The kids are alright: child-friendly holidays and hotels to check into this summer

Simon Calder's Travel Week

SUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE: £20 FOR 1 YEAR July 16, 2023 View in browser SIMON CALDER'S TRAVEL WEEK The school holidays are almost upon us. And that means six weeks of keeping the kids entertained... If you're happy and you know it... Plenty of Europe's resorts come with a built-in kids club But whether heading abroad or staying put here in the UK, there's a wealth of family-friendly travel ideas to ensure everyone's happy this summer. If you're looking for accommodation inspiration, we've rounded up Britain's best family-friendly hotels, as well as the best hotels and resorts with kids clubs in Europe. Leaning towards a domestic break? Here's our pick of the UK's coolest holiday destinations for families. Or, for further-afield fun, check out these ideas for family holiday destinations worldwide that kids of all ages will love. Heathrow hunger? Starting this week, families can save on pre-flight meals with Heathrow's "kids eat free" summer holiday promotion. From 20 July to 3 September, when an adult orders from the main menu something over £14.95, a child under 12 can choose an item from the children's menu for free. Options include Leon in Terminal 2 and Giraffe in Terminal 5. AIRPORT DROP-OFF FEES Kids for a quid Some train operators, including Southeastern and ScotRail, offer a promotional fare allowing up to four children to travel for £1 each (usually return) when with a fare-paying adult. SURPRISING UK TRAIN JOURNEYS Question of the week   Question of the week Child-friendly activities in Hong Kong? The big new Hong Kong attraction is M+ – built on reclaimed land in West Kowloon, and which has elbowed its way smartly into the premier league of modern art venues alongside Tate Modern and the Guggenheim in Bilbao. As with those locations, it's a rewarding location for children even if they have little interest in art. Some Sundays are designated as "family days" with free activities on offer. In the museum cafe, you can ping the image of your choice to the staff, who will superimpose it on the foam of a hot chocolate or coffee.   The two top-grade theme parks, Disneyland and Ocean Park (a local creation), are certainly worth a day each. Hong Kong has three great transport set-pieces: the Star Ferry between Kowloon on the mainland and Hong Kong Island; the "ding-ding" trams in Central Hong Kong which share some DNA with Harry Potter creations; and the Peak Tram, freshened up for 2023 and lifting you high up on Victoria Peak, with spectacular views and paths to explore at the top.   Escape to the great outdoors on the largest of Hong Kong's islands, Lantau. From Tung Chung, close to the international airport, take the Ngong Ping cable car over the hills and far away to the Big Buddha – made from 250 tons of bronze. If the children have energy to burn off, it also makes an exciting semi-jungle trail from the same starting point; allow about three hours.   14 best hotels in Hong Kong Kids travel free on select TUI holidays There are thousands of free kids' places on trips, including Lanzarote, Egypt and Cyprus Short break at a Scottish countryside hotel Get two nights from £390 at the Loch Fyne Hotel and Spa, which is a short walk from Inveraray  Enjoy an Essex spa stay from £200 a night The price includes a three-course dinner, a 25-minute spa treatment and a glass of champagne Enjoy a year of unlimited digital access for just £99 £20 ✓ Full access to Premium news analysis ✓ Advert-free reading across web and app ✓ The Independent Daily Edition newspaper ✓ Puzzles, virtual event tickets and more SUBSCRIBE NOW Europe Family adventures Action-packed activity holidays on the Continent that teens and kids will love, including Alpine adventures and Welsh walking. READ MORE Spotlight on Paris with kids How to do the French capital with children in tow; read our guide to the best family-friendly attractions, hotels and more. GO TO GUIDE   Mallorca and Ibiza are the busy headliners, but look beyond for a duo of bewitching, smaller islands where life still moves to a mellower beat Isabella Noble Spain travel expert Hotels London crashpads The best family-friendly places to stay in the capital, from spacious family suites to digs with freebies for kids.  BOOK NOW Holidays Greece is the word From kids' clubs and playgrounds to activities for teenagers, we've selected 10 top family-friendly Greek trips. GET INSPIRED Child-friendly Cornwall: The best places to stay when you're with the family Why you should swap Italy's Lake Como for North Macedonia this summer Top beach stays in the UK and Ireland for a family-friendly holiday PICK OF THE WEEK: VALUE ADDED TRAVEL Escape to paradise in the Maldives! Crystal-clear waters, pristine white sand beaches, and luxurious resorts await. Indulge in relaxation, snorkeling, and stunning sunsets. Your dream getaway starts here. The 10 best children's water bottles to keep your little ones hydrated on your travels this summer SHOP NOW These 15 scooters will have your kids whizzing around – whether they're toddlers or teens SHOP NOW We noticed that you might not be registered By registering, you will enjoy limited access to Independent Premium articles, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists REGISTER FOR FREE OTHER NEWSLETTERS YOU MIGHT LIKE Climate News Every Friday, 12pm (UK time) Written by Louise Boyle Join now IndyEats Every Saturday, 7am (UK time) Written by Hannah Twiggs Join now Climate News Every Friday, 12pm (UK time) Written by Louise Boyle Join now IndyEats Every Saturday, 7am (UK time) Written by Hannah Twiggs Join now The Independent proudly partners with Refuge and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 If you can spare a minute we'd love your feedback on our newsletters. 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