Thousands of families take well-deserved summer holidays when school is out. But for couples, singletons or even parents who prefer to keep away from other people’s kids, the prospect of spending their own time off surrounded by shrieking babies and over-energetic toddlers probably doesn’t sound like fun.
Luckily, though, there are a few ways to dodge children, even at the height of holiday season.
Go on a cruise
Upscale luxury liners, small ship expeditions and some larger cruise ships all offer adult-only options. Another way to avoid families on a non-adult only trip is to book a long cruise. Long cruises are far less likely to be booked by families, generally attracting a more mature crowd.
Location
Disneyland attracts families, exotic locations such as Machu Picchu less so. Choosing where to go can make a big difference to the likelihood of families with young children being present. Alaska, Canada and Tahiti are all good examples, but it is ultimately down to the specific destination as to whether it is likely to be attractive to families or not.
Read: How to keep happy holiday vibes alive
Join an escorted tour
From ticking off a bucket-list adventure to indulging in a niche hobby, hundreds of guided group tours are typically child free.
Flights
It is difficult to avoid tantrums and flailing limbs that accompany the presence of small children on a plane, but all is not lost. There are a small number of Asian airlines that are now offering child-free zones, and it looks like the rest of the world will follow suit in years to come, especially as frequent fliers have said they would pay for the privilege of a quiet flight!
In the meantime, avoid seats at the back of the plane near the loos. These seats also give parents extra time to pack everything up as other passengers disembark. On long haul flights, families are often near the bulkhead as this is where the cots are.
Accommodation
There are several tour operators that offer an adult-only experience, but if you are off on an adventure and don’t want an exclusive resort experience, you need to find accommodation that doesn’t attract families.
Boutique bed and breakfasts, upmarket hotels and historic inns all attract a more grown-up demographic. Avoid budget chains, as this is where families often head for a bargain break. The best advice is to check the website – if they offer deals for families or kids, or you can see they have children’s facilities, then this is not the place for you!
Read: Five expert tips to help you switch off on holiday
Choose a hotel with adult zones
In reality, it’s probably impossible to completely escape families. But there are properties with dedicated areas for grown-ups.
Tourist attractions
Similar to finding the right accommodation, when it comes to sightseeing and indulging in some cultural activities, choose places and tours that will attract a more grown-up crowd. Art galleries, brewery tours, museums, boutique shopping and the like are less likely to have hoards of children about.
Beaches
As a general rule of thumb, the more remote a beach is, and the fewer facilities it has, the less likely there will be families there.
Cafes, restaurants, shops, showers, and most importantly restrooms with changing facilities all combine to attract a family crowd, and a crowd in general – it just makes life a little easier.
Read: Enjoy the mental health benefits of a holiday
Divide your time
Even mums and dads need a break from their kids sometimes. Families who want to factor a little time apart into their holidays should choose a resort with good kids’ club facilities.
Do you try to avoid children when booking holidays? Let us know your tips in the comments section below.
– With PA
