Families Worldwide Get Set Magazine 2015

FAMILIES

get set newsletter 2015

to experience your world together

#GetSnappy Animal antics Your first adventure Brazil: parrot fashion European delights When in Vietnam

6 Let’s

go!

Welcome to our latest issue of Get Set. It’s packed full of travel ideas and inspiration for your next family holiday. We start with an insight into preparing for your first big family adventure from journalist and travel-mad mum - Rosie Millard and a look at our top twelve trips of the moment.

We hope you enjoy our look at Latin America including Brazil - one of THE destinations of the moment and our guide to wildlife around the world. Plus Families Worldwide Manager, Jon Barber, highlights his favourite unique things to do in Asia. Europe offers great value at the moment due to the weak Euro, so see our Europe feature for ideas of where to go!

Finally, it might sound a bit odd, but we strongly advise you to book now for Christmas to avoid expensive flight costs. Why not peruse our festive trips and enjoy a Christmas with a difference?

12

Mark Wright Travel-mad dad (and Managing Director)

3 New to adventure?

8

Rosie Millard offers her advice on how to get ready for your trip.

Discover our top twelve trips of the moment - which will you pick?

4 Where in the world?

6 A Latin first

Costa Rica offers the perfect introduction to Latin America.

Wild Adventures What animal antics could you experience on your next holiday?

10 When in Vietnam

Discover the possibilities on offer whilst in Vietnam.

11 Elsewhere in Asia

7 Brazil: parrot fashion

12 Berdún Pyrenees

Hear first hand how it feels to venture through Brazil’s Pantanal

Just a short flight away lies the incredible rural town of Berdún in the heart of the Pyrenees.

13 European delights

8

Interesting and exciting family adventures in Europe.

call our family holiday specialists: 01962 737 560 2

11

Push your limits with weird food, spot rare animals and more.

families w o r l d w i d e experience your world together

14 All I want for Christmas

Escape the traditions and head away this festive season.

15 #GetSnappy

Information about our 2015 photo competition - don’t miss out!

New to adventure?

Well-known journalist, author and mother of four, Rosie Millard, will be travelling with Families Worldwide to Costa Rica this summer. As a news commentator, Rosie works across a variety of national newspapers, radio stations and television. She was BBC Arts correspondent for a decade and is also a confirmed family adventurer. Her book ‘Bonnes Vacances’, was written after a four month trip in which she and her husband took their four small children across the French speaking world. Here she provides advice to fellow parents and family adventurers: So, you’ve decided to take the plunge, and take your family on an overseas adventure.

A holiday in a strange place, with unusual demands. How should you prepare them? Not too far in advance, is my advice. Children have no idea about time, and springing something on them is actually much more exciting than discussing an exciting trip which will happen months away. When I was 10, my parents packed up our home and took me and my siblings to live in a remote African hospital.

For a year. They told us about it a week before we left.

But once you have told them, do get the globe out, show them where they are going and chat with them about what they might see. If you are off on a safari trip in Tanzania, show them pictures of elephants and giraffes alongside ordinary vehicles, so they can imagine how big they are. A tick-book of animals and birds is always a great idea, and will provide familiarisation before the trip.

that I’ve left on hotel balconies around the world. There was one time I left an entire bag of clothes in a Zanzibar airport toilet when one of my children decided projectile vomiting was an interesting thing to do. Just pack the bare minimum; T-shirts and shorts, and take clothes handwash with you if necessary. This will mean you aren’t overladen with vast suitcases.

Everyone uses backpacks.

Rosie’s packing checklist...

Thin nylon drawstring bag School sports bag or equivalent. Perfect for laundry, bits of food and essentials.

Antibacterial handwash Buy six small bottles. Keep a couple for yourself so you can wash small hands before and after eating and loo visits.

On safari? Tell the kids they can take photos themselves or simply observe the wildlife through a pair of binoculars.

Travel loo-roll It comes in a flat pack. Needs no explanation.

For those long waits in airports or stations, a pack of cards is good, and an origami kit is also brilliant, as it is light, requires no power and can be thrown away when finished with.

One ancient blanket Can double up as towel, picnic rug or comforter in cold airports.

Challenge your children to leave all electronic devices behind. Once they are released from their screens, you’ll find your children will get hooked on looking around them. And that’s precisely what you want.

A waterproof Secure pouch Great for protecting valuables and tickets.

Sunhats Much easier than sunglasses, although less glamorous.

You might need to broach the issue of injections and malaria pills. Injections are simply a necessity, the quicker got over the better. Malaria pills might require a bit of strategy. I found bribery with strawberry flavoured yoghurt, or chocolate croissants, worked a treat. Try to use something which can be easily acquired on holiday, as you will need to take them every day.

Don’t buy a whole load of new clothes. You are not going on a cruise. This is an adventure trip, and you won’t need to be smart. Equally, the potential for losing things is high, so don’t risk it. I can’t tell you the amount of swimsuits

discover more online: familiesworldwide.co.uk experience your world together families wo rld wide 3

Where in the

world?

Still deciding where to go on holiday this year? Why not take a look at these much-loved family adventures for some inspiration.

Spaces are filling fast so don’t miss out!

Heart of the pyrenees 8 days from £799 Adult, £779 Child A fun and active family holiday. Test your head for heights on the ropes and zip-wires of a tree-top assault course. Kayak on mountain lakes and explore the medieval town of Jaca from your superb converted farmhouse accommodation in Berdún.

Morocco

Cuba Cuba libra!

11 days from £899 ADULT, CHILD £859 Explore lively Havana in a classic American car and admire the colonial buildings. Visit caves in Vinales National Park and whizz through the tree-tops on a zip-wire.

Atlas Mule Train 10 days from £429 ADULT, CHILD £399 Planned especially for younger families; discover the bustling markets of Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains and Essaouira coast.

Costa Rica Active Costa Rica 10 days from £1279 ADULT, CHILD £1199 Explore the rainforest by zip-wire, enjoy exhilarating wet and wild white-water rafting and go on a family mountain biking trip around an active volcano.

Brazil brazil in a nutshell 10 days from £1649 Adult, £1599 Child Want to see what the fuss is all about?

Explore Rio de Janeiro on bikes, ride in an open-top jeep through the forest, get a taste of the carnival at a Samba show and snorkel in clear waters around Sapeca Island.

call our family holiday specialists: 01962 737 560 4

Spain

families w o r l d w i d e experience your world together

Italy Vesuvius & Pompeii 8 days from £879 ADULT, CHILD £859 Featuring a quiz in Pompeii, trips to Vesuvius and Capri and the opportunity to learn to cook authentic Italian pasta - this trip has something to suit everyone.

Croatia Croatia River Adventure 8 days from £599 ADULT, CHILD £569 Row, walk and cycle along the Mreznica River while enjoying the beautiful landscapes that Croatia has to offer.

China the panda express 13 days from £2199 Adult, £1999 Child Discover China’s unique highlights; from the incredible ancient sites of the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the Terracotta Warriors - to the modern Olympic Stadium.

India Taj & Tigers 11 days from £899 ADULT, CHILD £799 Experience the highlights of Northern India. See tigers in the wild, visit the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur, visit the ancient Taj Mahal and much more.

Thailand Rainforests & Islands 10 days from £699 ADULT, CHILD £669 Sea-kayak along the dramatic coast, stay in an atmospheric rainforest lodge, ride an elephant and go snorkelling in tropical waters to see the colourful corals and thousands of fish.

Vietnam

Sri Lanka Ceylon Discovery 15 days from £1199 ADULT, CHILD £1149 Enjoy the beach, local culture, ancient Buddhist sites and cool highlands. Visit a tea plantation, ride an elephant and much more on our fantastic family adventure.

HANOI TO SAIGON 12 days from £799 aDULT, CHILD £749 Discover Vietnam from North to South. Cruise on a traditional junk in Halong Bay, travel overnight by train to Hue and relax on white sandy beaches.

Tanzania Swahili Coast & Safari 11 days from £1679 ADULT, CHILD £1279 You and your family will experience the best of Saadani and Selous wildlife reserves, travelling by 4WD and train as you venture into rural Tanzania. Visit the largest game reserve in Africa and enjoy beach-time in Zanzibar.

discover more online: familiesworldwide.co.uk experience your world together families wo rld wide 5

Costa Rica a latin first With a mosaic of landscapes, animals and experiences to choose from in Latin America, it can be a mind-boggling continent when planning a holiday. Costa Rica provides the perfect introduction for families.

Let’s go!

For starters, everything is easy. English is widely spoken, particularly in hotels, and there’s a huge range of accommodation, whether you’re looking for top-end luxury or good value.

mountain-bike down thrilling trails, or navigate a raft down rivers ranging from gentle meanders to raging white-waters. And you can get the heart pumping on the many zip-wires whisking you through the forest canopies.

It’s a small country – meaning journey times between destinations are short – but it has a big personality: there’s such a variety of landscapes, from beaches and mangroves to cloud forests and volcanoes, that it seems like many countries rolled into one.

Flanked by Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, Costa Rica has more than its fair share of beaches too. Ripe for relaxation or something more active – kayak through mangroves or pick up a surfboard to ride the waves.

Active Costa Rica 10 days from £1279 Adult, £1199 Child Fly through the cloud forests on a zip-wire, mountain bike near an active volcano, experience white-water rafting and spot incredible wildlife on this Costa Rican adventure.

Perhaps most exciting of all, the charismatic locals are waiting to meet you: howler monkeys and toucans in the forests, hummingbirds flitting between feeders on your guesthouse verandah, and turtles lumbering ashore to nest in the sands of Caribbean beaches.

Rainforests & Volcanoes 13 days from £1299 Adult, £1199 Child Observe wildlife in Tortuguero National Park, hold a tarantula, see how chocolate is made, visit an active volcano and enjoy time relaxing on the beach.

What that means, of course, is that you can pack your holiday with a dizzying array of activities to suit all ages of children. And Costa Rica has the lot. Walk or horseride amid cloud forest on the slopes of active volcanoes,

call our family holiday specialists: 01962 737 560 6

families w o r l d w i d e experience your world together

Visit familiesworldwide.co.uk for a choice of trips including:

Brazil: parrot fashion

Meet the team...

Name... Sally Jefferis Top travel tip... “Whenever I’ve travelled with my son he’s always taken a small football; nothing breaks the ice better than a kick around with the local kids.

You don’t have to be able to speak their language, the language of football is universally understood.”

Favourite destination... Kenya

It’s not often you come face to face with a movie star. Particularly

Next destination... Namibia

not when you’re trotting through a steamy jungle atop a pony. And especially not one with a cobalt-blue face and bright yellow spectacles.

But there I was, in the heart of Brazil’s Pantanal region, and there he was: Blu, star of hit animated film Rio – or, to be more precise, a hyacinth macaw, the fabulously hued parrot. It was an encounter I’ll cherish almost as much as the kids, who were beside themselves with excitement at meeting Blu and Jewel.

That’s not to say that they hadn’t already been bowled over by Brazil, from the beautiful bays of Rio to snorkelling off Paraty’s beaches and goggling at mighty Iguassu Falls as part of our Brazil in a Nutshell trip.

But many families want their little ones to experience the country’s wild side. So we tagged on an extension into the Pantanal, the vast wetland expanse in the country’s southwest that encompasses rainforest, savannah and lilypad-speckled waterways.

Even the journey to the ecolodge along the dusty Transpantaneira road was a mini-safari.

The greenery to either side was speckled with white – great egrets teetering on stilt-like legs. Then I spotted a dun-coloured shape alongside the water. “Capybara!” our guide

smiled. “It’s the world’s largest rodent, growing to over 50kg.” Looking for all the world like a haughty, big-nosed guinea pig, it peered over and snuffled before scurrying into the foliage.

After a restful night’s sleep in our wonderfully rustic-style rooms, we saddled up for a horseride. Led by our experienced local guide, we set out across the meadows before delving into the shady forest for that avian encounter with Blu and Jewel. We quickly got an idea of the Pantanal’s diversity: meadow, forest, floodplains – the latter hosting an alarming number of big, dark shapes with gaping, fanglined jaws: caiman. I needn’t have worried.

They barely looked up as we trotted passed, being more interested in fish than a bite of Brit.

Reaching the woods, howler monkeys and capuchins scampered above us, sending the children into fits of giggles with their antics.

On our final day we headed out between the trees, mangroves and lilypads on a guided canoe safari on the Clarinho River, hoping against hope to catch a glimpse of a family of giant river otters. No luck. Instead, we baited hooks and dropped them in the water alongside our boat, this time hoping for a

bite – from a piranha! You can imagine the squeals of delight as our guide hauled one out, splashing and flapping, carefully removing the hook and showing us his catch – keeping it at a safe distance from little fingers – before releasing it to terrorise the other denizens of the river once more.

By Sally Jefferis Families Worldwide sales consultant (and travel-mad mum)

Let’s go!

Visit familiesworldwide.co.uk for a choice of trips including: Brazil in a Nutshell 10 days from £1649 Adult, £1599 Child Experience Brazil’s highlights including the excitement of Rio de Janeiro, the thunderous Iguassu Falls and colonial Paraty. Extend your stay exploring the Pantanal by canoe, horseback and on foot (contact us for prices).

discover more online: familiesworldwide.co.uk experience your world together families wo rld wide 7

Animal Antics

12 wild

adventures Combine activity with the ultimate I-Spy during a family

CAMELS

hop on a camel train Although they look like they’ve got the hump, camels are in fact extremely good natured, rarely showing aggression. With over 160 words for ‘camel’ in the Arabian language, see how many you can learn as you ride on a camel safari in Morocco. morocco from £529 Adult, £499 Child

wildlife holiday. Here’s our guide to 12 of the best wildlife experiences on the planet. Enjoy as part of a small group or on your own tailor-made adventure.

WHALES

SINGERS OF THE SEAS Pop stars of the ocean, male humpback whales create melodies lasting between 10 to 20 minutes which they repeat for hours on end! Although you may not able to hear it, you will hopefully be able to see them so remember to bring your binoculars. costa rica from £1399 Adult, £1299 Child

MARINE LIFE

abundance of wildlife Whether it’s the funky blue-footed booby, the dapper Humboldt penguin, the giant tortoise or the pink-skinned marine iguana, there’s plenty of weird and wonderful wildlife for you and your family to observe while cruising the islands of the Galapagos.

GALAPAGOS islands call for QUOTATION

call our family holiday specialists: 01962 737 560 8

families w o r l d w i d e experience your world together

ORANG-UTANS

HANG OUT WITH THE LOCALS Orang-utans spend 90% of their lives up in the trees, even sleeping in nests made of leafy branches. We share 96% of our genetic makeup with orang-utans, and that becomes abundantly clear as you observe the ‘person of the forest’ in its natural habitat. borneo from £1499 Adult, £1399 Child

TIGERS

PANDA

meet the cuddly giants Eating almost exclusively bamboo, pandas spend two-thirds of their day feeding and the remainder resting. You’ll be able to see for yourself when you volunteer to help these gentle giants during a visit to the Giant Panda Centre in Bifengxia.

CHINA from £2199 Adult, £1999 Child

CAN YOU FIND NEMO? Clownfish hide from predators within the tentacles of sea anemones. Usually, the anemone would sting a fish but clownfish are immune because they have a mucus coat.

A clownfish can grown up to 18cm in length while the smallest can be just 10cm.

THAILAND from £729 Adult, £699 Child

SLOTH

GIRAFFE

HUSKY DOGS

CHEETAHS

DOLPHINS

see real a life tigger Unlike their smaller feline cousins, tigers love the water and are good swimmers, regularly cooling off in lakes during the heat of the day.

No two tigers have exactly the same stripes, so you’ll always remember which tiger you saw in India’s Ranthambore National Park. india from £799 Adult, £729 Child

SLOW BUT STEADY WINS THE RACE One of the slowest animals on the planet, the sloth is world famous for its lazy lifestyle and cute looks. 11,000 years ago, elephant-sized sloths used to roam South America but you can see their much smaller cousins relaxing in the Costa Rican sun.

COSTA RICA from £1299 Adult, £1199 Child

QUICK AS A FLASH The fastest land animal in the world - you’ll have to think fast if you want to snap a photo as cheetahs can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in just three seconds! You can, however, see them at the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Etosha National Park.

NAMIBIA from £1499 Adult, £949 Child

How tall??

Giraffes are the tallest mammals in the world, so you’ll have no problem viewing these spotty characters on a Tanzanian safari. Spending most of their lives standing up, giraffes even sleep upright although that is for only between 10 minutes and two hours a day!

TANZANIA from £1749 Adult, £1349 Child

spinning like ballerinas Go dolphin watching off the coast of Muscat - the most common type you’ll see is the spinner dolphin. They leap three metres into the air; spin around, somersault or flip backwards before hitting the water with a splash.

OMAN from £1449 Adult, £1329 Child

CLOWNFISH

snow cool Your children will be howling with excitement as they ride huskies sleds through Lapland’s snowy wilderness. The dogs have extremely thick, soft coats and are especially friendly making them ideal companions for family fun in the snow.

FINLAND from £779 Adult, £759 Child

Let’s go!

Visit familiesworldwide.co.uk for a choice of wildlife inspired adventures.

Or call one of our wildlife experts on 01962 737560.

discover more online: familiesworldwide.co.uk experience your world together families wo rld wide 9

When in

Vietnam

Try Local Street Food

With breathtaking scenery and a fascinating heritage,

While exploring Hanoi, take time to taste the delicious local cuisine. Try bang tom - pancakes with prawns, ga tan chicken cooked in cans or pho tiu - a sweet and sour noodle soup with pork and fish sauce.

Vietnam is an utterly compelling and charming destination.

Here are six of our favourite things to do whilst there...

Cruise Halong Bay

Hanoi

Ride on the Reunification Express

Enter into the spectacular World Heritage site of Halong Bay, where you will board your boat and cruise around some of the 1,600 dramatic limestone peaks. You’ll spend a peaceful night on board the sailing junk beneath the sky alive with stars.

From UK

The train journey alone is an experience, and has become an integral part of any visit to Vietnam. Nicknamed the Reunification Express, the train route from Hanoi to Saigon was cut off when Vietnam was divided in 1954, but the route was resumed in 1976. You’ll travel overnight from Hanoi down to Hue.

Halong Bay

Explore on two wheels

Hue Hoi An

Hop on the bikes and cycle through emerald green rice paddies. Discover delightful villages along the way such as Tra Que - known for its sweet scented green vegetables that spice up delicacies such as Cao Lau.

Explore the Mekong Delta

This incredibly rich area is intensively farmed with rice, fruits and fish. Living in this watery world comes with many challenges and residents have to build their homes on stilts. Visit a floating market on a boat and visit an ancient house.

To UK

Let’s go!

Crawl the Cu Chi tunnels

Crawl through history; a network of underground tunnels used by the military during the Vietnam War. Primarily, they were used for hiding, but also for communicating, sending supplies and even to live.

Saigon Mekong Delta

call our family holiday specialists: 01962 737 560 1 0 families w o r l d w i d e experience your world together

hANOI TO SAIGON - VIETNAM 12 days from £949 Adult, £899 Child An incredible journey bringing together the highlights of Vietnam. As well as the fun activities listed on this page, you can also leisurely float along the Perfume River on a Dragon Boat and take part in an orientation walking tour of Hoi An.

Elsewhere in

Asia

Vietnam is without doubt an incredible country, but the Asian continent offers so much more with an incredible contrast of cultures and natural beauty.

Families Worldwide Manager, Jon Barber, has selected his alternative Asian bucket-list.

Watch the sunrise NEPAL HIMALAYAS Step out of your teahouse accommodation and witness a breathtaking sunrise over the mighty peaks of the Himalayas - a sight you’ll never forget!

Trip: HIMALAYAN ADVENTURE from £1189 Adult, £1089 Child

Eat deep fried insects THAILAND BANGKOK Pass the stalls of Khao San Road selling vibrant Thai foods; tom yum, phad thai, spring rolls and insects.

Yes - we said insects! Find a mixture of bamboo worms, grasshoppers, crickets and more! Tasty, greasy and cheap – not far dissimilar to a packet of crisps! How far will you test your tastebuds?

Trip: tIMELESS THAILAND from £1199 Adult, £1149 Child

Pick tea with locals India MUNNAR Learn about the whole process of tea, including the different qualities and production techniques. The children can help with picking the tea and of course taste the ubiquitous sweet Indian chai!

Trip: BACKWATERS OF KERALA from £849 Adult, £749 Child

Learn Calligraphy

CHINA XIAN Take part in a Calligraphy Course at the Small Wild Goose Pagoda in Xian. Calligraphy is one of the bedrocks of Chinese culture and a truly artistic pursuit. A cultural activity that’s perfect for all ages.

Trip: tHE PANDA EXPRESS from £2199 Adult, £1999 Child

Stay in a longhouse

borneo Sarawak A perfect choice for a grown up family to really experience the local culture. Spend time with the Iban people in the bowels of the Bornean jungle by staying in a longhouse. This is the low-rise equivalent of a tower block – on its side.

TAILOR-MADE: Headhunters and Orang-utans call for quotation

Explore Angkor Wat

CAMBODIA Siem Reap A great extension of your Vietnam adventure.

Explore the vast temple complex on foot or by bicycle. It’s the largest religious monument in the world and was built in the early 12th century.

Trip: CAMBODIA EXTENSION from £479 Adult, £429 Child

Meet the team...

Name... Jon Barber Top travel tip... “Pack a change of clothes in your flight bag (just in case your main luggage doesn’t show up!)”

Favourite destination... India Next destination... Sri Lanka

discover more online: familiesworldwide.co.uk experience your world together families wo rld wide 1 1

Our converted farmhouse accommodation

Have fun on a mountain walk

Explore the Spanish Pyrenees

Berdún and the Spanish Pyrenees Remember what charming villages and small towns were like 30 years

ago, before everything became standardised? Ever wish you could show your children and grandchildren how life used to be, when service came with a smile and people liked passing the time of day?

Meet the team...

Name... Steve Nagle Top travel tip... “Allow each member of the family to take responsibility for an aspect of the adventure such as packing their own bags. It encourages a bit of fun and teamwork.”

Favourite destination... Malaysia Next destination... Costa Rica

Well, Berdún in the Spanish region of Aragón, could be just the place you’re looking for. This hilltop medieval village in the central Spanish Pyrenees, close to the little town of Jaca, is a little gem. Despite the area’s spectacular backdrop of mountains, the architectural originality of its stone villages, the rich collection of early romanesque churches and monasteries (11th and 12th century) and a lesser-known 6-day section of the Santiago Pilgrims’ Way, very few tourists have made it past the Basque Country and Catalonia and into this slightly less accessible area of Spain.

Life in Berdún is lived at a different pace and you’ll soon find your family relaxing and getting into the rhythm of rural Spanish life.

The countryside is breathtaking and totally unspoilt, with pristine river pools for swimming and hundreds of square kilometres of alpine wilderness to create an amazing active escape for your family.

Accommodation for the week is the familyrun and beautifully restored farmhouse. The very friendly English owners accompany you on your activities and point you in the right direction on free days. They have been living in this area for 25 years and love showing people all the wonderful places they have discovered over time.

There are two restaurants in the village, but delicious home-cooked dinners or barbecues can be arranged on request. A 5-minute walk down a country lane takes you to a beautiful outdoor swimming pool with bar where teenagers can try their hand at the Spanish game of “frontón”, a version of open-air squash played against a large L-shaped wall.

Professional childcare facilities are available in the village for very young children.

Adventure in the treetops

Our family adventure here includes a variety of opportunities for walking, swimming, canoeing, zip-wiring and sun-bathing; but there’s still time to head off to a nearby village for a fiesta, the annual celebration held in each village in honour of the patron saint, catering for young and old with all sorts of entertainment and dancing to live bands.

Despite the feeling that it’s off the beaten track, Bilbao airport is a mere 2 ½ hours away ensuring easy access. An optional trip extension to San Sebastian provides a chance to visit this iconic Basque seaside city, enjoy its “pintxos” (Basque for “tapas”) and chill out on the beach.

This is a trip to challenge all preconceptions and rediscover the best of authentic Spain.

By Steve Nagle Families Worldwide sales consultant

call our family holiday specialists: 01962 737 560 1 2 families w o r l d w i d e experience your world together

Let’s go! heart of the pyrenees - spain 8 days from £799 Adult, £779 Child A fun and active family holiday. Test your head for heights on the ropes and zip-wires of a tree-top assault course. Kayak on mountain lakes, explore the medieval town of Jaca, walk in the foothills of the Pyrenees and stay in a beautiful restored farmhouse.

European delights for less Some of the best family adventures can be

found in Europe. Offering an eclectic mix of activities such as white-water rafting, rock climbing, hiking, snorkelling, kayaking and much more. Short flight times and strong sterling versus the Euro means Europe is the perfect destination for a quick family getaway.

Cycle through forests in France Kayak in Croatia

1 Active Dalmatia

6 Active Turkey

CROATIA 8 days from £699 Adult, £679 Child A fun, active holiday off-the-beaten track for all the family to explore and enjoy. Go sea kayaking, have fun on the beach and mountain bike on Sipan Island.

Turkey 8 days from £699 Adult, £679 Child A true Turkish delight! A jam-packed fun filled trip - roast marshmallows on the Chimera flames, take a boat trip to the sunken city, kayak in the sea and walk through waterfalls.

2 Discover Sicily

7 French Pyrenees Actif

Sicily 8 days from £849 Adult, £829 Child Spend a week exploring Sicily; discover castles, learn how papyrus is made, scramble through gorges, climb a volcano and eat plenty of locally produced ice cream - yum!

France 8 days from £979 Adult, £959 Child Head on an adventure against the stunning backdrop of rural France. Try rock climbing, white-water rafting, cycling, kayaking, walking, zip-wiring and much more.

3 Vesuvius and Pompeii

8 Active Catalonia

4 Croatia River Adventure

9 Winter in the Pyrenees

Italy 8 days from £879 Adult, £859 Child A journey of discovery through Italy. See the city of Pompeii, learn to cook authentic food, walk up Mount Vesuvius and take a boat trip to the fairytale Blue Grotto. Bellissimo!

CROATIA 8 days from £599 Adult, £579 Child An incredible adventure week. Kayak through a canyon, splash around in cooling waterfalls, walk in a beautiful National Park and cycle through the Mreznica area.

5 Active Gozo

Malta (GOZO) 8 days from £799 Adult, £769 Child Adventure on land and water; cycle down coastal paths, abseil down rockfaces, explore caves by kayak and snorkel in the clear waters of the Mediterranean sea.

Rock climb and abseil in Gozo

Spain 8 days from £899 Adult, £879 Child Go with the flow - trek along the river. Try canyoning through waterfalls, hold on tight while abseiling, explore the forest on two wheels and sea kayak on the Catalan Coast.

Spain 8 days from £979 Adult, £959 Child Explore Spain in the snow from your delightful farmhouse accommodation. Build an igloo, ski or snowboard down the snowy slopes and get to know the area with a treasure hunt.

Try snowboarding in Slovakia

10 Winter Slovakia

Slovakia 8 days from £899 Adult, £879 Child Grab your thermals - we’re heading to a winter wonderland! Race down the slopes on a sledge, try your hand at snowshoeing, skiing and dog-sledding.

discover more online: familiesworldwide.co.uk experience your world together families wo rld wide 1 3

All I want for

Christmas Escape the traditions this festive season. Try something new with

your family - a new destination, a new activity or simply start a new tradition of escaping the normalities at Christmas!

Ice Pop!

Ceylon Discovery

Crusaders & Camels

finland from £849 Adult, £819 Child Enter into a magical winter wonderland - Santa’s homeland - Lapland. Meet the indigenous Sami people and their reindeers, have a go at snowshoeing and see the incredible Northern Lights. Spend your evenings relaxing in your own private sauna!

sri lanka from £1249 Adult, £1199 Child Visit the vibrant island of Sri Lanka; swap opening presents for exploring the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. Taste incredible local cuisine, visit an elephant orphanage and cycle around Minneriya National Park. Enjoy whale and dolphin watching in Mirissa.

jordan from £749 Adult, £729 Child Discover the amazing rock-cut city of Petra.

Explore the dramatic desert of Wadi Rum and sleep under the stars. See Crusader castles, Roman cities and meet the Bedouin.

Complete your trip with a visit to the Dead Sea - happy floating!

FREE £50 VOUCHER

Rainforests & Volcanoes

Rainforests & Islands

cOSTA RICA from £1399 Adult, £1349 Child A wild Latin American adventure. Zip-wire through the treetops, visit an active volcano, see wildlife such as sloths (minus Santa hats!) and crocodiles. Watch how chocolate is made and best of all taste some! Snorkel amongst tropical marine life at Playa Panama.

THAILAND from £769 Adult, £739 Child A family adventure sea-kayaking along the dramatic coast, staying in an atmospheric rainforest lodge, elephant riding and snorkelling over colourful coral. Spend Christmas Day on a longtail boat exploring the tropical islands around Koh Lanta.

Feluccas & Pyramids EGYPT from £829 Adult, £809 Child Imagine spending Christmas Day exploring the city of Luxor. The kids will be having so much fun they’ll forget they are learning!

Crawl inside a pyramid, ride a donkey to the Valley of the Kings and sleep on board a felucca along the Nile!

Winter in the Pyrenees SPAIN from £999 Adult, £979 Child Head to the Spanish Pyrenees just after Christmas for snow-filled fun. Based at a lovely converted farmhouse in Berdún; get to know the local area with a treasure hunt.

Learn to ski and snowshoe, enjoy the fresh mountain air and build an igloo.

call our family holiday specialists: 01962 737 560 1 4 families w o r l d w i d e experience your world together

Special Early Booking Offer

FREE £50 LIFEMARQUE VOUCHER Book your holiday by 30 April 2015 and enjoy some early Christmas presents on us.

Families will receive a £50 voucher to be used towards Littlelife clothing and accessories including their award winning Poncho towels and daysacks; perfect attire for a family adventure. Or the voucher can be spent on Lifeventure travel essentials including water bottles, dry bags, trek towels, head torches and much more.

Terms & Conditions: The £50 gift voucher applies to orders made online direct with Lifemarque and includes the Littlelife, Lifeventure and Lifesystems brands. Full details of how to redeem the £50 gift voucher will be sent to you once final balance has been paid (due eight weeks before departure). One voucher per booking. You can only use the voucher once and any unused credit will be forfeited.

Let’s go!

Call us to plan your Christmas holiday today on 01962 737560.

#GetSnappy

competition

Our competition is back again for another year but this time we are including video! Share with us your special family adventure travel moments and memories and you could be in for a chance of winning £500 off your next family adventure.

Last year’s winners bowled us over with dramatic photos of climbing up the rock face. What an adventurous family!

What can I win?

Top prize awarded to the photo or video voted the Best Overall Family Adventure Memory will be a Families Worldwide gift voucher for £500! This can be used towards your next holiday.

Runner up prizes awarded to the entries voted Best Family Moment and Best Adventure Selfie will be a personalised photo canvas to hang on your wall.

Don’t delay - enter today!

How to enter?

Step 1. Get Snappy - snap away! Capture all those adventurous family moments. The more entries the better!

Step 2. Get Social - follow the links on our website familiesworldwide.co.uk/photo to submit your entry via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using #GetSnappy. Don’t forget to tag us too!

Social media not your thing? You can email us your photo or video to photos@familiesworldwide.co.uk.

Deadline for entries is 15 September 2015.

2014 winner

Find us...

... on Facebook facebook.com/familiesworldwide

Terms & Conditions: The criteria for entry is that the photo or video must reflect the Family Adventure theme; whether taken on one of our trips or doing our style of fun activities and adventures in your own way. Deadline for entries is 15 September. Full terms and conditions can be found on our website.

... on Twitter @familiesww ... on Instagram @familiesworldwide

discover more online: familiesworldwide.co.uk experience your world together families wo rld wide 1 5

FAMILIES

get moving...

The very best adventure holidays worldwide, created by families for all the family to enjoy. Choose from multi-activity trips, cultural journeys and wildlife encounters. Travel with a group or let us tailor-make your perfect itinerary. But hurry - spaces are filling fast so get in touch today.

Booking is easy 1. To book, simply contact us by phone or book direct online. You can hold your place with a 10% deposit or £100 per person - whichever is greater.

2. Once you have paid your deposit, we will send your holiday confirmation and everything you need to prepare for your trip.

3. Your final balance is due 60 days (approximately eight weeks) prior to departure.

4. Your tickets and joining instructions will be sent to you about three weeks before you travel.

Enjoy your trip!

visit our website www.familiesworldwide.co.uk

speak to a specialist call: 01962 737 560 Or 0845 051 4567 charged at local rate Overseas call: +44 (0) 1962 737 560 Email: info@chameleonworldwide.co.uk Address: Sutton Manor Farm, Bishop’s Sutton, Alresford, SO24 OAA, UK Open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm

or get social Like us /familiesworldwide Follow us @familiesww

Follow us @familiesworldwide

© FAMILIES WORLDWIDE TRAVEL LTD 2015/16 No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without the prior written consent of Chameleon Worldwide.

Photographs: With thanks to our clients, staff and tourist offices.