Every holiday should be an escape from the every day and a voyage into the new so we’re always looking for inventive ways to make your holidays extra-special. Below, we take a look at some of the exceptional experiences that children, teenagers and families can enjoy across Europe with Rocco Forte Hotels.
Master windsurfing in Sicily
Imagine learning to windsurf at Verdura Resort. After a week, you’re finally ready for a planing board (to help you lift out of the water). Your feet are positioned correctly on the board; one just behind the mast foot and the other near the rear straps as you maintain a low and balanced stance.
When the time is right, you clip your harness in, timing it so you don’t overbalance. As you tighten the sail, you feel a rush like a plane taking off or a shot of electricity. This is planing: the sensation of the board being pushed up and skimming over the water, rather than cutting through it. This allows you to go much, much faster. Channel that energy, enjoy the moment – you’ve worked hard to get here.
See a ghost at the Tower of London
During your stay at Brown’s Hotel, embark on a private tour of the Tower of London, ostensibly to see the Crown Jewels. You know better: this is all about ghost hunting. Your guide regales you with stories of the Tower’s foundation in 1066, the role of the Beefeaters, how the moment the last raven leaves the tower will be when the kingdom falls.
Many apparitions, the guide jokingly says, have been spotted here – Anne Boleyn; Walter Raleigh; the two Princes Edward V and Richard of York. Children especially have also reported seeing a ghostly “White Woman”, though nobody is sure exactly who she is. But those are just fairy stories, of course. Hang on, what was that clinking sound? Why has the room got so cold?
Seek out the secrets of Scottish tartan
Ever dreamed of being a fashion designer? The key, as with all things, is people and passion. On a tour of the Scottish borders’ wool mills from The Balmoral in Edinburgh, you’ll see how world-class tartan and cashmere are made.
At Lochcarron Mill in Selkirk, you can watch tartan take form, the threads intertwining in an intricate dance on the loom. Every pattern carries a unique story, steeped in history and heritage or sparked by inspiration and creativity. Next stop is Hawick, home to the prestigious Johnstons of Elgin mill. Cashmere creations come alive here, expertly knitted by artisans and used in designer collections by the likes of Chanel and Burberry.
Go behind closed doors at Brussels’ Royal Palace
During your stay at Hotel Amigo, step inside the historic salons of Brussels’ Palais Royal, open to the public each summer in a tradition dating back to 1965. Marvel at its majestic interiors, sweeping marble staircases, and the grandeur of the throne room.
Yet behind the splendour lies mystery: a network of underground passages and ghostly legends of prisoners once held in its dungeons. Nearly destroyed by devastating fires in the 18th century, the palace was later rebuilt and today serves as the royal family’s primary administrative residence.
Play king and queen for a day before crossing the road to Parc Royal, once the hunting grounds of the dukes of Brabant and now the perfect place for children to run, climb, and play beneath the trees.
Every moment with Rocco Forte Hotels is a “wow” moment, giving you experiences your family will cherish forever. For more family holiday ideas, read our article on how to Inspire, Sculpt and Blow Young Minds.
You may also like
Pet Friendly Stays - Our Canine Concierge
For many, dogs are part of the family, and their place is with us - even when we travel. In some of Europe’s most beautiful cities, our hotels extend a warm welcome to your four-legged friends, with thoughtful touches in-room, friendly spaces to ‘paws’ together, and a concierge ready with tips for the best local walks. From shaded parks to riverside trails and neighbourhood cafés that set out water bowls at the door, every detail is designed to make them feel as at home as you do.
Serenity in the City
Contrary to popular belief, a sense of wellbeing doesn’t have to follow a set formula. Rather, it’s simply the moments which bring you back to yourself. For some, it’s a morning swim followed by a restorative massage. For others, it’s curling up in a quiet corner with a good book, or a pause beneath a centuries-old fresco in a hushed church. In Europe’s capitals, these precious moments of calm are easier to find than one might expect. Whilst a city break is often imagined as a fast-paced affair, sometimes we discover more when we choose to stand still.
Little readers, big city
Stories have a wonderful way of colouring the world around us. For children, a book can make a destination feel alive; pavements turn into paths to adventure, statues hint at secret histories, even a hotel suite becomes part of the tale. Across Europe’s great cities, we’ve paired beloved stories with the places that inspired them, from surrealist imaginings in Brussels to a young girl’s journey through London, inviting little readers to explore with fresh wonder.