Family Holidays
Company and
Hands Up Holidays recognise that parents are seeking to immerse their children in the local culture on holiday. Emma Barnett, managing director of Tots Too,
says: “We are certainly seeing a demand for new experiences where a taste of adventure is offered yet with the security of knowing the everyday facilities needed for young ones are available. It’s about offering a hint of adventure.” A Bedouin camp experience where the family
can sleep under canvas in the middle of the desert yet with a butler on tap and adding a few nights at a luxury hotel is one example, while a once-in-a-lifetime trip across Sri Lanka combining jungle safaris and eco camps with the island’s most exclusive five-star retreats is another Barnett sites. New itineraries launched by Tots Too in response to this demand recently include options in the US, South Africa, Costa Rica and Thailand.
With her starring role as one of the final three in BBC’s Mastercheflast year, Barnett is now well placed to take those cooking skills a step further and encourage kids to learn some culinary ways when on holiday. “We have launched Cooks Too, which
promises an all-round culinary experience for children aged 8-18, working in a kitchen preparing healthy and delicious meals that can be recreated at home whilst enjoying a stay in a luxury resort,” says Barnett. “We are adding other learning experiences too, from creative writing retreats to polo instruction within some of our tours.” Abercrombie & Kent agrees that increasing numbers of affluent families are turning their
back on the more traditional “beach in the Med” holidays for more experiential holidays. Managing director Kerry Gold says: “The
importance of kids clubs appears to be diminishing for those with school-aged children, as parents are now looking for life experiences they can enjoy with their children at their side – from spotting the Big Five on safari in Africa to ice-trekking across glaciers in Argentina.” She also highlights how popular the bush
skills courses launched by Sanctuary Retreats last year have become, with the whole family learning about life in the bush. “Trips which support the school curriculum
are also popular,” she adds, “with visits to Rome, China and the Galapagos firm educational favourites.” Elegant Resorts has also seen a rise in the number of families looking to do something more adventurous in the US visiting multiple destinations, dipping into national parks and spending as long as three weeks exploring California. Caroline Beckett, US senior sales and product
manager, says: “Ranching sees a lot of interest from families, and they are wonderful options as they are all about getting outdoors and doing things as a family, learning new skills and trying something you wouldn’t at home. Ranch at Rock Creek is a good choice with log cabins perfect for larger or multi-generational groups, more
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TTGLUXURY.COM SPRING 2016 DESTINATIONS
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