Great European Destinations For Family Holidays

It's hard enough to plan a holiday for one or two people let alone a whole family. Not only is it difficult to transport all the things that come in tow with kids, such as toys, nappies and special foods, it's also hard to find enough activities that will be fun for you all together not just mum or dad, or the kids. Fortunately, an increasing amount of European destinations cater towards mixed age ranges. So if you're looking for somewhere to spend your next family holidays, Europe is a great choice. Take a look at just some of the adventures that await you in some of the countries that form part of the continent.

Croatia

Croatia is a beautiful country on the Balkan coast line with upcoming resorts to rival those of the most established western seaside retreats. Cities like Dubrovnik, Pula and Split are great bases for exploring the region. It's easy to rent a car on the spot or, alternatively, go boat hopping on the nearby islands of the Adriatic Sea. Prices are affordable and much lower than you'll find in resorts in other parts of the continent. Local foods are excellent. Seafood forms a major part of the local cuisine and comes highly recommended. Give the wine a go as well - local chardonnay tastes fantastic as an accompaniment to freshly grilled fish.

Kids and teenagers will love the range of water sports on offer, from snorkeling to water skiing. You can leave them in the trusty hands of an instructor while you go and explore the city.

In Croatia it's well worth opting for self-catered accommodation as this is unbelievably well-priced and provides you with a lot of freedom. Locals are very hospitable and staying in an apartment or cottage is a great way to get to meet people from the area not just fellow visitors.

The Baltic States

The tourism industry in the Baltics is developing day by day as more and more visitors choose to explore the region due to its natural beauty, heritage and affordable prices. Many choose to tour all three Baltic States - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - as they are well-connected via a modern highway system.

Each capital city has a distinct feel to it. Tallinn is the smallest but hilliest and boasts awe-inspiring views across the Gulf of Finland. A must-see for visitors to the capital is KuMu modern art museum with exhibits to fascinate all age ranges. Further afield you'll find Saaremaa Island with its peaceful scenery and community feel, accompanied by state-of-the-art spa resorts.

Riga is the Baltics' biggest capital and so is incredibly cosmopolitan. Its best features are the stunning architecture earning it the title of Art Nouveau capital and the local food scene that has flourished post economic crisis. You'll find and amazing cafe scene with bakeries, coffee shops and other food stops in the most unexpected parts of town. For a unique experience in Latvia, head to the charming Sigulda for a cable car ride and to go down a real life, all season bobsled track.

Vilnius is a city with grand boulevards and a castle overlooking its river and valleys. Wander through the old town to soak up the historic atmosphere. For a fun family day out head to Trakai Castle, a picturesque historic monument set on a lakeside peninsula where the kids can run riot.

United Kingdom

The UK boasts amazing family activity opportunities. Though every part of the country is worth exploring, an area that's great for families with kids is Bristol and Bath. Bristol was recently named one of the best places to live in the UK due to its major urban regeneration and the feel. Kids won't be left bored here as you can visit the incredible Clifton Bridge and Bristol Zoo Gardens. Stay at a comfortable Bristol city hotel and explore the area on foot or, alternatively, rent a car that will let you visit surrounding areas too.

Bath is just a hop and a skip away and is one of the most beautiful cities in the country with splendid architecture and spas still intact from the Roman times. A day of splashing around in the thermal waters of Thermae Spa could be just what the doctor ordered for a frazzled family in need of a holiday.

Malta Holidays - Tips And Fun Things To Do On Your Family Holiday

As far as destinations go, Malta Holidays in the middle of the Mediterranean is fast becoming one of the top travel spots in Europe. And Malta has virtually no crime, making it an ideal family holiday destination. Here are just a few fun family things to do on your Malta holiday.

Fun In The Sun -- Beautiful Mellieha Bay

It just wouldn't be a holiday in Malta without a few fun, relaxing days at the beach and Mellieha Bay is one of the most popular sandy beaches that is great for kids. There's nothing quite like fresh air, sunshine and a dip in the crystal clear blue waters of the Mediterranean to wear out the kids, and at Mellieha Bay the water is shallow and calm and you can hire umbrellas and deck chairs. The amenities are clean and there are a number of kiosks, cafes and beach bars.

Swim With The Dolphins

Most kids love dolphins and at the Mediterrano Marine Park kids over 8 can actually swim with the dolphins. There is also sea lion and parrot shows, as well as a reptile house.

Water Fun Park

For one of the best days out, guaranteed to have the kids squealing with delight you won't want to miss The Splash and Fun Water Park. There is a children's splash pool, family slides and a wave pool pumping 1.5 metre waves -- the largest wave pool in Europe. Or cool off under waterfalls as you ride the lazy river on a rubber tube.

Cruise The Mediterranean

There are a number of day cruises available to places like the Blue Lagoon, as well as harbour cruises, and day trips or tours to Sicily. Plus there are a number of cruise ships that depart from Malta.

Popeye Village or Sweethaven

Take the kids to meet Popeye and Olive Oyl at Popeye Village, Anchor Bay near Mellieha which is north of the island. They'll have an absolute ball exploring this fun park which was the original 1980's Popeye movie set. They'll also have the chance to dress up and be part of a film which everyone gets to see later. You may not be able to hear much over the laughter of the kids but you can buy copies of the film as a keepsake.

The summer months can be hot so the kids might like to go for a quick dip in the wading pool to cool off while Mum and Dad lounge on the deck chairs. There are also water trampolines, as well as boat rides in Anchor Bay during summer. And if you have smaller children, there's a small fun park with rides but the highlight for kids of all ages is Santa's toy exhibition which is guaranteed to keep them amused, at least for a while.

There is literally no shortage of great family things to do on your Malta holidays to keep you and the kids relaxed and happy, and sleeping like babies every night. It truly is an ideal family holiday destination.

I love to travel so when my husband was seconded to Malta where he was born for 12 months, it was the perfect opportunity for us to build a website on Malta Holidays.

It's been a great way to show other family members and friends, especially those who have Maltese roots a bit about this tiny Mediterranean Island, and hopefully inspire a few of them as well as others to visit Malta. It has so much to offer.

I also have a background in beauty therapy and energy medicine and a keen interest in holistic health and organics. And besides travelling, I love the beach and latin dancing.