A fabulous destination for warm sunny weather for Autumn or Spring half term (expect 25C / 77F) and just over 4 hours flying time from the UK. There are a selection of excellent family resorts on the islands with tons to keep everyone - whatever their age - happy and entertained. Generally, the lowest priced beach resort is Sheraton Fuerteventura Beach, Golf and Spa Resort, set on one of the island's finest stretches of golden sand. It's an excellent, sun-baked terracotta getaway for families seeking a reliable and luxurious beach break. For a more extensive choice of facilities and services, and several notches up in terms of style and luxury, the perennially popular Ritz-Carlton Abama on Tenerife's south coast has an outstanding kids' club and a first class tennis academy. A little further along the coast, and perfect for families with older children, set on beautiful El Duque beach in fabulously diverse tropical gardens, luxurious Bahía del Duque offers an impressive range of facilities and services. See Best Family Resorts in the Canaries

Another great short haul destination for sunshine with a wide choice of excellent hotels and resorts. For beach lovers, we recommend Paradis Plage on Morocco's wild west coast (about 40 minutes north of Agadir). It's a great value beach resort, perfect for body boarding / surfing, and has a wonderful yoga studio on the beach, an outdoor cinema, complimentary kids' club, and both Moroccan and international cuisine. The seafood is particularly good.  Alternatively, if you want to mix a bit of exotic culture in with the half term break, it's difficult to beat the outstanding Royal Palm Marrakech (just 20 minutes from the Medina). Set in vast manicured grounds, this 5* resort has an excellent kids' club, tennis, golf, Clarins Spa, indoor and outdoor pools, several restaurants and a health and fitness club. These are just 2 of our top recommendations in Morocco. For more, see Best Hotels, Resorts & Boutique Hideaways in Morocco

There are several great options along Portugal's beautiful south coast along the Algarve and one of the most popular is Epic Sana. With its dramatic cliff top position overlooking a vast sandy beach and stylish contemporary décor (echoes of South Beach, Miami), Epic Sana has luxury accommodation, extensive facilities (including an amazing spa) and offers a lots of fun for families. Next door, there's the excellent family resort of Pine Cliffs. For something more remote, and just an hour south of Lisbon, Comporta is still a relatively unknown destination and remains deliciously wild and unspoilt - perfect for families with older childen. Sublime Comporta is set amid a pine forest just moments from some of Portugal's best beaches. And 'wow', what beaches! For more ideas, see Best Boutique Hideaways & Beach Resorts in Portugal

For a taste of Asia without the long flight, families love Asia Gardens, a beautifully peaceful resort that takes its inspiration from Asia itself, with a wonderful Thai spa, expansive tropical gardens, plus funky bars and restaurants. More adventurous families can take part in cycling safaris and horse riding together, or drive just 10 minutes towards some of the best water/ theme parks Spain has to offer. There’s also a complimentary kids' club and a mini-dinner arrangement with healthy, children’s meals. There are several pools for those simply looking to relax, as well as a tranquil Thai spa with authentic treatments and complimentary daily yoga sessions.

It's around 7 hours flying time to the Gulf and the weather is fabulous from October to March, making this unique destination a definite contender as a half term holiday option. The most popular family resort options are both in Oman at the Shangri La, which offers the 4* Shangri La Barr Al Jissah - Al Waha and the neighbouring 5* Shangri La Barr Al Jissah - Al Bandar. Both are set in vast gardens that lead down to a magnificent beach in a wonderful sandy bay. For families with older children (and a more substantial budget) Six Senses Zighy Bay is a peaceful oasis set on an enormous sandy beach, beautifully blending traditional rustic Omani architecture with contemporary ingredients. This is a luxury resort like no other in the region. You can really splash out and spend a night or two on their luxury Omani dhow: Dhahab For more ideas, see Best Family Resorts in the Arabian Gulf 

Always popular, a family villa holiday - either catered or self-catered - is worth considering. We have hundreds of wonderful villas on our books throughout Europe (and around the world), many of which are within a resort, so you can have all the amenities of a luxury hotel but still enjoy the privacy of your own villa. Recommendations for a family villa within a resort include Sun Gardens Dubrovnik on the Adriatic coast, Hotel Can Luc on Ibiza, and Paradis Plage on Morocco's wild west coast. If that's not for you, perhaps a great value 3 bedroom villa near Kalkan or a more substantial 4 bedroom villa near Kas might do the trick. Or rustic chic 3 bedroom Beach Cottage on the Algarve or a 3 bedroom luxury villa in Puglia If you need a larger villa, see a selection of some of our 5 Bedroom Family Villas. Please just tell us your requirements and budget and we will find the best options for you. Best price guaranteed!

At first glance Mauritius may sound like a crazy idea, but it's in pretty much the same time zone as Europe (so, no jet lag) and you and your family will enjoy a fabulous tropical paradise with the added advantage of a huge choice of complimentary land and water sports, plus complimentary kids' clubs. Fly direct overnight with BA or Air Mauritius and arrive to sunshine and warm seas and everything a family holiday could need. We recommend a comprehensive choice of outstanding beach resorts, including Paradis (probably the best sporting and luxury leisure beach resort in Mauritius) and Trou aux Biches, set within 80 acres of lush tropical gardens overlooking a beautiful sheltered lagoon. Both hotels offer a great selection of family accommodation options, complimentary kids' clubs and an extensive array of complimentary land and water sports - so you can relax and put your wallet away. See Best Luxury Family Beach Resorts in Mauritius

For something radically different, which older children will love, how about an Icelandic adventure? OK, so you will not come back with a tan, but you will experience one of the most extraordinary places on earth. It's just a 3 hour flight to Reykjavík and you can either stop-over here or head straight off to somewhere like Hotel Ion - an hour from Reykjavík along a wildly beautiful route to the volcanic scenery in and around Þingvellir National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) in southern Iceland. Set against the backdrop of lava fields, waterfalls and geysers, Hotel Ion is a place like nothing you've ever seen before. A unique destination for both winter and summer escapes, offering an extraordinary selection of activities and experiences for the adventurous.

Cyprus is a great option from Spring to Autumn, with a good selection of family friendly beach resorts. None more crisply luxurious than Parklane Resort & Spa. Opened in Spring 2019, it's set along a beautiful 300m sandy beachfront near Limassol. From its richly-planted tropical gardens to its contemporary yet opulent interiors, Parklane is every inch an upmarket retreat. Seamless service paired with refined dining, adult and family pools, tennis, superb Kids' Club, gorgeous spa, and smart guestrooms makes for a memorable stay for everyone - whatever their age.