Greece is one of those countries that keeps on giving. No matter how many times you visit the country – including one of its many islands – you will never have seen everything that needs to be seen, eaten enough delightful seafood or mezes, or graced all of the beautiful beaches that are in such abundance. From holidays with friends to honeymoon hot spots and family-friendly trips to couples’ retreats, Greece will never stop being the place that can please those of all ages and interests.
When it comes to family holidays with toddlers to teenagers, Greece the perfect place to visit, from the range of tasty foods for picky eaters to the hotels that make you never want to leave them, to the assortment of activities to keep the whole family entertained.
Anyone with a family knows that finding the right holiday with a balance of enjoyment for both children and adults can sometimes be tricky to find. Heading to a new destination is exciting but can also seem like a chore when it comes to planning everything in. This is why so many families head to their preferred previous destinations, but if you’re a first-timer to Greece with a family in tow, you needn’t worry. Enlisting the help of a luxury Greek tour operator is the most advisable course of action – let those in the know about the experience, take the stress out of your holiday and plan the trip for you. Or better yet, choose from a list of pre-prepared itineraries and take the time-consuming planning element off your plate so that you are free to enjoy your hard-earned quality time with your family.
Special itineraries
If choosing a holiday with a pre-arranged itinerary sounds right up your street, then you will be spoiled for choice. Island hopping and taking in a whole host of ancient sights with stories to tell with boat trips, water sports, cooking workshops, guided tours and more are par for the course, and itineraries are designed by family experts, so you can be sure that little ones are well catered for. A perfect way to enjoy one of those luxury family holidays in Greece is to take two weeks out to travel between the capital city Athens and the islands of Mykonos, Crete and Delphi. Youngsters and adults alike will be thrilled with adventures that await.
Accommodation
If you decide not to opt for a full itinerary, then you’ll need to find suitable accommodation for you and your family, and every parent knows that this is probably the most important part of the holiday. You will want to find somewhere that caters to your whole family’s needs, whatever the ages of your children, from kid’s clubs to a variety of restaurants to a selection of suitable pools.
Lyttos Beach on the north coast of Greece’s largest island, Crete, provides a very welcome environment for families. Not only is the five-star, all-inclusive resort right on the beach, but its list of facilities is plentiful. Children will be enthralled with the state-of-the-art water park with eight large slides, the children’s club, which hosts swimming and tennis lessons, treasure hunts, mini discos and more, while the five restaurants are sure to provide plenty of options at mealtimes.
If a mainland adventure is what you’re after, then The Westin Resort, Costa Navarino provides a plush setting for your stay. Expect elegant rooms and suites, a variety of restaurants, an award-winning spa for the adults to relax in, an aqua park, indoor sports arena, pools, golf courses, a beach and more to fill your time with. Grab yourself a bungalow with your very own private pool at the five-star Eagles Palace in Halkidiki, where adults will love the fine dining options, spa, and all the family will enjoy the excursions, activities and golden sand beach. Cape Sounio Boutique Resort in Attica is another stunning option on the south coast, while Atrium Prestige in Lachania Beach, Rhodes comes recommended, too.
What to do
Aside from all of those fantastic activities, clubs and facilities laid on by your accommodation, there are many other ways in which Greece provides the perfect family-friendly holiday. The immense history of the country and its isles are sure to impress all ages, curious children included. From ancient myths and monuments to temples and traditions, Greece is the perfect country to visit, as it provides physical museums for those looking to learn more.
Aside from this, there is, of course, the big draw of the beaches and waters to fully embrace. With 6,000 islands and 13,676km of inviting coastline, it goes without saying that water-based activities will be widely available, and children will be happy building sandcastles, exploring coves and going for a dip in the clear blue waters.
Kids and adults alike will love the Greek tradition of the open-air cinema – a lovely way to end a hot day and take in the latest Hollywood blockbuster in the cool night, while the array of water parks are sure to please. From Aqualand Corfu Water Park to Lido Water Park in Irakleides and Acqua Plus and Watercity in Crete, these highly-rated water parks are bound to give your children the time of their lives. Add to this family bike tours, boat excursions, surfing, snorkelling, cookery lessons, art workshops, pottery classes, Percy Jackson experiences, caving and more, and you’ll be rushing to book your next visit before you’ve even completed this one.
Top tip: To ensure smooth travel, consider booking a premium airport transfer in Greece with Ride & Hire for a hassle-free start to your luxury Greek family holiday.
