Seven Great European Experiences For Families This Summer

Member-only beach club, The Peligoni Club has long been a firm favourite for those in-the-know, but now there’s even more reason to sign up. In May 2024, the much-loved kids exercise company TARKA joined forces with The Peligoni Club to host activities for six to 10 year olds at the resort’s Kids’ Club. The TARKA ethos is very much about the huge positive benefits that being active brings to a child. Each session here has a different theme and activities include The Peligoni Olympics and The Poseidon Pool Party, followed by wellness wind-down time with a focus on breath work and stretching – a core part of the TARKA experience. Until now, TARKA has worked exclusively in the UK (running classes at Jaego’s House and Daylesford, among others); this is their first offering elsewhere, and an exclusive partnership for the next three years. While there’s no accommodation on site, guests can choose from a range of serviced villas surrounding the club. Add to this that The Peligoni Club is one of the biggest and best water sports centres in Europe, and you have the dream family destination.

Wheat, a super-cool Danish brand, combines timeless Scandinavian looks with comfy, durable design to create gorgeous clothing for children. Champions of kid’s style, they’re lending support to a truly worthy cause this August as they partner with the Danish Childhood Cancer Foundation and fashion consultant Pernille Teisbæk to launch a limited-edition capsule collection. All profits will go directly to the foundation, and the aim is to raise over €67,000 to aid cancer research, and to support families affected by childhood cancer. The collection consists of T-shirts, sweatshirts, denim, pyjamas and a cap – offering a unisex look with an intended oversized fit. Made from organic fabrics, with many certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard, shop the full collection on the UK website to support. 

There’s a new and very convenient way to reach the Alps: The Eurostar Snow Train is back! The pandemic might have put a halt to the popular route, but it returns to full service this winter. Trains will depart London St. Pancras International every Saturday (21 December 2024 – 1st March 2025) and return every Sunday (29 December 2024 – 2 March 2025). The two-leg journey involves catching the Eurostar train between London and Lille followed by a mountain train between Lille and the ski resorts of Chambéry, Albertville, Moutiers, Aime-La Plagne or Bourg-Saint-Maurice. If you’re going the whole way – London to Bourg-Saint-Maurice – it will take just under eight hours. From here, hop on a coach to some of the best family ski resorts in Europe including Courchevel, La Tania, Tignes, Val Thorens, Val d’Isère, Meribel, and Les Menuires. Ski resorts are often tricky to reach, but this journey  gives families the chance to sit back and relax as they wizz through the mountainous countryside. 

Scott Williams are the European villa specialist to have on speed dial for an outstanding property. With over 250 privately owned houses across Europe, including in Greece, Spain, Croatia and France, they’ve launched a new Ibiza portfolio – an ideal location for a family holiday. One of the villas, Casa Carpinteros, a brand-new family-friendly residence, sleeps up to eight in four bedrooms and is just 15 mins from Ibiza Town or eight minutes by car to the nearest beach. Nothing is too much trouble for the highly experienced Scott Williams team, who have been helping families take dream holidays since 2007; adding cots, stair gates and high chairs to many villas, making them suitable for even the tiniest guests. If you need a nanny, private chef, personal trainer, want to see more of Ibiza, or plan to charter a boat, they’ll arrange it all with just one phone call.

Combine a city break with all the fun of a festival. Held every September at Olympiastadion and Olympiapark, Berlin’s Lollapalooza is one of Europe’s biggest. In 2015, the US musical extravaganza launched in Europe – and around 100,000 fans arrive each year, many of them with kids in tow. This year the line up includes Sam Smith and One Republic, while specifically for children there’s the Kidzapalooza zone which (as well as great music) features a host of activities including a craft station, a drum zone, a theatre tent and a hip hop workshop. The very sensible ‘Tag-A-Kid’ system allows adults to register their children; you’ll receive a special wristband that, in the instance that a child gets lost, makes uniting them with their family much more straightforward. The Family Services Tent offers a safe, comfortable place for parents and little ones for breastfeeding, changing nappies or just taking a break, and there’s plenty of places to eat too. 

Want to take the kids on a truly memorable European trip? How about an eco yurt next to the beach in Spain? A traditional roulotte surrounded by beautiful French countryside? A UFO-style treehouse (yes really!) tucked away in a Swedish forest? Canopy & Stars specialise in unique and creative places to stay in the great outdoors; the special kinds of spots that make for a really magical family holiday. With hundreds of properties in a range of locations across the UK and Europe, kids can explore new surroundings on these back-to-nature stays. There’s a great mix of styles and sizes, and plenty that also welcome dogs. A certified B Corp, Canopy & Stars are an ethical, friendly bunch – and the people to turn to for a one-off stay.

---

Lead image: The Peligoni Club. Image by Holly Farrier

We may earn a commission if you buy something from any affiliate links on our site.