A savvy solution to the crowded and costly hotspots of the Easter and summer holidays, more and more households are turning to early year family travel in 2026.
It’s the start of the year – the nights are long, the air is cold, and the comedown from the festive season has hit hard. This is usually the time when our minds turn to what excitement the year ahead holds, but more travelling tribes than ever are seeing that these months aren’t just for daydreaming, but for reclaiming time together before the events of the unfolding year take over. Of all the family travel trends for 2026, this one’s by far the smartest; whether it’s choosing between February family escapes or making the most of the weeks outside the school holidays on journeys with older children, at Carrier we’re more than prepared to lend a helping hand with the logistics. And if you’re still unsure about travelling at this time of year, we’re here to convince you otherwise.
First up are the benefits of off-peak luxury family travel – because once you’ve discovered the advantages of dusting off the suitcases at this time of year, there’s no looking back. The early bird catches the worm as they say, and in this case, they come in the forms of fewer crowds, fewer costs and better access to more exclusive experiences.
Steering the whole family around unfamiliar streets is hard, add to that the usual summer or late-season masses and just the thought is enough to prompt a lie down. The winter and early spring months avoid the peak-time crowds, making for a more relaxing time exploring old haunts or new favourites and, some may say, quicker service.
On a luxury family holiday, part of the fun is getting together at the end of an exciting day to relive it all again in a cosy living room or sunset-bathed balcony. From interconnecting rooms to sprawling villas, early-year travel is the secret ingredient to securing those ever-coveted accommodations.
Fewer guests doesn’t mean fewer indulgences, in fact, it’s quite the opposite. Luxuries that come as standard for discerning families can be extended further with limited people around. Think higher chances of room upgrades, added extras that the peak-season travellers may miss out on, and reduced rates allowing for a longer stay.
Fleeing grey skies is the biggest motivator for a family winter sun holiday, but in terms of which point on the compass to follow, not all are the same.
Those who have enjoyed an early family holiday for a while can usually be found with packing lists full of warm clothes and a ticket to somewhere snowy. The ultimate way to draw out winter’s festivities, family ski holidays to a luxurious chalet or alpine-chic hotel make for crisp sunny days spent bonding on the slopes and beyond. Including the likes of brisk husky sledding or steady snowshoeing in the wilderness or taking some time to rejuvenate in spas that are masters in Scandinavian rituals.
On the opposite end, warmer climes beckon to those in search of a slower start to the year. That’s because ventures like this consist of languid sun-soaked days and a level of outdoor living that just isn’t possible at home. The likes of Tenerife and Greece provide a dose of Vitamin D with less time entertaining restless tots on a flight and taking advantage of quieter restaurants, excursions and kids’ clubs. Over in the Caribbean, while our winter may be classed as peak time, families with older children are in their element outside the school holidays; getting to temporarily cast aside any notions of sharing when it comes to the pools or golden beaches.
If neither a snowscape nor a balmy beach is on the brain, it can be hard to know where to travel in late winter and early spring. But take a leaf out of the culturally curious or nature lovers’ books and a world of spectacles on both the long and short haul begins to form.
Destinations that are closer to home tend to have mild weather and, of course, fewer crowds. Take the Amalfi Coast for example – where peak season sees the pretty yet petite villages almost full to the brim. It’s because of this that lots of travellers are choosing to explore the area earlier, but beating them to it in the first few months of the year means families (even larger multi-generational groups) don’t have to compromise on either space or immersive experiences that get booked up very quickly. Similarly in Arabia, travelling during Ramadan and Eid celebrations may initially seem out of the question due to daytime customs, but it’s actually a brilliant way of experiencing the country at arguably its most authentic.
If time allows for longer trips, going further afield rewards the extra effort with some of the most memorable luxury family-friendly experiences. Over in St Lucia, March marks the beginning of turtle nesting season, while new life from coast to grassland has already begun to spring up in South Africa. Further still, timing a trip to Vietnam to coincide with their Lunar New Year (or Tết) celebrations results in exciting days filled with exploring lively markets and parades, and evenings marvelling as the sky bursts with colourful fireworks.
Spacious villas and penthouses in the Caribbean and Mediterranean for the whole family; interconnecting rooms in alpine and exotic climes so no one is ever far away; resorts nestled in the wilderness with experiences rooted in nature and local living for every age.
We’ve covered everything with our top accommodation picks for off-peak luxury family travel.
We believe that getting ahead of the 2026 travel trends and jetting off on a luxury family holiday in the early months is not only a smart choice, but a way of securing that all-important time together before the year speeds up. Whether you’re travelling to experience a new culture in a peaceful and personalised way or seeking a restful family winter sun break that rewards in both value and rejuvenation, our Luxury Travel Designers are the experts to enlist when it comes to making the most of off-peak holidays. Using their know-how and contacts to match you with your dream destination and the best people to help you experience it to the fullest.
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