Summer is the time most families get to properly go away together and choosing the right destination makes all the difference. Whether you are after guaranteed sun, theme park thrills, lakeside days or something a little more adventurous, these four destinations are worth considering.
Orlando is the obvious choice for a reason. Disney World covers four separate parks and Universal Orlando adds the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the brand new Epic Universe, which opened in 2025. Two weeks is the right amount of time to cover everything properly and go back to the parks you want to revisit. If your children have been asking about Orlando, this is the summer to do it.
Lake Garda sits in northern Italy, backed by mountains and lined with pastel coloured towns and clear water. Bella Italia Resort in Peschiera del Garda is one of the most popular bases on the lake, with pools, slides, a private beach and kids activities all on site. Beyond the resort, Gardaland theme park is a short drive away and the town of Sirmione is worth a ferry trip across the lake.
The Algarve is one of the most reliable family holiday destinations in Europe. The coastline is dramatic, the beaches are wide and sandy and the resorts around Albufeira and Vilamoura are well set up for families. Easy to get to from Dublin, good food and a relaxed pace. It is a destination that works for every age and one that people come back to year after year.
Rhodes is one of Greece's most family friendly islands. The beaches are clean, the sea is warm from June onwards and the resort areas have plenty of options at different budgets. The medieval old town is worth a morning and the island is easy to explore by car. For a straightforward sunny family week, Rhodes delivers.
This seven night river cruise through Central Europe connects some of the continent's most historic cities in one well paced route. Sailing on the five star MS Riviera Radiance from Budapest through Slovakia and Austria, with guided tours included at every stop, full board dining and a drinks package, it is one of the most relaxed and rewarding ways to see this part of the world.
This fourteen night fly and drive takes a family of four from Vancouver on the Pacific coast through the heart of the Canadian Rockies to Banff. With flights from Dublin, 14 days car hire and a wildlife trip in Jasper included, the route is built to show you the best of British Columbia and Alberta, with enough time at each stop to actually enjoy it.
Five nights in New England at Halloween, split between Boston and the town that made the season famous. This trip is built for families who want something different, a mix of history, ghost tours, witch trial stories and autumn atmosphere, with car hire included and everything within easy reach. Late October is the perfect time to be here.
