Favourite Places for Your 2026 Vacation Planning, Away from the Mainstream
For your 2026 vacation planning, we’ve gathered travel ideas that have moved us most as a family. Places where adventure and ease go hand in hand. The kind of places where you lose track of what day it is because you’re too busy soaking up new impressions. From surfing the Atlantic waves to exploring dripstone caves and mountain playgrounds, all the way to small road trips filled with good food and a spirit of discovery.
All of these destinations show that you don’t have to travel far or chase trends to find real family happiness. These are places that blend curiosity with calm, nature with style, and offer just the right amount of freedom. And the best part: you can add every single one of them straight to your 2026 vacation planning.
1. Brittany: Where the Sea and Light Become a Stage
In Brittany, every day follows its own rhythm — the rhythm of the tides. When the sea pulls back and reveals entire landscapes of shells and rocks, you understand why everything here moves a little slower, yet feels so much more intense.
Our favourite route leads from the legendary Mont Saint-Michel to Dinard and on to the Pink Granite Coast. A dream for families is Into the Prairie, a collection of stylish holiday homes full of soul. Host Liz delivers croissants, homemade granola, and scones to your doorstep each morning. Kids play in the garden, parents unwind in the sauna, and everyone feels it: this is the true Brittany vibe.
2. Sörenberg: Family Adventures at the Reka Holiday Village
Right in the heart of the UNESCO Entlebuch Biosphere lies Sörenberg, surrounded by high moors and the impressive Brienzer Rothorn. This is pure nature at its best. The Reka Holiday Village Sörenberg feels tailor-made for families. Mountain lift rides are included, the apartments come with a sauna, there’s a large treetop-themed playground outside, and a giant indoor sandpit waiting inside.
In summer, the Mooraculum Rossweid calls — an adventure playground full of water swings and wooden walkways that looks like a nature cinema. Evenings mean marshmallows by the fire pit and the feeling of having arrived in a small, wild world.
3. Wilder Kaiser: Between Alpine Meadows and Adventure Trails
The Wilder Kaiser is one of those places where families can truly feel what freedom means. At Hexenwasser Söll, kids build marble runs, splash in mountain streams, and balance across wooden walkways while parents soak in the views.
Our favourite place to stay are the Chalets am Leitenhof in Scheffau — wooden houses with a natural swimming pond, a private sauna, and plenty of space to get cosy.
4. Rotterdam: City Adventures with a Water View
Rotterdam is different—modern, creative, and surprisingly kid-friendly. From the Maritime Museum to a ride on the Pancake Boat cruising past the famous harbour cranes, there’s something new to discover every day. A real highlight is spending the night on the SS Rotterdam, a former cruise ship with authentic charm and skyline views.
Our tips for families in Rotterdam
To make exploring the city effortless with kids, we recommend the Micro scooters. Kids cruise ahead relaxed and happy while parents stroll behind, admiring the modern architecture. With urbankids10 you’ll get 10% off your order. Head straight to the online shop here!
5. Road Trip Through Southern France: Small Campsites, Big Freedom
Drôme, Ardèche, and Isère are perfect for families who love nature, culture, and good food. Even without a campervan, you can stay in chalets or tiny houses surrounded by olive trees and rivers.
Kayaking on the Ardèche, exploring caves, admiring lavender fields, or sampling treats at the chocolate museum in Tain l’Hermitage—every day feels completely different.
The ideal travel time is between spring and autumn, especially with kids of kindergarten age and up.
6. Pfronten: Between Glass Art, Mountains, and a Fairytale Castle
Pfronten blends alpine craftsmanship with genuine hospitality. At the Alexander Endres Glassblowing Workshop, kids create their own little works of art—an experience that truly stays with them.
Things get adventurous on an donkey hike through the valleys around Pfronten or up on Breitenberg. For the most beautiful view of Neuschwanstein Castle, head to Burg Falkenstein, where simple dishes and good drinks make it the perfect spot to end a summer day.
For the night, settle into the Hoimat Apartments, perched on the hillside with wide-open views of the Allgäu—modern, warm, and beautifully designed.
7. Portugal: Two Places, One Way of Life
Along Portugal’s Atlantic coast, lightness and pure joie de vivre meet. Between the Noah Surf House and Areias do Seixo, family life happens outdoors: kids with sand in their hair, parents with salt on their skin.
Morning yoga, surfing at midday, campfires in the evening. Both places show how sustainability, style, and family happiness go hand in hand. A family holiday in Portugal can be both wild and gentle at the same time. If you’d like to add a stop in Lisbon before or after, you’ll find plenty of tips and favourite spots in our Lisbon Guide.
8. Lana: A Place Close to the Heart, Between Fig Trees and Design
Lana in South Tyrol instantly feels like the south — warmth, flavour, and a touch of dolce vita. Families hike along the Marlinger Waalweg to Haidenhof, meet animals at Rainguthof, or wander along the Squirrel Trail. For your stay, we recommend Hotel Schwarzschmied, the family-run Im Tiefenbrunn, or the retro-style apartments at Schnitzbichlhof.
Lana is a year-round favourite that enchants in every season.
Whether you love the sea, the mountains, or charming cities – the best family trips happen where curiosity, lightness, and togetherness come together.
Have fun browsing and getting inspired for your 2026 vacation planning.
