Want the best destination for your child’s age group? We asked the specialists in family holidays with children, and here’s where Scott Dunn suggested we go with our kids, from tinies to teens.
Never too young for adventure, Scott Dunn family holidays
Why Crete, the Maldives and Abu Dhabi are the best for holidays with pre-school kids?
Parents of pre-schoolers, should appreciate their good fortune because you really are the ultimate luxury travellers.
It might be stretching it a bit to suggest you can just pack up and go any old time you like, but you do have a lot more scope for spontaneity. Plus, you can travel at quieter times of year, when even the world’s most gorgeous destinations are often affordable.
Daios Cove, Crete
Daios Cove, Crete: because parents of pre-schoolers deserve nice things
If it’s your first time travelling with baby, quietly luxe Daios Cove on the northeast coast of Crete reminds you that being a parent doesn’t mean compromising on design. Cool and elegant villas and suites with private pools are ideal for water babies in training. The resort also has its own beach, as well as six restaurants, all with children’s menus. And Scott Dunn Explorers Kids Club is great for pre-schoolers whether they’re Globetrotters (four months to 2 years) or Adventurers (3-4 years).
Scott Dunn Explorers Kids Club, Niyama Private Islands, Maldives
Niyama Private Islands is literally made for family holidays with children
Niyama Private Islands is made up of two neighbouring islands, one of which has been created just for families: a very relaxing arrangement with pre-school kids. The entire resort is fondly known as ‘nature’s playground’, and introducing younger children to its wonders is a real joy. Although if you want some guilt-free time to yourself, Scott Dunn Explorers Kids Club here welcomes children from 4-months and is open 7-days a week, year-round.
Saadiyat Rotana, Abu Dhabi
Saadiyat Rotana: the beachiest Abu Dhabi resort for pre-schoolers
Abu Dhabi is now one of the most popular year-round sun destinations for family holidays with children. It’s a particularly good choice for pre-schoolers as there’s little or no jet lag and flights from the UK take just under seven hours. Scott Dunn recommend beachfront Saadiyat Rotana on Saadiyat Island with younger kids, not least of all for its amazing waterpark and an Explorers Kids Club that lives in its own, custom-designed space: very cute. Plus, should you want to eat dinner like a grown-up in one of the resort’s seven restaurants, Scott Dunn Stargazers is available to give you time off parenting duty to do just that.
Scott Dunn Explorers Kids Club at Eagles Resort, Halkidiki
Why Scott Dunn recommends Halkidiki, Tenerife and Puglia for family holidays with children aged 5 to 7?
According to Scott Dunn, the trick to great holidays with 5 to 7 year olds is keeping travel time to a minimum and starting the fun fast.
Halkidiki, Puglia and Tenerife all come highly recommended for those reasons, along with incredible weather in spring, summer or autumn, and the type of luxury resorts where younger kids feel instantly at home.
Eagles Palace, Halkidiki, Greece
Eagles Palace: proof that Halkidiki is the place for under sevens
Eagles Palace in Halkidiki sits on its own private beach trimmed with calm, shallow seas: good for building confidence in first time swimmers. It’s a family run hotel so the vibe is very chill, and 5 to 7 year olds can look forward to Voyagers at Scott Dunn Explorers Kids Club here too.
The Ritz-Carlton, Abama, Tenerife
The Ritz-Carlton, Abama: seven pools say perfection for younger kids
The Ritz-Carlton, Abama is one of the most iconic resorts in Tenerife, perched high above the Atlantic on the island’s peaceful southwest coast. Younger kids love the freedom of its huge gardens, as well as a funicular to the beach, seven swimming pools, and activity-packed ‘Ritz Kids’ for 4 to 12 year olds.
Borgo Egnazia, Puglia, Italy
Borgo Egnazia: the pick of Puglia for family holidays with children
Tucked between Bari and Brindisi, Borgo Egnazia is easily one of Puglia’s loveliest resorts. Designed like a traditional Apulian village, right down to a lively ‘village square’, it also features a choice of townhouses or family villas with private pools, as well as a fully-supervised kids’ club for under-12s. Beyond the resort, the Adriatic coast is minutes’ away and a short drive brings you to fairy tale Alberobello or the famous ‘white city’ of Ostuni.
Choose the Algarve, Costa Navarino or Italy for family holidays with children aged 8 to 11 years
Making all-important new friends is pretty much a holiday mission for most 8 to 11 year olds, and also one of the many advantages of Scott Dunn Explorers Kids Clubs for different age groups. And, just to add to the excitement this year, Pioneers for 8 to 11 year olds features new activities too. New fun with new chums? Sounds like kid-heaven.
Scott Dunn Explorers Kids Club, Pine Cliffs Resort, Algarve
Pine Cliffs, Algarve: the one for young surfers this summer
Taking advantage of the Algarve’s amazing weather and world famous Atlantic waves, Explorers is launching first time surf lessons for kids at Pine Cliffs Resort this year. Apart from officially being Europe’s Best Luxury Family Resort, Pine Cliffs also sits above Praia da Falésia, and even the youngest of young surfers gets bragging rights for hanging ten there.
Scott Dunn Explorers Kids Club, Costa Navarino, Greece
Costa Navarino: new water sports for 8 to 11 year olds this year
Costa Navarino in the southwest of the Peloponnese Peninsula is another beach legend encouraging kids to get out on the water at its Explorers Kids Club. The water in question here is, of course, the balmy Mediterranean so conditions are just right for beginner SUP lessons, as well quite a few other water sports your 8 to 11 year olds will be keen to try.
Family holidays with children in the Dolomites
Mix the Dolomites & Greece on family holidays with children
One of summer’s biggest Scott Dunn adventures for younger kids combines a week in Costa Navarino with a week in Italy’s Dolomites. Start in the mountains with hiking, biking, adventure parks, climbing and the thrill of via ferrata. Then head to Greece for well deserved beach time or, if you still have plenty of energy, parents have the pick of golf, tennis, water sports or exploring the Peloponnese Peninsula, while kids are off making new friends at Explorers.
Scott Dunn safari holidays are made for adventurous teens
Why Scott Dunn think Africa and Iceland are the destinations to win over your teenagers
Teenagers can be the trickiest to please travel companions but, on the flip side, they can also be the most fun to share new experiences with, as long as you pick the right destinations.
Gorilla trekking, family holidays with teens, Rwanda
Older teenagers will never forget One & Only Gorilla’s Nest in Rwanda and the experience of coming face to face with gorillas, seeing golden monkeys in their natural habitat and waking up each morning to astonishing views of Volcanoes National Park.
Making lasting memories with your teens is also a signature at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya’s remarkable Laikipia: home to 10% of the world’s entire black rhino population.
Or there’s Botswana, still one of the less travelled safari destinations but one that Scott Dunn knows very well. San Camp on the edge of the enormous Makgadikgadi Salt Pans is the ideal Botswana holiday for curious teenagers, combining cultural experiences with traditional game drives and walking safaris with San bushmen.
See all Scott Dunn luxury family safari holidays
Eljlandsfoss, Iceland
Scott Dunn make every moment in Iceland a main character moment for teens
Iceland is always having a moment and it’s guaranteed your teenagers will have quietly swooned over its rugged drama at least once on TikTok or Instagram. Take complete advantage of Scott Dunn’s first hand knowledge of the country to tailor a holiday that goes beyond the obvious landmarks and delves deeper into the real Iceland.
Discover Reykjavik’s secret restaurants and coolest hotels; head out of town and go biking in the mountains or head out to sea for a spot of whale watching. Everyone does the Golden Circle, but not everyone stays in traditional turf houses or has the experience of ice hiking with local guides.
Though there are icons in there too, like lazing around in the legendary Blue Lagoon, staring awe-struck at Gullfoss, and stepping between continents at Thingvellir National Park.
Take a closer look at Scott Dunn family fun in Iceland
Scott Dunn Explorers Kids Clubs, Daios Cove
How Scott Dunn give you freedom to enjoy family holidays with children, of any age?
Getting family holidays with children just right is a bit of a passion at Scott Dunn, and finding the perfect destinations for the ages and stages of your kids is just the start.
- Every Scott Dunn family holiday begins with a conversation between you and your personal travel specialist
- A single point of contact means one person handles everything from helping you choose the perfect resort to organising flights and transfers
- Want to pack light with pre-schoolers for a change? Scott Dunn can arrange anything you need from car seats and cots to bottle warmers and buggies
- Scott Dunn Pre-Travel Guest Concierge service takes care of restaurant bookings, organising activities or even arranging spa treatments, so you have nothing to do, but enjoy!
- Guest Relations Managers at resorts make sure everything goes smoothly on holiday and handle any local arrangements for you
- Scott Dunn Explorers Kids Clubs for children from 4-months to 11+ years are available to book in advance at resorts worldwide
- Stargazers evening sessions are also available at many Scott Dunn resorts now, so you can look forward to having dinner like a grown up, even on family holidays with children
Finally, don’t forget Scott Dunn’s Price Match Guarantee. New for 2025, if you find a comparable family holiday with another company for a lower price, Scott Dunn will match it. Ask your personal travel specialist for more details.
Visit Scott Dunn to see more age-appropriate family holidays with children this year