Stuck in a holiday rut? Too afraid to take off for adventure with little ones in tow? Then fear not as help is most definitely at hand.
It’s Tiny Travelship to the rescue. Run by two mums in the know, this rather wonderful, independent travel company is taking family holidays to the next level - with handpicked, parent pleasing picks that cater for little ones too.
Read on for their round up of the top, tried and tested destinations across Europe to try this summer and beyond.
Tiny Adventures
Hi there. At Tiny Travelship we’re here to prove that your love of travel is one thing you do not need to sacrifice with a babe in tow.
From a Spanish sanctuary with hands on help, to a design-led holistic hideaway in Crete and a boho beach club in Greece, parents are spoilt for choice this summer with fabulous holidays, guaranteed to delight the whole family.
Whether you’re looking for fully fledged facilities and 5* services, or stylish self-catering stays, Tiny Travelship has you covered with recommendations for every age and stage.
Whilst we can always find an excuse for a holiday, a postnatal pampering getaway is a near essential in our books. There will definitely come a stage when you need to factor in your tiny traveller’s needs and requirements (especially when they start to vocalise them), but for now, focus on YOU. Work out what you actually need for an enjoyable holiday. If in actuality it’s just somewhere for your baby to sleep, have a bath and sterilise your bottles, the world really is still your oyster.
For the tiniest of travellers, a helping hand can be a lot more useful than fully fledged family facilities. Parents themselves, the hosts of Caserio del Mirador - a family run Spanish sanctuary - excel at nailing the needs of mums, dads and children. Kids are more than well catered for with a pool, trampoline, sandpit, dressing up and animals to befriend, but it’s the fairy godmother-like service that really sets Caserio del Mirador apart; transforming a trip into an actual relaxing break for weary parents. The self catering apartments provide much needed space (we all know babies do not travel light), and this, combined with hotel services makes for a truly unique home from home experience. Breakfast is delivered to your room each morning, whilst dinner dishes up a veritable mediterranean feast, freshly cooked for you by the owners themselves. In a stroke of genius, all apartments are within baby monitor (which are handily provided) range of the communal outdoor dining space, and an early tea is put on for tiny tummies. All parents know what a luxury it is to be able to eat with two hands and your attention fully on your dinner date, but the spoiling treatment doesn't stop there - well-deserved massages and facials can be arranged for adults, whilst tots are kept entertained by the baby-whisperer-like hosts.
For life in the lap of luxury check into Crete’s Daios Cove, a 5* hotel reinventing the traditional All Inclusive. With a wealth of wellness treatments on offer at the world-class spa, to-fly-for fine dining and an insta iconic pool, at first glance you’d be forgiven for thinking this Grecian getaway was adults-only, but that’s far from the case. Daios Cove is impeccably designed for travellers big and small who enjoy the finer things in life. Unlike at a lot of hotels, the crèche at Daios Cove welcomes tiny travellers from as young as 4 months and parents are never made to feel out of place in the serene surroundings. You can't go wrong with room choice at Daios Cove, with even the entry level rooms boasting open plan living spaces, blissfully private balconies and bathtubs (all music to parent’s ears). Families will love the villas, which come pre-prepared with all parental paraphernalia you could possibly need (freeing up more room in the suitcase for you!). Opt for a room, suite or villa with a private pool for the golden sunbathing mama: snoozing baby, monitor stretch. Guests of the villas and suites benefit from the all inclusive residents club package and the gastronomic dining cannot be praised highly enough.
If your Tiny Traveller is in their own room at home, it can be helpful to look for places with separate sleeping spaces. There’s nothing worse than being a prisoner to your baby’s naps on holiday. This doesn’t need to be a suite with a second bedroom, you can make a nursery out of a walk-in wardrobe or even a super large bathroom. Access to kitchens can also be a godsend for weaning. Homestays really come into their own for this age group.
Picture the scene: you’re sunbathing by a glistening pool in sweetly scented surrounds, rosé in hand, whilst your tiny traveller is peacefully napping inside your delightfully decorated apartment a short baby monitor stretch away. Daydreams become reality at Le Mas Des Oules, a former farm and winery that has been lovingly transformed into 8 tres chic (and affordable) self catering stays in Provence. Contemporary décor and traditional farmhouse fixtures compliment each other on the inside, where you’re treated to exposed beams, calming interiors and all your creature comforts - including fully equipped kitchens and plenty of room (not just in the bedroom) for the cot. Outside the serene stone walls you’ll find a fenced infinity pool, giant chess board, pétanque court and plenty of outdoor space, shared with farmyard animals for tiny travellers to befriend. A baker visits every day with freshly made baguettes, croissants and pain au chocolat – c’est délicieux!
On a picturesque, private, sandy beach on the western tip of the Algarve, Martinhal Sagres is the definition of a family holiday without compromise. This is much more than your traditional family-focused hotel. Yes, the facilities are faultless, with 5 Kids Clubs welcoming tots to teens, daily football and watersports aplenty, but the real magic of Martinhal Sagres lies in the attention to detail to parents as adults. A masterclass in design-led babyproofing, the decor manages to be sleek, contemporary and functional - think curved edges on tables and comfortable seating. The food is delicious for all ages, and each on-site restaurant has an activity corner where kids can colour in or read books, supervised by childminders. There’s a sanctuary-like spa, tennis courts and gym, plus babysitters can be arranged. Whether you’re looking for an ocean view suite or spacious self-catering villa, there are a variety of room choices available. Make use of the genius baby concierge service for hassle free packing - you can pre-order anything and everything from nappies and toiletries to prams and carriers.
You’ve now reached the turning point when holidays need to start incorporating your tiny travellers needs a little more - especially when they start verbalising what they want! Look for places with plenty of on-site activities and space for little legs to roam.
Feuerstein Nature Family Resort
A parent pleasing spa hotel with 70 hours of complimentary childcare a week. Sound like the dream? Feuerstein Nature Family Resort, home to Europe’s first family spa, delivers a dose of bucolic bliss for all ages in the majestic mountains of South Tyrol in Italy. Complimentary childcare starts from newborn, and all you need to pack for your little ones is their clothes – everything else from nappies to nightlights are provided. Along with their own personal spa (complete with waterslides and saunas), tiny travellers are kept busy with a climbing wall and wood workshop, high ropes and hiking, plus pony rides and petting zoos. Parents won’t be disappointed by the delicious dining or wine tasting sessions either.
Tiny travellers are spoilt for entertainment choice inside and out at Casa Pineta - an impeccably designed 4 bed house steps from the shores of Elba Island’s Marina di Campo in Tuscany. Children are treated to a treasure trove of toys in their aesthetically pleasing playroom, plus there is a 7000 square foot playground a short stroll away, with trampolines, bouncy castles and electric cars for kids to ride. It can be hard to find beachfront holiday homes (hotels normally dominate sandy scenes), but Casa Pineta is steps from the crystal clear shores. Elba may not be the most well known beach break destination, but as the third largest Italian island (after Sicily and Sardinia), it’s one we highly recommend. There’s a beach for all tastes; from tiny coves and long stretches to sugar white sands or striking black pebbles. Summer holidays aside, it’s also the perfect destination for some out of season sunshine. Make the most of not yet being tied to school holidays and hot foot it over to Casa Pineta in May or October for balmy temperatures and cheaper prices.
The terrible twos aside, parents can rejoice that tiny travellers are now welcomed into a lot more kids clubs - hello some adult only alone time. Gone are the days of zoned out or overstimulated children watching a singing mascot, hotels have really upped their game recently with nursery-level offerings designed to educate and inspire.
As you would expect from a member of Design Hotels, Cretan Malia Park takes aesthetically pleasing to a whole new level, with enviable interiors stretching to the eco-aware Kids Club. The curated programme of activities include cookery lessons, using vegetables picked from the mini organic garden, and an environmental space designed to spark conversations and little imaginations. The heavenly decor continues in the breezy, beautiful suites and bungalows, boasting plant prints, rattan furniture, geometric tiles and copper elements. Outside, there’s plenty of shallow splash-friendly sections for children in the riverstyle main pool and closeby sumptuous sun loungers for adults and snoozing babies. Families who stay here tend to be very like minded; parents seeking a relaxing holiday big on style who make sure their children are on their best behaviour. As such the ambience is surprisingly peaceful for somewhere with so many tiny travellers in tow.
Combining the privacy and space of villa living with the amenities of a 5* resort, The Peligoni Club in Greece expertly caters for those who care about style, sublime sustenance and chic childcare. The expertly run crèche starts from 4 months old, and is supported with an impressive roster of activities for all ages from tots to teens. Things are done a little differently at Peligoni. There’s no accommodation on-site, instead guests choose from a range of serviced villas surrounding the club. This is no copy + paste job. Individually owned, all of the villas are different in character. There’s something to suit everyone’s aesthetic taste, from the architecturally striking to the romantic, charming and authentic.
Head to tinytravelship.com for more parent pleasing properties, all visited and verified by a fellow family. Filter holidays by the age of your children, weaning and sleeping requirements and distance from the airport, as well as the details important to you. Plus, follow on Instagram for daily inspiration, itineraries, insider reviews and the chance to share your own recommendations.
We hope this lovely read has inspired you to take the trip, be brave and adventure far and wide with your tiny travel buddies.
Our travel edit is ready and waiting to be explored, whatever your destination. Whether its a winter retreat or a sunny adventure you're planning, we have everything to kit out mini jet setters and keep them entertained, wherever you choose to roam.
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Happy Travels x
