Summer in BC is all about the outdoor life.

Fly direct from the UK to Vancouver the friendly, coastal city of Vancouver. Renown for it’s excellent food and proximity of both sea and mountain. Cross the iconic suspension bridge and cycle round the seaside park. Ice hockey is big here, games are held regularly with the Hockey World Cup due to be held in August 2025.

After picking up a hire car, depart for Vancouver Island, crossing by car ferry to the popular resort of Tofino. Here you can surf, watch bears hunt for shellfish on the shore, catch salmon for that evening’s BBQ and search for whales.

When back on the mainland, head for Whistler. This famous ski resort offers a multitude of summer activities - ski lifts are repurposed for mountain bikers and cycle shops offer hire.

Lake Louise has endless outdoor adventures, it’s clear blue lake is stunning and you can cross on an SUP or kayak.

Alternatively take an Alaskan cruise direct from Vancouver passing through Glacier Bay, visit gold mining villages and snow covered peaks. The larger cruise ships have a wealth of activities to appeal to all ages.

With several cross channel ferries arriving at serval spots along the north coast of France and the option of the channel tunnel, exploring this diverse country with your own vehicle is straightforward. Subject to getting a pet passport, you can even take your dog!

The historic beaches of Normandy are poignant for any age, especially those studying WW2 . Multi-media instillations add another dimension. Normandy’s wide open beaches also allow for the area’s best kept secret - kite surfing. Easy to learn and very addictive. The former abbey of Mont St Michel hosts a fabulous light show on summer evenings each summer, it’s winding streets reminiscent of Diagon alley.

Next head to the Loire valley, staying in a chateau for a couple of nights. It’s vineyards may only hold the families attention for a short time, it’s worth visiting some of the smaller producers for free sampling, a private eco food tour with visits to sample local sweet foods is usually a hit. For horse-mad kids, a visit to the stables of Samur is a must.

Often labelled The Best Theme Park in the World - Puy du Fou stages reinactments of historical events and on Friday and Saturday nights, culminating in a firework spectacular. The beautiful island of Ile de Re is reached via a bridge near La Rochelle. Pretty beaches, great campsites busy markets are found to the South and cycling is the main mode of transport. Flop for a few days before travelling back home, heading to the Dordogne to canoe the rivers or even visiting Disneyland or Paris.

July and August bring warm, dry sunny weather and less rains, compared to the rest of the year making it the best time to visit.

Flights are indirect from the UK, stopping at one of the Asian hubs of Singapore or Kuala Lumpar - break for a couple of days to experience either destination. Both offer a wide range of activities for tweens and teens and a chance to acclimatise.

Borneo is all about the wildlife; Meet orang-utans and sun bears, sail down Borneo’s longest river the Kinabatangan, to observe monkeys, crocodiles, tropical birds and stay in a river lodge.

Finally spend a few days in one of their pristine beach front hotels. More animal spotting experiences are offered as well as trekking, water sports and of course excellent food and service.