10 multi-gen holidays to bring the whole family together

From grandparents to grandkids, the best family holidays are the ones everyone can enjoy.

Getting the whole family together isn’t always easy, but the right choice of holiday can make it feel effortless. These special destinations offer something for every generation, with plenty of memories to be made along the way.

1. Family fun in Anaheim

Angels stadium — Angel Stadium is one of the most iconic ballparks in Major League Baseball. (Credit: Ty Newcomb)

Walt Disney’s famous theme park put Anaheim on the world map – and many Aussie parents dream of taking their family to Disneyland one day. Bring Nan and Pop along for the trip, too – there’s plenty more to do in Anaheim aside from riding rollercoasters and meeting Disney princesses. Cheer on the Los Angeles Angels at a baseball game, grab a bite from the many merchants at the Anaheim Packing District, tee off at one of the area’s golf courses, soak up the Cali sun at nearby Huntington Beach and add Knott’s Berry Farm to the theme-park rotation.

2. Snorkel in Tahiti

It’s music to every parent’s ear: Air Tahiti Nui will fly direct from Sydney to the paradise of French Polynesia from 14 December, shaving two hours off the journey. Before long, you’ll be swapping screens for snorkels, exploring Bora Bora’s calm lagoons, paddleboarding across Raiatea’s crystal-clear waters and spotting rays and reef sharks by boat. Staying dry, families can venture into Tahiti’s lush mountain valleys on a 4WD safari or seek out hidden waterfalls along easy hiking trails.

3. A New Zealand snow holiday

The Remarkables ski destination — The Remarkables ski area is beginner and kid-friendly. (Credit: Getty/Cuhrig)

We all held our breath as the Australian snow season got off to a painfully slow start this year, while our neighbours across the ditch were already carving the slopes. With higher altitudes and expansive mountain ranges, New Zealand enjoys more reliable snowfall, making it a great alternative for skiing families. Just 40 minutes from beautiful Queenstown, The Remarkables offers free skiing for kids aged five and under, along with a wide beginner area. Further north, Wānaka is the gateway to the country’s largest ski areas including Cardrona Alpine Resort, which has excellent learner slopes and is renowned for its childcare and ski school.

4. An extra-special family safari in Kenya

cheetah in safari — The mighty cheetah is a safari highlight.

Multi-gen holidays are fast becoming a popular way to celebrate milestones, from wedding anniversaries to big birthdays. This private safari experience is set within a 17,000-hectare conservancy in Kenya, where elusive black (melanistic) leopards and endangered African wild dogs roam. Set to open mid-2027, andBeyond Suyian Homestead is an exquisite property that comprises five suites and blends seamlessly into its granite surroundings. Your family will have a dedicated team of staff, private guides and safari vehicles, allowing each day to unfold around the needs of a multi-generational group rather than a fixed schedule. A meaningful celebration, indeed.

5. K-Pop and cafe-hopping in South Korea

Go-karting in Seoul — Go-karting in the streets of Seoul. (Credit: Unsplash/Andrea De Santis)

Any parent knows that, for a holiday to be a winner, you need to strike the right balance between fun for the kids and adult interests. InsideAsia Tours’ South Korea Family Adventure has taken on the challenge, with a 12-day customisable itinerary designed with teens in mind. They’ll love e-biking through Seoul, learning K-pop choreography and trying their hand at taekwondo, while Korean cooking classes, colourful markets and the unique culture of Jeju Island will tick the box for adults. It’s an ideal mix of hands-on experiences, culture and adventure that keeps a smile on everyone’s face.

6. Icy adventures in the Arctic and Antarctica

polar plunge at Intrepid Explorers — Let your kids take the polar plunge.

Places like the Arctic and the White Continent are a lifelong dream for many travellers – but imagine experiencing them through the eyes of a curious child. Aurora Expeditions has turned these destinations into outdoor classrooms with its Young Adventurers program, where children can spot whales in icy waters or penguins on ice floes, zip along remote coastlines in a Zodiac and even take a polar plunge. With marine biologists, glaciologists and expedition guides onboard, families can dive deep into some of the world’s wildest environments together, inspiring a deeper appreciation for the natural world and creating an experience you’ll bond over for years to come.

7. Christmas in Finnish Lapland

reindeer at Santa Claus village — Meet the reindeers of Santa Claus village. (Credit: Getty Images/Serts)

Imagine your kids telling their wide-eyed friends they’ve been to the ‘real’ home of Santa Claus. A festive journey north to Finnish Lapland, deep inside the Arctic Circle, is pure childhood magic. Snuggle into a cosy log cabin, race through snow-dusted pine forests on a husky sled, build snowmen, unwind in a traditional Finnish sauna and keep watch for the northern lights dancing across the sky. And, of course, spend time at Santa Claus Village, where kids can meet his reindeers and elves before hand-delivering their Christmas lists to the big man himself.

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8. A grand tour of Italy

Italian pizza is always a hit with kids. (Credit: Unsplash/Daiga Ellaby)

Don’t let the naysayers put you off a long-haul trip to Europe with kids. Sure, they may tire of ancient ruins and ornate churches – but combine the history and culture you crave with the movement and play they need and you’ll have a holiday to remember. Italy is a winner for families, with a mix of coast, culture and cuisine you know they’ll enjoy – hello, gelato and pizza! Explore Worldwide has designed an eight-day tour along the stunning Amalfi Coast that has both parents and children in mind, with pizza and pasta making, kayaking, scenic walks, plenty of pool and beach time, plus an optional visit to Pompeii.

9. A surf experience in Hawai‘i

The legendary swells on O‘ahu’s North Shore are notoriously intimidating even for the most seasoned surfers. But families visiting Hawai‘i for the first time can now learn to hang 10 during a lesson with native Hawaiian pro surfer Kekoa Cazimero as part of the Nalu Surf Experience at Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina. The half-day experience includes sessions at Wai Kai (pictured), Hawai‘i’s first and only deep-water standing surf wave, where beginners learn to spring to their feet before hitting the beach. Off the board, afternoons on the island’s leeward (western) coast mean shave ice and poke bowls by the lagoon.

10. Adrenaline onboard Legend of the Seas

The Legend of the Seas — *Legend of the Seas* boasts adrenaline-pumping thrills.

Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas is hard to beat when it comes to family holidays. The gigantic ship is packed with fun, boasting the largest waterpark at sea, seven pools, a FlowRider surf simulator, mini golf, rock climbing, laser tag and dedicated kids’ and teen programs. When it’s time to slow down, families can share a meal at one of 28 eateries before settling in for a Broadway-style show or ice-skating performance. From November 2026, Legend of the Seas will cruise through the Caribbean – tropical white-sand beaches, abundant marine life, colourful towns and tasty Latin cuisine are all on the agenda.

This article is part of International Traveller’s 100 Holidays You Deserve round-up. Visit the special 100 Holidays You Deserve hub to find inspiring adventures for every travel type.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

10 family & multi-gen holidays to bring the whole gang together