Vacations for Multi-generational Families

Channel your inner 'Indie' on this thrilling trip around the ancient city of Jordan where there are literally thousands of archaeological sites from Greek, Roman, Muslim and Christian conquests. Your and your little gladiators will learn about Roman warriors, explore the delights of Petra, and spend a night camping out in the desert before heading to the Dead Sea for some well-earned rest and relaxation.

Three generations, three very different landscapes. Start in colonial Quito, where a cable car climbs a dormant volcano and chocolate workshops keep younger family members entertained between museum visits. In the Galapagos, base yourselves at a working farm turned safari camp on Santa Cruz, where giant tortoises wander the grounds and grandparents can watch from the veranda while the rest of the group snorkels with sea lions and turtles. Finish at Hacienda Zuleta, a 400-year-old working ranch in the Andes, for horse riding, condor spotting and evenings around the bonfire that suit every age at once.

Take the whole family on an epic adventure, starting in the bustling capital of Bangkok to experience the best of Thai cuisine and culture as you explore the city’s markets and temples, getting off the beaten track on a cycling trip through the backstreets. When you have had your fill of cultural fun, head to the crystal-clear waters of Koh Samui to soak up the sun and explore local uninhabited islands by boat.

High above Lake Wanaka, Mahu Whenua sits within its own 500-square-kilometer conservation sanctuary, private enough that the only company is the odd grazing deer. The Ridgeline Suites can be booked exclusively for a family gathering of up to 12, with open fires, sweeping lake views and a team of chefs who'll cater everything from an afternoon cheese platter to a full family dinner. By day there's jet boating on the Shotover River, horse trekking and mountain biking across the high country; by night, stargazing from the terrace with a glass of Central Otago pinot in hand.

Sink into luxury at Chalet Artemis in the buzzing skiing hub of St Anton, sleeping up to 12 guests it is the perfect spot to gather as a family. You will be spoiled with first class skiing and equally fantastic service and hospitality with its in-house team of private concierge, chalet hosts, driver service and chefs offering exceptional dining throughout your stay. Leaving you all the time to spend quality time together in these luxury surrounds and on the slope. Not forgetting the wellness area with pool, hot tub, private cinema, sumptuous bedrooms, and large open plan living area with balcony overlooking the village.

Nestled in Cairngorms National Park, Killiehuntly is a 17th-century farmhouse filled with charm and surrounded by bucket-list scenery. Sleeping up to 8 guests, enjoy meals made from produce grown right on the property, and spend days visiting the library, hiking the highlands, and spotting wildlife.

A truly luxurious retreat in the depths of Northern Iceland, this former sheep farm can sleep up to 34, offering the ultimate family getaway. Surrounded by truly incredible scenery, the wild landscape of the Troll Peninsula will be your playground – here you can go sea kayaking, snowmobiling or whale watching. After a day of adventure, recharge with fantastic locally-sourced meals and relax your weary muscles in the geothermally-heated outdoor pool, keeping an eye out for the Northern Lights.

Truly a unique and exciting property, the Alfajiri Cliff Villa in Diani Beach brings together secluded villa life, thrilling activities, childcare, and 5-star cuisine all in one home. Run by an Italian couple, a stay at this 4-bedroom house means freshly caught seafood, jet ski safaris, private boat trips and daily massages.

Perched on a bluff above the Pacific in Orange County's gallery-lined Laguna Beach, Montage Laguna Beach spans 30 acres of oceanfront with views from every room. Grandparents can settle in at the spa or over a long lunch at Studio, while the Paintbox children's program keeps five to twelve year olds busy with tide-pool exploring and craft workshops. Four beaches sit within a short walk, and with Los Angeles and San Diego both under two hours away, it makes an easy base for a wider family gathering along the California coast.

On Kauai's North Shore, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay looks out over Hanalei Bay's emerald waters with the cliffs of the Na Pali Coast rising behind. Rooms built from reclaimed wood and organic linens keep the focus on the landscape outside, while the whole family finds its own rhythm: grandparents drawn to sunset yoga and the botanical cocktail terrace, grandchildren to kayaking the Wailua River or hiking the Kalalau Trail. Locally sourced menus mean mealtimes double as a taste of the island itself.

Set within 3,000 acres of protected dry forest on one of Costa Rica's Blue Star beaches, JW Marriott Costa Elena gives every generation room to spread out, with over 400 rooms, eleven restaurants and the country's largest resort pool complex. Grandparents can retreat to the spa or a quiet corner of the garden, while grandchildren take to the water or the resort's culinary school. For families wanting the ease of all-inclusive without the compromise on quality, it's a rare combination in Costa Rica.

Barefoot luxury meets serious family adventure at Soneva Fushi, tucked into the Baa Atoll's UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Villas built from reclaimed wood and palm thatch sit hidden in jungle or along the shore, ranging from romantic one-bedroom retreats to a nine-bedroom private reserve with its own spa and waterslide, ideal for a multi-generational gathering under one roof. Children have The Den, a jungle playground with pirate ships and secret cinemas, while marine biologists lead the whole family out to snorkel with manta rays in Hanifaru Bay. Evenings might mean a treetop dinner reached by zipline, or simply cycling back to the villa as the island falls quiet.

Nestled in acres of olive groves and pine forest, hugging the gentle sloping shore and white sandy beaches the Sani Resort is another firm favorite for a family vacation. One of the big attractions is the number of activities and facilities the resort offers for all ages and interests. A particular highlight is the bustling marina and shopping plaza with its choice of restaurants, lively bars, boutiques and great leisure and sports facilities. Combined with fantastic dining options, and a complimentary children's club from 4-12 years and a paid crèche from 4 months - 4 years.

Anahita Golf & Spa Resort is the epitome of a great family resort on the crystal-clear shores of Mauritius. With a plethora of family friendly suites and 28 luxury villas in the heart of the estate overlooking the turquoise lagoon. The villas are perfect for families wanting even more space, with plenty of space both inside and outside with private pools as well as use of all the resorts facilities. Children can have a fantastic time at the children’s club while you perfect your swing on either of the Championship golf courses or indulge in a massage.

A real favorite with Scott Dunn families, Carlisle Bay is a superb introduction to everything the Caribbean has to offer; idyllic beaches, extensive childrens activities including a crèche and kids club, watersports, a spa and four wonderful restaurants. Service here is top notch, ensuring whatever you need as a group is taken care of. Choose from rooms where children can be accommodated with parents to larger three-bedroom suites, depending on your needs.

Youngsters and the young at heart will love this working ranch in southern Wyoming, combining breathtaking scenery with charming Western hospitality. Stay in a two or three bedroom log cabin, or take out the Magee homestead if you’re a larger group and make the most of the great outdoors, navigating the trails on horseback or whiling away the hours fly-fishing. The tepee camp also offers exciting activities for children aged 4 to 8.

Designed to mirror a traditional village, Borgo Egnazia is a stylish and luxurious hotel in Puglia, based around a central Piazza. Families adore it here, with an adventure playground for children within a walled courtyard, complete with climbing nets, giant games and wobbly walkways. An ideal option for multi-generation groups are the luxurious three-bedroom villas set over three floors, each with its own private pool, garden and roof terrace from which to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Dotted around the grounds of the luxurious Amanzoe are a handful of villas, providing privacy and seclusion for the ultimate family retreat. Each villa has a private outdoor pool and benefits from the services of a dedicated host and chef, so if your main aim is relaxation, you don’t even have to leave your villa. For those a little more active or for kids with itchy feet, the hotel’s private beach club has four pools and a variety of non-motorised watersports.

For a wilderness escape closer to home, &Beyond Amazon Explorer journeys deep into the Peruvian Amazon aboard an intimate river vessel, its panoramic suites and rooftop jacuzzi a world away from the jungle outside the window. By day, expert guides lead the whole family along quiet tributaries, pointing out pink river dolphins, sloths and birdlife most guests never get close enough to see. By evening, the Explorer Center brings the day's discoveries to life over rainforest-to-table dining, keeping grandparents and grandchildren equally captivated.

Journey to this seldom-visited mountain kingdom in the Himalayas to walk between three beautifully converted village houses, combining traditional Ladakhi craftsmanship and surprising levels of comfort for such remote locations. Travel between the houses over the course of several days, learning about local traditions and cultures from your guide, stopping in at Buddhist monasteries and taking in the spectacular mountain scenery. Each house is taken exclusively, ensuring you have the most private and unforgettable experience together.