The best family adventure holidays

Looking for a holiday destination offering thrills and adventure for your whole family? Here are the worldwide destinations that everyone will get a kick out of.

When you think of the best family holidays, what springs to mind? Are you looking for a destination that’s just a bit more exciting than the obvious locations? If you’re looking for adventure, at a place that’s a little off the beaten track, here are the places you should be considering. As well as avoiding the typical tourist hotspots and offering excitement aplenty, these further-afield locations offer a variety of activities that will keep your family entertained, even if it’s teenage family adventure holidays you’re after. Whatever you’re looking for, there’s something to cater for every family of thrill-seekers here.

Bali, Indonesia

If you fancy giving Indonesia a try, Bali is an ideal place for family adventure holidays. Perhaps the best known province of Indonesia, this island has far more to offer than just luxury beach breaks, with plenty to keep even the most cynical teenager entertained. For a wild encounter that mixes culture and nature, there’s the Monkey Forest in Ubud, which is home to hundreds of Balinese long-tailed monkeys. The ‘Macaca fascicularis’, to give them their technical name, live in the forest and in around three 12-century Hindu temples, and visitors can wander the trails of these creatures in their natural habitat. If you’re looking for something sportier, you can get a thrilling perspective on Bali’s forests with a treetop adventure, and there are plenty of options for hikes or bicycle tours if you prefer to stay on solid ground. And if you really want to make a splash, there are no shortage of water sports in Bali: learn to surf, snorkel or take up white water rafting in a dramatic and beautiful setting.

Recommended Club Med Resort:
Club Med Bali… plunge into an enriching family adventure together

Cherating, Malaysia

Looking for teenage family adventure holidays? It’s worth considering Cherating. Cherating is a fishing village, but there’s plenty of adventure to be found, especially if you have older children looking for slightly more dynamic holiday activities. You could also take in the local villages and forests on a quad-bike ride along the beach, or go looking for exotic wildlife on a mangrove cruise, where you might spot monkeys and lizards while learning about the region’s conservation efforts. Snorkelling and seasonal surfing are also on the agenda in Cherating.

Recommended Club Med Resort:
Club Med Cherating Beach… an unforgettable encounter with nature

Marrakech, Morocco

When you think of Morocco, you might just picture busy markets and serene spas, but there’s plenty in-between for bold families looking for a slightly different holiday, and it’s only actually a four-hour flight away. Using Marrakech as a base, your whole family can trek the Atlas Mountains and visit a Berber Village for a unique holiday experience. As well as gorgeous natural scenery, you’ll also be able to find perfectly preserved villages that’ll make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. The options for spending your time here really are wildly varied: from exploring bustling medinas to strolling along a beach with a camel, you’ll have no trouble finding an activity that your family has never done before that can be ticked off your bucket list.

Recommended Club Med Resorts:
Marrakech La Palmeraie… take a break in Morocco's oldest palm grove

Rio das Pedras, Brazil

Situated in the state of Rio de Janeiro, one of Brazil’s most vibrant, bustling and popular destinations, Rio das Pedras is a great hub from which to explore the exciting and adventurous side of South America, with plenty to keep the family entertained. Home to the Mata Atlantica nature reserve and exquisite sandy beaches, Rio das Pedras is also ideally situated for anyone wanting to explore the local area beyond the tourist hotspot of Rio de Janeiro. Close by is the port town of Mangaratiba. From there you can take a ferry to the unspoilt island of Ilha Grande. A snapshot of a time gone by, this car-free paradise doesn’t even have a bank, so come prepared with some Brazilian real. Ilha Grande offers sailing, snorkelling and epic walks.

Recommended Club Med Resort:
Rio Das Pedras… land and water sports in the heart of nature

Algarve, Portugal

If you are in the market for European adventure holidays, consider Portugal. Specifically the Algarve, the region that makes up the country’s most southern point. Notable for its striking red cliffs, the Algarve has some fantastic options for water-based adventure. As well as deep-sea and reef fishing, cruises can take you to hidden beaches and caves to explore. You can also spot dolphins in the wild. The Algarve is also noted for its water parks, where kids of all ages will find hours fly by like seconds. And if you head towards the west coast, the surfing is particularly good, and elsewhere you can try a range of other water sports, from jet-skiing to banana-boating.

Recommended Club Med Resort:
Da Balaia… for families with tots to teens

Samoëns, France

Perhaps best known as a ski resort, Samoëns is also worth keeping on your radar for family adventure holidays during the summer season. Located within the French alps, there’s breathtaking scenery all round, and a number of activities that prove you don’t need snow to have fun there. Such as? Well, there’s hiking to suit all abilities, from serene woodland and lake walks, to more challenging vertiginous climbs that you’ll want to set aside a whole day for. And, there’s a similar variety of mountain biking routes, from gentle forest tracks to more challenging, altitude-busting runs. Finally, if you’re seeking adrenaline-fuelled experiences on the water, Samoëns has your needs covered, with white-water rafting, kayaking, tubing and paragliding on offer in the region’s lakes and rivers.

Recommended Club Med Resort:
Grand Massif Samoëns Morillon... the perfect choice for a family summer holiday in the mountains

Discover adventure-filled all-inclusive family holidays in all these locations with Club Med.

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