Too early to start planning a family winter holiday? Not according to the tailor-made family holiday experts at Abercrombie & Kent. As far as they’re concerned, any time is the right time for dreaming up big adventures in some of the world’s most exciting, and warmest, winter destinations.
Test out that thinking with a look at their top five great winter escapes. A few are far-flung but more than worth the travel time; several are much closer than you imagine, and every one is tailor-made for families.
1/5 Elounda Gulf Villas & Suites, Crete
The largest and most southerly Greek island, Crete has almost as much North Africa as Mediterranean in its climate. Winters are mild with a good chance of sun and temperatures can reach 20˚, even in December and January.
Nevertheless, Abercrombie & Kent are leaving nothing to chance in terms of weather this winter and highly recommend Elounda Gulf Villas & Suites, on Crete’s sheltered south east coast, for family escapes.
Why A&K love Elounda
Elegant and luxurious Elounda is first and foremost a brilliant family resort. Nothing is too much trouble here, from babyproofing your private pool to serving breakfast in your villa. Kids are entertained endlessly with cute creches, fun clubs and on-site playgrounds. The friendly team can organise family days out as easily as evening babysitting. And if you want to escape entirely – just for a little – the resort spa is blissful.
- Boutique family suites; suites with private pools or family villas with private pools.
- Cool Creche and Cool Kids Club for ages four months to 12 years.
- Private beach and beach club with water sports.
- Two restaurants, resort bar and Beach Club bar.
- Elixir Spa, heated swimming pool, kids playground.
- Winter UK flights to Crete, five hours and 30 minutes.
- Transfer time from Heraklion Airport, one hour.
Find out more about Elounda Gulf Villas & Suites with Abercrombie & Kent
2/5 The Ritz-Carlton Abama, Tenerife
Tenerife is a winter holiday legend with good reason. It basically has everything from reliable sunshine to year-round family activities, throws in short UK flights for good measure, and even delivers on adventure: winter’s peak season for climbing and surfing.
But it’s fair to say the island’s south west coast has the edge from October to March. It also has The Ritz-Carlton Abama, one of Abercrombie & Kent’s best loved resorts for family holidays any time, and a particular favourite with escapists in winter.
Why A&K love The Ritz-Carlton Abama
Staring straight across the Atlantic to La Gomera, The Ritz-Carlton Abama looks more like an historic Moorish citadel than a hotel. But under its grand design lies a fantastic family resort with one of the largest kids clubs in Europe, exceptional swimming pools, an 18-hole golf course, outstanding sports facilities, and even a funicular down to its very own private beach.
- Set in a private, 160ha estate, overlooking the ocean at Guía de Isora.
- Complimentary Ritz Kids club for four to 12 year olds with eight play zones, swimming pools, and year-round activity programme.
- Choice of family rooms and suites at the heart of the resort, close to all facilities and with easy beach access.
- Private beach; water sports; 18-hole golf course; Annabel Croft Tennis Academy; year-round family activity programme; ABAMA Spa.
- 10 restaurants and bars including two Michelin starred restaurants, and Abama Kabuki, one of the best Japanese restaurants in Europe.
- Direct UK flights to Tenerife South, four hours and 15 minutes.
- Transfer time from Tenerife South Airport, 25 minutes.
Find out more about The Ritz-Carlton Abama with Abercrombie & Kent
3/5 Belmond Reid’s Palace, Madeira
Under the impression that Madeira is a winter sun destination for sedate retirees? Prepare to be surprised. Portugal’s prettiest archipelago is now a firm favourite for family adventure holidays, a mountain biking legend, one of the best places in the North Atlantic for whale watching, and winner of awards for everything from immense New Year firework displays to the highest skywalk in Europe: 580m above the cliffs at Cabo Girao.
Of course, none of this comes as a surprise to Abercrombie & Kent. They’ve long been singing the praises of Madeira, and can’t recommend historic Belmond Reid’s Palace on the sheltered south coast highly enough for a fun family escape this winter.
Why A&K love Belmond Reid’s Palace
From its oceanfront setting to the extra-mile attitude that’s worked into every minute of your stay, Belmond Reid’s is perfect for kids, they’re even welcome at the resort spa. In between pampering, acres of sub-tropical grounds make for a natural playground; Fun@Reid’s children’s club is packed with activities for three to 12 year olds, and the Teen Room entertains older kids with everything from videogames to evening movies.
- Set in sub-tropical gardens, overlooking the North Atlantic on Madeira’s south coast.
- Complimentary Fun@Reid’s kids club for three to 12 year olds, and Teen Room for under 18s.
- Individually designed family suites named after illustrious former guests like George Bernard Shaw and Winston Churchill.
- Spa with Angelsense therapy for kids; dedicated children’s pool; range of family experiences like whale-watching and unique Madeiran tobogganing.
- Michelin starred William Restaurant is one of Madeira’s top restaurants.
- Fun mealtimes for kids, with creative, healthy, freshly prepared menus.
- Direct UK flights to Madeira, three hours and 50 minutes.
- Transfer time from Santa Cruz Airport, 20 minutes.
Find out more about Belmond Reid’s Palace with Abercrombie & Kent
4/5 Tailor-made family safaris in Kenya
Winter is wonderful for a family safari in Kenya: the country where these definitive adventure holidays were first born and where Abercrombie & Kent have been perfecting them in a tailor-made form for decades.
The quietest season to safari is great for introducing kids to conservation at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage and the remarkable Giraffe Manor in Nairobi. It’s also a peaceful time of year to visit the legendary Masai Mara reserve, discover the rhino at Lewa Downs or explore magnificent Laikipia in the High Plains: home to more endangered species than anywhere else in Kenya, and land of the mountain bike safari.
Why A&K love Sanctuary Olonana
The world famous Masai Mara reserve is made even more spectacular from the luxurious angle of Sanctuary Olonana. A glamping experience like no other, each of the 14 tents in this luxurious camp come complete with parquet floors, four poster beds and private verandas.
- Set on a private stretch of the Mara River in the heart of Masai Mara.
- Family-friendly camp with family tents, childcare and wide range of children’s activities.
- Game drives; walking safaris; village and school visits; hot-air balloon safaris.
- Sanctuary Olonana has a library, swimming pool, organic garden and spa.
- Tailor-made A&K family safaris include specialist A&K guides, cultural experiences and personalised safari experiences.
- Flights from UK to Nairobi, eight hours and 30 minutes.
Find out more about tailor-made safaris in Kenya with Abercrombie & Kent
5/5 Tailor-made Sri Lanka winter holidays for families
The Indian Ocean island with beautiful beaches, ancient culture, astonishing cities and fabulous wildlife, Sri Lanka is brilliant for escaping everything in winter, and nobody does tailor-made family holidays here with quite the same skill and attention to detail as Abercrombie & Kent.
Why A&K love Sri-Lanka
- Elephant safaris in Minneriya National Park and leopard spotting on family game drives at Yala National Park.
- Winter whale watching cruises from the historic city of Galle.
- Indian Ocean beaches and luxury South Coast beach resorts.
- Fascinating tours with specialist guides round ancient Kandy and Polonnoruwa.
- Tea plantations in the Hill Country; climbing Sigiriya Rock; visits to Hindu temples like world famous Seetha Amman.
- Fun days out in Colombo, the hectic and colourful Sri Lankan capital.
- Beachy adventures in bustling Negombo: the seafood capital of Sri Lanka.
- Direct winter flights from UK to Colombo, nine hours and 30 minutes.