Spring Break! Those iconic words once meant a carefree and crazy week in a warm location with your posse. But now that you’re a parent, it’s all about a family spring break vacation with the kids. Does that mean the fun is over? No way. In fact, the fun is just getting started. Where to go for the best luxury spring break vacation with kids in 2020? Our correspondent Jillian Tangen has found 10 of the best destinations for a luxury family vacation this year. We promise that they’ll be fun and restorative for everyone. Including you!
where to go for your family spring break vacation in 2020
You may recall the famous words of the humorist Robert Benchley who once said that “in America there are two classes of travel, first class and with children.”
Fortunately a lot has changed in the world of travel since those words were uttered. No longer is travelling with kids relegated to cookie-cutter resorts or theme parks in central Florida (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
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When you’re ready for something other than Orlando or Anaheim, read on. Instead of water slides and endless chicken nuggets, families can enjoy the turquoise waters of Bermuda, an African adventure under the stars or partake in a cooking course in the rolling hills of Tuscany.
After all, spring break isn’t just a vacation for your kids, it’s a vacation for you, too. So why not head someplace this year where comfort, relaxation and family time go hand-in-hand? You could go to New York City. But if you’re looking for something a bit less frantic, no worries.
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We found 10 five-star spring break spots that offer not only adventure, sunshine, sand (and some snow), but also a healthy dose of culture, wellness and grandeur that are sure to please almost anyone in your gang. So get ready to pack your bags, and let the memories begin.
Best Luxury Spring Break Vacations with Kids in 2020
1. bermuda
The prim-and-proper island of Bermuda may seem an unlikely choice for a spring-break getaway with the kids. But given its proximity to the East Coast and its pink sandy beaches perfect for swimming, it makes for a no-brainer option for those with small kids. On top of that, you will find plenty of water sports, as well as lots of golfing, tennis and old-world charm on the colorful streets of St. George.
The best places for a luxury spring break vacation with kids in 2020: the island of Bermuda. Courtesy Photo.
Book a stay at the Rosewood Bermuda which offers 1, 2 and 3 bedroom suite options as part of their Family Time in Bermuda Package. The resort also offers fun add-ons like a Mom & Me Spa Day, Dad & Me Golf Time, one-hour private tennis lessons for the whole family and a family-friendly cooking class. And just in case you might be adding some additional little ones to the squad, Bermuda is still Zika-free.
2. breckenridge
With record-breaking snowfall so far this season, Breckenridge, Colorado will stay open through May for the first time since the mid-90’s. Add to that, March is traditionally Colorado’s snowiest month. So you’ve got a great US skiing destination no matter when your spring break falls. And because it’s spread across five peaks, the area offers terrain for all ability levels, from beginner to advanced. Here, there are pistes perfect for everyone in the gang.
The best places for a luxury spring break vacation with kids in 2020: Crystal Peak Lodge, Breckenridge, Colorado. Courtesy Photo.
Nestled at the base of Breckenridge Ski Resort’s Peak 7, Crystal Peak Lodge offers family friendly condominium suites (1-4 bedrooms). They’re equipped with full kitchens and living rooms with fireplaces, and amazing views of the majestic Rocky Mountains. the property also offers ski-in/ski-out access that is literally steps away from the BreckConnect Gondola and Independence Superchair. ‘Cause we know that’s key when you’re on a ski vacation with little ones.
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3. tuscany
The thought of Tuscany brings to mind quaint hilltop towns, wineries and villas – not really kid-friendly stuff. But believe it or not, Tuscany is actually a great destination for families. In Florence, kids can get hands on with the machines of Da Vinci at the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum. In Collodi, they can discover the world of Pinocchio, who was created by a Tuscan writer, at Pinocchio Park. The Four Seasons in Florence has its own magnificent private garden, making it ideal for those with little ones in tow who need a safely-gated space to run and play.
Where to go for a family spring break vacation in 2020: Tuscany.
Once you have had your fill of Florence, head to the countryside, where you will find the Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco. Surrounded by green meadows and tall trees, the setting provides a storybook place for children to play, have fun and use their imaginations. Young guests can also participate in cooking workshops, and indulge to the max in every kid’s favorite food: pasta. No one does that better than the Italians!
4. cruise the Mediterranean
Explore the start of spring in the Mediterranean with a voyage from Rome to Lisbon with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises on their plush 500 passenger Europa 2. The ship is perfect for big broods, thanks to its family-friendly suites, in-cabin babysitting services and thoughtful extras like loaner baby monitors.
The best luxury family vacation with kids: a Mediterranean cruise.
Tiny cruisers can opt to join one of three different kids’ clubs broken down by age (2-3, 4-10 and 11-15), which are full of activities like games, pizza-making and arts + crafts. In addition to the complimentary clubs, parents can sign up for a “sleep-in” service, in which children are whisked off to breakfast while they snooze. And when you are not on the ship, you and your crew can enjoy stops in ports like Capri, Mallorca and Malaga, just to name a few.
5. south african safari
Looking for a wild spring break? Look no further than a South African Safari. There’s a common misconception that kids and safaris don’t go together, but nothing could be further from the truth. Even the hardest-to-please teens will be awed by the majestic beauty of exotic wild animals and the vast plains of Africa. Singita is a world-renowned conservation company that offers family friendly luxury safari experiences over 45,000 protected acres in South Africa, Tanzania, Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
On Safari in South Africa
At the company’s Sweni Lodge in South Africa children can partake in a Mini Rangers program where they learn animal tracking, bush survival techniques, cooking and flower pressing to name a few things. For adults there are guided safari walks, stargazing, cooking classes and more. And in the evenings, the whole family can come together over dinner to bond over the days animal sightings under the stars.
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6. tokyo
With two of the largest family-friendly theme parks on the Asian continent, not to mention cherry blossom-strewn public gardens, Tokyo is the perfect place for a family adventure. Kids will love a chance to visit Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea as well as explore places like the Samurai Museum and any one of the city’s famous animal cafes. And for the toy lovers you can’t miss places like Kiddy Land or Sanrio Puroland where you can find some of the Japanese entertainment industry’s heavy-hitters like Pokémon, Sailor Moon and Hello Kitty.
One of the best places to go on a luxury spring break vacations with kids: Tokyo. Courtesy Photo.
The Four Seasons Hotel at Marunouchi is a great place to stay for families with a staff that goes out of their way to welcome kids with little extras like cookies, in-room toy options and kid-sized slippers. The hotel is within walking distance to the Imperial Palace and Gardens and many of the rooms have views of trains arriving and departing Tokyo Station to keep those little ones occupied just a little longer while you potentially sleep in.
7. dubai
If your family loves a good theme park but is looking to up the game, then Dubai is the place for you. Home to an amazing array of mega-theme parks like Wild Wadi, Bollywood Park and Legoland, it is the ultimate family playground for thrill seekers.
One of the best places to go on a luxury family spring break vacation: IMG Worlds of Adventure. Courtesy Photo.
The city’s newest park, IMG Worlds of Adventure, is as large as 28 football fields and unlike anyplace else in the world. Ensuring your kids will sleep very well at night after all the adventure. Speaking of sleeping, book a stay at the world’s only “7 star hotel,” the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, because, well, why not?
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8. val d’isere, france
With guaranteed snow from the last weekend of November to the first of May, it’s no wonder France’s Val d’Isere has earned the nickname Le Snow Factory. And because of that, the once-rustic farming village high in the French Alps has evolved into one of the world’s best-known ski resorts.
The best places for a luxury family vacation on spring break this year: Val d’Isere in the French Alps.
The town has long been a favorite spot in the Alps for British skiers and as a result it’s geared to English-speakers, so there’s no language barrier with ski teachers for the little ones. Le Yule is located slopeside in the setting of the old Grand Paradis Hotel. The chairlifts are just a short walk from the front door so that little legs can ski in and ski out, rather than drag their heavy boots too far.
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9. walt disney world
Head to the happiest place on earth. One obvious choice for a luxury family spring break vacation destination is a Disney theme park. While Disney sometimes gets a bad rap for being just a little kids’ place, it’s actually a perfect destination for the entire family.
From Princesses to Marvel heroes to iconic Star Wars adventures at the all-new Galaxy’s Edge, Disney properties have varied activities and rides that are capable of drawing out the inner kid in just about anyone – even teens! In the spring break season you’ll also find special events such as the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (March 4 – June 1) and Disney Villains After Hours at Magic Kingdom (Feb 7 – July 10) where you can meet and greet with Disney’s most nefarious characters.
The best places to go for a luxury family spring break vacation: Galaxy’s Edge. Courtesy Photo.
For accommodations, you can stay at one of Disney’s many resorts. Or opt to rent a house at the Encore Resort in nearby Reunion, Florida. Vacation homes there start at $289 per night for 4 bedrooms. They go all the way up to 13-bedroom homes for $819 per night. Each home comes with its own private pool and access to the resort’s amenities which include an onsite water park.
10. Cancun
We know what you are thinking – they must be kidding, Cancun? But we’re totally serious. While the resort town does have a reputation for a lively nightlife, it also boasts high end shops, world class restaurants, pristine beaches and close proximity to Mayan ruins.
Cancun
It also offers some options for unforgettable family adventure, like swimming with whale sharks and spelunking in the caves of ancient Mayans. To ensure you avoid the undergrad crowd, be sure to book a resort off the traditional strip like the Nizuc, situated on the former estate of the president of Mexico. Not only does it have a spectacular spa, but a kids club too for those non adventure seeking days.
Best Luxury Family Spring Break Vacations with Kids in 2020
So in case you were worrying, having kids doesn’t mean an end to luxury travel. Instead, it’s a spectacular way to enjoy some quality family time that won’t soon be forgotten. Now, if only packing for the whole family was that easy. Where are you heading this spring break?
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For access to insider ideas and information on the world of luxury, sign up for our Dandelion Chandelier Newsletter here. And see luxury in a new light.
Jillian Tangen is the Head of Research at Dandelion Chandelier and a former Senior Research Analyst at McKinsey & Co and Analyst at Shearman & Sterling. She is an avid fan of Nordic design, having owned an independent lifestyle store and sales agency focused on emerging Scandinavian design. Jillian lives in New York and is married with three young children. She loves cross-country skiing, the New York Rangers, reading, travel and discovering new brands.
