Choosing where to go on holiday can be a minefield of regular all-inclusive hotels with cheesy entertainment; that’s not to say that there’s anything wrong with these holidays, but sometimes you just need some adventure and excitement. The ‘away from the norm’ holiday that you decide on will obviously be based on the age of your children, so here is a fantastic five ideas to whet everyone’s appetite!

Monkey Sanctuary Family Volunteering, South Africa

If your children are aged 13 or over, you can choose anything from one week to twelve weeks at a Monkey sanctuary in Pretoria. From feeding to learning, you and your family will be totally absorbed into the lives of the cutest of the primates. Just try not to get your children mixed up with the monkeys when it’s time to leave! Volunteering organisations offer a range of holidays in Nepal, Thailand, India and other inspiring countries; check out the Pod Volunteer website for more information.

Trekking, France, Mercantour

If you are more of an active family, then swap a normal trip to France and a Disneyland Paris visit to a week trekking in Mercantour. You can indulge in up to an eight day, full board adventure with a knowledgeable guide and carrier donkey for company. These holidays can be tailored for families with young children too.

Cornwall Railway Carriage, Cornwall

You really can make this holiday your own. This stunning 1950’s converted railway carriage, set in the countryside of Hayle, Cornwall is a fantastically unique base to work from on your holiday. You can enjoy any of the brilliant and fun filled days out that Cornwall has to offer; including The Donkey Sanctuary, Bodmin Jail and Roskilly’s Farm which boasts free entry and scrumptious ice-creams for the adults. These are just a few of the reasons why you should go to Cornwall for your holidays.

Northern Lights, Lapland

On this full board getaway there are a mixture of fun family activities available, which will expose your whole family to the Christmas warmth at any time of the year. This unique holiday is perfect for families with younger children to really soak up the magic.

Activity Holiday, Montenegro, Lake Skadar

This particular holiday has been recommended by The National Geographic and The Lonely Planet. With 7 nights in the stunningly beautiful Villa Meila, you will have so many things to keep you and your family entertained that you will forget the meaning of ‘boredom’. With hiking, kayaking, caving, wine tasting, wild-swimming and much more, this is definitely a trip that will exhilarate as well as relax you.

These are just a taste of what you can experience as a family; they will leave you safe in the knowledge that you’re one of only a few families to enjoy these fantastic destinations!  Trips like these will give your children something that they really cannot learn in their classroom.