As a family travel expert with years of camping experience across Europe, I'm excited to share our recent holiday adventures. While we haven't fully decompressed post-vacation—back-to-school routines have us in full swing—we struck the perfect balance of relaxation and engaging activities with our children. This approach cleared our minds and prepared us for the new school year.
In southern regions, holidays start late, extending the school year and leading to fatigue. With added camp schedules and endless to-do lists, tensions rose. Our getaway to France and Spain became a much-needed reset.
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Our destinations: Portiragnes-Plage in France for a week, followed by Miami Platja in Spain. We prioritize a blend of relaxation and adventure—essential for family bonding. Without structured activities, children often retreat into screens, becoming disengaged. As seasoned parents, we've seen this pattern firsthand.
Holidays disrupt routines, leading kids to linger in pajamas and zone into devices all day. They stay silent to avoid detection, emerging only with square eyes. Starting the day actively transforms their energy; screens at dawn create a full-day battle, even on vacation.
For this trip, we left all devices home except my laptop for work. No tech meant no zombie phase—just brief boredom that self-resolved. Preparation is key: We announced the no-tech rule casually beforehand, and it was accepted as part of the holiday excitement.
Inspired by fellow bloggers, we reflect on cherishing time with our kids. Holidays offer a chance to make up for busy weekdays, creating lasting memories through shared experiences.
We craft a mix of activities everyone enjoys, alternating preferences. Planning as a family ensures buy-in, exposing kids to new experiences they'd otherwise skip. Daily beach or pool time anchors relaxation, while the rest fills with action:
Here's what worked on our latest trip.
A climbing park is non-negotiable—we seek campsites with them nearby. Once climbers ourselves, we now cheer from below as our kids tackle courses independently. A holiday without climbing feels incomplete. See the photos for proof of their triumphs.
At Camping Les Sablons in France, archery is free and family-friendly. Beginners like our youngest thrive under supervision, while older kids compete. Book a slot the day before—pure fun!
Standard at campsites like Playa Montroig in Spain. Our son could play daily, so we save it for mid-week. Family rounds on scenic courses create joyful competition.
Weekly at both Eurocamp sites, these are hits for all ages. Slippery, bubbly chaos—ideal for birthdays too. Both campsites aligned perfectly with our stay.
And then off…
Beachfront locations enabled water fun.
Creativity shines without animations—simple setups yield big laughs.
This team dice-and-board game (like a mix of Yahtzee and strategy) suits our family perfectly. Kids hold their own against parents. Our wooden Keezbord is durable; order online for endless evenings. Dropped pieces lead to hilarious chases!
Tip: Keezen elevates family game nights.
A cooling classic in 30°C+ heat—kick filled bottles. Next time: larger ones for bigger splashes.
Pool access is essential. Sunny weather amplified joy, though floats are often banned. Build human towers instead! Playa Montroig's heated pool suits all.
Extend days into dusk with illuminated games—peak holiday freedom.
Available everywhere we stayed. Quick matches beat sweaty tennis in the heat.
Parents' favorites: Markets, boulevards, terraces amid scenic harbors.
1.5 hours from Playa Montroig. Ramblas strolls, Starbucks hunts (cappuccinos for us, raspberry iced for kids), open-bus tours past Sagrada Familia (selfie essential—stunning basilica). Park Güell was booked, but Gaudi's influence everywhere wowed us. End at Hard Rock Café. Salou, Cambrils, and smaller ports offered boats, terraces, Pokémon hunts. Extra data via texts kept us connected affordably.
Husband's wishlist: Canal du Midi electric boat. Not motorized, but scenic and fun!
We packed in climbing, cities, relaxation—what more? Hanover followed with kid-friendly sights like Starbucks quests.
Two weeks into school, rhythms lag. Juggling schedules and work, I crave couple time—a sauna perhaps. Autumn holidays loom; these activities made summer unforgettable.
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