The Easter break offers the perfect opportunity for families to escape the routine, create lasting memories, and experience new cultures together. Whether your family craves sun-soaked beaches, educational city breaks, or action-packed adventures, there's a destination that will delight both parents and children alike. Here's our guide to the best Easter escapes for UK families looking to venture abroad this spring. 

Costa del Sol, Spain 

Flight Time: Approximately 2.5-3 hours from most UK airports 

The Costa del Sol provides the ideal blend of reliable spring sunshine and family-friendly amenities. With temperatures typically hovering around 18-20°C during Easter, it's comfortably warm for outdoor activities without being too hot for little ones. 

Family Activities: 

1. Bioparc Fuengirola - This immersive zoo creates natural habitats without visible barriers, allowing children to observe animals in settings resembling their natural environments. Educational talks throughout the day make this an engaging learning experience for all ages. 
2. Beach Days - The region boasts numerous Blue Flag beaches with calm waters perfect for families. La Carihuela in Torremolinos and Burriana Beach in Nerja are particularly family-friendly with shallow waters and beachside playgrounds. 
3. Selwo Marina - Children can watch dolphin shows, meet penguins, and learn about marine conservation at this popular attraction in Benalmádena. 
4. Nerja Caves - Explore spectacular underground caverns with impressive stalactites and stalagmites. The pathways are well-maintained and suitable for children, offering a fascinating glimpse into natural history. 

A hired car is particularly valuable here, allowing families to explore multiple coastal towns and venture into the picturesque white villages of the Andalusian countryside at their own pace. 

Algarve, Portugal 

Flight Time: Approximately 3 hours from UK airports 

The Algarve offers a winning combination of beautiful beaches, authentic Portuguese culture, and plenty of family-oriented activities. Easter typically brings mild temperatures of 15-18°C - perfect for active exploration without the summer crowds. 

Family Activities: 

1. Zoomarine - This marine-themed park near Albufeira combines entertainment with education. Children can enjoy dolphin shows, swimming pools, and water slides while learning about marine conservation. 
2. Lagos Zoo - A smaller, more manageable zoo experience perfect for families with younger children. The zoo focuses on conservation and has a strong educational element with many rare and endangered species. 
3. Science Centre of Lagos - Offering interactive exhibits and workshops, this is perfect for curious minds. The centre regularly hosts special activities during school holidays. 
4. Slide & Splash Water Park - One of the largest water parks in Europe, with attractions suitable for all ages from toddlers to teenagers. Most water parks in the region open for Easter if the weather is warm enough. 
5. Boat Tours - Explore the famous grottoes and sea caves of the Algarve coastline. Many tours specifically cater to families, with commentary designed to engage children and opportunities to spot dolphins. 
6. Beach Adventures - Praia da Rocha offers expansive sandy beaches with impressive rock formations to explore, while Praia do Vau has calm waters ideal for younger children. 

The Algarve's compact size makes it ideal for self-driving, with a hire car allowing you to explore hidden coves and inland villages at your leisure. 

Lake Garda, Italy 

Flight Time: Approximately 2 hours to Verona or Milan, plus transfer time 

Lake Garda provides a stunning backdrop for a family Easter break, combining natural beauty with quintessential Italian charm. While temperatures can be variable in spring (typically 12-18°C), the region offers plenty of indoor and outdoor activities to suit all weather conditions. 

Family Activities: 

1. Gardaland - Italy's largest theme park offers rides and attractions for all ages, from toddler-friendly carousels to adrenaline-pumping rollercoasters. The park usually opens for the Easter season with special events and reduced queues compared to summer. 
2. Parco Natura Viva - This combined safari park and zoo near Bussolengo allows families to drive through wildlife enclosures before exploring the traditional zoo section on foot. The park includes a dinosaur park that's particularly popular with younger visitors. 
3. Boat Trips - Regular ferry services connect the towns around the lake, offering a scenic way to explore different areas. Children will love travelling by water and spotting the various boats on the lake. 
4. Castello Scaligero in Sirmione - This medieval castle complete with moat and drawbridge brings history to life for children. The views from the ramparts are spectacular, and the peninsula of Sirmione itself is perfect for gelato stops and gentle strolls. 
5. Cooking Classes - Many restaurants around the lake offer family-friendly cooking classes where children can learn to make pizza and pasta. This hands-on cultural experience creates lasting memories and valuable skills. 

A hire car is particularly useful for exploring the diverse areas around Lake Garda, from the flatter southern shores to the more mountainous north. 

Tenerife, Canary Islands 

Flight Time: Approximately 4.5 hours from UK airports 

For reliable warmth during Easter, Tenerife is hard to beat. With temperatures typically reaching 20-23°C and minimal rainfall, it offers the perfect escape from the unpredictable British spring weather. 

Family Activities: 

1. Siam Park - Consistently rated among the world's best water parks, Siam Park offers attractions for all ages, from a gentle lazy river to adrenaline-inducing slides. The Lost City area is specifically designed for younger children. 
2. Loro Parque - This world-class wildlife park features spectacular shows and diverse animals including penguins, gorillas, and orcas. The emphasis on conservation makes it educational as well as entertaining. 
3. Mount Teide National Park - Take the cable car up Spain's highest peak for an otherworldly landscape that resembles a lunar surface. The visitor centre offers child-friendly explanations of the volcanic landscape. 
4. Submarine Safaris - Explore the underwater world without getting wet on a submarine expedition. These yellow submarines descend to around 30 metres, allowing families to observe marine life through individual portholes. 
5. Jungle Park - This wildlife park features exotic animals in natural settings, along with adventurous walkways, bridges, and tunnels that children will love exploring. The bird of prey shows are particularly impressive. 
6. Beach Time - The southern resorts of Los Cristianos and Playa de las Americas offer sheltered beaches with calm waters ideal for families. Costa Adeje's beaches tend to be less crowded and more upmarket. 

While resort areas are well-connected by public transport, hiring a car allows families to explore the diverse landscapes of Tenerife, from lunar-like volcanic terrain to lush laurel forests. 

Disneyland Paris, France 

Flight Time: Approximately 1.5 hours, or Eurostar from London St Pancras in 2.5 hours 

While not offering the same weather guarantees as Mediterranean destinations, Disneyland Paris transforms into a magical Easter wonderland with special seasonal decorations and events. The short travel time makes it ideal for families with younger children. 

Family Activities: 

1. Disneyland Park - The classic Disney experience with five themed lands. During Easter, the park hosts special parades and shows with Easter themes, and characters often dress in spring attire. 
2. Walt Disney Studios Park - Perfect for movie lovers, this park takes you behind the scenes of film and animation. The Ratatouille ride is particularly popular with families. 
3. Disney Village - This entertainment district offers dining, shopping, and entertainment options outside the parks, including Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, which combines dinner with entertainment. 
4. Character Dining - Book breakfast or dinner with Disney characters for a memorable experience that allows children to meet their favourites in a less hectic environment than the parks. 
5. Daytrip to Paris - With Paris just 45 minutes away by train, families can combine Disney magic with cultural exploration. The Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie offers interactive exhibits that children will love. 

While a car isn't necessary within Disneyland itself, hiring one allows families to explore the surrounding area, including the charming town of Provins or the famous Château de Fontainebleau. 

Protecting Your Family Holiday 

Family holidays create precious memories, but they can also present unique challenges. Children may become ill, require medical attention, or cause accidental damage to rental properties or vehicles. That's why travel insurance is essential for family travel. 

Gigasure's family travel insurance policies are specifically designed to cover the unpredictable nature of travelling with children. Their policies include: 

• Emergency medical treatment for all family members, including children with pre-existing conditions (when declared) 
• Cancellation coverage for unforeseen circumstances 
• Coverage for lost or damaged essential items like pushchairs, car seats, and medical equipment.  
• 24/7 emergency assistance with multilingual support staff who understand the added stress of managing emergencies with children 

Please ensure you always read your terms and conditions and you are familiar with your policy documents so you know what exactly you are covered for.  

For families planning to hire a car to explore their destination, which is particularly recommended for places like the Costa del Sol and the Algarve, Gigasure's Car Hire Excess insurance is invaluable. Standard car rental agreements often come with high excess charges, sometimes reaching thousands of pounds, which you'd be liable for in case of damage or theft. 

Gigasure's Car Hire Excess Insurance covers this potential liability at a fraction of the cost rental companies charge for their waiver options. This means you can enjoy the freedom of exploring with your family without worrying about potential charges if something goes wrong. When travelling with children, who may accidentally damage a rental car with doors, food spills, or other mishaps, this coverage provides essential peace of mind. 

Final Thoughts 

Easter provides the perfect opportunity for families to bond through shared experiences and adventures abroad. Whether you choose the sunny shores of Tenerife, the magical world of Disneyland Paris, or the cultural richness of Lake Garda, these destinations offer something for every family member. 

Before embarking on your Easter family escape, ensure your holiday is protected with Gigasure's comprehensive travel insurance and, if applicable, their Car Hire Excess coverage. With these practical aspects taken care of, you're free to focus on what truly matters—creating beautiful memories with your children this Easter. 

From building sandcastles on Spanish beaches to exploring Italian castles or meeting beloved characters at Disneyland, these Easter escapes promise to delight children and adults alike, providing a refreshing break from everyday life and the opportunity to see the world through your children's eyes. 

Manage everything effortlessly with the Gigasure app. From accessing your policy details and registering flights with GigaShield to making claims on the go, our app puts control at your fingertips so you can focus on enjoying your trip while we take care of the rest.  

More useful insights:      

• How to Get the Most Out of Your Car Hire Excess Insurance  
• Common Travel Insurance Mistakes and How to Avoid Them  
• When does it make sense to purchase Travel Insurance?