00:00Welcome to travel smart weekly the insiders travel guide from independent
00:04TV. In this series we share our thoughts and advice on the best destinations to
00:10visit plus give you the inside story on making the most of your trips around the
00:15world. This week we've got those all-important family holidays on our
00:20minds and we'll share where to go and what to do to give you the best shot of
00:24creating lasting travel memories.
00:30A great family holiday is all about experiences that resonate across
00:42generations. This can be anything from the joys of discovering a new passion,
00:46exploring new destinations or the simple pleasure of being together. And to make
00:51traveling with your brood even easier all of our suggestions have decent
00:55flight links which means that's one less thing to stress about. One of the
01:01best places to go away as a family is the Canary Islands. Tenerife the largest
01:06and most populous island in the archipelago is a fine place to start.
01:10Natural beauty goes hand-in-hand with family-friendly activities with both
01:14adults and children sure to love the otherworldly landscapes of Teide
01:18National Park. It's here where you can marvel at the highest point in Spain
01:23Mount Teide reaching the top by hiking or for something a little more laid-back
01:27hop on the cable car. Elsewhere there's the renowned Siam Park a water park
01:33packed with thrilling rides in tropical surroundings. On Gran Canaria the vast
01:37sweeping dunes of Maspalomas invite exploration which for families can mean
01:42camel rides and sandboarding. If you choose Lanzarote all ages will be
01:47captivated by the volcanic craters and geysers in Timanfaya National Park
01:51while the Cuevo de los Verdes caves offer an underground adventure through
01:56ancient lava tunnels. Over on Fuerteventura the highlights are the
02:00dunes of Corralejo and opportunities for water sports especially windsurfing.
02:05Whichever Canary Islands you choose you're guaranteed brilliant beaches and
02:09accommodation to suit all budgets from all-inclusive beachfront resorts to
02:14boutique hideaways.
02:21Diving deep into the Mediterranean Greece is another winning option for
02:26family holidays. Kids clubs, expansive pools and mile after mile of beautiful
02:33beaches await especially on islands such as Crete and Rhodes.
02:42On the mainland Athens captivates with its ancient ruins while the Peloponnese region offers both
02:49beaches and historical sites such as UNESCO protected Mycenae both sure to
02:55ignite the imagination across generations. Those looking for natural
03:00beauty don't need to search far. Try visiting Meteora a breathtaking series
03:06of rock formations in central Greece topped with ancient monasteries that
03:11appear to float in the sky. As for the islands the charm lies in their
03:17diversity. Crete shines with its family-friendly beaches like Elafonissi
03:23and attractions such as the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. Rhodes offers the
03:29stunning Valley of the Butterflies and the expansive Faleraki water park.
03:35If you want something different Naxos features the safe sandy Ios Prokopios
03:40beach and the charming village of Halki. And Corfu delights with its Aqualand
03:46water park and dramatic scenery.
03:51Another outstanding option for a family holiday is Turkey. The country offers
03:56great value primarily due to the favorable exchange rate which means
04:00accommodation dining out and all sorts of activities are surprisingly
04:04inexpensive. Along the turquoise coast in Antalya all-inclusive resorts offer
04:12excellent value with extensive amenities like kids clubs, pools and water sports
04:17ensuring endless fun for all ages. Further west Bodrum is home to safe
04:22beaches and lively markets and is where to hop on boats for trips around the
04:26Aegean. If the city appeals a scenic Bosphorus cruise is a brilliant way
04:31family groups to experience the excitement of Istanbul.
04:37Increasingly many families are looking for a long-haul escape and of course
04:42there's a world of choice but one perennial favorite is Central Florida
04:47with great theme parks such as Walt Disney World and Universal.
04:53It also helps that it's warm and there are long stretches of beaches to spend
04:58the day on. The same can be said for the Gold Coast if you fancy a trip to
05:03Australia where theme parks and beaches are complemented by rainforests and
05:08wildlife sanctuaries.
05:12That's it for this episode of Travel Smart Weekly. Our next one will be out soon which you can
05:16catch online on the Independence mobile app or on your smart TV and for all the
05:21latest travel news reviews and advice check out independent.co.uk
05:26forward slash travel and do have a listen to my daily travel podcast.
05:42you
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