Family holidays can be the best — or the worst — days of our lives (that goes for parents and kids). There has to be something for everyone, otherwise that crucial centre will not hold and things will fall apart. We spoke to families to find their favourite destinations around the world that worked for all. The finalists are a mix of cities, islands, resorts and road trips, but all have one thing in common: at the end of the trip, when the family photograph is taken, everyone should be smiling.

Road trip along Route 62, South Africa
A road trip is a great option for families with older children, a good way to get to know the country and it’s reasonable cost-wise. Often the byways not the highways make for the best holidays. The wonderfully scenic Route 62, between Cape Town and Oudtshoorn, the Garden Route and Port Elizabeth, is a great alternative to the N2.

The Western and Eastern Cape trip travels from one delightful spot to another. McGregor is peaceful and arty; historic Prince Albert offers dramatic views, delicious food and oodles of hiking/biking trails; Montagu, gateway to the Klein Karoo, has nature reserves, art galleries, rock climbs and the must-do three-hour tractor/trailer ride to the top of the dramatic Langeberg Mountains.

At Kleinplasie, just outside Worcester, kids can feed chickens and go for a donkey-cart ride while parents munch on griddle cakes and milk tart. Towering cliffs, silvery waterfalls and dusty Klein Karoo tracks between farms and villages make it the loveliest and most diverse of trips. There are B&Bs aplenty but many road trippers pack tents or load up caravans or camper vans (www.drivesouthafrica.co.za; www.aacamperhire.co.za) to take advantage of stunning camping spots en route.

There are hot springs at Warmwaterberg in Barrydale, the Calitzdorp Spa and Avalon Springs in Montagu to soothe weary limbs – perhaps after an ostrich ride. Route 62 is also a wine route, taking in the cellars and estates of outside towns including Paarl, Tulbagh, Montagu and Calitzdorp.

Why it works: It’s an adventure. Ditch iPods for old-fashioned I Spy games. Accommodation suits all budgets: from two-man tents to luxury lodges.
Cost: Varies depending on the length of a trip. Expect to pay about R150 a night for a campsite, from R350 per self-catering chalet a night for a family of four, and from R300 per person sharing at a B&B. Children often get discount rates.
Go to: www.route62.co.za

Skiing in Saalbach, Austria
Thanks to Hollywood and The Sound of Music, the mountains of Austria are familiar to families the world over. But rather than Julie Andrews and her brood bounding over summery slopes, today hundreds of snow bunnies come to ski and board in a winter wonderland. Saalbach-Hinterglemm — known as the Valley of Games — is a party zone for all, from tots upward.

Saalbach retains the appeal of a traditional Austrian village but tourists are its lifeblood. The ski slopes are hugely popular with South Africans, so it’s not surprising to bump — preferably not literally — into familiar faces. There are runs for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. The nightlife is renowned, with bars opening as the sun sets and clubs still going when it rises.

Why it works: The combination of winter sports and après-ski action is a heady mix for teenagers, while smaller children will be bug-eyed over all the activities for them, including ski lessons.
Cost: Accommodation for a family of four for 12-nights at Hotel Haider costs about R36 000, including some meals, drinks and ski passes. This is one of the better deals and it is advisable to book early. All up, expect to pay from R80 000 for a family of four.
Go to: www.saalbach.com

Beach bliss in Skiathos, Greece
This is the 'island of beaches' — over 60 of them, from small sandy coves to long, meandering strands. It’s also where ships were once made, using wood from Skiathos’s thick pine forests. The island is a picture-postcard vision: white-washed villas, blue shutters, outdoor café tables, cobbled streets. All very quaint until the package tourists arrive between mid-July and August.

Skiathos is an ideal holiday for families, especially those with children who like the outdoors. Getting about is a breeze: scooters (older teens will love these) or small jeeps are for hire, buses run between beaches and taxis operate throughout the night, so getting to tavernas and clubs is no sweat.

A stroll through the narrow streets in the town’s upper west, from the Health Centre down to the Plakes rocky promontory and back to the fish market and Old Port gives a taste of original Skiathos. Monasteries, many dating from the time of Turkish occupation (1538-1821), offer a diversion and cool respite from beachy stuff. At night, the waterfront and nearby streets buzz with clubs and bars.

Why it works: It’s safe and fun — days filled with walks, swims, boat rides and meals at tavernas; at night, little ones will crash while teenagers go clubbing.
Cost: Flights from R7000. There are loads of accommodation options: a pleasant self-catering villa costs from about R500 a night for a room for two people.
Go to: www.skiathos.gr

Sailing in Nosy Be, Madagascar
South Africans are flocking to this tropical jewel in the Indian Ocean, the world’s fourth largest island, and it’s easy to see why. It has all the ingredients for good family holidays: sun, sea, boats, beaches and cute creatures, such as boggle-eyed lemurs. Flights go from Johannesburg to Antananarivo to the island of Nosy Be (a seven-hour trip in all), then it’s a short taxi hop to the port, to board either a traditional dhow or modern yacht.

A great plus for parents is the luggage load is light — only sunscreen, mozzie repellent, slip-slops, a kikoi, a cozzie and a clutch of T-shirts required. With other islets nearby, the main attraction is island-hopping by day and camping on different beaches by night. There’s plenty to do for all parties: fish, snorkel, flirt with dolphins and come face-to-face with fauna and flora found nowhere else on earth. Traditional boat-building yards and mangrove swamps provide added interest.

Why it works: It’s all about chilled time out. The weather is sublime, the water’s warm, calm and clear, the boat’s a great place for family time and Nosy Be's a classic tropical island with palm trees — perfect for Swiss Family Robinson moments.
Cost: Count on about R9000 a person. This generally includes flights, accommodation, meals, transfer and snorkelling gear.
Go to: www.truebluetravel.co.za or www.madagascarsailingsafaris.co.za

Article courtesy of Horizons, BA/Comair's in-flight magazine published by Touchline Media.