Travel Smart looks at where to go and what to do to create lasting memories with your family holidays.Simon Calder and Ben Parker show you the best places to bridge the generation gaps and have holidays that cater for all in the Canary Islands. We look at Tenerife's scenery as well as the different types of family vacation to be had in Greece and Turkey to please all ages of the family.Follow Travel Smart to make the most of your holiday with Independent TV.
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00:00Welcome to travel smart weekly the insiders travel guide from independent
00:04TV. In this series we share our thoughts and advice on the best destinations to
00:10visit plus give you the inside story on making the most of your trips around the
00:15world. This week we've got those all-important family holidays on our
00:20minds and we'll share where to go and what to do to give you the best shot of
00:24creating lasting travel memories.
00:30A great family holiday is all about experiences that resonate across
00:42generations. This can be anything from the joys of discovering a new passion,
00:46exploring new destinations or the simple pleasure of being together. And to make
00:51traveling with your brood even easier all of our suggestions have decent
00:55flight links which means that's one less thing to stress about. One of the
01:01best places to go away as a family is the Canary Islands. Tenerife the largest
01:06and most populous island in the archipelago is a fine place to start.
01:10Natural beauty goes hand-in-hand with family-friendly activities with both
01:14adults and children sure to love the otherworldly landscapes of Teide
01:18National Park. It's here where you can marvel at the highest point in Spain
01:23Mount Teide reaching the top by hiking or for something a little more laid-back
01:27hop on the cable car. Elsewhere there's the renowned Siam Park a water park
01:33packed with thrilling rides in tropical surroundings. On Gran Canaria the vast
01:37sweeping dunes of Maspalomas invite exploration which for families can mean
01:42camel rides and sandboarding. If you choose Lanzarote all ages will be
01:47captivated by the volcanic craters and geysers in Timanfaya National Park
01:51while the Cuevo de los Verdes caves offer an underground adventure through
01:56ancient lava tunnels. Over on Fuerteventura the highlights are the
02:00dunes of Corralejo and opportunities for water sports especially windsurfing.
02:05Whichever Canary Islands you choose you're guaranteed brilliant beaches and
02:09accommodation to suit all budgets from all-inclusive beachfront resorts to
02:14boutique hideaways.
02:21Diving deep into the Mediterranean Greece is another winning option for
02:26family holidays. Kids clubs, expansive pools and mile after mile of beautiful
02:33beaches await especially on islands such as Crete and Rhodes.
02:42On the mainland Athens captivates with its ancient ruins while the Peloponnese region offers both
02:49beaches and historical sites such as UNESCO protected Mycenae both sure to
02:55ignite the imagination across generations. Those looking for natural
03:00beauty don't need to search far. Try visiting Meteora a breathtaking series
03:06of rock formations in central Greece topped with ancient monasteries that
03:11appear to float in the sky. As for the islands the charm lies in their
03:17diversity. Crete shines with its family-friendly beaches like Elafonissi
03:23and attractions such as the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. Rhodes offers the
03:29stunning Valley of the Butterflies and the expansive Faleraki water park.
03:35If you want something different Naxos features the safe sandy Ios Prokopios
03:40beach and the charming village of Halki. And Corfu delights with its Aqualand
03:46water park and dramatic scenery.
03:51Another outstanding option for a family holiday is Turkey. The country offers
03:56great value primarily due to the favorable exchange rate which means
04:00accommodation dining out and all sorts of activities are surprisingly
04:04inexpensive. Along the turquoise coast in Antalya all-inclusive resorts offer
04:12excellent value with extensive amenities like kids clubs, pools and water sports
04:17ensuring endless fun for all ages. Further west Bodrum is home to safe
04:22beaches and lively markets and is where to hop on boats for trips around the
04:26Aegean. If the city appeals a scenic Bosphorus cruise is a brilliant way
04:31family groups to experience the excitement of Istanbul.
04:37Increasingly many families are looking for a long-haul escape and of course
04:42there's a world of choice but one perennial favorite is Central Florida
04:47with great theme parks such as Walt Disney World and Universal.
04:53It also helps that it's warm and there are long stretches of beaches to spend
04:58the day on. The same can be said for the Gold Coast if you fancy a trip to
05:03Australia where theme parks and beaches are complemented by rainforests and
05:08wildlife sanctuaries.
05:12That's it for this episode of Travel Smart Weekly. Our next one will be out soon which you can
05:16catch online on the Independence mobile app or on your smart TV and for all the
05:21latest travel news reviews and advice check out independent.co.uk
05:26forward slash travel and do have a listen to my daily travel podcast.
05:42you