Your Family Travel Guide
Christmas in the Lake District, Easter in Florence, or a weekend in Franschhoek. Family travel looks different for everyone, but the best version of it always starts with the right place
The familymoon is a trip built around the people who matter most, whether that means parents and young children, teenagers who need somewhere worth putting their phones down, or adult children treating grandparents to a long overdue getaway. Leeu Collection offers five luxurious hotels, each well suited to families travelling together across every age and season.
South Africa | Franschhoek, Cape Winelands
Franschhoek has a rare quality among luxury destinations. Wide open spaces, outdoor experiences, world-class dining and enough variety to keep every age group engaged make it one of the most rewarding family destinations in South Africa.
At Leeu Estates, families with younger children will find the most space and the broadest range of on-property experiences. The Little Green Fingers garden programme gives children a hands-on introduction to planting and sustainability within the Leeu Locally Grown gardens, a fun and educational way to spend a morning outdoors. While younger guests explore, adults can book a restorative treatment at Leeu Spa (which also has a children’s menu) or spend an afternoon at The Wine Studio for a Mullineux or Leeu Passant tasting, included for all in-house guests. When it comes to dining, The Dining Room offers elegant seasonal menus - including kiddies’ options - to in-house guests, while La Petite Colombe brings a world-class tasting menu experience to the estate, complete with a sweet trolley perfect for younger guests.
Leeu House plays a different role entirely. As the adults-only property in the Franschhoek portfolio, it is the natural choice when adult children want to treat their parents to something special. An exclusive-use booking places the entire property at the disposal of your family, with private dining, lounge facilities, and the undivided attention of the team throughout.
At Le Quartier Français, suites with pull-out couches make it a practical and stylish choice for families with younger children. An outdoor giant chess board can provide hours of fun, as can the communal and - in some cases - private pools. Protégé and Épice offer seasonal menus with colourful desserts that kids will love, and on cooler evenings a hot chocolate for the children and a nightcap for the adults by the fire makes for a slow, happy end to a full day. Children receive their very own special turn-down items, too, making them feel special and at home.
Beyond the hotels, a chocolate tasting and demonstration at Huguenot Fine Chocolates on the main road is a half-hour experience that younger children will relish and adults appreciate. Scootours at Chamonix Wine Farm offers gravity-powered scooter tours through the vineyard landscape, accessible to children from age four as passengers and from age ten as independent riders, with views across the Franschhoek Valley. The Franschhoek Motor Museum rewards children, teenagers, and car-interested adults with a beautifully curated collection spanning a century of motoring history. For families of adults wanting to move through the valley at a relaxed pace, the Franschhoek Wine Tram offers a leisurely hop-on hop-off route through some of the finest estates in the Winelands. On Friday evenings, the Boschendal Friday Night Market brings food, wine, live music and a warm outdoor atmosphere that suits all ages, and Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve offers hiking trails above the valley for families wanting fresh air and gorgeous views before dinner.
United Kingdom | Lake District, Cumbria
Linthwaite House above Windermere works for a family with young children just as well as it does for three generations gathered together for a milestone occasion. The grounds alone provide hours of unhurried entertainment, with lawn games including giant chess and bowls, scenic buggy rides across the estate and rowing boats available on the private tarn for in-house guests. Designated Fell Suites welcome dogs, so four-legged family members are equally well considered.
For dining, The Bar and Conservatory serves seasonal British menus with dietary requirements accommodated on request, and a traditional afternoon tea that makes for a lovely family ritual on arrival or between days of exploring. Henrock by Simon Rogan MBE welcomes families with children between 18h00 and 19h00, with a children's menu available during this sitting, making it possible for the whole family to experience one of the finest restaurants in the Lake District together.
Beyond the property, Brockhole on Windermere offers one of the best all-ages family days out in the national park, with an adventure playground, go-karting, mini-golf, archery, tree-top trekking and indoor caving across the grounds. The World of Beatrix Potter in nearby Bowness, just five minutes from Linthwaite House, brings Peter Rabbit and friends to life in a way that younger children - as well as their parents - will find enchanting. For older children and teenagers, the Windermere Jetty Museum offers a look at the history of boating on the lake, with hands-on exhibits and boat-building demonstrations that hold attention well past the first room.
Italy | Florence, Tuscany
Florence rewards families who move through it slowly, and Collegio alla Querce is designed for that pace. Positioned above the city with views stretching across rooftops to the Duomo and the rolling Tuscan hills, the generous room layouts accommodate families with ease.
The on-site Aelia Auberge Spa gives adults a quiet retreat while children are looked after. Dining spans several distinct settings, from the signature La Gamella restaurant to the glass-enclosed Conservatorio and the outdoor pool bar among the olive trees, with the culinary team experienced in accommodating younger guests across every service.
Beyond the property, a gelato-making workshop is a Florence experience that children remember long after the flight home. A family pasta-making class offers the same hands-on satisfaction, with fresh pasta as the reward for an hour of thoroughly enjoyable effort. For a slower afternoon, the antique carousel in Piazza della Repubblica delights younger children, while the San Lorenzo Market provides a vibrant, sensory introduction to Florentine food and craft culture for families wanting to feel the city rather than simply photograph it.
Planning Your Familymoon with Leeu Collection
Whether you’re planning a summer school holiday, a festive escape or a long weekend that everyone has been promising to take, Leeu Collection makes the planning straightforward and the experience memorable.
Babysitting services are available across all five properties, dietary requirements are accommodated at every restaurant, and the guest liaison teams at each property are ready to tailor every detail to your family's ages, interests and travel style.
Reach out to the Leeu Collection reservations team to start planning a familymoon across South Africa, the United Kingdom or Italy.
Please note that all external attractions and activities are subject to change. We recommend confirming availability and details directly with each venue before your visit.
FAQs
What is a familymoon?
A familymoon is a celebratory family holiday, often taken by families who want to mark a milestone or simply spend some quality time together in a new setting. It combines the spirit of a honeymoon with the inclusive, memorable experience of a family holiday, where every member of the family feels part of the celebration.
Which Leeu Collection property is best for families with young children?
All five properties welcome families warmly. In Franschhoek, Le Quartier Français offers suites with pull-out couches ideal for younger children, while Leeu Estates provides the most space and on-property family activities including the Little Green Fingers garden programme. At Linthwaite House in the Lake District, the grounds, tarn and proximity to Brockhole make it an excellent choice for active families. In Florence, Collegio alla Querce offers generous room configurations and exceptional dining suited to families of all ages.
Is babysitting available at Leeu Collection properties?
Yes. babysitting services are available across all Leeu Collection properties, giving parents the freedom to enjoy a dinner or a quiet morning while their children are well looked after. This can be arranged in advance or during your stay through the guest liaison team.
Can Leeu Collection accommodate dietary requirements for children?
Absolutely. All restaurants across the Leeu Collection properties accommodate dietary preferences and requirements with care. Families are encouraged to communicate their children's needs in advance so that every meal is as enjoyable for the youngest guests as it is for the adults.
How do I book a familymoon at Leeu Collection?
Contact the Leeu Collection reservations team directly to discuss your family's requirements across any of the five properties in South Africa, the United Kingdom or Italy. The team will help tailor accommodation, dining and activity recommendations to ensure your familymoon is everything it should be.
