From the snow-laden forests of Finland to Italy’s beautiful Amalfi Coast, family activity holidays in Europe introduce you to an incredible variety of scenery, adventures, history and culture, making it a classic choice for a family holiday.
In many European countries, life really revolves around the family, so it’s very easy to immerse your own in the local community and also a great opportunity for your children to practice their foreign language skills. Our family adventure holidays in Europe are designed to cater for a wide variety of ages as well as abilities. So, whether you fancy sledging with the kids on Finnish family tours or delving into Roman history at the UNESCO-listed city of Pompei, there’s a whole host of thrilling experiences to enjoy.
Not everything has to be just about the kids, there are plenty of opportunities for the adults to enjoy their own fun too. Perhaps you fancy a bit of time-out on a sun-drenched beach in Italy or maybe you prefer to sink into a hot Turkish bath and relax for a while, either way, there’s something for everyone on our family activity holidays in Europe.
And with many of our European destinations being so close to the UK, there are no issues with long flights or jet lag – that’s definitely a bonus when you’re travelling with young children! For an adventure that’s close to home and itineraries that are full to the brim with adrenalin-fuelled activities, join one of our family holidays in Europe.
Our Family Adventures in Europe
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Discover Pompeii, Mt Vesuvius and the famous Amalfi Coast of Italy
Family
8 DaysfromCAD 4,655
Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)
See the Northern Lights in Finland
Family
8 DaysfromCAD 2,280
Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)
Try a host of different activities in glorious Turkish surroundings
Family
9 DaysfromCAD 3,470
Self-Guided Holidays (Incl. Taxes)
Experience the ultimate triple activity holiday in the Dordogne
Family
9 DaysfromCAD 3,505
Self-Guided Holidays (Incl. Taxes)
Safe, undemanding canoeing holiday on the most celebrated river in France
Canoeing in the Dordogne: Flowing through south-west France, the Dordogne River is a scenic waterway flanked by imposing limestone cliffs where resplendent chateaux and medieval villages overlook the valleys below. Canoeing along the Dordogne is one of the most exciting family activities for water lovers and a great way to explore the beautiful landscapes and historical sites. As you paddle past walnut groves and along the woodlands of Perigord, you can go at your own pace, stopping off at places of interest along the way. Head to Gouffre de Padirac from Carannac or from Meyronne make your way to Martel and wander around the local markets where you can try some local delicacies.
Pizza Making in Amalfi: Known for its dazzling beaches and beautiful coastline, Amalfi is one of the best destinations for your family holiday in Europe. But it’s also known for its tantalising Neapolitan pizzas, which are sure to get both parents and kids salivating. On our Pompeii and Pizza Family Holiday, you will get the chance to see how authentic Neapolitan pizzas are made, and of course, you can tuck into the end results!
Dog Sledding in Finland: Although beautiful all year round, Finland is particularly stunning in the winter when the ground and the forests are laden with snow. There are few activities as thrilling as zipping along frozen landscapes on a dog sled, drawn by a pack of huskies. On our Finnish Winter Family Adventure Holiday, you’ll visit a husky farm which lies on the outskirts of Riisitunturi National Park. Here you’ll be introduced to the friendly huskies and learn about how they’re cared for in the Finnish wilderness. You’ll then be shown how to steer the sled before taking off into the woodlands for an exhilarating mushing adventure. While the adults take the helm in the driving seat, the children can enjoy the thrill of the ride and stare in awe at the winter wonderland scenery.
Sea Kayaking in Turkey: If you love to get out onto the water during your family adventure, Turkey is a fantastic destination with plenty of beaches to explore. Kekova is an idyllic island close to Antalya and has become renowned for the sunken city that lies beneath its emerald waters. Paddling in and around a sheltered bay, you’ll then make your way to the underwater city where you can see the old harbour walls, the houses and their original rooms. Kayaking is a fabulous activity and a great way to explore one of Turkey’s hidden gems on your European family adventure.
Northern Lights Tour in Finland: Dancing across the night sky like a Whirling Dervish, the Aurora Borealis, also know as the Northern Lights, are one of nature’s greatest creations. More often witnessed in countries above the Arctic Circle on a clear night away from the light pollution of cities and towns, their ethereal beauty is sure to captivate you. Finland is a great place to go in search of this spectacular lightshow during your family activity holiday and the best times to visit are between late September to April.
This was such a brilliant holiday – amazing scenery, fabulous food, fun activities, culture and history. We shared it with 5 other families, who all got on fabulously (adults and children) – there was always someone to chat to and share the experiences with. Having a tour guide really helps you get the most from the holiday – especially reserving tables for us all at some of the best eateries – and also takes the stress out of any aspect of the holiday.
We saw so much of this beautiful country in such a short space of time, but still had time to relax and chill out!
This review is based on being specifically ‘Designed for children aged 9-12’.
In summary, in our opinion, it is not.
It is simply the (excellent) adult trip with a few omissions and permitting children.
To give my review some context:
Our children are in the age bracket for whom this trip is designed.
I’ve been travelling with Exodus since 2006 and this was my seventh trip with one of those being the adult version of this trip.
Last year we travelled all over Vietnam on a family holiday with Intrepid.
All of these trips I’ve mentioned were outstanding experiences and no matter the price, excellent value for money. I continue to recommend those trips and Exodus at every opportunity to both the uninitiated and the many repeat trippers looking for something they haven’t yet tried.
But unfortunately this was the first where I felt my expectations weren’t met and I felt rather disappointed.
I would endorse the views expressed by previous reviewers Jon Browning and Stephen Dossett and encourage you to read them.