Wanted: a holiday 3.5-4 hours away that feels ‘different’ (but safe for kids)

[gertinthebackofthevan]

I'm fortunate to have done a lot of longer distance travelling when younger but now with kids we just don’t have the courage to go for a longer haul flight with a toddler ….my nerves would be shredded.

So

Where are some places that feel culturally different or geographically really different… but aren’t actually that far away (3.5-4 hours flight max) …but that would also be suitable for kids?

Places I’ve been for example that might fit this are:

-Bosnia (felt culturally different)
-Iceland (otherworldly landscapes)

Any other ideas from those more travelled than me?
If it makes any difference we are fairly familiar with eastern Europe already.

Italy. Lake Garda is nice. Hire a car. Explore a bit. Placate the children with ice cream. Italians usually like children

Sicily? Morocco? Egypt? What are you hoping to do with the children when they are there? How old are they? Maybe Eurocamp would be a totally different cultural experience?

Morocco

We love Lanzarote- volcanic beaches, volcano and all the Cesar Manrique curated gardens (inc. Cactus garden)

Venice ….even a small child will be fascinated.

Canaries, Sicily, Morocco (wouldn't take very little ones to the last one)

We took ours to Marrakesh. It felt really different. Wasn't 100% about safety but it was a real experience then still speak about 18 years later.

Morocco !
I’ve only been to tangier which isn’t very toddler friendly but I believe there are some nice resorts on the coast

La Palma. Hire a car and explore the island. It’s really interesting and completely different to the other Canary Islands. .

Morocco. Feels like going back in time (in a magical way).

Estonia?

Marrakech here too. DCs were 6 and 3.5 (kept younger one mostly in buggy around the medina). Was great, they loved it. I’ve read about hassle but we didn’t get any - perhaps they leave families alone.

Would recommend staying outside the Medina though just for some more space to run around and peace. We stayed at Fawakay Villas but there’s lots of options now.

I was going to say Morocco too. My 4 year old loved it. Otherwise Greece, Istanbul, Finland.

Some other ideas

Granada (Alhambra)
The crazy Gaudi buildings in Barcelona
Santorini (out of high season)
Carcassone or Tuscan hill towns like San gimignano

Sicily.
Stay in Syracuse
Go up Etna
visit here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villa_Romana_del_Casale

My friend and I took our 5 kids to Marrakesh when they were a little older than yours. We all absolutely loved it as it's probably one of the nearest places you can fly that had such a different culture. We spent 3 days in Marrakesh in a riad which the kids loved then 3 nights at a hotel with a pool about 3 mins outside Marrakesh. It was run by an English couple. Amazing and all the kids still remember it now.

Austrian Alps - amazing landscapes, different foods, loads of activities for kids, great weather in the summer

@minipie we stayed at Fawakay too. I was trying to remember the bake. Thankyou!

*name

Iceland is great. Kids will love it but I would advise going in the winter to get the full experience.

Faroe Islands are fantastic. Not on a lot of people’s itinerary but for somewhere so close to the UK you really do feel like you are in the middle of nowhere. Stay in Torshavn and hire a car. The scenery is stunning.

Greek islands - you can hop on a ferry after a few days on each island and move onto the next

Thank you all, these are great. Looking forward to researching them.

I’d recommend Eleonas in Crete, stunning location, loads to explore and a great place to stay with children

The Azores
The Alps
Sicily

Lanzarote! The scenery is beautiful and even in the main resorts it’s quite picturesque as no high rises.