Ibiza as a Family Friendly Destination

Ibiza, the party island of the Mediterranean, may not be the first place that comes to mind when planning a family holiday. However, with its stunning beaches, family-friendly attractions, and the good chance of sunshine during the Easter season, Ibiza is an excellent destination for families with young children.

One of the main draws of Ibiza for families is its abundance of gorgeous beaches. During the Easter season, the weather in Ibiza is typically mild and sunny, making it the perfect time of year for families to enjoy the outdoors without the intense heat of the summer months. During our trip it was between 20 and 25 degrees during the day which is definitely shorts and t-shirt weather, even if the sea was still a bit cold! With over 50 beaches on the island, there is no shortage of places to relax and play in the sand and water. Some of the most popular family-friendly beaches in Ibiza include Cala Llonga, Cala Vadella, and Santa Eulalia. We visited Playa Den Bossa which had the softest white sand and clear waters.

In addition to beaches, Ibiza has plenty of other family-friendly attractions to offer. For instance, the island is home to a variety of waterparks and theme parks, such as Aguamar Water Park and Ibiza Karting San Antonio, which offer hours of fun for the whole family. There are also several nature reserves, such as Ses Salines Natural Park and Es Vedrà Natural Reserve, which provide opportunities for families to hike, bike, and explore the island's natural beauty. We didn't make it to any of these this trip but we did check out the abandoned festival club which was a real highlight of our trip.

Ibiza is also known for its rich culture and history, which families with young children can explore together. For example, Dalt Vila, the historic old town of Ibiza, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to ancient fortifications, charming streets, and picturesque views of the island. The canons on top of the castle were a huge hit with my gang and we could see for miles.

When it comes to accommodation, Ibiza has a range of family-friendly options to choose from. Many hotels and resorts offer family rooms or suites, which can comfortably accommodate parents and children. Additionally, there are several rental options on the island, such as villas and apartments, which can provide families with more space and privacy. We stayed in a budget hotel that had rooms that accommodated four.

One of the benefits of traveling to Ibiza during the Easter season is that the island is less crowded than during the peak summer months. This can make it easier for families with young children to navigate the island's attractions and beaches without feeling overwhelmed or crowded. We watched the sun setting from the best vantage points without ever feeling crowded and we pretty much had the beaches to ourselves. We didn't need to book ahead for anything and without the clubs and the customers they attract, everywhere we went felt so family friendly.

Overall, Ibiza in April is a great destination for a budget family holiday . With its stunning beaches, child friendly attractions, and warm weather during the Easter season, there is something for everyone to enjoy on this beautiful island.

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5 Reasons to visit Vietnam with kids

Vietnam remains my favourite country that I have visited so far.  It has stunning white sand beaches, incredible cuisine, delicious coffee, friendly people and so much culture to explore.  Thailand is the more popular spot for families visiting South East Asia, but Vietnam is an absolute gem and a great family holiday destination.  Here are five reasons you should bump it up you family travel bucket list.

1. Vietnam is so child friendly.  As with most Asian countries, children are celebrated and always welcome.  When we went out to eat there was always someone asking if they could help hold the baby so we could enjoy our meal (high chairs are less easy to come by).  The children's requests were always accommodated and no matter what time we found ourselves out (we never really adjusted to the time difference so we were up late in the mornings and up late in the evenings), the children were welcome and expected.

2. We spent a few days at An Bang beach and Da Nang which are both along the coast.  The water was warm, crystal clear and amazing to swim in.  We saw little fishes swimming around without needing to go further than the kids could stand so it is great for small snorkelers. The water felt like being in a mild bath it was so warm so ideal for the tiniest adventurers. Our trip was over the UK summer and the beaches were so quiet that we often had the place to ourselves.

3. Vietnam is culturally rich.  There is so much to learn in Vietnam and it isn't just temples.  Hoi An is a world heritage site famous for its colourful lanterns and if I could move anywhere in the world it would be here.  I feel like my children really got to experience so muchfrom travelling around Vietnam.  There is something special about giving them an insight into a culture so different to what they know and Vietnam has many child friendly ways to submerge them in it.  The lantern boats are something not to miss and we send out wishes on the river too.

4. My children loved the unfamiliar but they also loved going to things like water parks and theme parks and Vietnam has a brilliant one in Da Nang.  Sun world had something for everyone with big rollercoasters, chilled carousels and everything in between.  It also had a huge Ferris wheel (it is 20 metres shorter than the London Eye) included in the price of a ticket - which was £8 for adults and £4 for children! The park has different areas themed around other Asian countries and opened conversations with the children about Angkor Wat which was replicated in mini in the Cambodia area.  The flying Ninja ride in the Japan region was a favourite with my gang but they loved the whole park.

5. Vietnam has incredible food.  The most traditional dish being Pho, there is so much more to taste though and we loved eating out and trying different foods.  In Hoi An we did a cooking class (I have linked the one we did) as a family which was a highlight of our whole trip.  We toured a local market to see where the Vietnamese buy their food, went on  traditional basket boats to learn about fishing, did some shore crabbing and then learnt to cook different meals.  As we had booked the class for children, they had extra adults around so each child had a helper and Ed and I could get properly involved too.  Getting involved in the preparation and cooking meant the children tried all sorts of new things.  If you have less adventurous children (which most of mine are), we found pretty much everywhere sold pizza or burger and chips as well as plain rice and noodles so we could encourage them to expand their palate without any pressure. 

I hope this has made you consider Vietnam as a family friendly destination.  It has definitely made me want to book a return trip to see more of the north of the country, as each area is so unique.

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