Charlotte Rous knows a thing or two about travel. As one of the leading luxury travel PRs, Charlotte just gets it. She is an expert in what she does and also has a beautiful family. So.. Families in search of their next bucket-list trip need look no further than Charlotte Rous Communications’ 2026 Ultimate Family Holiday Hotlist. From Maldivian castaway adventures straight out of Robinson Crusoe to sensational safaris for budding conservationists, there’s a CRC escape for the whole family this year. 

Beach-Chic Egyptian Getaways, Bucketlist in the Bush Safaris, Italian Olympic-Inspired Active Adventures and More Await. Check out this ultimate family holiday guide.

BOTSWANA & KENYA

The Great Plains Young Explorers Programme at Sitatunga Private Island, Botswana, and Mara Toto Tree Camp, Kenya

Great Plains, the tourism conservation organisation founded by National Geographic filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert, is delighted to present its family safari offering for children aged six and above, the Young Explorers Programme, available at Sitatunga Private Island, Botswana, and Mara Toto Tree Camp, Kenya.

The programme aims to educate and inspire the next generation of Conservation Ambassadors, encouraging children to step away from everyday life and embrace adventure. Children receive a Great Plains Young Explorers pack including a safari cap, neck buff, wild stickers and an activity book filled with games, animal tracks, a safari journal and facts on flora, fauna and Southern Hemisphere constellations. Young guests are paired with a highly trained guide who will host, teach and care for them with their families throughout their stay.

Sitatunga Private Island, Botswana

Great Plains’ Sitatunga Private Island, Botswana offers an unparalleled opportunity for the whole family to soak up the sights of the bush in true explorer style, spotting wildlife and experiencing the country’s distinctive landscape. Home to the Okavango Delta and the Selinda Spillway, the region offers a range of unique water-based experiences.

Aquatic adventures include Mokoro rides along the Okavango Delta’s permanent channels, where children and teenagers pick up a paddle and glide along serene waters in a traditional Botswanan canoe, while their safari guide teaches them about the species spotted along the way. From the Mokoro, little ones delight in pointing out the occasional hippo or crocodile swimming in the distance and identifying Botswana’s birdlife. Families can also participate in a fishing adventure, selecting the freshest catches for their supper.

Aspiring chefs will adore the chance to join the kitchen brigade with a range of cooking experiences, while the starry-eyed can embark on a star-gazing experience, learning about constellations as they stare up into clear night skies.

Back at camp, families can enjoy a range of tech-free games and activities including basket weaving, football, the traditional Morabaraba board game, cards and Monopoly. Guides are on hand to teach essential tracking skills, which can be put into practice on safari drives and bird-watching excursions, a teen favourite.

Sitatunga Private Island is a water-based Réserve-Collection Safari Camp in the upper reaches of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Built on a raised, wrap-around private deck, the camp can accommodate a maximum of eight adults sharing two private suites and the spacious Sitatunga Private Island Suite. The double-bedroom suite hosts four adults or a family of two adults and up to three children.

Nightly rates at Great Plains’ Sitatunga Private Island start from $1,965(£1,424*) per person per night sharing. For more information or to book, please visit https://greatplainsconservation.com/sitatunga-private-island/ 

Great Plains Mara Toto Tree Camp 

From the sounds of horses’ hooves on the grassy plains and afternoons spent elephant spotting at a Maasai Mara watering hole to safari drives across open landscapes, there’s nowhere quite like Kenya – and Mara Toto Tree Camp – for a Great Plains family safari.

Alongside safari drives, lessons in animal tracking and ‘bug safaris’, little ones can immerse themselves in Kenyan culture, with the chance to meet Maasai warriors and ‘join the tribe’ by dressing in their own colourful mini-Maasai shuka, included in all Young Explorer packs. Crafting opportunities include bow-and-arrow making, and children can also learn to prepare traditional Kenyan meals with Great Plains’ award-winning chefs.

Mara Toto Tree Camp is a Réserve-Collection Masai Mara Safari Camp overlooking the Maasai Mara National Reserve and the Ntiakitiak River. Constructed from canvas and set on elevated decks within the tree canopy, it offers a strong sense of exploration. With access to both the National Reserve and the private Mara North Conservancy, wildlife encounters are never far away.

Nightly rates at Great Plains’ Mara Toto Tree Camp, Kenya, start from $1,745 (£1,275*) per person per night sharing. For more information or to book, please visit https://greatplainsconservation.com/safari/mara-toto-tree-camp/ 

EGYPT

The Ultimate Egyptian Beach Holiday at Al Alamein Hotel, Marassi 

Families in search of a spoiling beach escape need look no further than Marassi, the luxurious beach resort and destination on Egypt’s north coast. Offering the ultimate resort experience, Marassi comprises eleven hotels, an 18-hole golf course, an international marina and yacht club, a water park and more, all set along a 6.5km stretch of white sand beach and turquoise waters.

Families will adore the chance to splash about at Marassi Water World with its adrenaline-pumping slides, while teens can explore The Hub, a youth entertainment space featuring bowling, go-karting, skateboarding, hang-out spots and an arcade.

At the heart of the destination lies the Marassi Marina and Yacht Club, the largest marina on the southern Mediterranean coast, offering sea views and a beautifully crafted promenade lined with retail and dining outlets. 

The hotel of choice for luxury beach-loving families is Al Alamein, an iconic retreat offering 179 elegant rooms, ranging from chic doubles opening onto the beach to family-sized villas. A historic retreat with a rich heritage since the 1960s, it has hosted many well-known figures and continues to exude understated class.

With direct beach access, the property offers the perfect setting to relax and rejuvenate while enjoying seaside views. Families can enjoy a wide range of watersports including parasailing, motorboating, sailing and jetskiing. Five dining options include beachfront Mediterranean seafood at B’haar, gourmet street food at Streats, Lebanese favourites at BayRoot Express, all-day international dining at Origins and French café culture at Blé.

Nightly rates at Al Alamein Hotel start from $1,300 (£942*) for a double room. For further information please visit: www.alalameinhotel.com

FRANCE

French Alps En Famille at Purple Ski’s Chalet Cervinia, Val d’Isère

Purple Ski, the luxury chalet operator in the French Alps, is delighted to reveal its top family-friendly chalet for the 2026 season: the brand-new Chalet Cervinia in Val d’Isère. Paired with the launch of the new Folie Douce Children’s Academy and Purple Ski’s family offering, the whole family is guaranteed memories to last a lifetime this ski season.

A new creative concept from La Folie Douce for children aged 6–13, Le Folie Academy comprises three immersive workshops. Themed around music, chocolate and fashion, children can create, learn and express themselves, leaving with their own creations.

The Purple Ski Family Experience

Purple Ski prides itself on providing outstanding service for every member of the family, with all staff trained to deliver the best experience for parents, babies and everyone in between. On hand 24/7 to assist with everything from childcare to ski hire, restaurant reservations and snowman building, nothing is too much for Purple Ski’s dedicated family concierge. The team have even been known to organise extra-special birthday celebrations complete with fireworks and games.

The magic starts as soon as guests check in, with bespoke gifts provided on arrival for all children. These range from teddies, bath puzzles, colouring books and helmet covers for toddlers to cosy socks, games and Rubik’s cubes for older children, and ski locks for teenagers. Activities on offer include igloo-building, sledging, mini skidoo trips, horse and carriage rides, dog sledging, ice skating, treasure hunts and cinema evenings. Disney+ is available in all properties, and children also receive a complimentary Nintendo Switch during their stay.

All Purple Ski chalets come complete with a professionally trained, Michelin-star-level private chef, so parents of picky eaters need not worry. From teddy-bear picnics to pizza-making evenings and child-friendly menus, there is something to suit even the tiniest of tastebuds. The team can also stagger mealtimes, allowing children an early teatime while parents enjoy a gourmet tasting menu once little ones are tucked up in bed.

Introducing Chalet Cervinia, Val d’Isère

Purple Ski’s Chalet Cervinia, sleeping up to 13 across six bedrooms, is the latest creation from owners Etienne and Jeanne Roesch Degoy, the husband-and-wife team behind the award-winning Chalet Inoko. The property is a brand-new build, a rarity among well-located chalets in the Alps’ premier resorts.

Tucked away in the quiet lanes of the charming Le Joseray area of Val d’Isère, the opulent three-storey residence blends classic alpine design with modern facilities. Less than 100m from the Joseray piste and a short walk from the village centre with its shops, bars and restaurants, Chalet Cervinia offers a serene and luxurious retreat just moments from the action.

Comprising five elegant double bedrooms and a children’s bunk room, each with its own en-suite bathroom, the chalet is ideal for families. Guests can unwind après-ski at the on-site spa, featuring a hot tub, sauna, massage room and swimming pool. A state-of-the-art home cinema with tiered seating provides a true screening experience, while the custom boot room offers a comfortable space to prepare for days on the slopes.

A seven-night stay at Chalet Cervinia starts from €35,920 (£31,174*) on a catered basis. For more information or to book visit https://www.purpleski.com/chalets/cervinia/

MALDIVES

Castaway Chic at Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives 

Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives has revealed its most family-friendly escapes for those looking to enjoy a bucket-list break with the whole brood this season. With under 12s staying free on a half board basis with complimentary speedboat transfers, and a 50% discount plus half board upgrade for teens, there has never been a better time to book a family stay.

Active Adventures – Little adventurers will find plenty to keep them occupied. Guests aged six and up can learn to surf, while back on shore a range of activities await, from kids’ Zumba and beach yoga to bike rides with Mr/Ms Friday and friendly games tournaments. Thrill seekers can enjoy beach treasure hunts, buggy driving lessons and sandcastle building competitions. In the evenings, a jungle cinema under the stars provides relaxed family entertainment, with movies shown throughout the week alongside popcorn, snacks and mocktails.

Foodie Fun – From family picnics on a secluded sandbank, cupcake decoration and chocolate tasting at Kashiveli to ice cream tasting at Fini Foni, there are plenty of opportunities to delight young taste buds. Creative kids can also make their own mocktails or healthy juices at the Overwater Bar or enjoy pizza-making sessions at Kashiveli.

Culture Kids – ‘Local Hour’ takes place daily and includes activities such as Maldivian language lessons, traditional handicrafts and ‘Bodu Beru’ drumming sessions. During ‘Thimaaveshi’ environment hour, aspiring ecologists learn about local marine life with the resident Marine Biologist and the resort’s sustainability efforts, while crafting ocean-inspired creations.

New for 2026: The Friday Academy – Gili Lankanfushi will introduce the Friday Academy, a fresh take on family fun that reflects the island’s playful spirit. In place of a traditional kids’ club, young guests learn the island way alongside the resort’s beloved Fridays, from hands-on DIY and sustainable repairs to everyday island skills, offering a unique and immersive experience for all ages.

Nightly rates at Gili Lankanfushi Maldives start from $1,440 (£1,044*) based on two adults sharing a Villa Suite with breakfast included. For more information or to book please visit www.gili-lankanfushi.com. 

ITALY

Olympic-inspired Activities at Hilton Lake Como

February 2026 will see the Winter Olympics take place in Milano-Cortina and, as the Olympic spirit energises the country, Hilton Lake Como offers the perfect base for active families in search of a sporting adventure of their own. Whether it’s a tennis match in soft winter light, a panoramic hike in crisp mountain air or a day on the slopes followed by a lakeside sunset aperitivo, the property’s location, less than an hour from Milan, allows families to enjoy the excitement of the Games while experiencing the elegance and tranquillity of the lake.

Thanks to its mild climate and varied natural surroundings, the region offers a wide range of outdoor activities even in the colder months, making it an ideal base for combining sport, exploration and lakeside relaxation. Formerly a silk factory, Hilton Lake Como is now a modern lifestyle hotel offering spectacular scenery and 180-degree lake views from its rooftop pool. The hotel features 170 spacious rooms and suites, including Family Deluxe King Rooms sleeping up to four, alongside interconnecting rooms, a spa and a popular rooftop cocktail bar and restaurant.

Learning Holidays at Hilton Molino Stucky Venice

Hilton Molino Stucky Venice, the five-star hotel on Giudecca Island, is delighted to offer families a series of new learning activities. Designed to immerse all ages in local culture and history, the new offerings encourage families to swap screen time for authentic experiences including Venetian rowing, mask-making, cooking classes and more. The activities include Gondola rowing, Venetiam mask making, glassblowing and cooking classes.

Formerly a flour mill on the peaceful island of Giudecca, Hilton Molino Stucky Venice is a modern Venetian landmark steeped in history. The listed building has been beautifully restored, with recent refurbishments including 24 new suites by interior designer Biagio Forino unveiled in April 2024. Guests arriving by water taxi can choose from 379 rooms and suites, one of the largest spas in Venice, and a collection of bars and restaurants. The hotel is also home to one of only two eforea Spas in Italy, with the other located at Hilton Lake Como.

SRI LANKA

Junior Ranger Programme at Uga Chena Huts, Yala 

Families looking for a true sense of adventure in untouched wilderness need look no further than Uga Chena Huts, nestled deep within the jungle in Sri Lanka’s far south, just a few miles from Yala National Park. Comprising 18 thatch-roofed cabins, each with its own private deck and pool and plenty of space for the whole family, the property offers a truly immersive nature escape.

Top of the agenda for young explorers are exhilarating safari drives aboard Uga’s custom jeeps, transporting families with children aged six and up into Yala National Park to spot leopards, elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles and an abundance of birdlife, including the rare black-necked stork.

The Junior Ranger Programme at Chena Huts is an engaging initiative designed to introduce young visitors to the surrounding environment and wildlife while teaching conservation and responsible outdoor recreation. Through guided nature walks, interactive games and educational activities, junior rangers develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world and a lasting connection with nature.

Overlooking a beach where sea turtles lay their eggs by moonlight and elephants wander down from the forest to the shore, Chena Huts is bordered by tropical jungle on one side and a saline lake on the other, home to ibises, painted storks and flamingos. Guests can enjoy world-class dining at the Basses restaurant, sundowners at the beachside bar and spoiling spa treatments from the comfort of their residence.

Nightly rates at Uga Chena Huts start from $1,237 (£896*), based on two adults sharing a Luxury Pool Cabin on an all-inclusive basis. For more information or to book, visit https://www.ugaeresorts.com/chenahuts/

Culture and Conservation for All Ages at Uga Ulagalla, Anuradhapura

The award-winning Uga Ulagalla, a five-star resort of 25 villas set within a 58-acre estate near the ancient city of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle, is a must for culture-loving families. Surrounded by natural woodland, each villa sits on approximately an acre of land, giving families plenty of space to enjoy the wildlife that roams the property, including grey langur monkeys, peacocks and monitor lizards.

An ideal base from which to explore Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle, Uga Ulagalla can arrange a wide range of family-friendly adventures. Highlights include witnessing elephant gatherings at Minneriya National Park, leopard spotting at Wilpattu National Park and excursions to Sigiriya rock fortress and the ancient monastery at Ritigala. Back at the resort, families can enjoy nature walks, horse riding, kayaking and archery, take part in Sri Lankan cooking classes at the organic solar-powered farm, or join the junior ranger programme, while younger guests splash about in the resort’s main swimming pool.

Nightly rates at Uga Ulagalla start from $481 (£349*), based on two adults sharing an Ulagalla Pool Villa on a bed and breakfast basis. For more information and to book, please visit https://www.ugaresorts.com/ulagalla/ 

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 *Prices in pound sterling are accurate at time of publication.

 

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