The Easter school holidays are a fantastic time to get away with the kids, with two full weeks allowing you to travel further than you can in the half terms and often benefit from greater availability and better prices than in the main summer school holidays. We’ve rounded up some of our favourite destinations for Easter 2023.
April is considered one of the best months for visiting this increasingly popular Indian Ocean archipelago famed for its diving and snorkeling, with glorious sunny days ideal for marine and beach activities, little rain, and starlit evenings brilliant for making the most of overwater restaurants and other alfresco dining spots.
Where to stay: Siyam World, a new-in-2021 all-inclusive island getaway with villas sleeping up to 16, great for family gatherings.
This lively and ever-evolving UAE is also at its peak in April, when it's sunny but not too hot – skies are clear and temperatures balmy, making it ideal for making the most of Dubai’s compelling mix of beaches, water sports and water parks, shopping malls and souks, creek tours, theme-parks and desert adventures, including falconry and dune-bashing.
Where to stay: Atlantis the Palm, the ocean-themed icon and home to Atlantis Aquaventure, the world’s largest water park.
Best visited from November to April, when it’s at its driest, warmest and sunniest, the ‘Land of Smiles’ welcomes families with everything from white-sand beaches to elephant encounters. A twin-centre holiday in Bangkok and Koh Samui gives you the chance to explore the compelling capital before going into a more leisurely mode on the country’s 2nd-largest, rainforest-clad island with its family-friendly beach resorts.
This tropical dreamscape experiences its driest weather, lowest humidity and most comfortable temperatures up to around mid-April. And whether you’re looking for a party-loving island such as Jamaica or Barbados or something more low-key – perhaps Grenada – there’s a Caribbean island perfect for all families.
Where to stay: Aboard one of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's stunning family-friendly vessels. Their Southern Caribbean Cruise departing 8th April is an obvious choice for exploring the region, with the option for your Travel Counsellor to package the trip with flights and a pre-cruise stay in Fort Lauderdale.
With average temperatures of 23°C, much less cloud than March, around eight hours of sunshine a day and pleasant temperatures for swimming in the sea, this ever-popular Canary Island has long been justifiably popular with families. Among highlights are whale- and dolphin boat trips (April is often the best month to spot sperm whales here) and riding the cable-car or hiking up Mount Teide.
Where to stay: GF Victoria, an all-suite hotel with cutting-edge contemporary design and standout features such as a bodyboard wave pool.
April is a brilliant time to visit Florida, with longer, brighter days and warmer weather (around 27°C) but without the crowds of high season. Many of the-famous theme parks in and around Orlando host seasonal activities, and parks also start to stay open until later in the evening. Among the top attractions are Walt Disney World Resort with its four theme parks and two water parks, Universal Orlando Resort and Legoland Florida Resort, but you might also consider the Florida Keys, seaside resorts such as St Pete (St Petersburg)/Clearwater, Fort Myers (gateway to Sanibel and Captiva islands) and the Everglades National Park.
Where to stay: ChampionsGate Villa Complex for your own space and all the facilities you need to be self-sufficient.
To book your Easter family holiday or cruise, call your Travel Counsellor today.
There are so many great reasons to experience certain destinations in the shoulder seasons – that sweet spot between a region’s peak season and off-season. Think fewer crowds and queues for major attractions, better-value flights and other travel, and a more authentic experience of the destination. We’ve put our heads together to share a few of our favourite places that can be just as good or even better outside of high season.
Discover a slice of paradise that’s perfect for everyone at Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort. Nestled on Portugal's serene Algarve coast, this resort offers the ultimate combination of luxury and entertainment, ensuring both kids and adults have an unforgettable stay. With spacious accommodation overlooking picturesque scenes and separate zones catering to privacy, relaxation, and family fun, Anantara Vilamoura is the epitome of a luxury haven.
Explore the USA with Aer Lingus with seasonal flights from Dublin. Experience the hustle and bustle of New York, the sandy beaches of Miami, or the art and culture of San Francisco. Whether you are looking for a fun-filled family holiday or a romantic getaway, the USA has something for everyone.