Family Travel Guide to Spring Break with the Kids 2025

Italy

The Amalfi Coast is sometimes deemed unsuitable for young children—unless you know where to go.

Italy is undoubtedly one of the most glamorous places in the world, with a rich culture, excellent cuisine, and a vibrant fashion scene, but it is not pretentious in the slightest, which is perhaps one of the many reasons it continues to top bucket lists (there is, of course, the spectacular natural beauty, too, from the mountains of the Alps down to the sandy shores of Sicily).

“Known for our deep love of family, children are warmly embraced in restaurants, hotels, and public spaces throughout Italy,” explains Marina Cacciapuoti, the Florentine co-founder of Italy Segreta. (This applies equally in convivial piazzas and upscale establishments alike.)

And then there is the culture and history. “Children can’t help but learn through osmosis and absorb it,” says Emily Fitzroy, founder of Bellini Travel. “Even on beach holidays on Capri or the Amalfi Coast and Sicily, you are never more than a few minutes away from a Roman or Greek temple or a mosaic that is thousands of years old and is something that they can touch with their own hands.”

As for where to stay? “We tend to avoid family resorts like the plague, instead opting for wonderful hotels that welcome children with open arms such as the Grand Hotel Tremezzo on Lake Como, the Santa Caterina in Amalfi, and the Villa Igiea in Palermo,” Fitzroy says.

Palazzo Avino.

Even though the Amalfi Coast is not typically recommended for children under 10 (the steep terrain is the main reason for that), Santa Caterina welcomes children of all ages, as does Palazzo Avino in Ravello, another iconic spot with a beach club that has direct access to the Tyrrhenian Sea. With candy-pink parasols, blooming bougainvillea, and vintage ice cream carts surrounding the pool areas, Palazzo Avino looks like an AI-generated picture of a little girl’s dream resort. (Extra points for the pianist at aperitivo hour who will happily take your kid’s Frozen-themed song requests.)

Another reason to craft an itinerary around the Amalfi Coast: its proximity to Capri, which is accessible via private boat or ferry in less than an hour (American Airlines also has a new direct flight from JFK to Naples, and an airport concierge service that is an absolute game-changer for families travelling with a lot of luggage). The Oetker Collection’s Hotel La Palma is the new hot kid in town with a fabulous rooftop restaurant, Bianca, a pool with inflatable rings, lemon-painted backpacks and bucket hats for kids, and a polished collection of suites and interconnecting rooms. Another family-friendly option on Capri is the Quisisana (or simply Quisi to those in the know), which has been the center of the action forever.

France

Thanks to hotels like Château de la Messardière, St.-Tropez is now as fun for kids as it is for adults.

St.-Tropez has long been renowned as a luxurious adult playground, with its superyachts, Michelin-starred restaurants, and free-flowing champagne, but hotels in the region are attracting a new generation of jetsetters, with substantial investments in children’s facilities and accommodations designed for multigenerational groups.

Airelles Château de la Messardière is a prime example, with a kids’ club so elaborate it could rival an actual theme park. It has everything you could imagine: a music center stocked with instruments, a farm, a dress-up station, an arcade with photo booths and games, a private cinema, a treehouse, trampolines, a pool with mini sun loungers, and a robust schedule of classes, including cricket, water polo, cooking, and nature safaris.

Sensitive to noise? Fear not—the kids’ club is far removed from the main building, nestled in its own private section. Getting there is an exciting adventure, too, with a Disney-style choo-choo train that transports young guests back and forth from the lobby (adults, on the other hand, get chauffeured around in Rolls-Royce Cullinans).

The team has also thought of virtually everything to make children feel at home, with teepee tents and dedicated playrooms in some of the suites, gifts from famed French toy brand, Moulin Roty, and a variety of refreshments on arrival (vegetable puree for babies, fruit platters and macarons for toddlers). Every need is anticipated, so you can leave the bulky equipment at home and relax knowing that all will be sorted. Last year, the property added 11 spacious new suites and a four-bedroom private villa, creating even more family-friendly options.

The kids’ club at Airelles Château de la Messardière.

Further down the coast is a Riviera OG: Four Seasons’ Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, which will soon unveil a brand new kids’ club. The property has also enhanced its accommodations with palatial private villas and a show-stopping new penthouse that opened last August. And to further enable kids to get into the Côte d’Azur spirit, a range of mini supercars—Lamborghini, Maserati, Mercedes G-Wagons—are available for them to zip around in.

While you’re in the area, head up to the medieval village of Eze. Situated in the ruins of a 12th-century castle, it resembles a scene in a fairytale, with cobblestoned lanes, quaint boutiques, and artisan candy shops. In fact, Walt Disney himself was so captivated by its unique beauty that he convinced the owner of La Chèvre d’Or (then a restaurant and villa) to create a hotel. Today, it is a haven of historic charm and modern sophistication towering 400 meters above the Mediterranean. The grounds are enchanting, with an open-air museum featuring sculptures of zoo animals, fountains, and outdoor chess amid exotic gardens. The new Michelin-starred restaurant helmed by Tom Meyer, France’s chef du jour, is one of the most imaginative fine dining experiences along the coast. Meanwhile, over in Roquebrune-Cap Martin, the Maybourne Riviera just may be the most extravagant hotel to open in the region in decades. It has a separate beach club and restaurant, Maybourne La Plage, nestled between Monte-Carlo and the Italian border, that is open to non-hotel guests and where kids can enjoy pizza and crudité and jump off the jetty straight into the Mediterranean.

While many airlines fly directly to Nice during the spring, Paris is only an hour flight away—might as well, right? You could go to Disneyland Paris for a day, or, to really spoil the kids, head to Versailles to stay on the grounds at Airelles Le Grand Contrôle, where you can live like Marie Antoinette surrounded by towers of Ladurée macarons and sumptuous spreads. The biggest draw of course is the private after-hours tours of the palace.

Copenhagen

The Nimb Hotel in Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen’s top attraction for kids.

Denmark is consistently ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world, and it’s easy to see why (hygge, anyone?). It’s visually stunning, too, with pristine cities where you can explore historic monuments, royal palaces, and state-of-the-art Scandinavian design.

The capital city of Copenhagen has been recognized by UNESCO for its architecture, its intelligent approach to urban design, and its focus on sustainability. Innovation is the MO, and there are plenty of examples of that, from the Copenhagen Opera House to the Black Diamond (an extension of the Royal Danish Library).

Children will especially love the legendary Tivoli Gardens, a theme park that originally opened in 1843. There are the vibrantly colored vintage rides, which look like they have been plucked from a Wes Anderson film, plus 30 eateries and a calendar of ballet and theater performances and concerts. Set within the grounds is Nimb Hotel, renowned as one of the most family-friendly five-star establishments in the city. Guests receive complimentary admission and multi-ride tickets, and the rooms are filled with children’s amenities and gifts. Also great is D’Angleterre, the city’s grande dame, which is especially magical over Easter, thanks to elaborate decorations and a plethora of seasonal confections by a master chocolatier.

There are many things to do in Copenhagen, so prioritize. “Families on walking tours in major cities find it extremely beneficial to request a private local guide, one who can allow for quality family time and even accommodate special adventures to keep kids entertained—think gelato pit stops in the best local places,” says Livia Angelini, senior Europe travel specialist for Scott Dunn. Another tip: “Ensure you have a sturdy stroller for stubborn cobblestone streets or tough sidewalks.” (More on that below.)

Florida

According to flight booking data, three out of the top four most booked domestic destinations for spring break are in Florida. Orlando takes the #1 spot, obviously, thanks to Disney World. The consensus is clear: the place to stay is Four Seasons Resort Orlando, which is located within one of the four parks. People who rave about it say their kids quite literally had the time of their lives, meeting all of their favorite characters at breakfast and splashing around at Explorer Island, a five-acre water park. Hotel guests receive perks too, including Extra Magic Hours at the four theme parks and an extended booking window for FastPass+ to secure coveted time slots for popular rides and attractions.

If you’re in the market for something a little more relaxing, head to the Surf Club, the Four Seasons property near Miami. There is a dedicated family pool with mini sun loungers and lawn games, and if you book a cabana (all of which have private bathrooms with showers), you can base yourself there for the day—the friendly staff will bring in pack’n plays (#IYKYK). For dining, Winston’s is the most laidback, but children are also welcome at Lido and the Surf Club Restaurant by Thomas Keller. The hotel also has a robust list of family-centric amenities, from the well-equipped rooms (stocked with things like baby bathrobes and bottle warmers) to the kids’ club, where the caregivers are so amazing many New Yorkers have been known to try and poach them as live-in nannies.

The kids’ club at the Surf Club, a Four Seasons Hotel.

Palm Beach is another lovely option for families to visit in the spring before the humidity becomes overbearing. Over recent years, there has been an influx of lively restaurants and new hotels (the soon-to-open Vineta, from Oetker Collection, is on everyone’s radar), infusing the town with a fresh and youthful energy. The most family-friendly hotel remains, undoubtedly, the Breakers, situated right on the beach with every amenity—for kids and adults alike—that you can think of. The Colony Hotel (otherwise known as the ‘Pink Paradise’) is another PB icon that welcomes children and conveniently has 14 chic, uniquely designed residences with private kitchens.

The Caribbean

The amenities on Jumby Bay Island in Antigua.

For East Coasters, the Caribbean is low-hanging fruit (in a good way): you can take off in the morning and be on a beach with a cocktail in hand by lunch. Plus, no jarring time zone changes or long-haul flights required, so it’s especially a godsend if you have younger children on rigid nap schedules.

Since the aim with any island vacation is to stay put and embrace a more relaxed rhythm, where you stay is key. Excellent options for families abound, with many resorts having unveiled new suites, villas, and residences in recent years to meet a rising demand for accommodations for multigenerational groups. “Family-friendly destinations, particularly those in seaside or lakeside locations, are seeing even higher suite demand, with growth rates of more than 50% as compared to 2024,” says Shannon Knapp, president and CEO of Leading Hotels of the World.

At Amanyara on Turks & Caicos, three of its top villas were fully refurbished in December 2023, including the Artists’ Villa, one of the largest on property, complete with a recording studio and a 100-foot private infinity pool. There is now an expansive new wellness center with a steam room, reformer Pilates machine, and a cold plunge pool. The property also has one of the most elaborate kids’ centers in the region, with a science camp run in partnership with Miami’s Frost Museum. Children ages 5 to 14 can explore the Nature Discovery Center, and learn about the conservation of native wildlife and the surrounding ecological environment. All ages can partake in the sailing academy and swim camps, and take kitesurfing lessons, while older kids can sign up for more adventurous activities, including GoPro underwater photography expeditions, mangrove safaris, and seabob tours. There are junior chef classes and pizza-making sessions available, too.

A suite at the Rosewood Le Guanahani.

Over on St. Bart’s, virtually all of the resorts have undergone major renovations (a necessity due to Hurricane Irma) and have unveiled spacious new accommodations that are perfect for families, like the candy-colored cottages at Rosewood Le Guanahani or the 7,000-square-foot Villa de France at Cheval Blanc. Other OG resorts—Le Sereno, Eden Rock, and Le Toiny—have upgraded their suites and villas, too, along with elevating their range of amenities and dining options. One of the biggest draws of the island may be that it has more going on than your typical Caribbean destination, with beach clubs (we’re partial to Nikki Beach, Gyp Sea, La Guerite, and Shellona), chic boutiques, and scenic hiking trails.

But if you really want to lean into the island time mentality and not even have to think about signing a check, consider Jumby Bay in Antigua. It is the most luxurious all-inclusive imaginable, with an epic kids’ club and a variety of fun water activities, from paddle-boarding to snorkeling. Its villas and suites have also been redone with all of the contemporary conveniences you could ever need, though we would argue that for young jetsetters, simply having ice cream and pizza on tap and spending their days splashing around in the ocean will likely be more than enough entertainment.

The Packing List

Best Flight Vest

Baby B’ Air Flight Vest Infant

Best Travel Stroller

Silver Cross Jet 5 Compact Stroller

Best Travel Monitor

Nanit Baby Monitor + Flex Stand

Best Googles

Bling 2O Swimming Goggles

Best Snacks

Cerebelly Carrot Date Smart Bars

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Best Neck Pillow

BCOZZY Kids Travel Pillow

Best Resortwear

Zimmerman Wylie Kids Frill Playsuit

Best Entertainment

Best Backpack

Stoney Clover Lane Mini Backpack