School Holidays 2025/2026

The dilemma facing us all once our children reach primary school age: where on earth to go for school holidays without paying the earth. With a little know-how, imagination and help from the Turquoise experts you can still enjoy a quality holiday without impacting on term time - whether planning ahead or booking a last minute half term or end of term treat. While flights to many popular family destinations sell out fast or command high prices the moment school holidays start, you don't have to spread your horizons too far and wide to find great value elsewhere. Some of our favourite Indian Ocean resorts run sport-filled weeks and kids clubs during the school holidays so mum and dad can enjoy the golf, spa, beach and pool.

Africa ticks all the right boxes and if on your family holiday you all love to explore and learn, with the advantage of no jet lag and choice of safari, beach or the unbeatable combination of both. Even the ever-popular Caribbean has hidden gems tucked within Antigua & Barbuda and Barbados. Don’t follow the crowds - book with Turquoise and discover why we are the UK's leading long haul family holiday specialist. Our indestructible and family-friendly shop in South West London is open on Saturdays so make it a family outing and come and find out what holiday deals we have on offer.

Even though you might only have a week to play with during the February half term, that still leaves plenty of time for you and your family to jet off somewhere hot and tropical. Places like the Caribbean and the Middle East are enjoying their best spells of weather-wise and are only a little extra flying time beyond Europe. February in the UK can throw up some miserable weather, so we don't blame you for wanting to escape to sunnier climes.

The Maldives is a great option as it enjoys a beautiful spell of weather but can be quieter than at Christmas or Easter. Plus, it has some fantastic kids' clubs, too. The whole of Oman is also wonderfully warm, meaning you can avoid scorching summer temperatures but also offering the chance to split your time across two different parts of the country. You might not have considered the Seychelles, but it's a direct flight from the UK and February sits in prime turtle hatching season, giving your young ones an experience they'll never forget.

The Easter school holidays is a great time for a family getaway, as there are plenty of destinations which experience sunny, warm temperatures before the mercury starts to rise to uncomfortable levels for little ones during the summertime.

Your children may be used to hunting for Easter eggs at this time, but they'll also enjoy scanning the skies for colourful kites in the Caribbean. Kids Easter Holidays are a big celebration for Caribbean islands and while it's not a common pastime during the rest of the year, families across the region fly their kites (many of which are homemade) over the weekend for a brilliantly kaleidoscopic show. Saint Lucia and Antigua & Barbuda are two of our favourite places to watch this and your hotel might provide you with your own kite-making kit so you can join in, too! If you'd prefer to escape to the Middle East, the temperatures in Dubai are pleasantly warm before reaching their scorching summer levels. There's no end to the activities youngsters can enjoy, including water parks, indoor theme parks and incredible desert adventures.

The summer holidays are the most popular time for a family to go abroad and there are plenty of fantastic places where you can create unforgettable memories together.

Mauritius is one of our favourite destinations to visit for families, as there is so much to do for children, from the brilliant kids' clubs many of the the hotels boast and an exciting array activities and adventures to be found around the island. Indonesia is another great place to visit during the summer holidays, as it avoids the country's monsoon season earlier in the year. Many of its islands are dry and warm, so you can island-hop for a broader family holiday and range of experiences. However, there are few things better for a family to enjoy together than a safari and summer in South Africa is one of the best times to go on one. Though it's winter and the days can be chilly first thing in the morning, there are clear skies and the sparse vegetation makes it easier to spot wildlife.

Though the concept of a Christmas soaked in sun may seem a little strange, a beach break in the winter school holidays can still feel festive. Swap snow angels for sand angels and ditch a roaring fire for Santa hats and snorkel masks.

The Maldives is one of the best places to go at Christmas, experiencing its best weather and with sand as white as snow. Much of Thailand also boasts its best weather from November to March, with Christmas sitting plum in the middle of that wonderful weather window. You can have a day or two in Bangkok, before escaping to a tropical Thai island off the Andaman Coast. Or, what about catching some Christmas rays in the Caribbean? Antigua & Barbuda is sunny, dry and there's plenty of rum for the adults to toast towards festive fun in the sun!