Do school summer holidays and long haul work ? Many think it has to be Europe… Turquoise tell us otherwise

 

Take the family to the Tropics this summer for some old fashioned escapism with plenty of glamour.

Who remembers the summer of ‘76 when each day dawned hotter and sunnier than the one before and the school holidays seemed to last forever? Sadly, forty years on, the summer of 2016 isn’t shaping up quite as well with the great British weather putting a dampener on Wimbledon and England crashing out of … well, just about everything. If you haven’t planned your family’s annual escape to the sun, now’s the time to do it.

Fortunately, holidays have come a long way since the days of peppermint rock, chicken-in-a-basket and ‘family’ accommodation that had more in common with a of tin sardines than a holiday let in paradise (but hey, we still had fun, didn’t we?)

Here at Turquoise we’re great fans of Europe but right now it makes a lot more sense to spread your wings and go that little bit further afield. Look upon it as a family investment for the year that lies ahead. A little indulgence goes a very long way – and the way the Euro’s heading, Europe’s no longer the cheap option.

In just eight hours you could be in The Caribbean; just a couple more will bring you to the Indian Ocean, Asia or the spice island of Zanzibar.

Don’t worry, you haven’t missed the boat – even at this late stage we will find you superb deals at some of the best family-friendly resorts in the world.

There’s still terrific value to be had in Asia, so if you’re on a budget, why not head to Thailand or Malaysia and get that extra bang for your buck. We love the laidback resort of Rayavadee in Krabi, an easy hop from Bangkok. You’ll stay in spacious two bedroom pavilions, where children eat for free and your arrival by boat on a beautiful peninsula surrounded by white sandy beaches and lush jungle will commit to history the memory of last year’s EasyJet flight (let’s face it, even with the upgrade to Speedy Boarder, it’s hardly the epitome of travelling in style).

The paradise island of Mauritius may seem like pie in the sky from where you’re sitting right now, but in just one sleep and barely more than a blink of the eye you could be on the platinum sand of The Residence, one of our all-time favorite Indian Ocean resorts, where kids get their own room on a half board basis completely free of charge this summer. Yes, you read it right – that’s free of charge. If you’re travelling with little ones, look no further than Heritage le Telfair with the island’s only baby club from age 0 upwards (shake off the guilt for a week or two, Mum, and get ready to put your feet up in the sun – that’s what holidays are all about).

Fancy something more adventurous? Older children will love The Maldives – no longer just the playground for the rich and famous – a family of four can save £3300 at uber chic NIYAMA right up to 31 August.

We have plenty more rabbits to pull out of our sombrero so, with storm clouds gathering over Europe, why not let Turquoise broaden your horizons and take the family to the tranquil seas and swaying palm trees of the tropics for a week or two of old fashioned escapism laced with lots of 21^st Century glamour. Go on, you know you’ve earned it!

 

Turquoise Holidays is one of the UK’s leading luxury family specialist.