Study unveils the worst global getaways for Irish families this summer
A new study has revealed the destinations that families should avoid when planning their summer holiday this year.
Traveling as a family can be challenging, particularly when there are young children involved. It's important to plan ahead, be prepared for hiccups and of course,
choose the right destination.
With this in mind, Irish company,
Chill Insurance,
analyzed a number of factors that contribute to an optimal, stress-free holiday for those traveling abroad with little ones.
These factors included flight durations, the availability of family-friendly hotels, average accommodation costs, and meal prices at popular
holiday hotspots.
The study revealed the top and bottom family-friendly locations for 2025.
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It comes as no surprise that Sydney ranks as the worst family holiday destination due to its long indirect flight time of nearly 26 hours. The flight is especially difficult for those traveling with young children and babies.
Thousands of Irish families make the trip to Australia every year, but ultimately, according to Chill Insurance, it is less favorable for a short, relaxing summer vacation.
Sydney is an expensive city and a long flight from Ireland
(Image: Michael Dunning)
Cancún, Mexico was named as the second-worst family destination due to its monsoon season, which can be uncomfortable for children. Additionally, 7-night stay at its 131 family-friendly hotels costs around €4,329, making it one of the priciest options.
Rounding off the worst three is Cape Town, South Africa, primarily due to its long flight time of 15 hours, with a connecting flight, making it less than ideal for families traveling from Ireland.
The list also named Phuket, in Thailand as one of the worst for families. Starting May 1st this year, all foreign visitors will be required to complete the new online
Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before their arrival.
This will inevitably add another step to the travel process.
The list of worst destinations also included some unexpected cities, like New York, which is usually just a 6 hour flight from
Dublin
. The list cites the high cost of a family meal - the highest of any city on the list - as a reason that makes it unsuitable for a family trip.
On the flip side, Crete in Greece was named the top family destination. It has 300 family-friendly hotels, 14 hours of sunshine each day, and affordable food and accommodation.
The study also recommends the beautiful island of Sicily and Salou in Spain as
popular and affordable choices
for Irish families this summer. Recently, the Mediterranean island of Malta has been named as the number one destination for chartering a boat this summer.
For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage
here
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