Greece and other child-friendly European holiday destinations

The makings of a perfect family holiday are deceptively simple. Water – ideally pool and beach – is key, as is freedom of choice.

Savvy travellers who don't want to be shackled by hotel schedules choose villa rentals or self-catering accommodation with select, hotel-like services such as an on-site restaurant or kids' club. Home to some of Europe's most affordable eateries and accommodation, Greece is the poster child for such family-friendly places to stay.

It also has a pristine coastline and an endless choice of islands, all offering a traditionally welcoming attitude to children, plus the requisite amount of cultural attractions with "wow" factor to entice small people off the beach for a few hours.

The mainland's Peloponnese peninsula is often overshadowed by the luminous resorts of the Greek islands. More's the pity. A couple of hours' drive from Athens, families will find such lost-in-time harbour towns as Nafplio.

Nafplio is home to picture-book perfect castles built by Turks and Venetians, tranquil beaches with safe, gently raking shores and independent, family-run accommodation.

The surrounding area is also rich in UNESO-listed classical sites that need little interpretation. Don't miss magnificent Epidaurus, a 14,000-seat, 54-tier amphitheatre whose extraordinary acoustics still serve regular shows.

If the pull of the archipelago is too strong, give in to the lush island of Corfu. Direct flight access has made southern towns such as Kavos a draw for party people, but head north to find the rugged coves and quiet, forest-backed beaches that inspired My Family and Other Animals author, Gerald Durrell, during his childhood here in the 1930s.

Spain 

Experience the "real" Andalucia and really great watersports on the Costa de la Luz. Fly into historic Seville and it's just 90-minutes' drive to this unspoilt string of wide, white-sand, pine-backed beaches and natural reserves including Doñana National Park, home to such kiddie-pleasing endangered beasties as lynx and imperial eagles. Families who base themselves between Cádiz and Tarifa will find whitewashed villages with child-friendly self-catering and small hotels, plus infinite opportunities to kite and windsurf along Atlantic shores.

Italy

Fly to Sardinia's southern port of Cagliari - a buzzing Phoenician and Roman-settled city with rollercoaster sea-view ramparts - for quick access to some of the finest bays on this beach-blessed island. Follow experienced Italian travellers east to the private villas and child-focused resorts of Villasimius and Costa Rei, where you can stick a pin in a map and find a perfect stretch of pristine silica, impossible aquamarine waters and happy travellers charmed by affordable family-friendly restaurants and an easy-going, truly Italian beach-beautiful lifestyle.

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