Family vacations in Europe are easy peasy – for starters, no flight is long haul, or you can ramp up the adventure quotient even more by reaching many destinations by rail. Secondly, there’s just so much to choose from. Spain is much more than buckets, spades and sunshine, and is fantastic for active teenagers who can get stuck into biking, rafting and canyoning; Greece’s irresistible islands sing with wildlife from monk seals and turtles to flapping pelicans; or, if you’re a bit of a pro at traveling with little ones, why not opt for something completely different like exploring the legend of Dracula in Romania, or learning outdoor survival skills in Lapland’s magical wilderness.

A visit to a traditional Lappish reindeer farm in Finland is a wonderful way to learn about Lapland’s inimitable nature and culture. Gentle reindeers are pivotal to life in northern Finland, and the herders are always keen to share tales of their daily lives and reindeer husbandry, before taking you on sleigh rides wrapped in warm blankets.

Tim Winkworth, from our supplier, the Family Adventure Company, shares his advice on family vacations in Europe:

“Europe is a wonderful destination for families looking for a vacation together. The summer provides lovely long days and temperate conditions in the summer months, which is particularly obvious on our summer Iceland trip where there are often 18 – 20 hours of daylight giving you plenty of time to explore the incredible landscape. It’s also festival time with a multitude of festivals taking the advantage of the long days. With little rain and temperatures in the 20s rather than 30s, it’s no surprise that Europe attracts a large amount of families looking for great conditions, lots of variety and long days to maximise their time together.”