Costa del Sol
Where to start with the Costa del Sol? Year after year, holidaymakers are attracted to its limitless sandy beaches, family orientated resorts, wondrous mountain scenery, diverse cuisine, traditional Moorish villages and, of course, a reliable year round climate. The Costa del Sol has traditionally offered outstanding value for money, with many low-cost carriers offering budget flights through the winter months, making this a sensible choice for families looking to escape the winter gloom at a time when many have their mind on their finances.
What makes this the perfect holiday for families, however, are the many and varied activities and attractions to be found here - enough to keep youngsters of all ages entertained! With more than 100 miles of wonderful coastline to choose from, water sports are naturally popular in the Costa del Sol. All beaches are well maintained and safe, with scuba diving and water skiing particular popular in these parts
Car hire will help you get the most from your holiday as it is the only way you can truly enjoy the natural flavour of the coast which can take you from warm beaches, stylish resorts such as Marbella and Puerto Banus to gorgeous mountain retreats such as Benahavis.
Head east to the excellent The Tivoli World Amusement Park and the neighbouring Benalmadena Cable Car, which takes you to the summit of the dominant peaks of Monte Calamorro. From the summit you can enjoy unrivalled views of the Costa del Sol, Sierra Nevada, Gibralter and the North African coast.
And, if all this doesn’t sound enough, then nearby Fuengirola has an excellent, modern zoo, whereas Gibraltar boasts a fantastic Sea Life Centre, crocodile park and Dolphin World.
Cyprus
Cyprus is quite simply a great family destination with fantastic beaches, year round sun and wonderful scenery. Most holidaymakers tend to head to Cyprus’s south coast which is bustling, cosmopolitan yet full of ancient charm.
But the great beaches and climate are only part of the pull as far as families are concerned and there are many activities that will keep youngsters interested all around the island.
Firstly, head for the mountains where you can try your hand at rock climbing, mountain biking or horse riding before heading for the shoreline where you can see the sea turtles relaxing in their natural environment.
The resorts of Ayia Napa, Polis and Eirmi are crammed full of things to please youngsters – here you will find go-karting tracks and amusement centres.
Alternatively, you can cool off in the excellent waterparks found across the island – Aphrodite, Waterworld and Fasouri. Water sports such as snorkelling, windsurfing, paragliding and scuba diving are also high on the agenda in Cyprus.
Then for a spot of culture, go and visit the historic city of Paphos – full of ancient wonders and excellent shopping. In fact, the whole island is bursting with history and ancient mythology - from Aphrodite’s Baths (Paphos) and the Tombs of the Kings (Paphos) to Apollo’s Temple (Kourion) and Maa-Palaeokastro settlement (Coral Bay).
Lanzarote
During the winter, many head to Lanzarote for the pleasant temperatures (typically verging on 20 degrees Celsius) but it isn’t just the sunshine and the beaches that make Lanzarote such a winter sun hotspot – it also boasts extraordinary lunar landscapes, volcanoes and wonderfully unusual colourful rock formations.
Beginning with the beaches; some of the best on the island are found at Puerto del Carmen and the neighbouring quieter resorts of Matagorda and Playa de los Pocillos. Should you benefit from car hire in Lanzarote, also be sure to sample the unspoilt beaches at Papagayo, just a short drive from Play Blanca. Kite sailing, parasailing, scuba diving, windsurfing and jet skiing are all available at most resorts, owing to the number of safe and well monitored beaches found around the island.
But you’ll be missing out if you don’t hire a car to explore this dramatic island further. Anybody who has driven inland from the coast will quickly tell you of the amazing volcanic landscapes found at the Timanfaya National Park as well as the lava caves of Cuerva de los Verdes and Los Jameos del Agua that will take your breath away.
But, if this doesn’t sound like the type of activity that will interest your children, then there’s always the Rancho Texas theme park at Puerto del Carmen or the waterpark at Costa Teguise!
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