Dramatic Myrtos Beach on the Greek island of Kefalonia
Are you still undecided about where to take the family this summer?
Directline Holidays’ family travel expert Nigel Bragg runs the rule over some of our favourite destinations, nominating his top four picks for places that combine great value for money with plenty to see and do for adults and children of all ages.
1. Praia da Luz, Algarve, Portugal
Portugal’s Algarve has long been a favourite with British families, most of the better-known and busier resorts such as Albufeira and Vilamoura are grouped in the Eastern Algarve, a short distance from Faro International Airport.
For a more tranquil, yet still activity-packed family holiday experience, however, we recommend you look further West along the Algarve coastline to the pretty and relaxing resort of Praia da Luz - commonly referred to simply as Luz. Around 45 miles from Faro, Luz can be reached easily by car in less than an hour from the airport along the fast motorway that runs just inland from the coast.
There is a definitive family vibe to Luz, with everywhere from the palm-lined promenade (packed with craft stalls and eateries) to the expansive sandy beach (where water sports and lessons are readily available) is geared up for the needs of the vacationing family.
The accommodation ranges from large, low rise hotel complexes (which tend to be more centrally located) to a huge array of self-catering properties (which tend to be higher up the hill away from the shoreline), and is all of a good quality and very reasonably priced.
There are plenty of places to eat and drink in town, a particular favourite being the Fortaleza da Luz near the church at the top of the promenade, which offers a great setting in the gardens of the old fortress, providing spectacular views out to sea. This resort is not really visited by singles or young groups, so there is not much in the way of a late night party scene meaning evenings can be lively but far from rowdy.
If you fancy a change of pace, bustling Lagos - a charming old walled city with a thriving nightlife is just a few minutes’ drive to the east. Alternatively, to slow the tempo down even further try the sleepy, quiet village of Burgau which can be reached by foot, just walk west for 20 minutes along the spectacular coastal path from Luz.
There are also numerous sporting and leisure pursuits within easy reach including the Boavista Golf & Spa Resort just a few minutes’ drive away and the Slide & Splash Water Park near Lagos about 20km east.
2. Kefalonia, Ionian Islands, Greece
Kefalonia shot to prominence as a holiday destination when it featured as the setting for 1994’s bestselling novel Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres. An extremely romantic and evocative landscape, Kefalonia’s lush and verdant mountains tumble steeply into the crystal waters of the Ionian Sea.
All of eastern Kefalonia looks out enticingly across the ocean to the neighbouring island of Ithaca (birthplace of Homer – the epic Greek poet, not the yellow cartoon loafer) seemingly much closer than the two-mile channel separating it. Ithaca is equally as scenic but much quieter than its big sister Kefalonia.
Kefalonia’s major tourist resorts are Skala in the south and Sami on the east coast. These are great family resorts which make the most of Kefalonia’s abundant natural charms, most specifically the fantastically clear aquamarine waters which surround the island. Both resorts are relatively close to the island’s international airport in Argostoli and boast the full array of tourist amenities such as plentiful restaurants, lots of water sports (snorkelling here is amazing due to the clarity of the water and the abundance of sea life) and leisure attractions.
For a more authentic Kefalonian experience we recommend venturing a little further afield to some of this magical island’s truly stunning but lesser known gems. Agia Effimia is just a few miles to the north of Sami on the eastern coast. Here offers a contrastingly tranquil setting in a picture book harbour backed by busy little tavernas.
Assos in the north west of the island is reached by a jaw-dropping descent winding down the hairpin corners of a mountain road. You can see the glistening waters and the whitewashed buildings teasing you down the mountain from miles away, but it seems to take an age to reach them, however, on arrival you’ll be stunned by the stillness of the village, the purity of the sea water and the awesome beauty of the scenery.
Finally, for one of the last remaining glimpses of old Kefalonia, travel all the way to the north-eastern tip of the island to Fiskardo. When a series of massive earthquakes hit the island in 1953, practically every building on Kefalonia was destroyed, removing all traces of its historical associations, particularly with the Venetian Empire. Fiskardo was left largely untouched and uniquely boasts a fully intact Venetian harbour front full of characterful old buildings. Most of these are now tavernas, where you can sit and spend the day relaxing watching the yachts come and go in the marina.
If you have time you can catch a ferry from here (or Agia Effimia) across to neighbouring island Ithaca, mentioned earlier. If you only get to see one place on this island head for the amazing harbour village of Kioni which is almost too beautiful for words.
3. Bodrum, Turkey
Turkey has been in the news recently for mostly the wrong reasons, but it is well reported that in spite of the recent disturbances in Istanbul and a few other major cities, the rest of rural and costal Turkey continued as normal.
Many residents in traditional tourist areas such as Bodrum and Antalya have reacted with a mixture of amusement and annoyance when asked if it is safe to holiday in Turkey at the moment, tweeting pictures of busy beaches and relaxed restaurants in reply to concerns. Indeed, I guess we would probably react similarly if in the wake of London’s 2011 riots, anxious Americans had been questioning the safety of paying a visit to a small fishing village in the Scottish Highlands.
If you’re looking for a great deal on an exceptional all round holiday destination, Bodrum could be a fantastic option. The peninsula is served by Bodrum International Airport and most resorts are within 45-60 minutes’ drive time of here. The city itself is a spectacular place to visit, steeped in history with a magnificent harbour area offering restaurants galore and a fleet of gulets for hire to cruise along the turquoise waters of this pristine coastline. The city is, as you would expect – busy, and while it’s a great place to spend your time there are other nearby options that make a great choice for a family holiday base.
Bitez is a mainstream beach resort just a few kilometres outside of central Bodrum. This area boasts a number of large low rise holiday complexes with a full suite of amenities such as communal pools, restaurants, shops and water sports facilities. The beaches here are great although, be warned, they can get quite crowded in peak months. Everything you need is within easy walking distance and the resort is pretty much self-contained, although it’s simple to get into central Bodrum whenever the desire takes you. Bitez is also located close to one of the area’s most popular family attractions – the Aqualand Waterpark.
Our two favourite resorts in the Bodrum region are Yalikavak and Gumusluk. Both these successfully combine the restful surroundings and superb food that adults crave, with the great beaches that have activities like boat trips and water sports that children demand.
Yalikavak is around 20km from Bodrum, and despite having a marina area that is something of a millionaires’ playground, retains a convivial, charming atmosphere that makes one feel at home straight away. The standard of cuisine here is exceptional and dozens of excellent restaurants line the attractive harbour where the gulet skippers vie for your attention.
For a great excursion whilst on holiday in Turkey, hire a gulet (small cruise boat) for the day as it truly is an idyllic pursuit. Staffed by the skipper and a small crew, these boats will take you wherever you like along the coast, providing you with meals, snacks and drinks along the way. They also stop as often as you like for swimming off the boat or just to admire the scenery. Costs vary according to size of boat and number in party, but you can hire a fairly large vessel for eight-10 people for a day trip including all meals for around £200 – drinks are usually extra.
Gumusluk is a little further west around the coastline and is where many of the gulets that start out from Yalikavak stop for lunch before heading back home. Gumusluk is quieter than its neighbour with a mile long crescent of a sandy beach with a promenade of excellent restaurants and a selection of small hotels. The water is shallow and clear, ideal for small children and snorkelers alike. There is also a water sports school on the beach offering wind surfing tuition and kayak hire.
A small island in the centre of the bay is home to ancient ruins of great archaeological importance, and at low tide you can walk out to the island along a sunken causeway to explore. If that’s too energetic, just relax on the beach – all restaurants will provide you with free sun loungers for the day, provided of course that you eat your lunch there!
4. Alcudia, Mallorca, Spain
On the northern coast of Mallorca lies the fabulous resort of Alcudia, a 14th century city surrounded by walls and 21st century beach resort rolled into one. The historic Old Town is now pedestrianized and offers a fascinating glimpse into the island’s past as well as many opportunities for shopping and dining. In many ways Alcudia has tried to position itself as the ideal family holiday destination, having deliberately set its focus on attracting visitors looking for relaxation and activity.
Alcudia is home to the recently constructed Alcanada Golf Course whilst specialist companies offering hiking and cycling tours also operate from here. The dazzling beach is 14km long and stretches all the way around to C’an Picafort. While development here is mainly low rise, Alcudia is home to Bellevue, one of Europe’s largest hotel complexes boasting no less than eight swimming pools. That said, the town never feels overrun with visitors and with such a vast beach on the doorstep it isn’t difficult to find a bit of isolation.
It’s quite common to see people walking the few kilometres of coastline between Alcudia and Puerto Pollensa which is further west. Either in search of a deserted stretch of sand or on a weird sort of holiday cultural exchange programme – Alcudia being the livelier big sister to chic but sleepy Pollensa. The town also boasts a wide array of water sports facilities, land sports including tennis, volleyball, basketball and football as well as the Hidropark water park – so the kids will never be short of something to do.
