Accommodation
The extra days of relaxation afforded by the long easter weekend provide an opportunity to make the most of your time off, travel further afield and experience some close-of-winter sun while waiting for spring’s stubbornness to subside.
Knowing where to travel during Easter can be difficult, especially if you have little ones eager to escape the routine of school and the cold of winter. These are the types of dilemmas we love here at Carrier, so to help simplify this for you, we’ve pulled together the ultimate guide to Easter breaks.
We know that everyone looks for something different when planning their ideal getaway so have hand-picked an abundance of destinations, hotels and itineraries to help narrow down your search. From long haul fortnights on sun-soaked islands in the Caribbean to long weekends catching the last of the snow on the slopes in France, these Easter escapes will dispel any concerns about where to travel during your precious time off.
To help you decide on where the best Easter holiday destination is for you, we have categorised everything into two or one week and weekend destinations, so you can easily find where’s best to travel to based on how much time you have available.
One-week destinations range from relaxing beach holidays on far flung islands to the secret sun spots that are a little closer to home.
Flight time from London: Mallorca 2 hours 50 minutes, Gran Canaria 2 hours 15 minutes & Tenerife 4 hours 10 minutes.
With its many archipelagos of picturesque islands only 3-4 hours away, Spain and Tenerife offer up the sun and warmth needed to take the edge off of winter without the long flight that accompanies most beach holidays at Easter.
Perfect for families with small children, step off of your short haul flight to palatial resorts where everyone’s needs are catered for. Spend a leisurely morning playing golf while the little ones learn about Spanish culture, reunite in the afternoon for hours of fun around the pool.
The level of service and breadth of facilities at the hotels in Spain and Tenerife means both couples and families rarely find the time or need to venture outside their walls.
Flight time from London: 10 hours
The Malidves are idyllic at any time of year but escaping there for a week-long Easter break is the perfect antidote to the cold weather of winter and prepares you for the warmer months of spring and summer.
While you may end up never wanting to leave, the remote quietude of the Maldives means you can reap all its benefits in just a week. A notoriously romantic destination, couples will love the remote intimacy the islands offer with lazy days spent lounging on private beaches, snorkelling around coves and dining on a deserted sandbank this is the place for one-on-one time over the Easter break.
For families looking to reconnect, the Maldives’ worry-free island culture makes it the ideal place to spend quality time together. Adults unwind in overwater treatment rooms at the spa while their little ones go on a pirate cruise to learn about local sustainability efforts.
Flight time from London: 7 hours
With year-round summer temperatures, the desert metropolis of Dubai combines the heat and sun of island life with all the perks of city living. With luxury and glamour at the heart of everything in Dubai, you won’t have to look far to find a hotel that delivers a high class experience at every corner.
The perfect playground for adults and children alike, world-class shopping meets fine dining and indulgent bottomless brunches while fun-seeking children are whisked off to the Aquaventure Waterpark for afternoons of poolside fun. Adults looking for their own fun in this desert playground can find it at IMG Worlds of Adventure, the world’s largest indoor theme park.
Don’t forget to explore its desert surroundings, a morning safari driving over the dunes of the desert, or soar over the UAE in a hot air balloon flight that gives prime views of Dubai’s vast deserts and pioneering city infrastructure.
Two-week destinations are for those who have a little more time to spare and really want to get away and switch off, families with children on their Easter holiday will find the perfect spots to take their little ones on a larger family getaway.
Flight time from London: Cancun 10 hours 10 minutes, Mexico City 12 hours, San Jose del Cabo 14 hours
With so much to discover, after two weeks in Mexico you’ll leave feeling like you’ve been there for a month. Spend a week exploring the cultural and historical aspects of its Mayan history before moving to the coast to chill out by the ocean.
The diverse range of activities on offer means families will never fall short of ways to entertain their little ones. Introduce children to the ancient Mayan civilization on temple tours and go on a private eco tour with a biologist to learn about the local ecosystem and efforts helping to protect it.
If you’re looking for an escape for two, spend margarita-soaked evenings reconnecting at secluded haciendas after an afternoon swim in one of the country’s many cenotes.
Flight time from London: 8 hours 25 minutes
Perfect alone, paired with one of its neighbouring Caribbean islands or as part of a multi-centre holiday that takes in cities and beaches, Antigua’s laid-back culture, secluded beaches and warm spring temperatures make it prime for relaxing Easter breaks.
A far-flung escape for couples and families alike, opt to spend your days lounging by the pool or dining on Michelin-starred food at one of the island’s luxury resorts. Not to be labelled as just another beach paradise though, take a break from relaxing and explore Antigua’s colonial history at the 18th century ruins and grounds of Fort James before checking out the watersports on one of the islands beaches.
Flight time from London: 11 hours 45 minutes to Mahé
What better way to escape as a family and celebrate the long Easter holiday than off -grid on a private island in the Seychelles? After flying nearly 12 hours to reach your personal haven, prepare for your every request to be catered for by attentive staff.
With a range of private islands scattered amongst the Seychelles, you can choose the level of exclusivity best suited to your needs. On one island, opt for one of just 25 cottages that sit secluded in lush tropical forests rumoured to hide buried treasure and a giant tortoise colony roams freely.
If you’d rather not share your slice of paradise with others, reserve your own private beach or take over an island exclusively. Take your pick of self-sufficient islands with fully serviced shorefront villas for a complete Crusoe castaway luxury beach holiday; after spending your Easter break immersed in this world, you’ll forget there is a real one to get back to.
Flight time from London: Chambery 1 hour 35 minutes, Geneva 1 hour 45 minutes
If you’re not quite ready to say goodbye to this ski season yet the high altitudes and 90 minute flight time of Val Thorens in The Three Valleys make it ideal for a long weekend of late season skiing.
Go as a group and no longer worry about having to find a piste that is suitable for everyone’s skill level, high speed lifts operate in Val Thorens, ensuring that skiiers of different proficiencies can all ski on their respective pistes and reunite for lunch.
Longer days and the extra sun at this time of year mean more time for après fun on the many terraces that line the resort. Meanwhile, families will appreciate returning to interconnecting rooms and split level suites or spacious private chalets after a day on the training slopes with their little ones.
Flight time from London: Marrakech 3 hours 30 minutes, Casablanca 3 hours
If you’re looking for an Easter weekend where you can immerse yourself in a totally different culture, consider taking the three-hour flight to Morocco’s capital Marrakech.
The short flight and lack of time difference means you can step straight off of the plane and into the commotion of Marrakech life. Haggle for bargains in souks and stroll around Djemaa el Fna, admiring musicians and acrobats before taking the chance to sample tagines and the famous sweet mint tea.
Spend sunset experiencing the spectacular views over the Atlas Mountains and remote Berber villages by hot air balloon. End the day in the enclave of a traditional riad, or escape the chaos of central Marrakech absorbed in the calm of a luxury hotel in the surrounding countryside.
We know that the Easter holidays are a popular time for families to get away together on a luxury break, so we have pulled together two family-friendly tours that give you a flavour of how much is possible - both are the ultimate in Easter breaks for families. After all, why choose to settle in just one place when you can see the best a country has to offer in one trip.
What could be more exciting than whisking the whole family away to the best Thailand has to offer? Starting in on-the-go Bangkok, rumbling tummies are satisfied with a day tour of local restaurants and street vendors – walked off only by exploring the winding streets of the city’s neighbourhoods, shrines and churches.
Travelling north, Chiang Mai, with its tranquil countryside, magnificent temples and ancient ruins, proves to be a closet adrenaline junkie. After tuk tuk tours, helicopter rides, cycling adventures, elephant greets and river rafting, little (and big) legs are going to be in need of some downtime.
Phuket enters stage left with blissful beaches just begging to be lounged upon. Getting out and about a little bit can’t be helped though, especially when there’s new ecosystems and cultures to be discovered with the kayaking tours and cooking classes.
When it comes to experiencing the great outdoors, few places rival the breadth of options a family can enjoy in South Africa.
Your escapades begin in the country’s vibrant capital Cape Town, climb Table Mountain as a family and help your little ones spot penguins at boulders beach on a Cape Peninsula Tour. Tired explorers will love ending the day with an African bedtime story in the library at Cape Grace.
Next, head to the coast and take a private boat trip out on the waters to see how many of the Marine Big 5 (Cape fur seals, bottlenose dolphins, great white sharks, colonies of the endangered African penguins and the southern right whales) you can spot.
Finish your journey around South Africa with a stay in a cottage on one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms, Babylonstoren. Wile away the afternoon cycling around vineyards or canoeing on the farm’s dam, before sampling farm-to-table cuisine from a seasonal menu designed around garden-fresh produce.
Take me thereThis is just a taste of what we can offer families this Easter, learn more about our luxury family holidays and discover the perfect escape for you and your loved ones here.