Alternative holiday ideas for kids' summer holidays

Key components for any summer holiday where kids are involved are ice cream, sunscreen and a trusty bucket and spade. While a fly and flop holiday to a sandy beach somewhere in Europe is always plenty of fun for the kids, and let’s face it, much needed for mum and dad, why not try somewhere a little different this year?

Whether you’re a family that is either looking for outdoor adventures, keen to explore more of Europe or to educate your kids through travel, a family holiday can mean so much more than lying by the pool. It doesn’t have to be pricey either - Europe contains some fantastic unusual holiday options from Dracula’s spiritual home to the lesser-explored parts of Scandinavia. Take a trip further afield and you could be zip-lining through the jungle canopies of Costa Rica or exploring Tokyo’s toy shops.

The Flexicover team is on hand to help you make new family memories that will last for years to come.

Brasov, Romania

If your kids are fans of all things spooky then why not take them directly to the epicentre of the Dracula myth? Two hours from Bucharest Airport, Brasov is an evocative Transylvanian city ringed by the Carpathian Mountains and packed with vibrant cafes and stunning Gothic architecture. Plus Bran Castle, the legendary Transylvanian fortress dating back to 1377, is right on its doorstep. As the castle is the only one in Romania that fits Bram Stoker’s description of Dracula’s abode, it’s known worldwide as ‘Dracula’s Castle’. Fancy a break from the spooky stuff? Take a trip to the Libearty Bear Sanctuary, which re-homes and rehabilitates Romania’s brown bears.

Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki is an extremely child-friendly city with plenty for the kids to see and do. Take a dip in the Allas Sea Pools on the harbour front, which include a heated children’s pool. A trip to the island of Suomenlinna is a must when travelling with kids: once a prison and naval base it’s now home to a much more cheery toy museum. There’s also a submarine you can explore and stunning strolling opportunities along the clifftop paths. Visit the interactive National Museum, where the kids will love playing with virtual reality goggles, before rounding off your trip with some souvenirs from the Moomin Shop.

Costa Rica

Adventurous families will struggle to beat a trip to the paradise country of Costa Rica. Zip wire through rainforest canopies and explore the otherworldly Tortuguero National Park, where you can see a variety of exotic animals including sloths, monkeys and crocodiles. Take family trips to some of the country’s epic volcanoes or strap on your snorkelling masks and head to the nation’s incredible Pacific beaches to meet the most colourful sea creatures you’ve ever seen. Visiting Costa Rica might be a little more pricey than European destinations but with a trip here your kids will have more than enough to write about in those inevitable ‘what I did in my summer holidays’ essays.

Nepal

Sure, your little ones might not be quite ready to summit Everest just yet (give it a few years and who knows?), but Nepal also offers safari adventures, perfect for animal-obsessed kiddies. Head to the Royal Chitwan National Park to see rhinos, monkeys, tigers and plenty of exotic birds from the comfort of a jeep. There are also plenty of entertaining kids cooking classes where they can learn to make traditional Nepalese food. Older kids with a daredevil streak will enjoy white-water rafting down the Trisuli River, while a canoeing option is perfect for those who like to take things a little slower. Round off your trip in vibrant Kathmandu and take a wander through its evocative bazaars.

Tokyo, Japan

Fly across the world to the tech hub of Tokyo for an educational experience guaranteed to blow the kids’ minds. An incredibly child-friendly place, there are endless fun places to visit from Tokyo Dome City, a high-octane amusement park, to Joypolis, an indoor entertainment centre, and KidZania - where kids can play at working at their chosen career. With the number of innovative museums on offer that use tech to engage kids, they won’t even realise they’re learning. Play interactive science games at the RiSuPia Panasonic Digital Network Museum and hang out with robots at the Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation. Just don’t forget to explore the city in between all the learning!

Wherever you plan on heading to this summer it’s good to know that Flexicover Travel Insurance is committed to providing you with the highest level of protection to ensure you are safe and secure 24 hours a day when away.