DESTINATIONS DIVERSE GROUPS | FAMILY HOLIDAYS exper TIP expert “When booking your client’s trip, it’s


worth asking what the accommodation is like so you can prepare the whole family ahead of time about the sleeping arrangements they can expect. Sometimes it’s possible to request an extra room to get


more space, but this often depends on the trip you’re taking.”


Hazel McGuire, general manager UK & Ireland, Intrepid Travel


CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Relaxing on the beach; same-sex travel; home cooking in the Atlas Mountains, Morocco; snorkelling on a coral reef PICTURES: Intrepid Travel; Shutterstock/BalanceFormCreative, Reshetnikov_art, Denis Moskvinov


illegal to be in a same-sex relationship. So research destinations where LGBTQ+ families will be welcomed and will feel comfortable. The Foreign Office’s destination-specific pages are a useful resource. Tui recommends Gran Canaria and Mykonos as good beach destinations for LGBTQ+ customers, along with Barcelona and New York


for memorable city breaks. Q Prepare the paperwork As with solo parents, same-sex couples may need to carry certain documents with them when travelling, such as adoption papers, birth certificates and a permission-to-travel letter for journeying abroad, especially if children don’t share a parent’s surname or are too young to


answer questions from officials. Q Book with inclusive brands It’s important that same-sex families feel welcome in their accommodation, so do research on customers’ experiences in properties you’re recommending. Some brands, such as Kimpton, Accor and Hilton, have pledges and policies in place on diversity and inclusion, so could be a good place to start. On its website, Hilton says: “We open our doors to every traveller to experience the joy of a welcoming stay. Accept our inclusive invitation to come as your authentic self and stay proud, wherever the destination.”


travelweekly.co.uk


Seeing animals in the wild is an experience that is appreciated and loved by children, teenagers and adults of all ages


BLENDED FAMILIES Q Activities for all ages


Extended blended families may have children with a wide age range, which can make it trickier to keep everyone entertained, so an activity holiday or an action-packed tour could be a good option to ensure all ages are happy. Intrepid Travel’s McGuire suggests a safari, saying: “Seeing animals in the wild is an extraordinary experience that’s appreciated and loved by children, teenagers and adults of all ages.” Closer to home, Explore has a seven-night Croatian Islands Adventure that is suitable for children aged seven and above and includes snorkelling, swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and sightseeing (from £1,335 per adult and £1,005 per child based on a July 15 departure).


Q Consider bedtime All parents will have different ideals about sleeping arrangements. Some will want to stay in the same room as the kids, others will want to give older children more freedom with connecting rooms, and many will want an area where they can chat once smaller children are asleep. Talk over requirements with clients early and look for hotels with spacious rooms, so families aren’t tripping over each other. Balkan Holidays’ website lists hotels that accommodate larger families of five or six, such as the Sol Nessebar Resort in Bulgaria. Alternatively, villas or apartments might be a


better bet for larger groups. Family-friendly brand Martinhal is about to launch Martinhal Residences in Lisbon, with apartments sleeping up to six, plus kitchens to self-cater, childcare facilities and a


range of pools, including a kids’ pool. Q Keep it simple Family holidays are about spending time together away from the daily routine, and don’t need to involve travelling long distances. So for active families, suggest simpler UK breaks too, such as walking holidays. Exodus offers a six-night self-guided Jewels of the Jurassic Coast Walk trip suitable for children aged eight and above, during which all the family may spot dolphins, find fossils and can admire castles and Iron Age forts (from £979 per person based on June departures).


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