Families come in all shapes and sizes and booking a family holiday can be a daunting task.  With a superb range of handpicked villas and exclusive boutique hotels, the experts at Simpson Travel (www.simpsontravel.com; +1 888-589-4147) have made it much easier. 

Featuring sought-after villas, beachside hideaways and Simpson Hotels across the Ionian islands and beyond, Simpson Travel offers a diverse portfolio for families, whether you are traveling with toddlers, teenagers or bringing the whole family together for a celebration.  What's more, with a dedicated concierge service available for all the added extras such as in-villa chefs, babysitting, boat charter or restaurant bookings, parents can sit back, relax and enjoy their holiday.

The Simpson Kids Collection offers a range of different options for family holidays. These include Family Favourite Villas, with spacious grounds, garden games and a selection of toys (ideal for families traveling with children under 12); villas suitable for large group holidays (where two or three families might be traveling together); properties for multi-generational get-togethers (perhaps with a separate adjoining annexe for grandparents) and villas with complimentary infant packs, meaning that parents can pack light.  For those who prefer a hotel to a villa, Simpson Travel offers a complimentary 'Beach Life' children's activity programme at two of its hotels, whilst the lovely Mousses Villas on the island of Lekfada combines the privacy and freedom of self-catering accommodation with flexible morning and afternoon childcare sessions . 

Best for Busy Children:  Hotels with childcare – Simpson Beach Life

On selected weeks during July and August, two of Simpson's lovely Greek island beachfront hotels – GK Beach in Crete and Bella Mare in Corfu – are home to Simpson Travel's complimentary 'Beach Life' children's activity programme, featuring supervised activities designed to keep children aged 5-11 entertained.  It gives grown-ups a chance to kick back and unwind while the children make new friends and enjoy pool games, treasure hunts, movie nights and more, under the expert supervision of the Simpson childcare team. 

Set against the backdrop of the White Mountains of western Crete, GK Beach Hotel is in a glorious position on a wide sandy beach, and also has a large pool and separate children's pool.  Breakfast is served on the poolside terrace, overlooking the beach, where soft, deep sand is shaded by tamarind trees and slopes gently into shallow water.  Accommodation is in a choice of 23 light and airy suites, or a two-bedroom family penthouse, all of which come with a fridge and kettle.   A dedicated minibus at the hotel is available for day trips and excursions, perhaps to the historic Venetian harbour of Chania, just a 25-minute drive away. There is a taverna in GK itself, as well as a selection within 5 minutes' walk, and wider selection in Kalyves which is 15-20 minutes' walk away. 

Simpson Travel (simpsontravel.com; 020 8003 6557) offers a week at GK Beach in August 2023 from US$2,288/$572 pp based on four sharing a suite for seven nights on a bed and breakfast basis.

Bella Mare Hotel, Corfu

Set in lush gardens that open directly onto Avlaki beach and with a generous, family friendly pool, Bella Mare Hotel is an ideal spot for families seeking a boutique hotel near much-loved Agios Stefanos in the northeast corner of Corfu.  All bedrooms and suites have spacious, elegant interiors, sea views and their own kitchenette for added flexibility. For evening dining, there are two excellent tavernas moments from the hotel and the vibrant waterfront villages of Kassiopi or Agios Stefanos are nearby.

Families can also captain their own motorboat to explore the secret bays along the coastline or follow the clearly marked Corfu Trail around the island to old-world villages, and secret hamlets unchanged for generations. 

Simpson Travel (simpsontravel.com) offers a week at Bella Mare Hotel in August 2023 from US$4,018/$1005 per person based on four sharing a suite for seven nights on a bed and breakfast basis.

Best of both worlds – villas with hotel facilities

For those who want the freedom of a villa, but the benefits of Bella Mare's facilities (including childcare whilst Beach Life is running) the stylish and elegant Villa Eva is the perfect solution. Set up on a small headland, it is just a short stroll to the crystal clear waters of beautiful Avlaki Bay and also has a lovely shaded dining terrace overlooking its stunning infinity pool. Sleeping up to 6 people, its ideal for families – perhaps traveling with grandparents, who might just want to sit and soak up the glorious views over the bay below.

Simpson Travel (www.simpsontravel.com ) offers a week at Villa Eva from US$11,102.05/$1850pp based on six sharing  on an accommodation only basis.  Villa Eva | 3-bedroom villa in Corfu, Greece | Simpson Travel

Best for: A luxurious extended family getaway

Part of Simpson's Exclusive collection, Callista, sleeping up to ten people, is simply one of the finest villas in Lefkada.  With sweeping panoramas over the Ionian Sea, generous outdoor spaces and seating options, as well as spacious interiors, it's perfect for a family get together, or quality time with good friends.  The large pool lends itself equally to peaceful pre-breakfast lengths or lively games of water volleyball, whilst the open-plan ground floor, with a contemporary dining room, living room and kitchen is ideal for socialising.   As a Simpson Exclusive villa, all sorts of extras can be arranged, from a private chef to boat trips, or booking a table at the local taverna.   

Simpson Travel (www.simpsontravel.com) offers a week at Callista from US$14,667.30/$1,467pp departing August 2023 based on 10 people sharing on an accommodation-only basis.   Callista | 5-bedroom Simpson Exclusive villa in Lefkada, Greece | Simpson Travel

Best for a family with older children  - Villa Isidora, Eastern Crete: 

The far East of Crete has a feel of the off-the-beaten-track Greek island experience, with rugged mountains, walking trails and dramatic gorges, as well as great beaches and friendly local towns.  In the hills above Kouremenos, the three bedroom Villa Isidora comes with a private gym, stunning sea views and is a chance for families to experience authentic Crete. The villa works well for a family with older children offering three en-suite bedrooms and generous living spaces both inside and out. The terrace is the perfect setting for relaxed family meals, but you'll also want to explore the tavernas and ouzeries along the seafront and sandy beach in Sitia.

Simpson Travel (www.simpsontravel.com) offers a week at Villa Isidora from US$7010/$1168pp   departing August 2023, based on 6 people sharing on an accommodation-only basis.

For bookings, contact Simpson Travel www.simpsontravel.com; +1 888-589-4147)

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For further media information, please contact:

Sarah Bolam on ++ 44 7714 337756 or email sarahbolamcommunications@gmail.com

Notes to Editors

Simpson Travel: Independently owned, Simpson Travel was established in 2002, yet its heritage predates this by many years. Founder Graham Simpson, a veteran of the travel industry, built up the highly successful Simply Travel in the 1970s with his Greek wife Yianna. From humble beginnings in a flat in Chiswick, it became one of the most respected independent travel companies of its time, renowned for offering authentic rather than 'packaged' holiday experiences, with carefully researched programmes, exceptional product knowledge and service. In Simpson Travel, he recreated the original ethos of Simply Travel, offering a very personal service, with individually selected properties, exceptional local knowledge for each destination, a highly experienced team of staff and excellent local representatives. Clients booking with Simpson Travel can be safe in the knowledge that their holiday has been created with their needs in mind and each property matched to their individual tastes and requirements.

Prices in US$, based on exchange rates as of 24/01/23