Easter holiday ideas for the whole family

Whether it’s a cultural break to soak up the Easter festivities abroad, a relaxing escape or simply a chance to spend quality time with family, here is a selection of Easter holiday ideas from Travel PR

Easter at a Baronial Scottish castle – from £825 pp (children stay free) with Pride of Britain Hotels
Head to five-red-star Glenapp Castle in Ayrshire for a fun-filled Easter weekend of activities, such as a private boat trip to Ailsa Craig and an interactive falconry display. This three-night break is free for under 15s, and children will love the Easter egg hunt and Easter bonnet competition. Amble around the Gertrude Jekyll-designed gardens, enjoy a game of croquet, tennis or boules, explore the estate by bicycle or simply relax in the historic surroundings. Arriving 10 April, the cost is from £1,650 total/ £825 pp (two sharing), including three nights’ B&B, three gourmet dinners, Easter Sunday afternoon tea and activities. Children’s meals and drinks extra. Contact Pride of Britain Hotels on 0800 089 3929 (www.prideofbritainhotels.com).

The perfect mix of adventure and culture for families – Gozo from £1,395 per adult with Activities Abroad
Based in the village of Xaghra on the Mediterranean island of Gozo, this family activity week includes rock climbing, kayaking, abseiling and a coastal boat trip to make the most of the extraordinary natural surroundings. Xaghra is close to the imposing 5,500-year-old Ġgantija Temples and the island’s ancient traditions can be explored further by meeting craftspeople who follow time-old trades and sampling local delicacies. The cost is from £1,395 per adult aged 12+/ £1,275 per child aged 6-11 (two adults and one child sharing), including flights, transfers, seven nights’ B&B, three lunches, four dinners & guided activities. Departs 4 & 11 April. Call AITO* member Activities Abroad on 01670 789 991 (www.activitiesabroad.com).

Curiouser and curiouser – Easter family fun in West Dorset for £227 pp with holidaycottages.co.uk
Hop ‘down the rabbit hole’ this Easter with a day of Alice in Wonderland-inspired family fun at Dorset’s beautiful Lulworth Castle that promises themed trails, Easter egg hunts, white rabbits and even a chance to meet the Mad Hatter. Stay nearby at Linden Lea Cottage (sleeps four), a pretty thatched property in the village of West Lulworth that’s perfectly positioned for exploring the area. Hunt for fossils at Lulworth Cove, walk the coast path to spectacular Durdle Door, hit the shops, restaurants and beaches of Bournemouth, and more. Arriving on Good Friday, a seven-night stay costs £227 pp (£909 total). One dog welcome (£20 supplement). Call holidaycottages.co.uk on 01237 459888 (www.holidaycottages.co.uk).

Easter walkies in the Wye Valley – Herefordshire for £176 pp with Canine Cottages
While humans might view Bank Holidays as a chance to put their feet up, to our canine companions it means only one thing… more walks! Treat your four-legged friends to a long weekend away this Easter, staying at Chestnut – Goodrich (sleeps three), a gorgeous 14th century property in the picturesque Wye Valley that has riverside walks and the glorious Forest of Dean right on the doorstep. There’s a laundry room for washing muddy dog towels, plus generous shared gardens that are perfect for a quick stretch and sniff. Arriving on Good Friday, a three-night stay costs £176 pp (£528 total). Two dogs welcome (£20 supplement). Call Canine Cottages on 01237 459821 (www.caninecottages.co.uk).

Athens during its most important cultural celebration – from £2,895 pp with Peter Sommer Travels
Celebrate Easter in Athenian style, visiting the fascinating Greek capital for its Holy Week, which commemorates Christ’s sufferings and Passion, and culminates in an Easter Sunday feast. Expert guides bring the history of sites such as the Acropolis and Athens’ old town, Plaka, to life in the context of Easter and activities such as a cooking lesson and pottery workshop provide a close encounter with the city’s rich traditions. Easter in Athens costs from £2,895 pp (two sharing), including transfers, seven nights’ B&B, most other meals, entrance fees, tips and expert-led excursions. Flights extra. Departs 13 April. Call AITO* member Peter Sommer Travels on 01600 888 220 (www.petersommer.com).

Swap the Easter bunny for the Arctic fox in Svalbard – Norway from £1,368 pp with Sunvil
At the top of the world, the Svalbard archipelago is a unique haven of nature and colours. Visit in the Easter holidays to experience ‘Sunny Winter’ – with frozen fjords, ice fields and endless snowy wilderness. Explore this region on snowcat, by bus and by husky sled ride, escape the cold at Svalbard Museum, or spot the curious Arctic fox running through the town. With more polar bears than people, there’s always the chance to see incredible wildlife. This tailor-made trip costs from £1,368 pp (four sharing – two adults and two children), including four nights’ B&B at Radisson Blu Polar Hotel, return flights, snowcat tour, dog sled tour and sightseeing tour. Departs 4 April. Call AITO* member Sunvil on 020 8756 4722 (www.sunvil.co.uk).

Easter Elegance: Luxury Barge Cruising from Venice to Mantua – Italy from £3,240 pp with Kirker
Enjoy mild springtime temperatures, superb sightseeing and delicious Italian cuisine, accompanied by fine regional wines, during this delightful boutique cruise of northern Italy’s historic waterways. After a night’s four-star hotel stay in Venice, board the 20-passenger La Bella Vita for a sublime sailing that takes in the Roman city of Chioggia, the River Po delta (home to flamingos and wild birds) and visits Etruscan Adria, Renaissance Ferrara and the lakeside city of Mantua. Departing 5 April, the price is from £3,240 pp (two sharing), including flights (Gatwick), transfers, one night’s B&B in Venice, and a six-night cruise with all meals and wine. Call AITO* member Kirker on 020 7593 2283 (www.kirkerholidays.com).

An Easter Journey through Jordan – from £2,195 pp with Jules Verne
Travel through a land of fascinating religious and ancient history, including the baptism site of Jesus Christ at Bethany, during a nine-night escorted tour of Jordan that encompasses the Easter weekend. Staying in five-star hotels throughout, visit the Rose Red City of Petra, the Dead Sea and ancient Jerash, view the ‘Seven Pillars of Wisdom’ at spectacular Wadi Rum, enjoy dinner at a traditional camp and a drink at the Nabataean Cave Bar, and indulge in some coastal down time at Aqaba. Departing 7 April, Discover Jordan costs from £2,195 pp (two sharing), including flights (Heathrow), nine nights’ B&B, two dinners, one lunch, excursions, and the services of guides and local reps. Call Jules Verne on 020 3553 3722 (www.vjv.com).

Bush buddies in Botswana – from £4,015 pp with Expert Africa
Treat the family to a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in balmy Botswana, immersing the clan in the wilderness and discovering the delights of the bush. Families will be greeted by their ‘Bush Buddy’ on day one who’ll tailor safari activities to the children’s needs – from tracking animal prints, treasure hunts and dancing to scrapbook making, basket weaving and story writing – giving parents some well-deserved time to themselves. This tailor-made trip costs from £4,015 pp (four sharing), including six nights’ full-board (three each at Seba Camp and Kalahari Plains Camp), private game drives and internal flights/transfers. International flights extra. Call AITO* member Expert Africa on 020 3405 6666 (www.expertafrica.com).

Spring by the seaside – two-night escape from £268 pp at Seaham Hall, County Durham
Take a mini spring break to the beautiful five-star Seaham Hall, set on Durham’s dramatic coast. Situated amidst 37 acres of landscaped gardens in a striking cliff-top location, enjoy blustery walks along the new England Coast Path, indulge in a Chocolate Afternoon Tea, relax in a bubbling outdoor hot tub and, for a bit of culture, see the Great North Steam Fair at the Beamish Museum. This two-night break costs from £268 pp (two sharing a Junior Suite) and includes breakfast, a bottle of Champagne on arrival, Afternoon Tea, an imaginative three-course seasonal dinner, two museum tickets and use of the award-winning spa. Available Sun to Thurs, April to mid-June. Call Seaham Hall on 0191 516 1400 (www.seaham-hall.co.uk).

An Algarvian Easter – Portugal from £395 pp with CV Villas
Portuguese Easter festivities kick off on Palm Sunday, with a week of vibrant celebrations, processions, and religious rituals in towns and villages across the country. Chocolate almonds are the traditional sweet enjoyed, while Easter Sunday lunch typically consists of succulent roast lamb (‘Cabrito’) with crispy potatoes, chestnuts and a delicious stuffed bread called ‘folar’. Enjoy Easter in the spring sunshine staying in the family villa Casa Ruina, a stylish three-bedroomed property close to Albufeira with swimming pool, games room, and idyllic country views. A week’s stay, arriving 4 or 11 April, costs from £395 pp (six sharing – £2,371 total), including maid service. Flights extra. Call CV Villas on 0207 261 5410 (www.cvvillas.com).

*AITO is The Specialist Travel Association: more than 120 specialist travel companies providing an unrivalled collection of holiday ideas that cover every corner of the world. Consumers booking with AITO can be assured of high-quality holidays and excellent personal service. Visit www.aito.com for further information.