now deemed a must-have for any self-respecting all-inclusive resort, while some now partner with local restaurants in ‘dine out’ programmes that allow the culinarily curious to explore beyond the hotel compound. Seeing the winning recipe, upscale brands including Marriott, Hyatt and Wyndham are beginning to gather all-inclusive resorts at a pace, while established groups such as Domes Resorts are adding an exclusive top-tier to their all-inclusive categories. We've visited resorts across Europe and further afield – read on for our round up of the best all-inclusive holidays. Jump to: Best all-inclusive resorts in Europe Best all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean Best all-inclusive resorts further afield Best all-inclusive resorts in Europe Ikos, Andalucia, Spain Best for: gourmet Spanish break The first foray for the Ikos brand outside Greece has raised the bar for Spanish all-inclusives, offering menus by Michelin-starred chefs, premium drinks and activities like paddle-boarding, yoga and golf, all on tap. There's massage for ‘deluxe’ guests in the spa, where you’ll find a lovely hammam, Anne Semonin treatments and an adults-only pool. There are five other swimming pools, around which this low-rise white-wash hotel is clustered in 21 acres of gardens along the beach. Kids’ clubs include tailored offerings for all ages, from four months to 17 years (free from four years old). The food available spreads across nine restaurants, with menus drawing from cuisines across Greece, the Med’ and Asia, accompanied by a 300-strong wine list. Then there’s the ‘dine out’ programme where dining at a choice of restaurants in Marbella and Estepona comes at no extra charge. Just an hour from Malaga airport, and a short bike ride along the promenade to the pretty town of Estepona, this is a well-located resort should you decide to step beyond its luxurious confines. Borrow one of the electric Tesla cars (complimentary for a day) to explore nearby Marbella or the hill town of Rhonda. Rooms and rates: Cool contemporary décor, whites and neutrals characterise rooms, which have complementary mini bars and Nespresso machines. There are family rooms and suites sleeping four to six and some doubles are interconnecting. From £343 per night based on two people sharing a double room. Check rates and availability at booking.com, British Airways, Tui or Ikos Resorts Creta Maris, Heraklion, Crete Best for: sustainable family-friendly resort Nestled along the dazzling Aegean coastline, Creta Maris is a family-friendly hotel which takes a local and sustainable approach to all-inclusive catering. Despite its sprawling size, the hotel has the unique advantage of never feeling busy around the numerous pools, restaurants, or private beach. In fact, the hotel gives the impression of a traditional Greek village with white-washed houses, cobbled streets, tucked away plazas and an abundance of plant and flower-life. Creta Maris underwent an extensive renovation in 2023. There are seven restaurants to choose from, ll with their own unique ethos and style, so it’s easy to stay for a week and dine somewhere new every night. Mademi is an à la carte Cretan barbecue restaurant specialising in local meats, such as flame-grilled steaks or perfectly prepared lamb kebabs. With uninterrupted views of the crystal-clear sea, it’s worth booking your table in time for the sunset. Right next door you’ll find Alatsi, an adults-only seafood restaurant with the same uninterrupted sea views. Pithos is an organic Cretan restaurant which has a traditional wood oven and only uses produce grown in their own kitchen garden or by local farmers who take part in their sustainability programme. Snacks and drinks are on tap from the lavish breakfast buffets until bedtime and you’ll find fresh fruit smoothies, homemade ice creams, Greek salads as well as all the children’s favourites such as hot dogs, waffles, crepes and slushies at the various snack points and close to the hugely popular waterpark. The generosity of the all-inclusive experience lasts until the moment of departure, catering for late-night flights. There’s a dedicated shower and changing area for checked-out guests, ensuring that the pools, beach, and restaurants remain at your disposal till the very end. Rooms and rates: You can choose from white-washed villas with balconies, to family rooms or adjoining apartments to villas with private pools. Rates start from £185 per night based on two people sharing. Check rates and availability at booking.com, Tui, Thomas Cook or Creta Maris Club Med, Val d’Isère, France Best for: countryside surroundings The French resort brand elevated its practised all-inclusive offering to include the Exclusive Collection, opened in 2023 in the Dominican Republic, Mauritius, Cefalù in Italy, Val d’Isere in France, and the Seychelles. Here, all-inclusive trills include champagne at 6pm, room service breakfast and poolside service, and private pool suites in some destinations. Along with offering an exceptional ski experience in winter, the Val d’Isère resort is a surprisingly good bet for a summer break. Free from Europe’s coastal humidity and peak season crowds, this Alpine escape has a sizeable spa with outdoor whirlpool and indoor pool plus pristine lakes to swim in, along with biking and hiking trails to explore the meadows and peaks of the surrounding Vanoise National Park. Children from 4-17 years old have complimentary club access where activities include mountain biking, treetop ziplines and camping under the stars. Food is French and effortlessly high quality. Dine at the resort’s two restaurants or two bars, focused on local ingredients from the Savoie region and nearby Italy, with a wide selection of wines available from local Alpine producers. Or step out to learn about local cheese-making at nearby Ferme de l’Adroit. Rooms and rates: Replete with wood and warm colours, rooms have balconies with mountain views, slippers and robes, and plenty of own-brand toiletries. Family rooms and suites sleep three to five people. A week’s stay in summer starts from £2,812 for a deluxe room with balcony sleeping two; under fours stay free. Check rates and availability at Club Med Quinta do Lago, Portugal Best for: travelling with kids With palm-tree lined avenues and a peaceful atmosphere, Quinta do Lago in the Algarve is a haven set in the Ria Formosa Natural Park. It is bolstered by sustainability initiatives including Q Farm – which grows fruit, vegetables and herbs for the restaurants, removing single-use plastics – and the use of electric vehicles. Native plants and wildlife are actively encouraged, and the golf course is GEO-certified (a widely recognised sustainability organisation in the golf world). It ticks a lot of boxes for those travelling with kids: coastline, child-friendly restaurants, mostly outdoor space, fun water sports and great weather. Sports facility The Campus is a high-end complex with tennis courts, a pool, a busy itinerary of classes and full-size sports pitches. The Lake is a more low-key, outdoor option, where you can rent kayaks, pedalos or paddleboards, and kids can tackle an inflatable obstacle course. Eat Lunch at Casa Do Lago, a fish restaurant with a sunny terrace next to the lake. The kids’ menu features staples like tomato pasta and chicken nuggets (served in a panko crumb for added foodie kudos). At steakhouse Bovino, take your pick from rib-eye and rump, or opt for local dishes including chistorra sausage, oysters from Ria Formosa and sides like black beans and farofa. Casa Velha is where you’ll find traditional Portuguese food served in a contemporary, small plates setting. Hotel chain Wyndham has a five-star outpost here, the Wyndham Grand Algarve, and it’s a great base for exploring the estate. A kids’ club offers daily sessions including pastry-making, clay work and treasure hunts, while family suites have the convenient addition of a kitchen for groups who like a self-catering option on top of the hotel and resort restaurants. For calmer times, relax at the pool and snack at theOasis Pool Bar, or active parents can hit the gym. Those in need of some R&R can book into the spa. Staff go above and beyond to make your stay as comfortable as possible, whatever your style. Kick off the day with an epic breakfast at the Caravela restaurant. Pancakes and eggs are cooked to order, or opt for tropical fruit, smoothies and more, including a heaving pastry section featuring the jewel in Portugal’s bakery crown, the pastel de nata. You can liberally dust these with as much cinnamon and sugar as you like with no judgement! Rooms and rates: Wyndham Grand Algarve suites start from €416. The resort is easy to access via Faro airport and it connects to Lisbon by train from nearby Loulé. Check rates and availability at booking.com, British Airways or Wyndham Grand Algarve Sani Resort, Haldiki, Greece Best for: choice of restaurants Nestled in the stunning surroundings of the Kassandra peninsula in Halkidiki, Greece, Sani Resort is situated on a 1,000-acre ecological reserve with direct access to miles of private beach. With over 40 restaurants and bars, the resort offers everything from gourmet dining to casual beachside snacks, and there are world-class childcare services from six months to teens, dedicated sports academies (tennis and football), and an array of water activities, including kids’ pools and the calm shallow waters of its beaches. This family-run resort has expanded into five distinct hotels, each offering a different experience but all sharing the same values of sustainability. Heated pools mean you can visit year round, but as this is a luxury setting, off-peak prices are more economical. Outside the resort you’ll find ancient olive groves, unspoiled beaches and tavernas nearby. Further afield, discover the cultural heritage of Mount Olympus, or take a boat trip to the Athos Peninsula, home to ancient monasteries and stunning landscapes. Within the hotel grounds Sani Marina is a lively spot with shopping, waterfront dining, and a relaxed atmosphere. Eat Sani is home to over 40 restaurants and bars, each offering something different to suit all tastes, from Michelin-starred dining to casual beachside bites. The resort’s ‘Dine Around’ program allows guests to enjoy a range of set menus at multiple restaurants on either a half-board or full-board basis. The breakfast buffet is a particular treat, where you’ll find freshly squeezed juices, an abundance of local yogurt and honey, homemade pastries and omelettes made to order, which you can enjoy overlooking the crystal clear sea. Restaurants like La Cucina (Italian), Water Restaurant (Mediterranean seafood), and the Asian Corner (Japanese and Thai) are standout choices, but there are also more casual options, such as beachside bars. and classic Greek tavernas overlooking the beach. And for families, the resort’s kids’ menus, designed by chef Annabel Karmel, ensure even the smallest diners are satisfied. Rooms and rates: Accommodation ranges from beach view bungalows at Sani Club to suites at Porto Sani and a more contemporary, sophisticated vibe at Sani Dunes. Many of the resort’s facilities and rooms are wheelchair accessible, and there is a dedicated disabled suite. Prices at Sani Club start from £244 per night for a double room, on a half-board basis. Check the offers available – in some parts of the resort children under 12 stay free or at a very reduced rate. Check rates and availability at British Airways or Sani Resort TRS Ibiza Hotel, Ibiza Best for: chic adults-only scene One for adults only, this is the place where grown-up denizens of Ibiza’s party scene come to kick back and be waited on hand and foot. Yes, uber chic serviced villas and chef-led fincas are still go-to Ibiza retreats but, set right in San Antonio, the TRS resort launched in 2022 has upped the game for the island’s all-inclusives. Signature Level, the top tier all-inclusive category, allows participating guests the option to dine out in select Ibizan agroturismos – hip beach clubs and sushi bars island-wide – along with giving them access to events at such institutions as Ushuaia Ibiza Beach Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza and Hi Ibiza. It also gives this category of guest their own sun lounger and hammock spot in resort VIP areas, such as the Gravity Sky Lounge, free spa access, a complimentary mini bar re-stock every three days and premium beverages, plus early check-in and late check-out. On site, restaurants range from El Gaucho serving Latino-Iberian grills, the Ibizan-style Helios with a classic beach club-style menu of salads and small plates, while Capricho is the elegant all-day dining spot with a sun-dappled terrace and show kitchens serving international food, both buffet and à la carte. Cava, Campari and cocktails seem to be permanently free-flowing throughout. DJs play discreet sets around the infinity pools, while the eighth-floor rooftop pool and cocktail bar is the spot for sundowners and laid-back live music where linen-clad staff in blend seamlessly with neutral tone décor. Rooms and rates: There are 378 rooms (53 of which are dedicated to Signature guests) from standard to deluxe, plus swim-up suites. Décor is all blonde wood and whites with splashes of colour from contemporary Spanish artists. Espresso machines and full-sized bottles of toiletries are included. Double rooms from £311 per night. Check rates and availability at booking.com, Tui, British Airways or TRS Ibiza Hotel Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villa, Greece Best for: boutique atmosphere Cut into a craggy cliff overlooking the deep curve of Mirabello Bay, this chic retreat in north-eastern Crete comes with its own private beach and villas secluded in swathes of olive groves. Built from the rocks excavated from the cove it sits in, this 290-room, low-key, rustic-luxe resort has a boutique atmosphere and family-friendly attitude. Among the myriad activities it offers, scuba diving, sailing and water-skiing up the excitement stakes. The spa centres around an indoor saltwater infinity pool with sea views, but also includes a hammam, all manner of places to steam and sauna, and high-tech facilities such as cryo and hyperbaric oxygen chambers. The creche accepts infants from four months for an extra charge, while the inclusive kids’ club caters to those aged four to 11. There's also an outdoor family pool and hang-out area for teens. Local produce is the cornerstone of all menus across the resort’s five restaurants and two bars. Health-conscious families can enjoy fresh, tasty dishes from the a la carte restaurants, all created by a nutritionist and holistic consultant. Elsewhere, there’s informal Mediterranean dining at Taverna and Pangea, while the RHO restaurant focuses on plant-based fine dining menus and offers farm-to-cup tea-pairing experiences. A lively calendar of events includes cooking courses and the annual Culinary Journeys series, which brings guest chefs from top restaurants around the world to cook for guests. Rooms and rates: All-inclusive rates are available for guests booking suites and villas, which comes with such luxuries as free room service and mini bar restocks. Two- and three-bedroom family villas are kitted out with everything imaginable to keep infants and kids safe and happy. The creche accepts children from four months at additional cost; kids’ clubs are free from four years upwards. Deluxe junior suite for two adults and one child for from €696 (£598) per night. Check rates and availability at booking.com, Mr and Mrs Smith, British Airways, Thomas Cook or Daios Cove Hillside Beach Club, Turkey Best for: unique hillside setting The Turquoise Coast of southern Turkey is something of a trailblazer for smart all-inclusive resorts. Here you’ll find the likes of Sundia by Liberty Exclusive, Club and Hotel Letoonia and Club Tuana – all-inclusive resorts that feel more like chic villages or boutique hotels, where good food is front and centre. And they have Hillside Beach Club to thank for the winning formula. Founded in 1994, terraced into the forested cliffs that rise dramatically out of impossibly azure waters around the town of Fethiye, this 330-room resort has been studied by Harvard for its record return bookings rate. Guest rooms are stacked up the hillside, an amphitheatre-like arrangement around the bay, main restaurant and pool. Get in shape to access clifftop rooms and the treetop spa, with paths, steps and wood bridges winding through the pines, or take the funicular. Paved walkways connect the main hub to the resort’s other beaches and restaurants. This is a rural retreat, but complimentary hotel shuttles run to Fethiye should you want to explore; excursions aboard a traditional Turkish, two-masted, wooden gulet boat access hidden beaches. There is an almost endless choice of complimentary sporty activities on water or land, which three different age-ranked children’s clubs to make the most of – other services for families include very decent children’s menus, a ‘baby park’ (play area), an outdoor theatre with daily events, buggies and a babysitting service. For all ages: take coffee roasting lessons, cookery courses and cocktail-making workshops. Food takes in a family style al fresco Italian restaurant, the club Pacha (12 years +), plus various venues offering excellent Turkish and Mediterranean menus with plenty of veggie, gluten-free and healthy options. Rooms and rates: Decked in tranquil neutral tones, almost all rooms have sea views, family style come with a large terrace and a separate single room. Those higher up the hillside are away from resort hubbub. Organic lip balms, hair bands and turquoise string friendship bracelets boost the generous toiletries range. One week from £2,560 for two adults and one child. Check rates and availability at British Airways, Tui or Hillside Beach Club Best all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa, Mauritius Best for: tropical beaches Situated on the southwestern tip of Mauritius, Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa is set against the backdrop of the iconic Le Morne mountain and has direct access to one of the most scenic shorelines on the island. You’ll be surrounded by tropical scenes, including an abundance of palm and coconut trees, pure white sand beaches, sapphire waters and the island’s largest lagoon on your doorstep. Guests staying at Paradis Beachcomber can also use the facilities of the neighbouring Dinarobin Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa which has a wealth of restaurants, pools and sporting opportunities, but you may well find your family is reluctant to leave the balmy pools and crystal waters for a stroll. However, a boat ride to snorkel and spot wild dolphins playing in the surf is a must, and active families will also love the pristine tennis courts, volleyball and mountain biking opportunities. A complimentary kids’ club for children aged 3 to 11 years old offers a wealth of creative opportunities and there’s an activity programme for teens aged 12 to 17 years old, which means ‘I’m bored’ are not words that will be mentioned on this holiday, so adults can really have a well-deserved break. Food is something that’s taken very seriously at Beachcombers, and there’s a great variety of family-friendly options. The Mediterranean restaurant Zest overlooks the beach and its open kitchen serves beautiful wood-fired pizzas, seafood, pasta dishes and al fresco sharing plates, as well as an imaginative cocktail menu. Children can play in the sand after eating in plain sight of their parents as they relax on rattan loveseats overlooking the lagoon. Blue Marlin serves world cuisine while La Ravenne specialises in classic Mauritian dishes which make the most of local ingredients. Breakfast is a bountiful affair with exotic fruits, fresh juices, homemade waffles, crepes and an almost endless variety of sweet and savoury treats – the only downside is you might struggle to drag the kids away! Rooms and rates: The hotel is made up of a variety of traditional, thatched roof buildings which offer both peace and privacy; those looking to travel with large or extended families can also investigate the option of larger villas. A night’s stay in a junior suite starts from £330 on a B&B basis. Check rates and availability at Beachcomber Hotels, booking.com or Thomas Cook Sandals, Grenada Best for: couples Sandals gives you the chance to soak up the Spice Isle on their adult-only all-inclusive resort, situated on Grenada’s gorgeous coastline at Pink Gin beach. Designed for couples, this large resort features warming fire pits, private pools and beautiful secluded areas for enjoying each other’s company. Guests can also try out a variety of land and water sports all included in the price of their stay, and make use of five pools, one of which includes a swim-up bar. There is also access to the state-of-the-art fitness centre, and spa featuring Caribbean-inspired treatments using natural regional products. With a large selection of room types, there is something to suit every couple. With stunning ocean and inland views, all rooms are spacious and equipped with a patio or balcony area. Sandals’ top rooms also come with their distinguished butler service, plunge pools and spacious living areas. There are 11 speciality restaurants on the resort. Head to Butch’s chophouse, serving up juicy steaks and fresh seafood. For an authentic Caribbean experience try out Spices, with its tropical surroundings, exceptional wines and spirits and warming hospitality. Expect dishes that make the most of what the island is famous for – nutmeg and cinnamon. All restaurants are included in your stay at no extra cost. At night, take in the energy of the rhythmic celebrations at one of six hotel bars always serving up premium liquors. Rooms and rates: Sandals pricing is dynamic but starts from around £2,109 per person for a Lover’s Lagoon Hideaway Junior Suite for a seven-night stay. Prices for premium rooms start from £3,599 per person for a South Seas Grande Rondoval Butler Suite with Private Pool Sanctuary on an all-inclusive basis for a seven-night stay. Price includes all-inclusive accommodation, butler service and 24hr room service, return economy class flights with British Airways from London Gatwick Airport and resort transfers. Check rates and availability at Sandals Grenada, booking.com or Virgin Atlantic Cap Maison, St Lucia Best for: small boutique feel The Caribbean Windward island is a golden ticket for gourmet all-inclusive resorts, including East Winds, Jade Mountain and Sugar Beach. We’re singling out Cap Maison, in a spectacular clifftop location above Smuggler’s Bay at the island’s north, for its hacienda style and culinary excellence. For an all-inclusive resort, ‘the Cap’ has a boutique feel, with an honesty bar by reception, a clifftop swimming pool and just 49 rooms, suites and villas. There are wine tastings at Rock Maison, a decked bar at the base of the cliff which zip-wires its vintages down from the hotel. Cliff at Cap, above, is the open-air spot for both fine dining and breakfast, with a panoramic sea view backdrop. Expect French-Caribbean fine dining – with signature dinner dishes including ceviche of reef conch and ahi tuna with a mango balsamic jus; kurobuta pork belly with razor clams and squid served with a coconut foam. Even the beach bar, The Naked Fisherman, has culinary clout with contemporary seafood dishes as its central offering. Rooms and rates: Lead-in garden view rooms are cheery, if modest, with hand-painted Mexican tiles, wicker furnishings and jalousie shutters; villas are spacious enough for families but, overall, the resort’s atmosphere is quite grown-up. There are complimentary water sports a-plenty but no dedicated kids' club. Family offers at select times of the year include up to two children under 12 staying and dining for free, and rates include three hours of free babysitting. Summer season rates are around £452 per room, per night, and children under 11 eat free. Stays of three nights or more attract better rates. Check rates and availability at booking.com, British Airways or Cap Maison Palmaïa, Quintana Roo, Mexico Best for: wellness retreat The Riviera Maya has become something of a nexus of high-end, food-focused all-inclusive resorts. There’s Nizuc Resort & Spa, with superb pan-Asian and Indo-Chinese menus, and Tulum is shortly to welcome Mexico’s second Nobu Resort (the first is in Los Cabos, another top spot in Mexico for luxury resorts with great food). But we’re shining a spotlight on Palmaïa, an elegant wellness retreat just outside Playa del Carmen, for its bounty of vegan food and a spa based around a natural cenote. The Architects of Life programme includes beach and rainforest rituals such as cacao ceremonies, tai chi, sound-healing therapy and meditation, while a Waldorf Academy-led kid’s club programme aims to get youngsters to swap digital screens for outdoorsy activities immersed in nature. Jungle-backed and Caribbean-fronted, this green and serene spa hotel has dedicated villas, pools, menus and programmes for families, and areas for those travelling without children. Plant-based menus are found across all four restaurants, from the Mexican fine-dining LEK to El Caminante food truck, as well as in-room 24-hour dining, plus some fantastic healthy breakfast dishes, smoothies and baked goods on offer each morning. Rooms and rates: All 243 suites are ocean-front, some with swim-out access to the resort’s four infinity pools, others set among the mangroves. Sustainable and vegan principles at the forefront, so bathroom products are 100% biodegradable and not tested on animals, furnishings are leather-free and bedding is feather-free. From £891 based on an ocean-front queen or king suite sleeping two. Check rates and availability at booking.com, Thomas Cook or Palmaïa Best all-inclusive resorts further afield Kudadoo, Lhaviyani Atoll, Maldives Best for: opulent luxury When it comes to upscale all-inclusives, the Maldives set the gold standard. And this exclusive 15-villa floating retreat is perhaps the most opulent of them all. While no doubt pricey, part of the Kudadoo’s shining appeal is that absolutely everything is available at any time pretty much anywhere you want it. As a captive audience in the far-flung ocean-bound Maldives, some travellers may find this affords peace of mind. Luxury all-inclusive offerings, such as unlimited spa treatments, private yoga sessions, all water sports including scuba, excursions and all manner of gourmet food are on tap. There’s the very freshest sashimi and tropical fruits as you’d expect but you can also count on a very impressive cheese cellar, fine wines, spirits and champagne. Guests are also free to dine, inclusive, at nearby sister resort Hurawalhi, along with the much-photographed 5.8 Undersea Restaurant (although additional charges do apply there). Add to this the intuitive service of your private butler and you’ve got the sort of five-star experience found at any of the world’s best landmark hotels. This isn’t a family hotel in the traditional sense, but children will want for nothing with butlers on hand to conjure a roster of activities to entertain their small charges, plus a kids’ spa and, of course, tailored food menus. Rooms and rates: Barefoot luxury with wooden, stilted overwater villas topped with sloping Japanese ryokan-style roofs, indoor-outdoor bathrooms and generous decks with a private dining space, swing sofas and private pools. Doubles from £2,500 per night. Check rates and availability at booking.com, Mr and Mrs Smith, Thomas Cook or Kudadoo Discover more foodie travel tips at our travel hub. Read more travel guides for food lovers The best family hotels in Europe Best foodie holidays in Italy 4 seaside city breaks for foodies Top 10 foodie things to try in Rome
The best rail journeys in Europe for food lovers
Sustainable and scenic, travelling by train can make the journey as thrilling as the destination. Here we share six of the best train routes in Europe for foodies.
Sustainable, civilised and in many cases, supremely scenic, travelling across Europe by train brings families within reach of some great food destinations. And when you consider routes that ride high into the Alps, through the lavender-hue landscapes of rural France and even onto a ferry to cross the Straits of Messina to Sicily, the journey can be as much of a thrill as the final destination. Overall, children travel by train for free in Europe until much older than they do in the UK. Rules and fares differ with each country’s operator, and while some trains are more family-friendly than others, for the most part Europe’s proliferation of different trains – be they roomy double-deckers, high-speed services, sleepers or those with proper dining cars – make travelling a pleasure for families. And with far less in the way of luggage restrictions or carbon emissions than flying, train travel brings peace of mind. By many calculations a train trip produces up some 90% fewer CO2 emissions than a comparable flight. Rail Europe is a useful resource for information and booking, offering end-to-end ticket bookings from the UK to most parts of central and western Europe. The Trainline is a very similar offering. However, it’s worth noting that as booking windows differ between operators across Europe, your searches on these platforms may not show all available trains if they’re not yet open for sale, or the routing is outside the European regions covered by their ticketing capabilities (tickets from trains in parts of eastern Europe and Scandinavia, for example, can be booked directly with the national operators). It's also worth noting that these booking sites give minimum connection times between trains as standard, which does not account for delays. This may leave you out of pocket if you have, say, a non-refundable sleeper train booking. So, allowing more generous connection times makes travel less frenetic for families – but you should also consider turning those connections into stops. This not only breaks long journeys but adds another destination that can be explored, and splitting your booking into separate legs can make things cheaper, too. A rail pass could be a good option if you’re planning a bigger trip. Bjorn Bender, CEO of Rail Europe says: “For those planning extensive travel, especially across multiple countries, rail passes can offer excellent value. Passes like the Eurail Pass or the Swiss Travel Pass provide unlimited travel within certain regions and time frames, making them ideal for family vacations or extended trips.” For detailed information on the very best routes for specific destinations, related bookings windows and who to book with, the all-knowing Man in Seat61 is your trusted guide. Advocacy group, Flight Free Travel has some great inspiration for trips while Snow Carbon is an invaluable resource to plan winter trips to the Alps, including a useful rail-ski map of France. And if you need a little handholding when it comes to setting up a holiday by train, operators including Railbookers and Byway can organise tailor-made trips with train and hotel bookings built in. The best European train routes for food lovers Take the train to Spain Ride the rails all the way to the Spanish seaside around Barcelona, taking in a slice of Provence as you go. Hop on the Eurostar to Paris where you can see the revamped Notre Dame newly risen from the ashes, and break the journey to indulge in crêpes at Breizh Café or enjoy farm-to-fork food and a leg stretch at Le ReCyclerie, on Paris’s former Petite Ceinture railway line. For overnight stays, fun and funky Yooma is walking distance from the Eiffel Tower, and has family rooms sleeping up to six, with bumper breakfasts (free for under 2s), and an organic fruit and veg ‘farm’ on its rooftop. The fast TGV service (3hr, direct) from Gare de Lyon includes services on kid-pleasing duplex (double-decker) trains that have a café-bar serving drinks, simple sandwiches and a few hot dishes (quiche, lasagne and the like). See the Rhône River Valley – and maybe even a distant glimpse of the Alps – the Burgundy vineyards and the Provence lavender fields roll out before you as you head south to the walled city of Avignon. Visit its medieval gothic palace and try some exemplary Provencal cuisine by popping into Les Halles. The market, with its living Mur Végétal green wall, is a great place to pack a picnic for onward travels – from herby olives and regional goat’s cheeses to freshly baked fougasse loaves plus fruits, veggies charcuterie and more. Then it’s off to the sunny southern shores of Spain, to Barcelona – the fastest services with Renfe or TGV taking around four hours, while slower trains allow stops in places like Nîmes, Montpellier, Narbonne, Perpignan and, across the border in Spain, Figueres and Girona. In Barcelona, check into family-friendly Casa Camper where spacious rooms sleep up to four, children under five stay free, and living areas are strung with a hammock. Informal, Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant, Dos Palillos is on site, while the complimentary snack bar, stocked with wraps, salads and drinks, is a treat for families. As is the rooftop terrace with sun loungers and a plant-shaded shower to cool off in. Set in the Raval neighbourhood, it’s right in the thick of things, walking distance from the MACBA modern art museum, buzzy Boqueria food market and pedestrian La Rambla boulevard. And if you want a quieter beach break, take the R1 train line north along the coast to nearby castle-topped Canet de Mar, or the Rodalies de Catalunya commuter train south to neighbouring Garraf and Castelldefels for windsurfing and coastal hikes. How do to it: The Trainline has one-way tickets to the above destinations. London – Paris costs from £51, and children under four travel free if sitting on an accompanying adult’s lap. Paris to Avignon costs as little as £12.96, and children under 12 can get a half-price ticket on TGV INOUI trains, while under fours travel free if sitting on an accompanying adult’s lap. Avignon to Barcelona costs from £39.27 and under threes travel free on AVE services, as long as they don’t occupy a seat and carry a free child ticket. Children from 3 to 14 years old get a 40% discount on ticket prices. A tale of two canal cities: Amsterdam & Haarlem Eurostar’s direct service puts London in reach of the Dutch capital in four hours – with up to 80% lower CO2 emissions than taking a flight between the two cities. And from February 2025, when Amsterdam Centraal station completes refurbishments, direct services will resume inbound, making this a quick and easy round-trip, perfect for families making their first foray into holidaying by train. You can expect the usual Eurostar provisions – wifi, accessible loos with baby changing facilities and café cars selling sandwiches, snacks and some hot food. A meal is included in Plus & Premier classes, with wine if it’s after 11am. Once you’ve cleared the Kent countryside and the 20-minute transit through the Channel Tunnel, you’re off through the fields and villages of northern France rattling along at up to 300 km/h (186 mph), Calais and Lille flashing past, before crossing into Belgium. There’s a brief stop at Brussels Midi station, before you speed into the Netherlands, crossing several windmill flanked rivers. Amsterdam offers plenty of foodie fun, but it can get very busy. So, make a day of it then hop on a local train from Centraal station, 20 minutes to Haarlem, a more tranquil canal city near the sea. Here, you’ll find similar gabled houses flanking canals, the beautiful De Adriaan windmill on the river Spaarne and a bevy of museums including the Netherland’s oldest, The Teylers Museum with arts and science collections including fossils and dinosaur skeletons. Try the Thrill Grill for upmarket burgers with Dutch beef and gouda, helmed by local TV chef, Robert Kranenborg, or head to Jopenkerk a brewery-bar in a spectacular former church setting with bistro-style food including a kid’s menu, toys and books, and an outdoor terrace. Check into Hello I’m Local, a boutique hostel with a library of board games, a café serving all-day breakfasts (everything from Stroopwafel to scrambled eggs), and rooms sleeping up to 14, many with their own loos and showers. And from here, it’s a 15-minute bus ride to the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park for sand dunes and lake swimming, and the beach town of Zandvoort. How to do it: Byway has a five-day trip to Amsterdam and Haarlem, including return rail travel and B&B hotel accommodation from £498 per person based on a family of four, with two children under 12, sharing a room. Into the Alps & the lakes The Bernina Express, the panoramic train connecting the north and south of Europe is one of the world’s most unique rail rides, taking you from snowy peaks to palm trees. Passing through 55 tunnels and crossing 196 bridges & viaducts on its way from Chur in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy, it snakes past the Morteratsch glacier, multiple mountain lakes and, topping out at 2,253m (7,391ft) above sea level, it’s Europe’s highest rail pass. Then, once you’re in Tirano, local Italian trains take you straight to Lake Como (in just over an hour) and Milan (just under three hours), where Italy stretches out before you, including Rome in just under three hours. To get to the Bernina’s start point in Chur, take the Eurostar from London to Paris (2h20). Cross the city by metro or taxi to Gare de Lyon where the Man in Seat61 always recommends lunch at its chandelier- and fresco-decked Le Train Bleu for iconic rum baba and traditional gratin dauphinois, after which you can catch a double-decker, high-speed TGV-Lyria train through the rolling hills of France to Zurich in four hours. A leafy, lakefront city backed by mountains and surrounded by parks, Zurich is the perfect place to burn off steam before the onwards journey. Have a fondue with a view at Hillz restaurant on nearby Uetliberg mountain, complete with cable car, playground and ice cream kiosk. Overnight at Meininger Greencity, with family rooms and discounts on breakfasts and room rates for kids. The double decker train from Zurich comes complete with a family coach and play area, and whistles along lakes Zürichsee and Walensee before climbing into the mountains to Chur in around an hour. Pick up the shiny red Bernina Express on a neighbouring platform for the narrow gauge railway ride into the Alps, complete with panoramic sightseeing cars and a little refreshment trolley serving snacks and drinks. How to do it: The Trainline has a one-way ticket from London to Zurich from £93.38. Children under four can travel free on Eurostar trains, as long as they're sitting on an accompanying adult's lap. Swiss Federal Railways sells tickets for the Zurich to Tirano route, including the Bernina Express, from CHF 96 (€101) per adult, children under six travel free, and under 16s half price. To Sicily by sleeper train & ferry Italy is a supremely child-friendly place to travel by rail, with plenty of sleeper services to explore but none is as legendary as the route from Milan and Rome to Sicily that includes the train shunting onto a ferry to cross the Straits of Messina. It’s a bucket-list travel experience, a thrill for kids and it saves a night’s hotel bill, too. Intercity Notte (ICN) trains have 1-4 berth sleepers (with ensuite showers and loos), and more affordable couchettes (bunk rooms with toilets and washrooms in the carriage); both have bed linens. Berths come with bottled water, a salty packet snack plus a light breakfast (juice, coffee, packet pastries), but there’s otherwise no café or food service, so pack a picnic. If you’re travelling from Rome, get yourself some goodies at the covered market in Testaccio, with some of the city’s best street food, and revered panini from Mordi & Vai. And if you’re travelling from Milan, make sure you leave enough time to wonder at the scale of its Centrale station, a Mussolini-era monolith with sky-scraping columns and vast rooftop sculptures of mythological animals. It’s also one of Italy’s busiest railway station, with 24 platforms so it’s not one to dash through easily. Its 40-plus food outlets take in everything from pizza at Spontini, Naples street eats À Puteca di Rossopomodoro and an entire two-level food hall. Trains depart Milan late evening and Rome just before midnight, with the early morning sea crossing usually shaking passengers awake. Then, once in Sicily, the train offloads again, to run down the east coast, skirting the foothills of Mount Etna before passing flamingo-filled lagoons en route to the coastal city of Syracuse. How to do it: From €39.90 (£33) per person, in a four-person couchette booked via ItaliaRail. Book with Rail Europe or The Trainline if you want to include the journey from the UK (around 10hrs with one change to Milan). A string of city breaks to the home of New Nordic cuisine Have a real rail adventure, taking in a string of beautiful European cities, including the birthplace of New Nordic cuisine, Copenhagen. Start by taking the Eurostar direct from London to Brussels (1h56), to pause and explore this handsome city lined with gothic palaces and Art Nouveau mansions. Try beers from local breweries in the guinguettes found in most city parks, café kiosks serving house-made salads, waffles and burgers, including Parckfarm in Tour & Taxi Park, a former industrial area now with a community orchard, with beehives, a bread oven and a greenhouse cafe serving veggie dishes from local producers. Check out the Banksy Museum and pick up some handmade chocolates at Sainte-Catherine Food Market, before heading back to Brussels Midi to pick up high-speed ICE service to Cologne Hbf (1h48), and from there onto Hamburg (4h37). Speed north through Germany, and while the scenery is largely suburban, some trains have seating areas at either end behind the driving cab, with a glass screen offering views along the tracks – a boon for little navigators. And if you haven’t packed a picnic, there’s a proper restaurant car with table service, and a changing menu of German dishes, like goulash and bratwurst. Take an overnight pause in Hamburg and its lovely Alster lakes, and explore the impressively revamped waterfront HafenCity district, home to the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg's futuristic concert hall that looks like its sailing into the river Elbe. Check out Miniatur Wonderland, the world’s largest model railway, taste a superior fish sandwich, fischbrötchen, at Brücke 10, a pontoon restaurant floating at St Pauli Piers. Then check into 25 Hours Hotel HafenCity with family rooms sleeping four, which can be connected to twin bunk rooms, and children under seven stay and breakfast free (a buffet with pastries, bircher muesli and hot food). And finally, it’s off to Copenhagen on Deutsche Bahn (4h37), a journey of many bridges spanning the increasingly water-frayed landscape, including the vast Rendsburg High Bridge with a gondola below transporting cars across the canal. Pack a picnic as, at best, food provisions extend to a refreshment trolley. From the Tivoli Gardens amusement park to harbourside trampolines and child-pleasing museums including a Carsten Höller-designed slide in the city’s Danish Architecture Centre, Copenhagen is supremely family-friendly. And it’s one of Europe’s pilgrimage spots for food lovers. Read our pick of the places to eat here. And of course, if you’re seeking onwards train adventures, Denmark’s blonde sand beaches and Legoland are a short journey away, and there are direct trains to the Swedish coastal cities of Malmo and Gothenburg, gateways to the rest of Scandinavia. How to do it: Book London to Brussels on the Eurostar (from £26). The final three routes – Brussels to Cologne (from £14), Cologne to Hamburg (from £13) and Hamburg to Copenhagen (from £22) – aboard Deutsche Bahn services. You can book directly with them, or use Rail Europe to book the route, end-to-end. Children under six travel free on Deutsche Bahn trains and don’t need a ticket if they don’t require a seat. Children six-14 require a child ticket but travel free when accompanied in most cases (children six-14 travelling alone get a 50% discount). See more information on the Deutsche Bahn website. Ride the rails to the French Riviera With high-speed, double decker TVG trains putting France’s sunny south coast within direct reach of Paris or Lille in around six hours, travelling to the French Riviera by train is a no-brainer for families. If you want to skip Paris and head straight for the beach, changing trains in Lille involves just a platform switch, rather than a cross-city transfer, for direct service to Marseille, then onwards connections along the Riviera. Going via Paris is usually cheaper, overall faster and offers more frequent connections including a direct TVG to Cannes and Nice from Gare de Lyon, and an overnight Intercité de Nuit sleeper from Gare d'Austerlitz to the same destinations plus Toulon, St Raphael for St Tropez, Cannes and Antibes. Both routes, via Lille or Paris, use trains with a café car selling drinks, basic cold snacks and a few heated up meals. Sleepers have four- and six-berth couchettes, which can be booked in their entirety via the ‘Espace Privatif’ option. But pack a picnic: there’s no food on sleepers, apart from some coffee and croissants sold in the morning. Ouigo, a subsidiary of SNCF French Railway, runs a similar daytime service from Paris to the south of France. It has cheaper fares, but there are airline-style baggage limits/fees and no catering. Opting for the sleeper one way and a day service the other offers kids both the excitement of bedding down on a train, and the fun of seeing the landscape change during daylight hours. Once you’ve left Paris or Lille, you’ll shortly be through the farmlands to Lyon, south of which you’ll cross the Rhône Valley and its waterways on towering viaducts, spotting the Alpine foothills, zipping past pretty Provencal hilltop villages to reach the glint of the Mediterranean at Marseille. If you continue to Nice, the train hugs the water along the Côte d'Azur passing mega-yacht populated harbours, sandy beaches and cliffy inlets studded by palm-shaded mansions. How to do it: Byway has a six-day trip travelling from the UK to Marseille then onwards along the Riviera to Cassis, gateway to the rocky, coastal Calanques National Park. It costs from £493 based on two adults and two children under 12 sharing B&B hotel accommodation in a family room (three nights in Cassis, two in Marseille), including return train travel. Check out more travel: 6 family-friendly trips: gourmet glamping Fowey Hall, luxury family hotel 6 eco-friendly family getaways 5 foodie family cruises Best all-inclusive resorts with great food
The best European campsites for families
A camping holiday is a great option for kids – and you don't need to be versed in tents and flysheets to enjoy. Here, we unpack how to camp in Europe and share 6 idyllic destinations
Camping is like catnip for children – an irresistible invitation to break free and have fun al fresco, bringing the excitement of bedding down in cabin, caravan or under canvas. And if you’re not a family that’s versed in the ways of guy ropes and flysheets, fear not. Most European campsites offer fixed caravan and cabin-style accommodation, pre-erected tents and some truly glamorous glamping options – many complete with bedding. Lots come with cafes and shops selling the basics – if not more impressive local farm fare – so you may not need to pack any more than you would for a resort-based holiday. And if needed, you can cart all the necessary kit, as many of Europe’s campsites can be accessed without flying – by road, rail or ferry – which means you cut your carbon footprint, too. To see which parts of Europe are easiest to reach without taking a plane, The Green Traveller has a useful flight-free journey planner. What kind of campsites are there? Europe has campsites to suit every taste and most budgets. There are huge holiday camps like Domaine des Ormes, in Brittany complete with an 18-hole golf course, multiple swimming pools and restaurants, a high-wire adventure course and hundreds of acres of woodland and wildflower meadows. Then there are boutique operations like Champagne Perron-Beauvineau whose rustic wood cabins and pitches are surrounded by the vineyards of the Champagne region, where the hosting Perron family offer personal recommendations on where to eat and private wine tastings. Many of the smaller sites are sustainable holiday options – independent, family-run outfits where your payment goes directly into the local economy. While those set away from honeypot coastal resorts offer the opportunity to get back to nature on a low-impact holiday in places where overtourism isn’t a concern. Lots of rural campsites, including European locations of Featherdown Farm, the UK’s glamping pioneer operation, are part of local farming communities, so you’ll often find fresh food on site, some offering the chance for children to collect eggs, feed the animals or help with seasonal harvests. How do I avoid the crowds? To secure the best spot, booking ahead is crucial. Savvy European families are poised to pounce on their preferred pitch in December when many of the popular coastal holiday camps in France go on sale for the following summer. Don’t want to join the fray? Scandinavia is a good option to avoid the peak season heat and scrum of southern Europe’s seaside. Sweden has some beautiful campsites, where you’ll find simple local food and a homespun hospitality, while Denmark has 4,350 miles of blond sand, dune-backed coastline. It’s true that without a ferry service or direct rail link from the UK, Scandinavia is tricky to get to if you want to cart your camping kit. However, Denmark is within reasonable reach overland by ferry or Eurotunnel to France, and more-so from England’s east coast ports to the Netherlands, where Denmark’s wealth of camping options are within about six-seven hour’s drive. You can also escape the coastal crowds by heading for the Alps where many mountain villages in Switzerland, Austria and France are reinventing themselves as summer playgrounds, with accommodation ranging from treehouses to yurts, trapper cabins to safari tents, along with wild pitches at the foot of glaciers. With ski lifts to take mountain bikers to the tops of trails, almost endless hiking opportunities, plus swimming and kayaking in lakes and rivers, the Alps are a cooler, calmer and less crowded summer holiday alternative to the Med and French coast campsites. What about small rural pitches? Huttopia offers numerous campsites in the Alps – and across Europe – in some superb natural settings. The company is a favourite with James Warner-Smith, author of several camping guidebooks and editor at HipCamp, a vast resource for info and booking camping breaks. “For family trips, Huttopia is really well set-up,” he says. “They have great family facilities, a relaxed vibe and they're actively trying to avoid the more congested reputation of campsite 'chains' with natural settings, like woodland and dunes.” And many, like Huttopia Saumur in the Loire Valley and Huttopia Meursault in Burgundy’s wine country combine excellent credentials for foodie families. How should I book? Big players like Eurocamp and Canvas Holidays have hundreds of large family-friendly holiday parks on their books, whereas HipCamp’s database of some 140,000 campsites take in peaceful private spots, public lands along with equipped campgrounds. Other trusted resources include Canopy & Stars for special glamping spots in France, Italy, Spain and the Nordics, while PitchUp and Great Little Campsites offers bookings and info on near-countless campsites across Europe, many with eco credentials. And among the numerous websites offering site reviews by camping families, Mumsnet and Family Camping Europe are worth a look. The 6 best European campsites for families France: Camping Le Brévedent With its lakeside setting, sweeping wooded grounds centring around an 18th-century hunting lodge, a farm-to-table restaurant and small organic vegetable garden, this family-run campsite in Normandy is a chateau-camping charm. Owner Raphael Bony serves cider and calvados nightly from the lodge bar, surrounded by ancestral oil paintings and often accompanied by a local folk band. Made from produce grown in the surrounding orchards, apple libations loom large here in the Calvados region, and the free kids’ club in July and August, during harvest season, sees children gather windfalls and hold apple-and-spoon races before pressing them into juice after lunch. Plastic bags are eschewed in favour of the reusable ‘green Le Brévedent sac’, provided for guests to carry morning croissants home from the shop, which also sells freshly baked goods, eggs, coffee-to-go and myriad treats from the region including Pont-l’Evêque cheese made on a neighbouring farm and apple jelly compote made in nearby Le Bréveden. The restaurant serves local, organic seasonal produce led by plant-based dishes (unusual for this animal farm-fed part of France), featuring things like lentil dahl with yogurt and peanut butter, Buddha bowls and pizza. And where meat is served, it comes from breeders of the Pays d’Auge, two miles away. There’s a heated swimming pool and plenty of space to run around. And you’re a half-hour’s drive to the Normandy beaches, surrounded by cider routes to follow and within launching distance of some outstanding coastal seafood restaurants, where kids can have a go at windsurfing and sand yachting. And within one-hour’s drive from Caen (for the Portsmouth-Caen ferry), and three hours from Calais, it’s within easy reach of the UK. Great for: Sociable families who like a campfire singalong, with children from tots to teens. Cost: A two-night pitch costs from €35 (£30); a week in a two-bedroom safari-style tent with an equipped kitchenette and bedding, sleeping two-four, costs €420 (£350). Larger tents are ensuite and the site has shower blocks and an outside kitchen area with sink and fridge. Book it: Hipcamp.com – Camping Le Brévedent France: Camping Domaine des Mathevies This long-standing family-run campsite, set on a wooded hillside in Sainte-Nathalène, is a favourite for its sensational views of the Périgord Noir countryside, expansive shady grounds and local food. British owners Natalie and Patrick McAlpine run this boutique operation in the Dordogne with 40 pitches, many under the canopies of walnut, cherry, fig, apple and plum trees, all with electricity hook-ups, plus 11 well-furnished cabins spread around the edge of the site and farmhouse gîte accommodation. This is a laidback retreat for adults and kids alike. The toddler’s playground is overlooked by the Cosy Nook Café, so you can relax with a café au lait, keeping the kids in plain sight. There’s a sandpit and climbing area, along with a children’s pool, a larger pool, tennis courts and table tennis area. The café has fresh bread and croissants delivered every morning; a superb spot to wake up slowly, seated on a daybed under the shade of a lime tree (and if you must, there’s wifi, plus satellite TV in the evenings). For something stronger, there’s local artisanal beer and a range of Bordeaux and Sainte Emilion wines. In July and August, the site hosts different food trucks, serving everything from pancakes and crepes to wood-fired pizzas, Vietnamese cuisine, fish and chips and gourmet burgers. Veggie and vegan options and children's portions are available. The on-site honesty shop is stocked with local wines, cheeses, and fresh bread, and the medieval city of Sarlat is 10-minutes’ drive away. The Dordogne culinary hub has a renowned Wednesday and Saturday market selling premium Périgord produce – black truffles, duck confit, Cabécou goat cheese and various varieties of strawberries – plus restaurants taking in the Michelin-starred, traditional cafés, farmhouse inns and chic bistronomie spots. There is easy access to castles, prehistoric caves, and the site can arrange canoe trips on the Dordogne River, passing the pretty villages of Beynac or La Roque Gageac and picnicking on one of the many beaches. Travelling from the UK, take the Eurotunnel or ferry, then drive (8h). Or take the Eurostar and change in Paris for a TGV service to Brive-la-Gaillarde or Bordeaux (shortest journey time 5hrs), then it’s a two-hour drive. Great for: Families with children from tots to tweens, and nature- or food-loving teens. Cost: Pitches from €19 (£16), and from €50 (£42) per night for a chic wooden chalet with a decked terrace, equipped kitchenette, loo and shower (bedding provided, linen can be rented). Book it: Hipcamp.com – Camping Domaine des Mathevies Netherlands: Camping Nij Wybranda Surrounded by cycle routes in the Friesland lake district, this site is an excellent choice for sporty families. Set on a farm, with pitches in tree-lined meadows, kids are encouraged to come along and help feed the animals including goats, cows and chickens. Horse and pony trekking is available on site while there’s myriad water sports on offer in local lakes plus boating on the pretty canals around the village of Sneek. The farm shop sells bread, goats’ cheese, and curd on request, along with locally made meat, honey and ice cream; Sneek (a 20-minute drive away) has restaurants and shops selling Dutch and Fresian specialities like stroopwafels, apple and cinnamon pancakes, various types of meatballs and sauerkraut-topped mashed potato, rollmop herrings and plenty of local kaas (clove) cheese. And along with the canals to explore, Sneek has a bevy of cultural attractions including a maritime museum, railway museum and art gallery with interactive exhibits for kids. North Holland’s beaches are half-hour’s drive away, while Amsterdam is about 90 minutes, connected to London by direct Eurostar (3h52) and east England’s ferry ports. The site offers pick-ups from local transport. Pitches come with electricity and wifi, and there are three apartments in the old farm building complete with kitchens and bathrooms, where breakfast can be provided, plus a trekker’s hut available to rent (with access to the campsite’s showers, loo blocks and washing up area with microwave and communal fridge). Great for: Active families with kids of all ages. Cost: Electric pitches from €20.50 (£17); three-night stays in a farmhouse apartment, sleeping three, from €199 (£166). Book it: Pitchup.com – Camping Nij Wybranda Spain: Camping Begur Head to the Costa Brava for a campsite that’s been sitting pretty surrounded by coastal forest for more than 50 years. With a Biosphere Tourism certificate the site is committed to preserving the native environment. There are 3,458 listed trees spread over the grounds, and the site organises nature and bird-watching activities. You’ll find shady pitches and two large pools, one heated and one salt-water, plus a mini farm where children can feed chickens, donkeys and ducks. There are rides on the farm’s vintage tractor and vegetable-growing classes in the on-site garden. Sports and activities include a games room, an air-conditioned gym, Pilates sessions, table tennis and a climbing wall, plus a free kids club for ages three to ten during high season, with evening entertainment for all ages. You'll wake up each day to the smell of fresh bread from the bakery, which is set at the entrance to the site alongside a little supermarket, butcher, fishmonger, bookshop and greengrocer, and there are 27 sturdy brick barbecues spread over the grounds available for use. The on-site restaurant serves local dishes – expect the likes of seafood paella, chilled gazpacho, grilled steak and patatas bravas. Don’t miss the chance to try the excellent wines of the DO Empordà region during tasting evenings. Accommodation ranges from tents and motorhome pitches to two-bedroom safari-style tents sleeping five, all with water and electricity. Plus, little chalets, bungalows and mobile homes. There’s wifi throughout, four shower blocks and a laundry room. Set just inland, the campsite is around a mile-and-a-half from both Platja Fonda beach and the mediaeval hilltop town of Begur. 78 miles north of Barcelona, and 36 miles east of Girona, the campsite is well-placed for arriving by plane, but also travel by train from the UK, changing in Paris or Lille in around eight hours Great for: Families with primary school-aged children. Cost: Seven nights in July staying in a Premium two-bedroom holiday chalet sleeping four guests, from £1,430 per party. Book it: Eurocamp.co.uk – Camping Begur Italy: Camping Delle Rose Run by the Fortunato family since 1969, this idyllic Italian campsite just across the border from France is surrounded by the chestnut, eucalyptus and mimosa trees of the Nervia valley. Backed by the distant Alps, the hillside spot is dashing distance (around eight miles) to Liguria’s beaches and an hour’s drive from Nice – with both its international airport and train connections to the UK (11hs from London, with one change in Paris). In summer, the swimming pool and paddling pool is perfect for cooling dips, while the playground and a pétanque court are favourite spots in the evening – and there’s a kid’s club (6-10 years) and entertainment in July and August. Overlooking the pool, the restaurant serves regional food, from trofie pasta with Ligurian pesto, homegrown Taggiasche olives and rabbit ragu, plus wood-fired pizzas. There’s also a bar serving breakfast, sandwiches and quick bites plus an onsite grocery store selling the likes of fresh bread, wine, eggs, deli goods, fresh fruit and veg, along with some pharmacy essentials. The medieval village of Isolabona, with shops and restaurants is around a mile away. The site was voted a ‘gastronomic delight’ 109 times by customers who booked via Pitchup last year, a record for the platform. Accommodation is in colourful clapboard mobile homes sleeping up to six, arranged together, hamlet-style, plus glamping safari tents and cabins along with camping, touring and motorhome pitches. Great for: Families with primary school-aged children. Cost: Pitches from €20 (£17), mobile homes from €33 (£28) with sheets provided. Book it: Pitchup.com – Camping Delle Rose Croatia: Camping Village Simuni Pick a pitch under the shade of an old holm oak or pine tree in view of the sea and you’ll want for nothing at this large camping village on the Croatian island of Pag. The site has direct access to six different beaches, one with an inflatable water course. The pebble bays are great for families with small children, as the water depth increases gradually and the sea is calm. And there’s plenty for older children and adults to do, too with an on-site water sports centre offering sailing and windsurfing lessons, and a dive centre offering courses and excursions to visit underwater caves. On land, there’s a treetop adventure course, mini golf, driving range, tennis courts, beach volleyball and evening entertainment including movie nights. This is a busy site in summer but with its 900 pitches spread over 35 hectares, it should be possible to find some seclusion. There are four restaurants and four bars including Pescaria serving fresh, local seafood and Mali Raj whose menu takes on breakfast toasties, crowd-pleasing risotto and pasta dishes, burgers and salads. There’s also a supermarket and weekly fish market. BBQs are permitted in designated areas on site. Pag itself is known for its lamb, grazed on herb-scented rocky pastures, along with sharp, salty Pag sheep’s cheese, and is home to several of Croatia’s most feted vineyards including Vina Otoka Paga famed for reviving the local Gegić grape, which makes a straw-coloured, fruity-floral white wine. The campsite is seven miles from Pag Town, where you’ll find a respectable range of restaurants serving Croatian and international cuisine, and is connected to the mainland by a causeway bridge. The closest international airport is Zadar, about an hour by road, served by a local bus. Accommodation, in clapboard mobile homes with decked terraces, sleep between four-six people in two-three bedrooms, with a loo, shower and kitchenette. Plus, pitches for tents and mobile homes with water and electricity and access to the site’s eight spacious shower blocks. Great for: Beach babies, water sports lovers and active families. Cost: For seven nights in July, staying in a two-bedroom holiday chalet sleeping six, prices start from £1,225 per party. Book it: Eurocamp.co.uk – Camping Village Simuni Check out more travel: 6 family-friendly trips: gourmet glamping Fowey Hall, luxury family hotel 6 eco-friendly family getaways 5 foodie family cruises Best all-inclusive resorts with great food
Discover our pick of the best family-friendly cruise lines from around the world. Our expert recommendations include foodie choices, river cruises and island-hopping adventures
Think ‘cruise’ and many of us will picture mega ships; vast floating theme parks that visit the sort of resorts more readily experienced on a beach holiday. But at their best, cruises take travellers to places otherwise difficult or even impossible to get to, bringing within reach some of the world’s most thrilling destinations and unique landscapes. For families and multi-generational groups, they offer comfort and entertainment with measured doses of adventure. And for food lovers, there’s an ever-booming number of big name, chef-led cruises to choose from. Crystal’s ships, for example, host the world’s only floating Nobu and Beefbar venues along with fine dining courtesy of the Alajmo bros and while, like many culinary cruises, its on-board offering may be more geared to grown-ups, routings like its Mediterranean sailings really pack in the ports of call, offering youngsters a cultural grand tour of Europe’s greatest cities and sites. And while there’s no doubt that travel by train and even plane is a more sustainable way to holiday, cruising is making improvements, with stricter regulations over emissions and waste, and companies like Ponant and Hurtigruten sailing towards ‘zero-emission propulsion’ by 2030 using wind- and battery-powered technology. Look for ships that offer locally sourced food options and employ waste reduction initiatives (recycling, composting and greywater treatment systems), and those using shore power rather than engines while docking, and liquid natural gas (LNG) while sailing, which some consider to be a comparatively cleaner fuel source. Many nature-focused and expedition cruises will offer educational programs on environmental impact. If you’re seeking a family-friendly cruise that offers the real adventure of travel, taking you places perfect for exploration by sea, where culture and local food is a raison d’etre, here’s our selection of places to set sail. The best family cruise holidays 2025 The Norwegian Fjords With soaring cliffs and thundering waterfalls seemingly within touching distance, plus plenty of ports of call, the world’s largest concentration of fjords is a place that comes into its own when explored by sea. And with transparent costs, cruises can help families avoid busting the budget in this notoriously pricey part of Scandinavia. Sailing from UK shores, ships like Disney Magic offer family-friendly entertainment that draws on the destination having inspired the animated movie Frozen, while several chef-led culinary cruises frequent the fjords, including upmarket Cunard’s new trips with Michel Roux (best suited to over 12s). Geared to grown-ups and kids alike: P&O’s ex-UK sailings on board its flagship Britannia, or the newer LNG-powered Iona. The 3,647-berth Britannia is large enough to accommodate plentiful entertainment but isn’t quite on a mega ship-scale that can overwhelm some families. 5,200-berth Iona, the newer ship in the fleet, comes with a few more restaurants, bars and cafes (30+ as opposed to 20+) and more frequent sailings including during the school summer holidays. Both are at the more affordable end of the cruise budget scale, and offer ‘freedom dining’ in several restaurants, allowing families the liberty of arriving when and sitting where they like, rather than having to book in advance. Food venues are across the board, from gastro pubs and bistros to ice cream parlours, fine dining and contemporary Indian and Italian fare. Both ships have age-specific kids' clubs, family pools, nurseries, teen decks, sports arenas and P&O’s Cookery Club, with classes and demos led by the likes of Norwegian chef Kjartan Skjelde and Marco Pierre White. Iona offers more live entertainment including aerial and circus performances in the Grand Atrium and SkyDome. These cruises sail from Southampton, and are suitable for a wide range of families, with childcare from six months. Britannia and Iona have cabins sleeping up to four, with complementary cots and interconnecting rooms available (children under 16 must stay with an adult). Choose a sea view or balcony cabin to ensure those fjord vistas. Routes take in the region’s stellar sites including the vast cliff-backed Stavanger, the pretty fishing port of Ålesund, buzzy Haugesund, jumping off point for Langfoss waterfall, plus the village of Olden for hikes to Briksdal Glacier and kayaking the icy waters of Nordfjord. Shore excursions are not included in the headline price, and cost around £70pp. Book it: A seven-night fjords cruise (G512) aboard Iona costs from £799pp including full-board dining in eight venues, kid’s club/nursery and most programmed entertainment on board. Book at pocruises.com Galapagos ‘Darwin’s islands’, the UNESCO-protected Galapagos may be the ultimate cruise destination, a place to encounter species that gave rise to the theory of evolution, from blue-footed booby birds to the Galapagos giant tortoise, endemic marine iguanas and the little Galapagos penguin. Out of the 13 major islands and some 60 smaller islets, skerries and rocky outcrops flung through a remote patch of the Pacific set some 1,000km off the coast of Ecuador, only four are inhabited by humans. Nature reigns here, and cruise ships must tread lightly. A pioneer of adventures at sea, Norwegian-founded Hurtigruten has well over 100 years of cruise experience, born as a coastal ferry service between Bergen and Kirkenes. It’s since expanded into Arctic waters and far beyond with expedition offshoot, HX – and was one of the first companies to explore the Galapagos, setting sail around the islands in 1969. Its fleet of fully or part-hybrid ships hosts citizen science projects, allowing passengers to contribute to research and conservation efforts, with on-board Science and Education Centres offering regional insight from experts. Its Galapagos expeditions are supremely family-friendly, with the chance to walk with giant tortoises, snorkel with marine life, kayak with sea lions and explore the archipelago’s uniquely pristine nature aboard small expedition vessels. They take place on board MS Santa Cruz II, with space for just 90 passengers in cabins sleeping up to three (some adjoining). The ship has one restaurant focusing on regionally inspired cuisine – the likes of ceviche, tortillas and the peanuty cariucho roast chicken. And local cuisine can be further explored with time in the Ecuadorian capital of Quito, a superb place to try South American favourites like pan de yuca (cassava flour cheese bread), Andean potato, corn and quinoa soups, topped with avocado and zesty lime and a rainbow of tropical fruit juices including the berry and cinnamon colada morada. This trip is all about the natural world, less about on-board entertainment, so best suits nature-loving families with kids who are good long haul travellers, age 6+. Cabins sleep up to three and can be interconnected to accommodate family groups. Book it: The nine-night In Darwin’s Footsteps cruise takes in the islands of San Cristóbal, Sante Fe, Santa Cruz and Española, with two nights in Quito. From £5,124pp, all-inclusive (not international flights). Book at travelhx.com Alaska & British Columbia Combine the lush, rainforest-fringed coast of British Columbia with the rugged glacier-glinting fjords of Alaska and you have one of the world’s most spectacular cruise destinations. This is one for families who love nature and wild landscapes, with the chance to spot bears prowling along shorelines and see seals, whales and dolphins swimming in your wake. Traditionally favourites with an older demographic, Alaska and BC now attract a range of cruise operators catering to families, including Disney and Hurtigruten Expeditions with on-board entertainment and guide-led infotainment-packed excursions. Many trips use Vancouver as a hub, which gives the opportunity to perhaps extend your trip, to explore British Columbia and its wild backcountry, and even take a trip up into the Rockies. Norwegian Cruise Line has several ships sailing the route, including the largest in its fleet, the 3,998-berth Norwegian Encore that comes with swimming pools, waterslides, dedicated children’s play areas, laser tag, gaming rooms and one of the longest go-kart racing tracks at sea. There are 15 restaurants, taking in everything from Italian and steak to teppanyaki, fine dining and an American diner, about half of which are included in the headline cost. The Pacific coast is a seafood lover’s dream destination, with extra-cost excursions on crab fishing boats and shoreline salmon bakes. The seven-day trip, starting and ending in Seattle, calls into Juneau and its icefields, with the chance to explore Glacier Bay National Park, kayak into protected fjords, pan for gold or go whale watching. Next, the frontier town of Skagway, complete with clapboard buildings from the Gold Rush era, is gateway to White Pass Railway into the Klondike Gold Fields, while at Ketchikan you can visit a rainforest sanctuary and learn about the First Nations Tlingit people and see brightly painted totem poles. Book it: To fully enjoy this cruise, travel with children 6+, although infants as young as six months are allowed. From £888pp, all-inclusive (not flights; most excursions extra), with discounted rates for children aged 3-8, and for the third to eighth passenger in a party, on most sailings. Book at ncl.com Mekong River cruise River cruises access some of the world’s best cultural destinations, from ancient sites along the Nile or the waterways of the Netherlands to tours through Europe’s great culinary regions around the Danube, Rhine and Bordeaux. Many make onboard food offerings their calling card, with chef’s tables and wine tastings part of the package and, being much smaller than ocean liners, river cruise ships offer a calmer, more intimate atmosphere. Families should choose trips with plenty of port calls as river ships often lack a swimming pool or the big on-board entertainment of their ocean-going cousins, and many come with cabins made for two. Not so for multi gen-friendly operator, A-Rosa, offering trips in Germany, France and Portugal on ships with cabins sleeping up to five, a pool, a kids’ buffet and dedicated activities and clubs during school holidays, plus free berths for under 15s. Similarly, Ama Waterways offers some family-friendly river cruises, some on craft that have a Green Certification Award for safety and environmental standards, and Ama is a rare river-cruising outfit in that it’s a member of French culinary organisations Tables et Auberges and La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. Less specifically geared to families, but offering real adventure: Asia’s mighty Mekong River, where floating markets, jungle biking and temple tours abound. Great in autumn and winter when humidity and tropical rains are at their lowest, Ama’s sun-soaked trip offers a big cultural bang for your buck, taking the sights of Vietnam and Cambodia including Ho Chi Minh City, UNESCO-designated Angkor Archaeological Park, tuk tuk tours and the chance to visit a local school, food market and get a blessing in a Buddhist temple. The rather elegant, 124-berth, three-deck AmaDara travels the Mekong with French Colonial style wood furnishings, a sundeck pool and spa. The main restaurant has both a Western and local menu offering the chance to try everything from Vietnamese iced coffees and pho to coconutty Cambodian curries and noodle stir-fries. The Chef’s Table venue, included once per trip, offers a tasting menu blending local and European flavours. Book it: The seven-night Riches of the Mekong fly-cruise costs from £3,102pp all-inclusive with return flights from the UK, and is best for families who want to introduce their children (age 4+) to Asia, with a bit of handholding. However, it’s worth noting that cabins sleep just two, and under 18s must overnight with an adult. Book at amawaterways.co.uk. Pandaw offers similar Mekong cruises, with twin cabins (children aged four and under can share with parents); under 16s travel free or discounted on select dates. Nile River cruise The world’s longest river carves its way through North and East Africa, and in southern Egypt past some of our greatest man-made wonders. Here, flanking the shores of the Upper Nile you’ll find the archaeological sites including the Valley of the Kings and the pyramids of Luxor and Aswan – if you’ve got a family that’s mad for pharaohs and Tintin-style adventures, this is the place for you. Bear in mind that most Nile cruises often involve dawn starts for packed days of sightseeing with sunshine and panhandling, and as such they’re not suited to tots. And double check what ‘families welcome’ really means, as Nile cruises have traditionally been aimed at older couples and retirees. That said, choice has been blossoming in the last decade, with cruises of all budgets on everything from large, motorised liners carrying hundreds of passengers to boutique steamers and craft with just a few cabins, so most families can find a ship to fit. Travel on a traditional dahabiya sailing ship for a more peaceful, rustic experience that’s akin to camping in the case of the smaller felucca, which replaces cabins with covered sleeping areas. These can be the most affordable way for families to explore but if you don’t want to commit to an entire holiday on these traditional craft, they’re often used for day trips by larger cruise ships. Boutique operator, Uniworld has ‘generations’ specific sailings designed for families aboard its upscale 82-passenger Tosca, with activities for children aged four up, including teens. Travelling on a 12-day round-trip from Cairo, you’ll hit the highlights sailing from Luxor, taking in the Pyramids of Giza, the Valley of the Kings and Karnak. There are plenty of active pursuits, beyond sightseeing – dune boarding, bird watching, swimming in the Nile, biking along the riverbanks – along with a felucca sunset cruise and the chance to meet local children for a football match. The ship has a sundeck pool and two restaurants that draw on local ingredients – expect plenty of fresh fruit along with the likes of falafel, hummus, dukka, stuffed hawawshi pitta, lamb kofta, meringue with dates, leafy molokhia stews and kushari, Egypt’s flavourful national dish of garlicky pasta, rice and pulses. Book it: Suitable for children four and up, but best for active families with children who’ve been introduced to ancient Egypt at school and don’t mind early starts. From £6,699pp, all-inclusive, with flights from UK and four nights at an upscale Cairo hotel. Book at uniworld.com The Greek islands If you’re looking for an active holiday where you can explore places only accessible by sea, then book a small boat sailing trip to the Greek islands. Sunsail offers family trips where mastering sailing is front and centre, while Responsible Travel has a range of skippered cruises in Greece and also in island-strewn Croatia that are suitable for families. Exploring Greece’s small bays, rocky skerries and secluded sandy coves offers families a Swallows and Amazons-type adventure but with added sunshine, warm waters and exceptionally fresh local food. A sun-soaked idyll: sailing the Aegean on a small boat experience with Explore! aboard a traditional caique – a wooden Greek-made craft, formerly a 1960s cargo ferry. With just two double cabins and six twins, the ship is perfect for extended families or sociable travellers open to small group holidays. The cruise explores the waters around Evia – an island larger than Mallorca or Corfu, but one that remains largely the preserve of weekending Athenians. Days are spent sailing between bays or hiking olive tree-lined valleys, then diving into the Aegean for snorkelling and cooling swims or flopping under the shady deck area. Highlights include swimming at Port Buffalo’s lagoon beach, exploring the exclusive Petali archipelago, former home of the Greek royal family, and climbing to the Venetian mountaintop castle of Castello Rosso in Gourna. There’s also the chance to visit the family-run Montofoli vineyards to try wines made with Aegean grape varieties, including Decanter award-winning dessert wine, Ktima Montofoli. Nightly dinners at local tavernas in beach towns including Marathon, Marmari and the port of Karystos bring the chance to sample local specialities like tiropitari (fried feta pies), slow oven-baked vouloto lamb and local trachanas pasta (made with flour, milk or yogurt) with shrimp. Ship breakfasts include the likes of Greek yogurt, honey and fresh seasonal fruits, with lunches of traditional Greek dishes drawn from local produce and seasonal salads. Book it: Best for children 7+. From £1,149pp (£1,079 per child under 16) including accommodation with breakfast and lunch (six nights on the boat and one night in a hotel), activities and excursions and an Explore tour leader throughout. Flights (to Athens) are extra. Book at explore.co.uk The Caribbean A wonderful wintertime option, the Caribbean offers picture-perfect beaches, glorious weather and visits to any number of islands where you can sample seafood specialities, tropical fruits fresh from the tree, and possibly the strongest rum cocktails on the planet. Caribbean trips are typically fly-cruise, such as P&O’s 14-night jaunt that departs and returns from Barbados, stopping at the islands of Martinique, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Tortola, St Maarten, Antigua (overnight), Grenada and St Lucia. Excursions give you plenty of opportunity to soak up the sun, whether on a palm-fringed beach, a stroll around the port town or even an open-top bus tour of the entire island. Foodies can try Caribbean cookery classes or visit a wide variety of rum distilleries to sample the national spirit. There’s plenty on board for foodies, too, with restaurants from big-name chefs and global cuisines, as well as plenty of home-style favourites and kid-friendly options. On the enormous, 5,200-guest Arvia ship there’s even an on-board distillery where you can create your own high-quality rum. If you’re looking to get your kicks away from the multiple bars, the Skywalk is a high-rope experience, 54m above the ocean, where the fearless can walk the plank and scramble across a series of ropewalks. For something a little more sedate, there’s also mini golf, several swimming pools and an entertainment theatre that puts on musicals and comedy. It’s busy on board, so this probably isn’t one for couples as it’s hard to find much seclusion. But friends and families can have a blast with all the activities. With little time to really get to know the islands, but plenty of entertainment and all creature comforts on board, this is best suited to fun-lovers rather than explorers or seasoned travellers. Both parents and kids will appreciate the kids’ clubs, quizzes, bingo, mini cinema, silent disco and interactive ‘Mission Control’ adventure where groups can work together as marine explorers to solve a mystery. There are also adult-only areas, including pools, the nightclub and some stylish bars. Book it: P&O Cruises is offering a 14-night fly-cruise on Arvia (K602A) from £1629 per person for an inside cabin. Departing January 17, 2026. The price includes return flights from selected UK airports, children’s clubs, full board meals and entertainment. Book at pocruises.com.
Top 10 family travel destinations for 2022
Find out BBC Good Food's top family-friendly travel destinations for 2022, including must-try foodie hotspots in the UK and abroad.
Looking for inspiration for that much-anticipated family getaway? We’ve selected 10 places where fun and good food is guaranteed, from easy access UK escapes and no-fly French ski trips to European beach breaks, exciting activity holidays and that big bucket list trip to see the pyramids in Egypt or the wonders of Japan. Top 10 family travel destinations 2022 1. Kent: stay overnight at a nature reserve Treat yourself to a sleepover at the only national nature reserve in England in which you can spend the night. Elmley Nature Reserve, on the nearby Isle of Sheppey, comes with bell tents and farmhouse cottages to rent, owls to spot swooping low over the marshlands, and a bevy of Kent’s best farm shops nearby. You’re perfectly placed to explore further afield with the seafood shacks at Whitstable and the Cathedral city of Canterbury just 45 minutes away. Don’t miss The Goods Shed, a farmers' market-cum-foodhall adjacent to Canterbury railway station, packed with picnic-worthy local produce and a lovely rustic café. 15 minutes east, there’s more wild fun to be had this year. By spring 2022, a small herd of wild European bison will be introduced to Blean Woods. Hunted to extinction, it’s been thousands of years since free-roaming bison were an integral part of our UK landscapes but a £1m project led by Kent Wildlife Trust and the Wildwood Trust sees the beasts return, in the hope that they’ll do their natural job of rewilding, managing forests by grazing on bark and felling weak trees. Once settled, ‘safari’ style nature tours will allow careful approach on foot. 2. Greece: small islands & mainland escapes Avoid the crowds and make a beeline for Greece’s bountiful choice of little islands characterised by family-run hotels and authentic local food. Follow in the footsteps of savvy Greek travellers and try Agistri. One of the closest islands to Athens (an hour by hydrofoil) its fragrant with pine forests offering easy hikes down to the astoundingly clear waters of the Saronic Gulf, plus a good selection of laid-back psarotaverna specialising in oysters, mussels, octopus and squid, and kakavia fish stew. And don’t forget the mainland. An excellent base in the Athens-adjacent Peloponnese peninsular, Nafplio is an elegant harbour town below ancient fortresses with a lively local dining scene fuelled by weekending Athenians and some great wineries nearby. Hotel Ippoliti is one of Nafplio’s exemplary Italianate mansion hotels complete with family suites, a pool and a sister restaurant that tops the town’s dining spots. Both can be paired with a short stay in Athens, for visits to the Acropolis and the excellent adjacent museum. 3. Northumberland: dark skies & deep history 2022 will provide a powerful opportunity to plug kids into ancient history as the UNESCO-listed structure that formed the north-west frontier of the Roman empire for some three centuries marks its 1,900th birthday. Get your hands dirty at live excavations and join in with a year-long programme of outdoor performances, costumed re-enactments and sunset music concerts, along with a new illuminated garden, al fresco art installations plus a Roman Big Birthday Bash in August. And with the wall’s footprint stretching 73-miles from North Sea to Irish Sea coasts, taking in the counties of Northumberland, Cumbria and Tyne & Wear means you’re in excellent territory to combine a family foray with foodie treats. Stay over at YHA The Sill, the region’s smartest hostel (with private family rooms) adjoining the National Landscape Discovery Centre whose café/bar serves family friendly ‘supper club’ dinners, take-outs and cooked breakfasts. Set in one of the UK’s official Dark Skies regions, it’s great for campfire stargazing, too. 4. Rome: take a kudos-guaranteed teen trip The Eternal City has added contemporary gloss to its ancient foundations with the recent arrival of some affordable chic hotels – a boon if you’re travelling to Rome with style conscious teens – a fun, foodie destination with plenty street eats, and accessible ancient history. Funky, inclusive and affordable: The Hoxton, Rome has set up shop in the boho northern Salaria district, while W Rome has brought playful pizzazz to venerable Via Veneto, and Mama Shelter Roma has transformed two modernist office blocks in the Prati district. Hit Mama’s rooftop restaurant overlooking the banks of the Tiber, or wallow in its very modern take on Roman baths with pool and hammam. And Rome’s makeovers span the years, vividly bringing those ancient history lessons to life. For the first time in centuries, you can now walk Rome’s ancient Aurelian walls – get initiated with a free city walking tour. The Colosseum is soon to have a new floor, allowing visitors to see the ancient amphitheatre from a gladiator's vantage point for the first time in two centuries, as well as new tours already accessing its subterranean chambers. Some tour operators even offer gladiator school as part of Rome holidays. 5. Suffolk: viking treasures & treetop fun Sutton Hoo is home to one of the most important archaeological discoveries ever made – the early medieval burial site of an Anglo-Saxon king in an ocean-going ship, surrounded by a wealth of treasure – and since 2020’s £4m revamp the site has become infinitely more family friendly. Climb a viewing tower over the digs, see a full-size sculpture of the ship’s vast hull. Visit Tranmer House – home of Edith Pretty, who commissioned the 1930s excavations – for an interactive story of the ship’s discovery, juxtaposed with the looming global events that made its excavation so urgent. Head further inland, to Suffolk’s leafy Brecks region for a forest biking and homegrown food and treetop ziplines. Or go coastal with a stay in a vintage American Airstream trailer, within dashing distance of the smokehouses, oyster bars and seafood shacks at Southwold, Aldeburgh and Thorpeness. 6. Egypt: discover the Boy King’s treasures 2022 is a big year from families fascinated by ancient Egypt. It’s exactly a century since British Egyptologist Howard Carter discovered the tomb of boy king Tutankhamun, and also when Jean-François Champollion unlocked the mystery of hieroglyphs by deciphering the Rosetta Stone. And there’s never been a better time to explore the associated treasures. This year, the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum finally opens its doors in Cairo, a new £600m site set two miles from the Giza pyramids. Said to be the world’s the largest museum dedicated to one civilisation, it will house, among innumerable other treasures, some 5000 items from King Tut’s tomb, including a gold mask of his face and his royal undergarments. Operators are offering a number of new group tours and tailor-made trips for families including Responsible Travel and On The Go Tours, taking in Cairo, the pyramids, the Valley of the Kings and Red Sea beach resorts. 7. Nottingham: stay in Robin Hood’s lair Take your band of merry men to stay deep in Sherwood Forest in wood cabins equipped with hot tubs and BBQs, for archery lessons, ranger-led nature tours and Robin Hood trails through the forest’s 450-acre National Nature Reserve & RSPB centre. Then head to Nottingham Castle, newly revamped in 2021 to the tune of £30 million, for longbow-firing and sparring with Little John as part of new interactive exhibits dedicated to Nottingham’s most infamous rebel and his crew of outlaws. With new adventure playgrounds, ghost tours and art galleries, the 950-year-old fortress has been brought bang up to date. Nottingham itself has some great places to eat including family favourites, Annie’s Burger Shack and mega deli-cum-foodhall Delilah. 8. Montenegro: mountains, beaches & Balkan culture This Balkan beauty packs big drama into its small expanse: snow-capped peaks tower over turquoise lakes, white water rivers run through five national parks surrounded by charming rural villages, all fronted by a postcard perfect Adriatic coast. Montenegro, one 18th the size of the UK, is accessible terrain for an action-packed family activity holiday – something an increasing number of tour operators, including Families Worldwide and Utracks are taking advantage of. And with the 2021 opening of a One & Only resort in Portonovi, a brand renowned for its bells and whistles kids’ clubs and fine dining (Montenegro’s offering has a Locatelli beachfront venue and Asian Tapas from ex-Nobu chef Yannick Bayjoo), you could reward yourself with some downtime after all that hiking, biking, kayaking and zip-lining. 9. Japan: New family adventures Interest in family trips to Japan was on the up pre-Pandemic, and with the Olympics keeping the country firmly in frame, the destination remains on the wish list for that much-delayed Big Trip. Families fans of Studio Ghibli animated classics can visit the studio where the likes of Spirited Away and Ponyo were made, with tours revealing an exclusive short film screening. Further afield, you can re-live Princess Mononoke at a new Studio Ghibli-esque glampsite in a nature park an hour’s bullet train ride from the city of Nagoya. Stay in Nordic-Japanese style wood cabins set among the trees in the densely wooded Uga Valley, said to resemble the film’s fictional forest. Meanwhile over in Osaka, Super Nintendo World recently opened in Universal Studios, and tour operators including Cox & Kings are taking in much of these new offerings on adventurous trips specially designed for families. 10. French Alps: a direct ride to the slopes Eurostar’s defunct winter ski train has been reanimated by Travelski Express, so skiers seeking no-fly access to the French Alps can once again board a direct rail service from London (Dec-April). The Friday night outbound arrives in Moutiers and Bourg-Saint-Maurice in time to hit the slopes Saturday morning (traditionally a day lost to travel on a week’s ski holiday), and with booze banned this won’t be the party train it once was. The Saturday daytime return takes in epic French scenery: the Alps into Lyon, the Saône valley, Macon and the Burgundy region. The Eurostar train is operated as a charter by owners of regional French resorts. Tickets are available as part of ski packages to seven destinations including family favourites, Meribel and La Plagne. There are plenty of chalet options, many right on piste, some with excellent catering and even swimming pool access. Want to plan more trips? Read our foodie guides... 5 foodie family cruises Best UK city breaks for families Best places to eat in London Best UK foodie holidays What's your favourite family getaway destination? Leave a comment below...
A child-friendly holiday can be the perfect time to discover new and exciting food terrain. From the UK to Europe and far beyond, we've selected the best places to indulge your appetite for the world's finer food experiences.
Recommendations compiled as of the publish date. If you think there is any incorrect or out-of-date information in this guide please e-mail us at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk Taking a foodie family holiday can be the perfect way to explore the world, enjoy local flavours and soak up culture one bite at a time. Some of the world’s most beguiling destinations come with luxurious family friendly hotels where children are to be seen, heard and appetites encouraged. Explore our pick of the best. The Cotswolds, England Best for child-friendly country house hotels Move over Cornwall, for foodie family holidays there’s nowhere like the Cotswolds for a luxurious break where kids can live like kings. Home to some of the UK’s standard-setting gastro pubs including The Wild Rabbit, The Woolpack and The Lamb Inn, gourmet food in this rural region of rolling hills comes in an informal, cosy setting well-suited to families. And award-winning local food producers are reason alone for a road trip through the Cotswold’s honey-hued villages. Not one but two vast arboretums – Batsford and Westonbirt – allow kids to run wild under acres of spectacular trees, while Cotswold Country Park and Cotswold Water Park bring some beachy water sports fun. Where to stay in the Cotswolds: £ Cotswold Farm Park offers all the fun of a working farming estate and celebrates farm-to-fork family dining, its campsite home to six glamping eco lodges with Scandi-chic kitchens. ££ The Fish offers Swallows and Amazons fun with lake boating, treehouse accommodation and rooms in the old coach house where bistro and fine dining are on offer. £££ Calcot & Spa sets the gold standard for country house hotels where families are front and centre, with a crèche, kids’ club and extensive kids’ menus, cooking classes, extravagant high teas and family rooms in all shapes and sizes. Île de Ré, France Best for baguettes and bikes on the beach With sandy shores linked by a network of cycle paths, and every pretty painted village offering hire of tandems and tag-alongs, this is a two-wheel treat of a seaside retreat. Pack your bike basket with market fare and explore this pretty much flat 30km-long, 5km-wide island. At the north-western end, bird haven nature reserve Lilleau de Niges is a landscape of salt pans and marshes while the western peninsula comes with empty sandy beaches backed by pines and dunes, and oyster shacks where you can pluck, shuck and taste for next to nothing. Where to stay in Île de Ré: £ Campsites are the flavour of the day and Huttopia is a tried-and-tested spot among the pines with a top-notch café, pool and the beach a short bike ride away. ££ A salt-water-therapy-focused wellness retreat, Hotel Atalante has a restaurant where fresh, healthy food is front and centre, with summer months bringing a kids’ club and entertainment. £££ Breakfasts at Le Clos Saint-Martin come with honey from the hotel’s hives and locally baked pastries plus interconnecting poolside suites with baby kit. Alaçatı, Turkey Best for fine Turkish food and water sports fun Beloved by backpacking windsurfers in the '70s and given a boutique make-over by the boho Istanbul crowd over the last decade, Alaçati (pronounced al-ur-cha-tur) is a Turkish delight for foodie family holidays. Dubbed the new Bodrum, this tiny town has far less glitz and a lot more traditional charm than its better-known neighbour. Expect cobbled streets lined with tumbledown Grecian houses (Alaçati was settled by Greek workers in the 1800s), indie boutiques, shabby chic cafes serving Turkish grills and chilled glasses of local rosé, and grandma-style restaurants dishing up traditional recipes to a culinary savvy crowd. The beaches of the sleepy Çesme Peninsula are 3km away while Alaçati Port, a bike-ride away, is the place for windsurfing lessons. Where to stay in Alaçati: £ ARTOTEL: This 2023 boutique opening has 13 rooms including family suites, a seasonal outdoor pool, and generous breakfasts. ££ Biblos Resort is a smart 194-room beachside resort with multiple pools, a kids’ club and spa. Set in Alaçati Port, it’s a great spot for water sports and windsurfing. £££ Alavya, is a 25-room family-run boutique hotel in walled gardens, set in a hamlet of traditional houses centered around a sparkling strip of swimming pool. Breakfasts are banquets crowned with local honeycomb kids can take a spoon to. Despite feeling quite grown-up, this a place for child-friendly holidays, with babysitting, teddies at turndown and connecting rooms and suites. Palau, Sardinia Best for boat trips, pizza and pristine water Just north of the Costa Smeralda’s luxe stronghold, a short hop from Olbia airport, this pretty little harbour town is surrounded by pristine beaches. Set in a deep inlet, sheltered from the strong winds prevalent along Sardinia’s north coast, Palau is packed with small restaurants serving handmade pasta, freshly grilled fish and plenty of pizza. Great day trips include boat rides around the archipelago of Maddalena with its pink beach and wild national park landscapes, the narrow gauge Trenino Verde (Little Green Train), navigating the island’s rugged hilly inland and the Tombs of the Giants, a mysterious archaeological site dating back to the Bronze Age. Where to stay in Palau: £ Part of the local Delphina hotel group, Park Hotel Cala di Lepre is a family friendly favourite, with a kids’ club (three to 14 years) and tasty local food. ££ Residence Il Mirto has 60 villa apartments set into the hillside surrounded by wild olive and juniper trees, with beach access, a salt-water pool, tennis courts and a great pizzeria. £££ Lovely rustic chic whitewashed Villa Ivy sleeps eight across four bedrooms, with a pool, two kitted-out kitchens and kids’ kit including cots and highchairs. Les Trois-Îlets, Martinique Best for croissants on a Caribbean beach French and West Indian culture and cuisines are a winning combination for families who visit St Lucia’s sister island. Like its better-known neighbour, Martinique offers a postcard perfect landscape of lush jungle interiors, rugged mountains and talc-white beaches. But here, you can also expect proper French restaurants serving ripe cheese, boulangeries selling croissants for beach breakfasts and roadside food shacks cooking family friendly specialties like grilled fish with ratatouille, and poulet boucané (smoked chicken) with a rainbow salad. And there’s plenty to do beyond eat and splash around in Martinique’s sparkling Caribbean waters. In the island’s south, the bays of Anse Noir and Anse Dufour respectively offer a novel black sand beach and spectacular snorkelling; kayaking trips are popular in the calm waters of the west, while surf breaks are a feature in the east. In the lively westerly resort town of Les Trois-Îlets, named after the three rocky islands just offshore and populated by distinctive brick-and-wood buildings roofed with antique tiles, you can pick up regular dolphin-spotting boat tours and check into a choice of elegant family friendly accommodation including an abundance of private villas found via the likes of Vrbo and Airbnb. Where to stay in Martinique: £ Pierre & Vacances Village Sainte-Luce is a spacious beach resort on the south coast. ££ In the west, La Suite Villa offers two- and three-bedroom candy-coloured villas, walking distance from the beach. £££ Also in the south of the island, Club Med is a trusted destination for families. Dubai, UAE Best for winter sun and delicious food tours Delicious flat breads, flavoursome falafel and even camel burgers: Emirati food has become better represented on the menus of Dubai’s best restaurants. So along with sampling Michelin-starred offerings from some of the best international chefs at high-end restaurants like Hakkasan, Orfali Bros Bistro and Nobu, there’s great local cuisine, exceptional street eats and some really fun food tours to try out. And fine dining in Dubai, given the Vegas-style excess, is far from a stuffy experience. Tasting menus at Ossiano at Atlantis, The Palm come with panoramic views of The Ambassador Lagoon, where thousands of marine animals are swimming around, while tables at Ristorante L’Olivo at Burj Al Arab's Jumeirah centre around a giant aquarium – something to entertain younger diners during tasting menus. Where to stay in Dubai: £ The budget-friendly Rove brand has various locations citywide, but Rove at the Park comes with teen-friendly gaming rooms, a pool and a roller-coaster theme park on the doorstep. ££ Address Dubai Mall is home to a mega rooftop pool, a cracking kids’ club and the excitement of the Mall next door, with its vast ice rink, aquarium and virtual reality park. £££ Ocean-themed, Atlantis, The Palm is home to Aquaventure, an integrated water park with more than 100 slides, children’s pools and play areas, plus an underwater aquarium theatre for fishy film nights and sessions with divers and aquarists. Orlando, USA Best for theme park thrills and upscale eats Disney, done properly, doesn’t have to be all about fast rides and fast food. Certain areas of Orland’s theme park zones, and parts of the central state have some fabulous places for families to eat. Disney Springs is a waterfront hamlet of high-end cafés, restaurants and shops where international chefs like Wolfgang Puck and Morimoto serve showstopping food and you can try a smorgasbord of great American eats, from barbacoa food trucks to gourmet pretzels. Just north of Downtown, the Winter Park and Mills 50 areas have some standout dining championing the flavours of Vietnamese, Chinese and pan-American cuisine. Plus, some exceptional barbeque joints. Where to stay in Orlando: £ Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, set between Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort, comes with a waterfall-studded mega pool, classic buffet-style dining and the restaurants of Disney Springs right on its doorstep. ££ In Winter Park, the Alfond Inn comes with sub-tropical gardens, a rooftop pool and a restaurant serving generous portions of refined southern-style food. £££ Four Seasons Resort Orlando has the luxe atmosphere of the Bahamas, ‘beach’ cabanas, a lazy river, waterpark and some serious five-star dining – with Disney’s nightly fireworks exploding over the palm trees. Tokyo, Japan For anime adventures and the food trip of a lifetime <a href="https://www.japan.travJapan has become the go-to destination for families to blow the budget on a bucket-list trip. With its anime and samurai museums, robot-served restaurants, cos-play shops, neon-lit skyscrapers, conveyor belt sushi and noodles galore, Tokyo offers some serious bang, albeit for some serious buck. But while flights may be expensive, and high-end hotels likewise, transport, food and entertainment can be surprisingly affordable. And there’s so much to do beyond having an amazing food adventure, including the Studio Ghibli Museum, half-hour west of the city, for fans of the hit animated films, and Kiddy Town on Omotesando Road in Harajuku offering five floors of tax-free toy shopping. Where to stay in Tokyo: £ Set in a plush skyscraper, Keio Plaza Hotel comes with a rooftop pool backed by panoramic city views and 15 restaurants offering picky eaters almost infinite choice. ££ Above its flagship store in the heart of Tokyo, Muji Hotel is the sort of beautifully designed minimalist space you’d expect from the brand, with family rooms and a child-friendly atmosphere, plus one child under 12 stays free. £££ Contemporary and decked with modern art, super sleek, Park Hotel Tokyo is a cool stay. One for aesthete families, certain rooms have sofa beds to accommodate children. Hungry for more foodie travel content? The best all-inclusive resorts with great food The best UK gourmet glamping sites The best dog-friendly hotels in the UK BBC Good Food's travel hub
Plush bedding, proper loos and some seriously good food credentials. From farm stays to tipis, tree houses to tents with fully kitted kitchens, glamping provides a brilliant getaway for families.
Recommendations compiled as of the publish date. If you think there is any incorrect or out of date information in this guide please e-mail us at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk Glamping has reinvented camping, not only making a night under canvas accessible to those who aren't used to embracing the elements but also offering access to hyper local ingredients and exceptional local cuisine. Forget fiddly camping stoves or reheating baked beans on a weedy fire: the best glamping destinations come with fully kitted-out kitchens, wood burners with hot plates, or al fresco pizza ovens and firepits where wood and cooking kit is included. Most places are set on or near farms, with impressively stocked farm shops; some sitting pretty on the grounds of the UK’s award-winning foodie hotels. Hampers of locally produced food can almost always be ordered, a showcase of British and Irish fare, from artisan pies, bakes and jams to sparkling wines and cheeses. And from treehouse glamping in Scotland and lough-side glamping pods in Northern Ireland, to pitching up at pre-set bell tent to go glamping in Wales or hitting the hot tub at your shepherd’s hut in view of peaks and shores of the Lake District, there's no end of choice – most with proper beds and linens, too. Troytown Farm, St Agnes, Isles of Scilly Best for local food and sandy beaches Camp out in style on the Isles of Scilly’s only dairy farm, in immaculately appointed bell tents, overlooking a white sandy beach and grazing fields framed with wildflowers. In addition to standard camping pitches, the site’s five bell tents sleep two to four people and come with self-inflating foam air mattresses, pots, pans, a camping stove, proper crockery, cutlery and utensils, plus a cool box and free ice-pack service. Pre-order a hamper from the on-site shop for farm-reared pork and beef, plus the creamiest dairy produce from Troytown’s Jersey and Ayrshire cows. Milk from the farm’s small herd is transformed on site into live yogurt, decadent ice cream (30 flavours, but hard to go past the clotted cream) and un-homogenised milk. Head out on foot for roadside honesty boxes and local shops stocked with seasonal fruit and veg, apple juice, free-range eggs, local crab and lobster. How to get there: Ferry from Penzance to the main island of St Mary’s (2 hours 45 mins) for cracking views of the Cornish coast, plus the chance to spot dolphins and basking sharks. Then take one of the thrice-daily water taxis to tiny St Agnes. Price: It costs from £500 to rent a bell tent for four people for seven nights, or from £74 a night. One extra bed can be provided if booked in advance. Bedding and towels not included. For more information visit: Troytown The Nest, Lincolnshire Best for budding sailors and pizza lovers Sat next to a secret lake on a private farm, The Nest offers three luxurious, dog-friendly, safari-style huts. It has an adventurous feel while being extra comfortable, with thought-out touches like a free-standing bath, hot water bottles for chillier nights, a wood burner, plush bedding and high-quality finishes. Each lodge (Teal, Pinkfoot and Cuckoo) sleeps six and is spaced apart to offer privacy and quiet. The huts are spacious and facilities are as good as a hotel. We arrived to a welcome pack of lavender spray, elderflower pressé from the local Belvoir farm and a well-kitted kitchen with all the utensils and condiments you need for mealtimes. Options for cooking include the wood-burning oven or a convenient induction hob, or for al fresco options, there’s a charcoal barbecue and pizza oven (available with dough and sauce for a surcharge). For movie lovers, the family film package allows little ones to toast marshmallows under the stars. The sides of the hut zip up – ideal for bringing the outside indoors and freely moving around while watching the sunset from the terrace (we were lucky enough to see a hare bound by at dusk). Inside, there’s a cosy chesterfield sofa and chest full of board games. The lake is open for wild swimming and fishing, and there are rowing boats that are free to use. There’s also a hot tub available, plus spa treatments, to take things to a super-luxe level. It’s an ideal spot for families, being close to Sacrewell Farm, Fineshade Woods and many more local attractions, while the beautiful village of Stamford is close by. Pick up local ingredients like Lincolnshire sausages and poacher cheese – or order them in via The Nest’s hamper service – to enjoy for an evening meal overlooking the lake. Price: From £750 for four nights based on six guests. For more information visit: thenestglamping.co.uk Cynefin retreats Best for understated luxury and nature spotting Cynefin Retreats is set in expansive countryside next to a working farm, surrounded by nature. You’ll find many excellent walks on your doorstep, with paths from the lodges leading directly to the surrounding woods which depending on the season, are packed with wild garlic and bluebells. The retreat consists of a handful of handcrafted eco-pods and lodges, all set within their own gardens, some of which also have luxury hot tubs and private outdoor swings. Three of the lodges are suited to families with two large double rooms and plenty of space for the whole family to gather. Inside, the lodges have been carefully built to make the most of the scenery with huge picture windows in every room. You’ll also find floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors in the living room, which give you full access to the garden. Stand-alone baths, plush bedding and the scandi-chic interiors give these lodges the feel of a five-star hotel, but the ambience is completely private and relaxed. Dogs are welcome, and there are many special touches such as bowls and treats in the entrance lobby and even an outside hose with perfectly warm water to clean up muddy paws. If you’re travelling with your family, then children will love the little dedicated play snugs under the stairs with a wealth of beautifully curated books and toys. There’s also plenty of family games for older children and marshmallow toasting to be done on the firepit, or on the indoor log burner if you encounter any bad weather. Cynefin lies within a designated ‘dark skies’ area, which means on clear nights you can stargaze from the comfort of your own hot tub while listening to the sounds of nearby wildlife. Enthusiastic cooks will be overjoyed with the thoughtfully stocked kitchen that makes cooking feel like a treat, from a super-sized fridge and freezer to hand-crafted egg cups, you’ll find everything you need, including excellent barbecue facilities outside. Welcome treats include locally sourced bara brith chocolate and apple juice from a nearby orchard, you’ll also find a book full of great local recommendations, including The Bridge which serves good coffee and relaxed lunches with a riverside view, and Gwernyfed walled gardens for homemade soups, salads and cakes as well as honey from their own hives. Hay-on-Wye is just a five-minute drive away, home to a well-stocked deli as well as a multitude of famous book shops for a lazy afternoon. Other nearby activities include kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding as well as local bike trails and scenic picnic stops, there’s plenty of local treasures to be discovered. Price: Prices start from £175 per night, based on two people sharing, a stay in a two-bedroom luxury lodge costs from £245 per night based on four people sharing. For more information visit: Cynefin Retreats Feather Down Moor Farm, Gloucestershire Best for experiencing life on a working farm This is a top spot for children to roam free, and for adults it’s a notable foodie stay. Set in the glorious Gloucestershire countryside, family-run Moor Farm is a quiet, get-away-from-it-all place but with plenty for everyone to do. The kids can be kept busy with farm chores, and you can learn about the site’s rare animal breeds and regenerative farming practices on educative but fun tours, or head to the swimming pool if it’s warm. Just-laid eggs can be collected in the communal chicken coop (as long as the hens are feeling happy), and you can buy a breakfast hamper in the farm shop with excellent bread and great produce. The rose veal burgers are standouts – ideal for barbecues. During the week there’s wood-fired pizza night (with cider). The farmer’s son, Mathew, is a trained chef and he hosts events including hog roasts and Double Gloucester cheese tastings. The canal into Gloucester is a walkable distance, with boating and fishing available, along with a number of pubs, including the Ship Inn gastropub. Accommodation is in Feather Down’s now classic safari-style Canvas Lodges with wooden floors, proper beds and bedding, kitchenettes and outside stoves. Choose a Frills Lodge for an ensuite bathroom, veranda and barbecue. Price: Prices start at £359 for a two-night stay in a Frills Lodge; all lodges can sleep a maximum of six people (five adults and one child up to 12 years old) and include a double bed, bunk bed and cupboard bed. A week’s stay costs £1,050. For more information visit: Feather Down Woodland Tipi and Yurts, Herefordshire Best for Sunday lunch and making dens Choose from six traditional yurts, two bell tents and two Sioux Native American tipis set in secluded glades in 17 acres of woodland. All are decked with proper beds, cosy rugs, wood-burning heaters, a fridge and their own hammock, picnic table, BBQ and firepit. This is a real dingly dell, discreetly fenced in, so it’s safe for children to roam free, with a hippy festival aesthetic and 1950s caravan kitsch-style share-kitchens and a pizza oven. Shared bathrooms have plush tubs and separate showers. It’s shady in the woods, so pack fleecy layers even in summer. Book ahead for the wood fired hot tub. There are materials for den-making, giant tyre swings, towering trees to climb and trails to explore. Hooting, low-flying owls bring some Harry Potter magic, while parents can fall under the spell of holistic therapies in the woodland treatment room. Order a seasonal veg box from Carey Organic at the neighbouring White Thorn Farm and discover the secrets of cider-making at Westons Cider Visitor Centre. There are three good pubs within easy walking distance; for Sunday lunch, the aptly named Cottage of Content is a must – try the roast topside of Hereford beef. Price: Two-night stays from £200 in a bell tent (sleeps three), £350 in a large yurt or tipi (sleep 5). For more information visit: Woodland Tipi and Yurts Big Sky Tipis, Sussex Best for star-filled skies Check into one of eight Sioux tipis, hand-painted with traditional Native American designs and decked out with beanbags, faux fur rugs and proper beds. They’re set in a two-acre meadow, part of 23 acres of meadowland, fields and woodland, five miles from the East Sussex coast. You can cook breakfast on the campfire (or gas stove; utensils and crockery are provided) with home-produced, free-range sausages, bacon and eggs. The purpose-built shower block is solar-powered and comes with a room for washing up, a communal fridge and electricity points. Local pubs, which are about a 20-minute walk away, include The Lamb Inn and The Friday Street Farm, set in a 17th-century farmhouse with popular Sunday roasts and live music on Friday evenings. Big Sky’s site was selected for its lack of light pollution, so – weather allowing – expect plenty of starry nights. Price: Tipis sleeping four-six people start from £160 for two nights. Full-sized double (futon) beds come with a feather topper, duvet, and pillows and linen, and two single futons/air beds, also with a pillow, duvet and linen. Additional blankets are also available inside the tipis. For more information visit: Big Sky Tipi Holidays Port Lympne, Kent Best for a camping safari An early adopter of the trend for family attractions to offer accommodation, Port Lympne Safari Park’s glamping set-up now runs the gamut of treehouses, wood and glass ‘tipis’, shepherd’s huts, cabins, eco pods, safari tents and luxury lodges. This is in addition to rental cottages and the estate’s boutique hotel set in a Grade II-listed redbrick manor house that has hosted the likes of Sir Winston Churchill. All accommodation comes with out-of-hours access to the safari park with a golf buggy to explore the 600-acre reserve, and each glamping area has its own vantage point on the wildlife, within a whisker of big cats or a bird’s eye view of roaming rhino. The glass-fronted ‘treehouse’ cabins, set on a tree-lined escarpment, come with a fully kitted kitchen-diner (milk, biscuits, tea and coffee are provided), a bathroom, two bedrooms and a wrap-around wooden terrace, from which rhinos, zebras and giraffes can be seen roaming the Kent ‘savannah’. On a clear day you can also see the outline of France across the Channel. Rise early before the park opens and watch your rhino neighbours having their breakfast as you enjoy yours. Don’t want to self-cater? Enjoy a glass of sparkling Kent rosé or toast marshmallows around the fire at the private clubhouse for treehouse guests or choose from several dining spots open to overnight guests only. Try fine dining in the estate’s eccentrically decorated manor house, or wood-fired soughdough pizza at Babydoll’s (named after the park’s beloved gorilla) topped with fresh veggies from the kitchen gardens, or family-friendly menus at Bear Lodge (burgers, skewers, nachos, mozzarella salad) overlooking the spectacled bear habitat. Price: Treehouses sleeping four cost from £699 a night (two-night minimum stay at weekends). Eco pods, sleeping two, costs from £99 per night. All accommodation includes entrance to Port Lympne Reserve and sister zoo Howletts. For more information visit: Port Lympne Castle Ward, Northern Ireland Best for a natural playground Set on the southern shores of Strangford Lough, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Co Down, Castle Ward is famed as a Game of Thrones film location but it’s also a spectacular spot for family glamping. Set the 18th-century mansion’s 820-acre grounds, four eco-friendly wooden camping pods are safely tucked away from any roads, with leafy picnic spots and BBQ areas, a choice of cafes and wi-fi zones, plus children's adventure playground areas, scenic walks and family friendly bike trails. And all just half-hour’s drive from Belfast. The site’s Clearsky Adventure Centre has everything you’ll need for outdoors fun, with archery and raft-building lessons, bike rental to explore the multi-purpose cycle and hike trails plus canoe and kayak hire to paddle around the lough, the largest sea inlet in the UK and Ireland. Join a ‘sea safari’ guided tour to spot grey seals basking on the lough’s hundreds of little islands and islets. Pods don’t come with cooking facilities (you can camp cook outside if you come equipped) but beyond the National Trust site’s own cafes, Strangford is a superlative spot for foodies. To name just a few: The Artisan Cookhouse in Strangford Village serves an exemplary seafood chowder with Guinness bread and Abernethy butter. For Irish charcuterie and Mourne mountain lamb, Balloo House, in Killinchy, is the only pub in Northern Ireland to hold a Michelin Bib Gourmand, which recognises great food at affordable prices. Nearby, in Lisbane the Poacher’s Pocket is an award-winning gastropub whose two floors overlook a pretty courtyard and wood-fired pizza is on the kid’s menu. Price: Pods are heated and insulated and can accommodate up to two adults and three children. Some come with proper beds, others require sleep mats, none come with bedding. From £58 per night. For more information visit: Castle Ward Camping Pods Hawarden Estate, North Wales Best for an indulgent farm shop stop A short hop from Snowdonia, just across the border from Cheshire, this North Wales estate has a six-acre campsite with space for just 24 pitches, some camper vans and, if booked ahead early enough, stays in pre-pitched bell tents complete with camp beds. There’s an outdoor cooking area (with free logs), communal fire pit and a covered hang-out area, plus chic loos and showers. In season, pick your own at the on-site fruit farm, while fruit and veg grown on site is for sale in the multi-award-winning Farm Shop. It’s Café, bar and bakery sells oaty breakfasts, egg-based brunches, seasonal soups and salads, house-baked pastries and sausage rolls, plus extravagant afternoon teas with such treats as local smoked trout and Roebuck English sparkling wine. The estate’s Glynne Arms pub, set in a tastefully refurbished 19th-century inn, has kitchens led by Damian Clisby, former Chef Director at Surrey’s Michelin starred Petersham Nurseries. So, expect superior pub grub including top-notch Sunday roasts, and sizeable kids’ menus. Need to burn off that roast Welsh lamb rump? There are woodlands and an adventure playground to explore along with numerous pre-bookable craft and adventure activities for families. Price: Bell tents sleeping four, from £79 per night (not including bedding). For more information visit: Hawarden Farm Shop Campsite Long Valley Yurts, Lake District Best for bush craft and lake fun Seasoned campers have long endured Cumbria’s damp climes, staying under canvass to revel in early morning views across the lakes and peaks. But the District has lately upped its game to entice glampers. Many of the more grown-up offerings are on the estates of some seriously foodie hotels (such as Yan hotel in Grasmere and The Samling in Windermere), but several sites around the lakes are squarely aimed at families, located in reach of the region’s superb food offering. Along with the National Trust’s exemplary family camping spot in Great Langdale in Ambleside (with a choice of shepherd’s huts, yurts and eco pods), Long Valley Yurts has expanded from its original spot in Great Langdale, to four sites in the Lake District National Park at Windermere, Coniston and Keswick. Modelled on ornate Turkmen yurts, made in the UK from sustainable ash, Long Valley’s hardy all-weather canvas tents comes on raised platforms decked with Moroccan-style rugs and twinkling solar-powered lights, many with private hot tubs. Arranged around a central skylight for stargazing, they have proper beds with all linens included. Fully equipped kitchens comes with gas hobs, wood burners with hot plates and the website offers recipes for elevated campfire cooking. Abseiling, canoeing, bush craft and rock climbing are just some of the activities on offers and all sites are set on working farms with shops to buy local eggs, sausages and more. Or book ‘hampers for campers’ with the partner company A Day’s Walk offering cheeses, meats, fresh bakes and produce from across the Lake District. Price: Four-night stays from £225. For more information visit: Long Valley Yurts Monachyle Mhor, Scotland Best for a refined Highlands retreat A loch-side spot in the Scottish mountains deep in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, this foodie hotel comes with glamping options in its 2,000-acre estate. Book into a 1950s wagon, a cosy bothy, a cabin or a contemporary chic treehouse, all with Highland views across Perth & Kinross, and access to the hotel’s standout restaurant where ingredients are sourced from the estate’s own garden and farm and the nearby hills. Expect local venison and lamb, North Sea catch and a rainbow of seasonal veggies. Run by husband-and-wife team Tom Lewis and Lisa May, Monachyle Mhor is something of a mini culinary empire with its own bakery and chippy in nearby Callander, too. Home to a lively food and music festival in May, and decked with designer furnishings, this hotel is a pioneeringly hip retreat in the middle of nowhere, and the glamping options are fittingly funky. Try the Ferry Cabin, immaculately converted from its former life as the waiting room of the Port Appin-Isle of Lismore ferry, now with a kitted-out kitchen, wood-burning stove, rugs and a firepit (with a dedicated bathroom in the hotel). Price: The Wagon and Ferry Cabin both sleep four and cost £170 per night; the treehouse also sleeps up to four, from £320 per night B&B. All have proper beds, plush bedding and organic toiletries. For more information visit: Monachyle Mhor Accommodation for this feature was provided by Port Lympne. All recommendations have been reviewed and approved as of April 2023 and will be checked and updated annually. If you think there is any incorrect or out-of-date information in this guide please email us at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk. You might also be interested in: How to camp with kids Our top campfire recipes Best rooftop bars london Do you have any suggestions for top spots for camping with kids? We'd love to hear from you below...
14 of the best holiday cottages to book in the UK and Ireland
Wanting to take a UK holiday to escape to the countryside or coast? Read our pick of some of the best cottages to book in the UK, including popular destinations, and family- and dog-friendly options.
These days, self-catering doesn’t mean loading up the car with cornflakes and frozen chilli, or making do with a camping kitchen. Increasingly, UK holiday rentals are the very definition of imaginative – converted barns, beautiful seaside apartments, rustic-luxury cottages, shepherd huts, safari tents, architectural treehouses, and organic farmhouses. They’re often equipped with kit for kids, from high-chairs and stair gates, to bottle warmers and DVD libraries. Plus, high-spec kitchens stocked with locally sourced food, and hampers bulging with everything from fresh cheese and homemade yogurt, to local honey and English wines, and breakfast sausages made on-site. With the UK’s delis, farm shops, seafood shacks and food markets often to be found in close proximity, exploring the local area for groceries will reap great rewards. Operators have seen a sharp rise in bookings this year, and as such, demand for coastal properties and those around inland tourism hotspots – near national parks, lakes and postcard pretty villages and towns – is high. As there's also a newly found appetite for remote rentals, you’ll likely need to be flexible with your destination choice. Merlin Farm Cottages Newquay, Cornwall Visit the Merlin Farm Cottages website Tucked away amid the rolling hills and hedge-lined lanes of beautiful Cornwall, Merlin Farm Cottages offers a quietly luxurious rural escape with all the amenities and comfort of home whilst being completely surrounded by nature, you can expect scenic countryside views as far as the eye can see and nothing but the sound of bird song. The cottage is well stocked for a self-catering stay with all modern cooking facilities provided, and you’ll find welcome G&T’s, locally sourced treats and the basics such as tea and good coffee. The cottage has the advantage of being within walking distance of the sandy shores of Mawgan Porth beach, which is a bit of a hidden gem, less-known than it’s nearby neighbours Fistral and Watergate Bay, it’s the perfect spot to hire surfboards or bodyboards (or enrol in a lesson) from the surf shop and hit the waves under the watchful eye of the lifeguard team. If you work up an appetite on the beach there’s plenty of foodie options just a short sandy stroll from the seafront, with offerings from local seafood to traditional Cornish pasties. Each self-catering cottage is thoughtfully restored – slate roofs, exposed beams and thick stone walls nod to their agricultural past, while interiors balance rustic charm with modern comfort: think wood-burning stoves and huge glass windows to make the most of the stunning views. Big, comfortable beds, deep baths, and a variety of options to suit couples and families are available. Outside, private patios with garden furniture mean you can enjoy an al fresco dinner or simply take advantage of the excellent star watching. A few of the cottages are dog-friendly, too. Farm shops, artisan bakeries and vineyards dot the area: and of course, it wouldn’t be a trip to Cornwall without fish and chips on the beach. Stein’s in Watergate Bay is worth the short drive for good value lobster rolls or comforting Nasi Goreng, sit outside and you can enjoy it whilst watching some accomplished surf skills. For those craving a slower pace, Merlin Farm Cottages is the perfect invitation to enjoy the natural wonders of the world in a truly comforting setting. Prices and booking information: Weekend rate starts at £495 for 2 people/£595 for 4 people for 3 nights. All cottages include logs, linen, and complete kitchen facilities. Some cottages are dog-friendly. Where to book: For more information, visit the Merlin Cottages website. Fritton Lake Fritton Lake, Norfolk Visit the Fritton Lake website Sitting pretty between the Norfolk Broads and East Anglia’s beach-blessed coast, Fritton Lake is a newly revamped private members’ club, discreetly set around two miles of woodland-fringed lakeshore. Its log cabin accommodation, canoes, lake views, and wild deer deliver a dose of Canadiana to deep Norfolk countryside. Each privately owned, no two lodges are alike, some with wood burners, decks, BBQs and hot tubs. Newly added cabins by Koto Designs have sleek minimalist lines and silvery wood. All are carefully positioned for privacy. If you don’t want to make use of the functionally equipped kitchen, amble through beech and oak woodland to the The Fritton Arms. The estate’s clubhouse offers a continental breakfast (£7.95), modern pub-grub lunches, and more refined dinners (£8-16) that may include estate farm game, local mussels (Lowerstoft is 10 miles away), or seasonal berries, mushrooms, and herbs that thrive in and around the walled gardens leading to the lake, just beyond Fritton’s expansive new clay and lawn tennis courts and an elegant outdoor pool that wouldn’t look out of place in a Tuscan manor. Go on guided foraging tours of the newly re-wilded 1,000-acre estate, take a nature safari by boat, or simply spend tranquil hours swimming or exploring by kayak, canoe and SUP. With children free to enjoy the treetop zipline, beach, boatshed and swim pontoon, Fritton has Swallows and Amazons charm a-plenty. Arthur Ransome set two books from his beloved series in the Norfolk Broads, and Fritton is a superb base from which to explore his watery realm. Hire a boat from St Olaves, a mile away, to set sail, paddle or motor into the Broads’ 125 miles of national-park-protected waterways, mooring at bankside villages with distinctive round-tower stone churches, foodie pubs, or numerous RSBP reserves. The manmade Broads are lined with windmills that once helped pump-drain local marches for arable land. The 200-year-old Thurne Windmill is one of several still in action. Hire a blanket from the adjacent Lion at Thurne for a riverbank picnic of its 'posh pizza', local Redwell ales, or house-made gins. The Norfolk-Suffolk border offers rich pickings for local produce, from Norfolk oysters and crab to Suffolk asparagus, and wine from a growing number of medal-winning vineyards, including Flint and Winbirri. Plus, find chutneys packed with plentiful local produce, and countless cheeses – try Mrs Temple’s Binham Blue, and Baron Bigod. Prices and booking information: One week in a two-bedroom 'classic' cabin with outdoor deck, equipped kitchen, and bathroom costs from £647 (up to £1,734 in peak season), including use of all Fritton Lake’s recreation facilities. Cabins are pet-friendly and sleep four to eight. Farm Cottages, sleeping eight, cost from £1,008 for a two-night minimum stay, and double rooms in the clubhouse cost £140 per night. Where to book: Expedia Hotels.com The Cotswold Barn Upper Slaughter, Gloucestershire, England Upper Slaughter is the kind of Cotswold idyll that you dream of at your desk on a wet Tuesday afternoon. It’s a clutch of honey-hued stone buildings deep in the countryside, where only the occasional passing Range Rover disturbs the peace. Guests staying at The Cotswold Barn enjoy both living in this quintessential English village for a while and, courtesy of the deep, slit window in the sitting room, a front-row view of its epicentre – the famous ford across a tributary of the River Windrush. Yet, The Cotswold Barn’s location isn’t its only highlight. The compact and comfortable long, low building has an open-plan living space that accommodates cooking, dining and relaxing, a large double bedroom, a bathroom, cloakroom and utility area, plus a small, private pebbled terrace with a table that begs to hold two glasses and a bottle of rosé in the warmer months. The décor errs on the minimal, yet the atmosphere is warm. Richly coloured contemporary furnishings are offset by antique pieces, and there’s a wood-burning stove in front of which up to two 'well-behaved' dogs can curl up on the rug. You will find the soft bed linen irresistible – it is sourced from Soak & Sleep, and we defy you not to order a set for yourself. The sizeable kitchen is a capacious and well-equipped resource (except for a microwave) for self-catering chefs, who can source high-welfare meat at Fir Farm at Lower Swell, cheese from the creamery door at Simon Weaver Cotswold Organic Dairy near Upper Slaughter, and veg, bread and deli products at The Cotswold Food Store at Longborough. Alternatively, there is uber-gourmet dining just a short walk away at the two multi-AA-Rosette restaurants at Lords of the Manor, one of the poshest hotels in the region. Prices and booking information: Seven-night stays from £790, three-night stays from £460. Where to book: Cottages.com Words: Kate Simon Elmley Nature Reserve Isle of Sheppey, Kent Visit the Elmley Nature Reserve website If getting close to nature is top of your list for a UK getaway, it doesn’t come much closer than at Elmley Nature Reserve. Located on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, Elmley is the only national nature reserve in England in which you can spend the night, meaning you’ll wake up each morning surrounded by 3,300 acres of sprawling marshland that's home to hares, cattle and a huge variety of birds – the reserve is a favourite of birdwatchers. Accommodation at Elmley ranges from simple bell tents for two, to the beautiful 18th-century Kingshill Farmhouse, which sleeps up to 14 people. Despite the grandeur of the farmhouse, it’s the shepherd huts that are the star attraction, offering home comforts in a more secluded setting. Dotted around the estate, the huts are small but perfectly formed, squeezing in a double bed, kitchen and bathroom with shower – some even have an outdoor tub, too. Whitewashed panelled walls, chunky wooden shelves and lights suspended by thick rope lend the huts a stylish beach hut look. But, as pretty as the interiors are, they can’t compete with the reserve itself, visible in all its glory through one entirely glazed wall in each cabin. Outside, there are tables and chairs as well as a BBQ fire pit for toasting the stock of marshmallows found in the kitchen. For cooking supplies, there are farm shops nearby offering local produce, including Brambledown just north of the reserve for fresh fruit and veg, and Macknade Food Hall near the town of Faversham for a wide range of meat, cheese, wine, and more. For fresh fish and oysters, Whitstable is only 30 miles away. Elmley also offers simple meals made with local produce: hearty breakfast sandwiches (from £8.50), packed lunches (from £10), and a two-course set menu in the evening should you not feel like cooking (from £22). Prices and booking information: Shepherd huts at Elmley are available from £145 a night. Where to book: Elmley Nature Reserve Words: Joel Porter Orchard Cottage Herefordshire Visit the Orchard Cottage website Newly opened Orchard Cottage on the border of England and Wales isn’t just a peaceful retreat in the quiet pastures of the Hindwell Valley. The former gardener’s house on the 250-acre Rodd estate sits in a huddle of medieval buildings around a Jacobean manor, where the late Australian artist Sidney Nolan spent his final years. Guests staying here not only enjoy a reclusive rural atmosphere – they can also privately explore the place where this extraordinary contemporary artist was still creating his vivid and challenging images until a few days before his death in 1992. The rustic Edwardian cottage, set in its own wild garden, sleeps two and one well-behaved dog. Recently renovated, it has a cosy double bedroom, a sunroom that visiting artists and writers often put to use as a studio, and a spacious lounge focused on a large hearth with a wood-burner. Two bathrooms and a utility room complete the picture. All rooms are furnished with items found around the estate, and shelves are stacked with books from Nolan’s library. The walls are hung with prints of his work, including his signature paintings of the outlaw Ned Kelly in his square black helmet and armour, with which Nolan stormed onto the art world stage in the 1950s. At the heart of the house is a well-equipped kitchen with a large table at its centre, where cooks can get to work on fine ingredients from Deli Tinto, Weobley Ash Meats, and the fish counter at The Salty Dog in the neighbouring Welsh market town of Presteigne. On the chef’s night off, The Stagg Inn at Titley and The Harp Inn at Old Radnor offer superior pub food within a short drive. Between meals, there's time for a private guided view of the artist’s work and his studio, preserved just as he left it, and walks through fields and woods, and along Offa’s Dyke. Prices and booking information: Seven-night stays at Orchard Cottage costs from £640-£750. Three-night weekend and four-night midweek stays from £395-£525 (July to October). Where to book: Sidney Nolan Trust Words: Kate Simon Bossington Hall Allerford, Exmoor Visit the Bossington Hall website Set at the northern edge of Exmoor National Park, Bossington’s location is reason enough to come, with views south to Dunkery Beacon (carpeted purple with heather in summer) and west along the Devonshire and Somerset coast. But wait until you see the house – built in 1913 with stone from Hawcombe and slate from Treborough, it’s a sprawling testament to Edwardian grace. This is accommodation you can get lost in, including two kitchens, two games rooms (with a pool table and board games), 15 bedrooms, and an epic sitting room that has hosted parties for 200 people. The original owner was a 19th-century shipping magnate, and many of the house’s magnificent oak beams were repurposed from ship’s timbers. Beyond the acres of garden is a region perfect for rambling. An hour’s walk through the National Trust Holnicote Estate brings you to Selworthy Beacon or Hurlstone Point, each with breathtaking coastal views. Book a tour with Richard Growden, an all-round force of nature who runs Discovery Safaris to go in search of red deer and yellow-spotted adders aboard a Land Rover (£25pp). Finish with afternoon tea at the characterful Kitnors in Bossington village. With two kitchens, it’s a pleasure to get cooking back at the house, but if you’d like someone else to do the heavy lifting, Janet Middleton from the local Harbour Gallery and Café in Porlock Weir, delivers delicious meals of local produce. Nearby Porlock is bursting with good restaurants, pubs and shops. The Big Cheese showcases local cheeses and chutneys, while Bramdowns surely has the country’s best homemade crumpets. If you’ve a car, head south to Tarr Farm Inn, which serves fabulous steaks from its farm-raised Red Ruby cattle. Family-run Exmoor Distillery in nearby Dulverton (advance booking required) is winning awards a-go-go for its Northmoor Classic gin. Prices and booking information: Bossington Hall can accommodate up to 30 people. The whole house must be rented as a single booking for a minimum of three nights from £4,500 (£50 per person, per night) full occupancy, or from £3,300 at lower occupancy. Where to book: Bossington Hall Booking.com Shortbreaks.com Words: Adrian Phillips Holiday cottages on the beach Carbis Bay Hotel & Estate Carbis Bay, Cornwall, England Visit the Carbis Bay website With views of its own Blue Flag beach, near St Ives, the Carbis Bay Hotel & Estate combines its Victorian heritage with super-slick modernity. Visited by the likes of Virginia Woolf, the original hotel dates to 1894, but it has since been added to. Among the contemporary accommodation, eight super-luxurious beach lodges offer open-plan living areas, hot tubs, private gardens for al fresco dining and direct beach access. Spread over three floors, beach lodges sleep up to eight in three or four en-suite bedrooms. Master bedrooms have roll-top baths and all come with powerful walk-in waterfall showers and fluffy robes. You can relax on sofas beside remote-controlled fires, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the sea. High-end kitchenettes are equipped with inbuilt appliances (there is no hob, but there is an oven and microwave), smart Belfast sinks and boiling water taps. Pre-dinner aperitifs of snacks like crab tartlets and arancini and chilled wine are delivered each evening by the lodge concierge and you can order a breakfast hamper for the next day, choosing from a selection of pastries, cereals, smoked salmon, cold cuts and cheeses or hot choices like a full Cornish fry up, eggs benedict or pancakes. For a luxurious dinner option try Ugly Butterfly, Adam Handling’s latest addition to his restaurant group. Built into the neighbouring complex to the lodges the airy restaurant has breath taking views onto the crashing waves outside. The two tasting menus (5 and 7 courses) make the most of local suppliers showcasing ingredients like fish from Harlyn Bay, Porthilly oysters and Cornish Gouda. The experience is full of theatre and storytelling as servers guide you through the menu. Expect perfectly executed dishes like sweet buttery Lobster, carrot and purslane in a rich bisque sauce, melt-in-the mouth potato agnolotti and umami rich beef with celeriac puree. A slightly more casual offering is Walters on the Beach, just along the boardwalk from the lodges. Sink into teal leather banquettes and enjoy some inventive cocktails and cooking with the globally-influenced menu offering starters such as king prawns with wasabi, cucumber sorbet and charred little gem and mains like Cornish beef with chimichurri and smoked onion. For those who prefer self-catering, lunchtime sandwiches and cakes are available from the next door Deli and a mile along the coast path, St Ives Farmers’ Market runs Thursdays (9.30am-noon), offering Cornish cheeses, meats, eggs, bread and pasties – plus free local delivery on orders over £25. The Allotment Deli on Fore St stocks dressed crab from Matthew Stevens, Cornish cheese hampers and homemade tarts and savouries (open daily) and drinks can be delivered from St Ives Cider and Polgoon Wine. Penzance and the fishing port of Newlyn are a 20-minute drive south. The Shore Restaurant has takeaway Saturdays offering indulgent lobster, and mac & cheese, while The Cornish Crab Company sells dressed crab for £5.20. Devour at sunset back at your lodge. Prices and booking details: Carbis Bay Beach Lodges cost from £950 per night (sleeping up to eight in three or four en-suite bedrooms) including breakfast delivered to the lodges. No minimum night requirement. Dogs are welcome. Where to book: Carbis Bay Hotel website Booking.com Expedia Words: Ellie Ross (this review was updated November 2022) The Sandcastle Freshwater East, South Pembrokeshire, Wales Visit The Sandcastle website The Sandcastle, set on the sands of Pembroke National Park’s Freshwater East beach, is accessed via private steps; the Pembrokeshire Coastal path skims right past the back door. At night you are lulled to sleep by the sound of the ocean. From the 10-metre-wide living space, sliding glass doors open onto a vast balcony and coastal view. It sleeps 14 in six en-suite bedrooms occupying a lower ground floor (some are family rooms). Each has a sea view and French windows opening onto the lower deck. The sustainably heated saltwater infinity pool has a remote-controlled telescopic enclosure for all-weather swimming, plus, there’s a steam room, hot tub, cinema and snooker clubroom with a bar. The place exudes a casual Caribbean-chic style, inspired by the owner’s years in St Lucia, which also influenced his London pub of many years, the much-loved Portobello Gold. A tropical-styled outside shower and dog wash is planted with banana trees and screened off with bamboo. This is a self-catering house. Private catering is possible, and it's directly arranged between guests and local chefs, which are recommended by the owners. Dine on the sea-facing balcony, around the 12-seater table inside in the walled garden, on the wind-protected veranda, or around the fire pit. World cuisine takeaways from We Love Curry and Love Rustic Catering are available on Friday and Saturday. South Pembrokeshire is becoming a serious culinary hub, with its fresh food markets, local wine, up-and-coming seafood restaurants and local fairs. When you’re not devouring Tenby crab, you could be cruising around a few award-winning Welsh vineyards. There are plenty of gourmet pubs, from the new Dial Inn at Lamphey, and The Stone Crab to The Griffin. On Freshwater West, Café Mor sells crab & lobster sandwiches and seaweed ginger cake out of a colourful beach van, fashioned like a fishing boat. Simply Seafoods is another good fish shack (5-6 Bridge Street; 07828 046047), this one in Tenby port. Or stay put in the house, jump into the hot tub, onto the paddleboards, the kayak or the sailing dinghy. Or go large: the Sandcastle’s 1952 Buick convertible is available for chauffeured sightseeing trips into Tenby or further afield. Prices and booking information: The Sandcastle sleeps up to 14 in six bedrooms, and costs from £3,011 per week in low season to £7,094 in high season, with discounts for direct booking, and minimum three-night stay. Dogs are welcome. Where to book: The Sandcastle website Booking.com Sykes Cottages Words: Lydia Bell Photo: Christopher Swan Fir Chlis Seilebost, Harris, Outer Hebrides, Scotland Visit the Fir Chlis website Overlooking the sands of Luskentyre, Fir Chlis is a stunning property that combines sleek Scandinavian lines and contemporary Hebridean artwork with the cosy furnishings of Harris Tweed and a wood-burning stove. Fir Chlis is Gaelic for 'northern lights', and while you may well see those in winter, it's beautiful in summer, when the sands, rivulets and tides – best enjoyed from the open-plan upper floor – seem to change shape and colour with every hour that passes. The house sleeps up to eight in three bedrooms, with one en suite, and one main bathroom. There’s a cinema room and an extensive, fully equipped kitchen (while the dishwasher is small, the views from the kitchen sink window may get you volunteering to do the washing-up). You can eat on the balcony or simply swing back and forth in the sheltered hammock, grazing your way through the welcome pack of locally made chocolates and drinks. Photo: Christopher Swan Beach walks start just across the road, while the house is positioned in the middle of the Harris Riviera, six miles of unbroken beaches and headlands. For other food options, A D Munro in Tarbert, eight miles away, is a licensed community shop that takes pre-orders and arranges delivery in advance of your arrival. The store sells local ranges of salmon, oatcakes, cheese, whisky and beer as well as fresh meat. Croft 36 at Northton is best described as a high-end, self-service wooden roadside shack. Use the honesty box to pay for crab ravioli, rabbit stew & dumplings, soup and cakes. For condiments, pop along to an even smaller seaside hut, home to The Hebridean Mustard Company. The homemade organic mustard is flavoured in varied ways, from honey to chilli, and is the work of Heike Winter, who lives in the adjacent house. For seafood chowder or Hebridean crab with soda bread, visit the caravan at Rodel that is the take-away kitchen of Sam’s Seafood Shack. Prices and booking information: Fir Chlis costs from £1,400-£2,400 a week in summer; £1,100-£1,500 in autumn. Out of season, short breaks cost from £100 per night for two, £150 for groups, subject to a minimum booking of £500. No pets. Where to book: Fir Chlis website Words: Mark Rowe Dog-friendly holiday cottages Photo: Mike Henton Old Gateway Cottage Minehead, Somerset, England Visit the National Trust website This enchanting National Trust Cottage, squirrelled away on the peaceful Holnicote Estate on Exmoor, has all the ingredients for a satisfying holiday, from bracing coastal and moorland walks on the 240km of paths that criss-cross the estate, to picnics on the vast beach at Bossington, and pints of local cider at the pub in Porlock. Refurbished in 2017, the 18th century cottage adjoins the 15th-century gateway that was once the threshold to the estate, and overlooks a pretty, walled garden complete with a shaded patio area for meals al fresco. As you’d expect from the National Trust, there’s a warm welcome: visitors are greeted with a tray of tea, coffee and biscuits on the large kitchen table that sits next to a grade II listed inglenook fireplace; in cooler months, the wood-burner adds an even cosier atmosphere to the well-equipped kitchen. The lounge, too, has a wood-burner and, like the three bedrooms (sleeping six in total), is decorated in tasteful tweeds and herringbone fabrics in colours attuned with Exmoor: purples, yellows and greens. Photo: Mike Henton When it comes to fuelling forays beyond the house, visitors can stock up on the bounty available from local producers in the friendly town of Porlock. The Big Cheese delicatessen sells an array of cheese and picnic provisions, as well as local ciders and the excellent Wicked Wolf Gin, distilled on Exmoor. For local lamb or venison, call into the well-stocked Clive Downs Butchers. Meanwhile, the Edible Exmoor website lists other producers that deliver. For a treat, order some Porlock Bay Oysters: this small company has resurrected the oyster farming industry that thrived there during the 19th century. They deliver, but you can also collect from Porlock Weir, which is a gorgeous spot to visit, with a pebbly beach, harbour and quayside pubs and cafes. Prices and booking information: Old Gateway Cottage costs from £448 for three nights (three-night minimum stay), or £689 for seven nights. The cottage sleeps six in three bedrooms, and dogs are welcome. Where to book: nationaltrust.org.uk Words: Carolyn Boyd Caradog Cottages Abergavenny, Wales Visit the Caradog Cottages website Caradog Cottages is located in and around the food mecca of Abergavenny, Wales. The four cottages in the town – two neighbouring the Michelin-starred Walnut Tree in nearby Llanddewi Skirrid, and one further in the Monmouthshire countryside in the village of Llanvetherine – are perfectly positioned as bases to explore this picturesque corner of South Wales and the famous Brecon Beacons. Abergavenny is a buzzing market town, full of gems for a food enthusiast to discover. Caradog Cottages’ sister property, The Angel Hotel, stands proudly opposite the impressive market hall and boasts award-winning afternoon teas as well as a stylish bar and popular restaurant. The acclaimed Angel Bakery (also part of the family) is just over the road, baking slow-fermented breads and pastries Tuesday through Sunday. Its morning coffee and pastries are a must-try, and you’ll be tempted to stock up on the homemade preserves and produce supplied by local, like-minded producers. If you’re heading out into the hills for the day, you’ll want to pick up some of the sandwiches. And, in summer, you’ll not be able to resist the soft-serve ice cream, available in flavours like hazelnut and geranium leaf. Just down the road, The Art Shop & Chapel is a local favourite for breakfast, serving za’atar fried eggs and Chapel pancakes. Or, visit for lunch to try vibrant salads, crispy laverbread and irresistible cakes. Chesters Wine Merchants offers a curated list of wines to discover and enjoy by the glass. Locals cram into every corner to enjoy the evening ambience and the owner’s LPs. Recognised in the Michelin guide, The Gaff has become an Abergavenny institution, focussing on great local produce that is transformed into stunning small plates. The jewel in the crown of Abergavenny has long been the Walnut Tree, which is just outside the town and recently reclaimed a Michelin star. All the cottages were refurbished in 2021, each with its own character. Vintage pieces, in keeping with the cottages’ architecture, are combined with contemporary decor for maximum comfort. Local artworks take pride of place on the walls, and the finishing touches, like fresh shortbread on your tea tray and a beautifully illustrated map of the town, are artful in themselves. All the cottages are suitable for light cooking, so you can make the most of local produce. If you like to really get going in the kitchen while on holiday, it’s worth checking equipment lists on the website. A daily housekeeping service is offered, and a breakfast of local goodies is provided, including bread from The Angel Bakery and homemade granola. Prices and booking details: The seven dog-friendly cottages sleep between four and six people, and all rooms are ensuite. From £350/night, including breakfast. Words: Ben Curtis Bibury Farm Barns The Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, England Visit the Bibury Farm website Barn conversion hideaways may be commonplace in the Cotswolds, but few can match the calibre and class of those at Bibury Farm. Launched in summer 2019, the five self-catering properties were crafted from the derelict outbuildings of a working arable and livestock farm. Surrounded by rolling countryside, the sensitive renovation has retained much of their 18th century charm with honey-stone walls, wooden beams, and statement pieces, such as stable doors upcycled into quirky coffee tables. Such rustic elements are matched with a contemporary aesthetic that brings an air of Scandinavian chic to the English countryside. The result is a thrillingly high-end escape that's big on both quality and comfort (with plenty of useful kit for kids, including stair gates and Baby Bjorns). Ranging from three bedrooms to five, each barn is slightly different in style and size from its stablemates, and bears a name that hints at its former function – Grain Store, Bull Pen, Old Hay Barn. Inside, expect giant sofas, sheepskin throws, bold artworks and views into private outdoor spaces, while common to all are wood-burning stoves, high-thread-count bedding and bathrooms stocked by 100 Acres, a local company whose products are packed with fragrant British botanicals. Particular praise is reserved for the spacious open-plan kitchen-diners, each of which is equipped with gadgets to satisfy even the most ardent of chefs. All have outdoors dining areas; some with a gas-fired BBQ. Breakfast hampers with local eggs, bacon, granola, milk and honey are provided, and there are plenty of top-up supplies available via a short walk or drive. Nearby, Cheltenham and Cirencester have weekly farmers' markets, including The Organic Farm Shop, selling dairy and meat from the resident Shorthorns, and a much-loved veggie café, a campsite with yurts and huts to rent, as well as cookery courses. Better still, go foraging at Bibury Trout Farm to catch your own fish, or buy it fresh or smoked from the counter, along with regional cheeses and produce. Bibury itself is a 15-minute stroll across the fields, lined with quintessentially pretty Cotswolds cottages, and exemplary high-end pub grub and lavish afternoon teas as The Swan Hotel. Or hit the popular Daylesford Organic Farm, half an hour’s drive away. Prices and booking details: A three-night stay at Bibury Farm Barns in the Cart Shed (sleeps six in three bedrooms) costs from £1,575 (or £2,475 for a week). Dogs are welcome. Where to book: biburyfarm.com handpickedcottages.co.uk Words: James Litston The Mission Chale, Isle of Wight Visit The Shacks website Tucked away in a southerly part of the island known as 'Back o’ the Wight', The Mission is a stylish hotchpotch that you might call retro-contemporary. Originally a tin tabernacle (a prefabricated church made of corrugated iron, dating to 1895), the building has been restored with panache. The interior is dominated by a modern mezzanine level with two bedrooms, which overhang a spacious ground floor furnished in eclectic but comfortable fashion (think comfy sofas and refurbished cinema seats). The former baptismal font is now a luxurious sunken bath. With four bedrooms, and two bathrooms, the Mission House comfortably sleeps up to eight and dogs are welcome. A dining area spills into a vintage 1950s metal kitchen (known as a Rose Kitchen, these were made by Spitfire factories after WW2), fitted with a modern cooker and fridge-freezer. Leading from the kitchen is the 'Sunday school' annexe, with one double room and a bunk bedroom. Outside, there is a decked courtyard with seating, a BBQ area, and tree seat. Coastal footpaths, and those inland onto the high downs begin at the steps to the front door. The island has more than 50 local food producers. If you arrive by ferry in Yarmouth, you can pre-order food from the Yarmouth Deli, including sourdough bread and homemade brownies. Ventnor is a short drive from the house, and you can pick up and order fresh crab meat from the Ventnor Haven Fishery. Depending on how busy they are, they will either deliver or take pre-orders to be passed to you in your car. The excellent Farmer Jack’s, a farm shop at Arreton Barns that sells local soft cheese, island meats and tomatoes, as well as a substantial stock of Italian specialities, such as cured meats, antipasti and stilton biscotti. Should you wish to venture out for food, then the Buddle Inn at nearby St Catherine’s Point has won the Island’s coveted best pub garden in bloom award in recent years and has plenty of space overlooking the coast. Prices and booking information: In summer, the Mission costs from £1,525 a week in summer; £450 for two nights in autumn. One dog per booking is welcome. Where to book: The Shacks website Sykes Cottages Words: Mark Rowe Holiday cottages in the countryside The Hawthorn & Hazel County Clare, Ireland Have you been dreaming of an Irish escape? If you want to breathe sea air and escape the crowds but surround yourself with a subtle spread of mod cons to kick back, cook-in and stay connected, this restored Irish farmstead in Co Clare could be just the ticket. The Hawthorn (sleeping eight in four bedrooms) and The Hazel (sleeping four in two bedrooms) are a pair of cottages set 5km from the lively village of Doolin, with views over the Aran Islands and Galway Bay. The Hawthorn was an 18th century Irish farmstead, The Hazel its cowshed, and both have now been restored as luxury, self-catering escapes using local materials and craftsmen wherever possible. Think luxury, Irish country chic – a solid fuel stove anchors a double-height atrium, in the Hawthorn, where local art is colourful but carefully curated, and a creamily-toned, well-fitted kitchen has marble counter tops, a breakfast counter and a table with mix of banquette and standalone seats for mealtimes. The cottages can be rented together or individually, and both have private outdoor dining and B&Q areas, too. Nearby, the haunting moonscape of the Burren National Park unfolds, with coastal highlights including Ireland’s famous Cliffs of Moher. Surprisingly for such a rocky landscape, the Burren is rich with foodie pickings: velvety smoked salmon from The Burren Smokehouse in Lisdoonvarna, St Tola Goat Cheese, and Flaggy Shore Oysters are just a few of the goodies you can bring back for meals. Options for eating out range from Ireland’s only Michelin-starred pub, The Wild Honey Inn, to fine dining using an eye-popping array of local, seasonal produce like Burren lamb, honey, Doolin lobster and hand-dived scallops at Gregan’s Castle. Prices and booking details: Hawthorn & Hazel cost from €220-€380 (£195-£340) a night (Hazel; sleeping four in two bedrooms); €280-€455 (£250-£396) a night (Hawthorn; sleeping eight in four bedrooms). No pets, or children under 12. Where to book: Doolin Village Lodges (Hawthorn) Doolin Village Lodges (Hazel) Words: Pól Ó Conghaile UK travel guides The best UK foodie holidays The best UK city breaks for families Our pick of the best fish & chip shops in the UK Cosy autumn UK holidays for foodies The best British seaside breaks for foodies Top 10 foods to try in Wales Can you recommend a UK holiday cottage? Leave a comment below... All recommendations have been reviewed and approved as of July 2020 and will be checked and updated regularly. If you think there is any incorrect or out of date information in this guide, please e-mail us at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk. Travellers are advised to read the FCO travel advice for the country they are travelling to.
If you're planning your next holiday, see the best food to eat in scenic Bali. Try scrumptious snacks and filling meals with chicken and pork.
Discover the foods you need to try in Bali. The tropical island is home to an array of Asian flavours, cookery courses, and some of Indonesia’s most inventive chefs. Chinese, Indian and Malay cuisines underpin the food heritage of this tropical idyll, but it also has a unique Hindu culinary tradition that sets it apart from wider Indonesia. For a tiny island, Bali punches above its weight with its array of distinctive dishes. Chefs here use everything from tropical fruit and sashimi grade fish, to a huge variety of native herbs and spices, including lemongrass, torch ginger, golden turmeric and lush pandan leaves. If you're looking for even more foodie holiday inspiration, check out our travel hub for more guides. Top 10 Balinese dishes to try 1. Ayam pelalah Balinese cuisine relies on a rainbow crop of just-picked herbs and spices: this dish of shredded roast chicken is tossed with a paste of fresh turmeric root, chillies, shallots, and garlic, fried with lemongrass, daun salam (Balinese ‘bay’ leaves), shrimp paste, and kaffir lime leaves, seasoned with salt or sugar. As ever, a squeeze of ‘sexy’ lime, (the small juicy limau lime, also called jeruk limo/nasnaran mandarin, or key lime) adds a citrusy lift. 2. Nasi tepeng Bali’s beautiful rice terraces produce myriad types, from black and red, to sticky and white, all simply called ‘nasi’ once cooked. From the south-central Gianyar rice-growing region, this breakfast dish of rice porridge (congee elsewhere in Asia) in chicken broth, is mixed with shredded chicken cooked with lemongrass, kaffir lime, galangal, and chilli, served with such condiments as fresh coriander, kecap manis (sweet soy sauce) and fried shallots. 3. Nasi campur Bali This staple is a whatever-you’ve-got-to-hand dish of boiled long grain rice served with various side dishes – sometimes ayam pelalah (above), string beans, bean sprouts, mixed boiled vegetables, shrimp, meat etc. Fry the rice with shredded Chinese cabbage, carrots, shrimp paste, sweet soy sauce, chilli, garlic, shallots and you’ve got the dish, often topped with a fried egg and served with slices of cucumber, spicy sambal, and bulbous, airy krupuk shrimp crackers. 4. Sambal matah The raw, spicy shallot salsa is a Balinese-cuisine-defining staple condiment that comes in various forms, but riffs around fresh garlic, chilli, lime, torch ginger, shrimp paste, lemongrass, coconut oil, and shallots. A cooked version, bumbu, adds ingredients like candlenut, nutmeg, cumin, green cardamom, palm sugar, galangal, and tamarind puree, and is the base or marinade for many dishes. 5. Lilit satay Bali’s version of this popular snack-on-a-stick sees the meat or fish finely diced, spiced, then coated or ‘wrapped’ around the skewer (lilit means wrap), rather than spiked, and cooked over charcoal. Marinated with coconut milk, lemongrass, and juicy lime, often combined with chillies, kaffir lime, galangal, turmeric, garlic, coriander and shallots, the satay itself (“sate” in Indonesian) is the perfect balance of moist, spicy and sweet-savoury – delicious standalone, or with spicy sambal, rather than peanut sauce. 6. Soto bakso A classic melting-pot dish, this soup (soto) with meatballs (bakso) has Chinese, Dutch and local flavours. The beef broth, with such spices as cardamom, clove and ginger, is laden with dense bakso (minced beef with tapioca flour, eggs and shallots), and rice noodles, topped with fried shallots, fresh coriander, spring onions, chilli and lime. Beef can be substituted with other proteins. 7. Babi guling Traditionally a ceremonial celebratory dish, this indulgent slow-cooked suckling or spit roast pig is now found in roadside restaurants. Cooked over an open fire, the pork is brined and rubbed with a smorgasbord of spices, like daun salam, turmeric, lemongrass, galangal, ginger, chillies, shallots, garlic, candlenuts, kaffir lime, cumin, coriander, cloves, and nutmeg. With sides of rice and salad, it’s served in huge piles of crispy crackling, white meat, and blood sausage – the latter a potential challenge for foreign stomachs to deal with. 8. Jamu There are numerous variations of this multi-vitamin-packed elixir: a traditional juice-tonic served daily, often comprising fresh turmeric root, ginger and just-soaked white rice, ground on a specially-dedicated ulekan (a local lava-stone pestle and mortar), with warm water, lime juice, and honey. 9. Lawar Shredded or ground meat (beef, chicken, duck, or pork), with sliced green vegetables – bean sprouts, string or “snake” beans – and grated young coconut sounds simple, but is an absolute powerhouse of fresh flavour, thanks to the bumbu base. Red lawar, coloured with pig’s blood is umami-savoury, while white lawar goes without, and often substitutes meat for jackfruit. 10. Tipat cantok Peanuts are grown in Bali between rice crops to replenish the ground with nitrogen. This dish sees them freshly ground with chilli, garlic, sugar, salt and kaffir lime to top small cakes of jasmine or white rice, steamed in young coconut or banana leaves, plus cubes of fried tofu, and tempeh, and such vegetables as boiled bean sprouts, Thai aubergine, and cucumber. Enjoyed these recommendations? See more travel guides... Top 10 foods to eat in Laos Top 10 foods to try in Singapore Top 10 foods to try in Goa Top 10 foods to try in Sri Lanka Top 10 foods to try in Japan 10 foods to try in South Korea Are you travelling to Bali? Let us know in the comments... Travellers are advised to read the FCO travel advice for the country they are travelling to.
From city breaks, to indulgent beach retreats and active getaways where you can work up an appetite, we reveal the foodie destinations for 2020.
Planning the ultimate tastebud-tingling trip in 2020? Make sure you tick off our bucket list destinations for foodies; from sensational seafood on the west coast of Ireland to terrific tacos and local wines from Mexico. Don't miss out on must-try local bites, cookery classes and top travel tips. Find even more local travel tips, city guides and restaurant hotspots in our travel hub. 1. Galway, Ireland Billed as Ireland’s largest ever cultural programme, Galway as a 2020 European Capital of Culture packs in an estimated 1,900 arts and culture events. As a shining star in the country’s ever-expanding culinary firmament, food will play a major part; in 2018, Co Galway was awarded Ireland’s first European Region of Gastronomy in recognition of its blossoming culinary credentials. So, while you’re feasting on this year’s stellar arts programme, save space for treats harvested from the epic landscapes surrounding Galway, a city at the heart of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, from heather-grazed lamb to shellfish freshly-plucked from the coast and 52 adjacent islands, to the refined dishes of Michelin-starred Aniar, and hearty Irish breakfasts at The Quay House, Good Hotel Guide’s Irish B&B of the year 2019, set in a 19th-century harbourmaster’s home. Check out our top 10 foods to try in Ireland for even more delicacies from the Emerald Isle. 2. Lyon, France If you needed an excuse to visit France’s de-facto culinary capital, the launch of the country’s first Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie might be it. UNESCO granted French gastronomy ‘world intangible heritage’ status in 2010, encouraging the establishment of four cities of gastronomy. Launched in October [2019], the Lyon debut is a permanent space set in a 12th-century Hotel-Dieu, a four-floor historic hospital building that’s more of a culinary cultural centre than a museum, housing exhibits on nutrition, interactive installations for kids and wannabe chefs, show kitchens with demos and tastings led by guest chefs, and even food-focused French movies. Beyond the new venue, you’ll be spoilt for choice, from a pilgrimage to the late Paul Bocuse’s crucible of nouvelle cuisine, l’Auberge du pont du Collonges, to the seductive, cheffy food stalls of Les Halles de Lyon. Read up on the top 10 things to eat in Lyon and Beaujolais for more local knowledge. 3. Los Cabos, Mexico Sharing a border with California, this beach-blessed Mexican peninsula has long played host to holidaying Hollywood, but with new direct flights from the UK, this region of pristine beaches and medal-winning wineries will be on the map for British travellers. Set between the Gulf of California and the Pacific, the Mexican state of Baja California is a long mountainous spine punctuated by deep turquoise bays replete with sea life. This is the place to swim with sea turtles, indulge in the freshest fish tacos and locally brewed beer, and enjoy the fruits of over 150 wineries where tastings and tours often come with fine-dining restaurants. At Baja’s almost tropical southern tip, the resorts of Los Cabos have seen a slew of upscale beach hotel openings in recent years, where local food is the focus. For packages including direct flights and a choice of 18 local hotels, take a look at tui holidays. 4. The Netherlands With plenty of carbon-friendly transport links from the UK, nipping to the Netherlands for a short break is a temptation you don’t need to resist. In 2020, the country celebrates 75 years of freedom since the end of WWII. Its 12 provinces will host events putting such cities as Rotterdam, the Hague, Utrecht, Maastricht, Delft and, of course, Amsterdam, in the spotlight. The latter (under four hours, direct from London on Eurostar) has a burgeoning sustainable food scene. From Bolenius, with its menu comprising 80% native vegetables, to to De Kas, set in a greenhouse with home-grown produce, new-Dutch cuisine abounds. Closer by train, Rotterdam (three hours by Eurostar from London) is home to hipster Fenix Food Factory, and FG Food Labs, just one of the city’s eight Michelin star venues. 5. Malta This sleepy Med’ holiday island is creating some buzz for its distinctive culinary culture and burgeoning restaurant scene. Occupied by everyone from the Phoenicians, Moors and British colonialists, with clear Arabic and Italian influences, Malta is an exemplary Mediterranean melting pot destination. With classic dishes ranging from breakfast pastizzi (small, savoury pastries filled with everything from ricotta to mushy peas), to Lampuki (a spiced fish pie that sings of North Africa), rustic and affordable is still the order of the day. But if you want fine dining, there’s plenty to be found in the capital, Valletta, where ancient recipe fish and rabbit stews get a refined reimagining, perfect with full-bodied wines made from such indigenous grapes as Gellewza and Ghirghentina. 6. Marrakesh, Morocco The very first African Capital of Culture, Marrakesh will host a huge roster of arts events in 2020. The maze-like alleyways of the Red City’s iconic walled medina contain more than tourist trinkets and technicolor mountains of exotic spices. It’s also home to an opulent choice of boutique riads – exquisitely converted traditional houses centered around tiled courtyards, where private hammam spas offer rose water, argan and olive oil treatments, and food often takes centre stage. Some, such as Royal Hotel Mansour, comprise several interconnected riads, with terrace cocktail bars overlooking the medina’s rosy rooftops and the snow-capped Atlas, host to destination dining spots, and high-end cookery classes. While other boutique offerings like Riad Farnatchi come with such pioneering sister restaurants as Le Trou au Mur, champion of grandmother-style Moroccan dishes. Read our guide on the top 10 foods to try in Morocco for more delicious dishes to add to your list. 7. Tel Aviv, Israel With vegan dishes at the heart of Tel Aviv’s culinary tradition, it’s always been a great destination for lovers of plant-based food. Backed by vast agricultural land, this seaside city serves up veggies that often travel farm-to-fork in the same day. In recent years, Tel Aviv has upped its game to become the world’s self-designated vegan capital, with slick vegan coffee shops, and local chains such as Domino's offering animal product-free pizza. This young, LGBT-friendly beach buzzy city has boutique Bauhaus-style hotel hangouts with cool cocktail bars, and a burgeoning crop of cheffy restaurants, but the budget eats steal the show. For stellar street food there’s nothing like Tel Aviv’s hummus, falafel and shakshuka, served at hole-in-the-wall joints, street stands, and stalls lining local markets such as the sprawling Shuk Hacarmel. Just four-five hours’ flight from the UK, this is an exotic break that doesn’t require a long-haul schlep. 8. Scotland 2020 is the Scottish year of Coast & Waters, a celebration of the country’s white sand beaches, soaring cliffs, sea stacks, and endless islands. Scotland’s coasts, canals, islands and lochs have helped shape the country’s cultural and culinary landscape. The growing crop of food-forward tours and culinary experiences are a huge incentive for travellers who can try foraging for shellfish, tasting peaty whisky and Scotland’s expanding range of gin, or hands on-food classes, such as the Nick Nairn Cook School, set in show-stopping locations. With a wealth of options for diving, kayaking, coastal rowing, windsurfing, wild swimming and sailing, you are sure to work up an appetite. Check out our top 10 foods to try in Scotland and try our favourite classic recipes. 9. Porto Lisbon's popularity knows no bounds for city breakers but how about Porto? Just north along the coast, this compact waterfront city is famed for its eponymous fortified wine but its dining out scene is becoming more sparkling by the minute, led by such innovative local chefs as Pedro Barreiros and José Avillez. More affordable and less frenetic than its feted neighbour, Porto’s narrow cobbled streets, stately riverside lined with informal restaurants, lavish baroque churches and old stock market make for an atmospheric weekend away. Try petiscos (small plates) at Esporão, a new offshoot for the Alentejo winery, or a 10-course tasting menu at two-Michelin-star restaurant, The Yeatman. Get acquainted with our top 5 foods to try in Porto for more tasty suggestions. 10. Cádiz, Spain Tucked away in the southwest corner of Spain, this little Andalucian province gets little of the attention of its perennially popular neighbours on the Costa. Which makes its golden sand Atlantic beaches, known as the Costa de la Luz (‘coast of the light’) even more appealing. But don’t miss the urban thrills of Jerez, for its venerable sherry bodegas, and Cádiz – the Saturday market is a must (pick up some preserved almadraba tuna). The unassuming hilltop town of Vejer de la Frontera, meanwhile, has whitewash streets lined with affordable restaurants, tapas bars and, this year, the Califa Hamam, the first traditional Moorish bathhouse to open in town for centuries, brainchild of the local Califa group who are responsible for a number of notable local restaurants, and the newly opened Plaza 18, a six-room boutique hotel in a sleekly-converted 19th-century merchant’s house. Get the most out of the town with foodie tours, producer visits, and cooking classes organised by ex-pat Scot, long-standing Vejer resident, Annie B. Enjoyed these suggestions? Check out our other foodie travel finds... The top foods to try in Lisbon Best European winter breaks Top 10 foods to try in croatia Best foodie holidays in Italy What's your ultimate foodie destination? Leave a comment below... Travellers are advised to read the FCO travel advice for the country they are travelling to.