Holiday Bits

Family Holidays in Majorca

The largest island in the Balearic archipelago group, Majorca lies just off the east coast of Spain. It’s been a popular holiday destination since the mid 20th century and has plenty of excellent resort areas which are ideal for family holidays.

Taking a family holiday in Majorca will offer you plenty of sunshine and the beaches all around the island offer plenty of opportunities besides sunbathing such as snorkelling, scuba diving, and glass bottom boat trips. Water sports are very popular here, and jet skiing, and wind surfing are available in many places. The beaches themselves offer white sands and are spacious and well kept and many such as those at Palma Bay and Alcudia are particularly sheltered and suitable for families.

Majorcan food can be quite varied. Pork tends to feature on many menus with Spbrassada (a spicy pork sausage) being commonly found and very popular with kids. Other dishes your family may like to try include things like Coca de Trampo, a pizza like dish, and Ensaimada which is a spiral shaped sweet flaky pastry desert. In many resorts however, a good range of English food is on offer for anyone who doesn’t find the local dishes appealing.

There is plenty on offer around the island to entertain you and your family when you visit. The island is fairly steeped in history and so there are lots of castles, museums and monuments to explore. The Pirate show near to Alcudia is a very popular place to visit, and offers dancing, fighting, comedy, action and more all rolled into one to create a very popular show. Do make sure if you visit with the family though, that you opt for the early evening showing as the later one is more bawdy and suitable for adults only.

Staying in the resorts around the island will offer you not just the chance to enjoy the beaches and sea, but also plenty of amenities offered within the resort. Many include spas, saunas, swimming pools and children’s play centres or kids clubs. There are golf courses and other sporting activities available at some of them too.

Overall, Majorca makes a great place to visit as a family with all you could want in terms of sun, sea and sand plus plenty more besides and at an affordable price too.

Top Five Family Holiday Destinations

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Picking the right destination can really make or break a family holiday. Get it right and you’ll be in the running for parents of the year. Get it wrong and the kids will be reminding you about it for years to come. Looking for flight deals and affordable accommodation will seem easy after you’ve agonised over choosing the perfect place to go.

Here are five top family holiday suggestions, with old classics mixed with some adventurous new ideas.

1. Spain

A long-time favourite for UK holidaymakers, Spain is perhaps the classic family holiday destination. Its islands and costas have some of Europe’s best beaches, and everyone knows how much kids love the beach. Try Northern Spain to find fewer tourists, beaches that are less busy, beautiful rolling countryside and some cultural treats.

As well as sea and sand, Spain also offers great walking and cycling holidays. Cities like Seville and Granada have enough cultural treasures to keep most kids enthralled. And of course, Spain is the home of the classic villa holiday; lie in the sun and relax while the kids play for hours in the pool.

2. France

The other classic holiday destination. And it’s easy to see why France’s natural beauty will always attract holidaymakers.

One of its major advantages is that it’s close. Load up the car, take the tunnel and you could be at your holiday destination in just a few hours. The northern areas of Normandy and Brittany are ideal for kids as they’ve great camping opportunities.

For those willing to go a bit further, the Vendée on the Atlantic coast has miles of quiet and unspoilt beaches. And what could be more idyllic than a family canoe adventure down the Loire?

3. Croatia

Perhaps not an obvious choice, but the unspoilt coastline of Croatia is a perfect place for a family holiday. Enjoy the crystal-clear waters of the coastal resorts or marvel at the stunning historic cities of Dubrovnik and Split.

Croatia’s thousands of small islands are the perfect place for a cycling holiday, with many small enough to explore in a single day. Ride along and discover your own private cove for a refreshing swim.

4. Turkey

Although not as cheap as it once was, Turkey still offers an affordable family holiday. Its thousands of miles of Aegean coastline are perfect for beach holidays. Or try Istanbul for an exotic and fascinating urban adventure.

Explore the coastline on a boat cruise or have some more extreme fun with the many adventure sport activities on offer.

5. The USA

The US is the holy grail of family holidays in the eyes of most kids. It really does have it all. With the world’s best theme parks, most iconic cities and famous beaches, you’ll never be short of entertainment that’s for sure!

On a budget? Rent a car and take the family on a road trip adventure of a lifetime. Or simply enjoy the bustle and beauty that California is famous for.

Magaluf, Majorca – An Excellent Family Holiday Destination

Magaluf is located on the southwest coast of Majorca, Spain. Abundant with sand, surf, and plenty of sunshine, there is sure to be something for everyone to enjoy.

Spend a day at the Aqualand Magaluf for some wet fun without the sand. This huge waterpark has wicked fast slides and plenty of kiddie fun too. In Dragoland, your kids can slide down the water slides and swim with the giant dragon. A whole day of super family fun guaranteed.

For a mixture of fun, visit Western Park. This water park/wild west theme park duo is full of adventure. See beautiful birds in the bird show, check out the small animal farm, or sit back and watch the western divers show.

The House of Katmandu is an upside down mansion that takes visitors on a tour through many different rooms, such as the Library of Illusions and The Chamber of Pain. The tour builds up to the Yeti encounter at the end. Also located here is the 4D Experience Motion Theater. There are six rides to choose from so you won’t have to have the same ride twice.

Magaluf has three main beaches, dusted with beautiful white sand. Magaluf Beach, Majorca Beach, and Palma Nova Beach. Of the three, Palma Nova is the most popular for families. Embarking on a swim to Black Lizard Island is a popular tourist challenge. Located in the centre of Magaluf Bay, the island is named for the abundance of black lizards that crawl around the island.

For dinner and comedy, head out to the Pirates Adventure Dinner Show. Enjoy a swashbuckling pirate filled evening while you satisfy your appetite. For the “uncut” version, come for the late show where it is adults only.

If you enjoy a good game of mini-golf, Golf Fantasia won’t disappoint you. Play amidst caves and waterfalls on one of three different 18-hole courses. See who can get the most holes in one! Or visit some dolphins and sealions at Marineland. See the beautiful colors of the tropical birds in the parrot show. Family fun and entertainment will last for hours.

Music lovers will enjoy “Come Fly With Me,” a cirque de soleil meets Frank Sinatra show. Watch some mesmerizing acrobatics while you listen to the one and only Sinatra, as performed by Chris Mann, a Sinatra impersonator known world wide as one of the best there is. The mixture of the two will amaze and entertain all who enjoy the show. It’s a must see event for sure.

If you have little ones, you won’t want to miss a trip to Lollipops. This adventure play area is great for all kids, but has a special soft play area expecially for the younger kids. Over 10,000 play balls in the ball area will keep any toddler smiling. For the older kids, there’s an awesome video game play area. Keep this one on your list for that rainy day.

The whole family will remember their holiday in Magaluf for years to come.