Croatia is the top destination for a temper-free holiday!

The summer holidays are almost upon us, which means that the big family holiday is but a few weeks away. Holidaying with little ones (and not so little ones) in tow can present challenges to parents, and all parents (myself included) want to ensure time away is enjoyed by everyone – and as fuss-free as possible. So, parents, listen to this! Villa holiday specialists CV Villas have conducted a study to discover Europe’s best family destination for a temper-free holiday, based on all-important factors outlined by a children’s psychotherapist. Guess where number one is? The island of Hvar! Find out how Hvar came to claim the top spot, and where else in Croatia features in the top ten. (Spoiler alert: several destinations!)

Hvar is the best destination for a temper-free holiday

The gorgeous island of Hvar has grabbed the top spot in the CV Villas’ study, scoring a pretty impressive 89.1/100. Whilst it’s no surprise to see Hvar topping any kind of holiday destination list, some may be surprised that this stylish island – not so long ago associated with nightlife and partying – comes top of this study. But so it is!

A friendly, beautiful island, it is home to lavender-covered fields and limestone lanes, with konobas that have been feeding locals for generations – but not forgetting its rather epic weather. Well known for its sunshine, with the island receiving over 2,715 hours of sunlight each year, this is a destination that will surely delight and put a smile on everyone’s faces.

Many more Croatian destinations in the top ten

But it’s not just Hvar that rates highly in this study, no! Take a look at the full top twenty list below to see where else in Croatia rates very highly for temper-free travel:

As you can see, Korcula ends up second on the list with an equally impressive score of 82.8/100. Another gorgeous island, further south in Dalmatia, Korcula is home to great beaches, gorgeous nature, a beautiful main town (Korcula Town) with a number of fascinating sights. Not to mention good choices for family accommodation, and some excellent eateries.

But what’s this? Split and Dubrovnik are also in the top ten! Scoring 80.5 and 80.2 respectively – putting them fifth and sixth – it’s perhaps no surprise that these two famous cities make the list. The range of family accommodation in both is second to none, and the range of activities, sights, experiences and amenities that both offer should make family travel fuss free.

If not Croatia, try Greece

Whilst four Croatian destinations feature in the top ten, it’s clear to see that Greece offers the most ranking destinations in the top twenty – accounting for seven temper-free holiday places.

Skiathos is the highest-ranking Greek destination with a score of 78.9/100. This vibrant, lush Greek island in the Northern Sporades is famous for its pine forests that reach right down to the coast. 

While it does have some nightlife, it’s an ideal choice for families thanks to its laid-back atmosphere and abundance of calm beaches. Kids will be entertained for hours with more than 60 beaches perfect for snorkelling, and boat trips to secluded coves that feel like an adventure.

Another standout Greek ranking is the island of Lefkada, which scored 76.1/100. While Lefkada is an island, it’s connected to the mainland by a bridge, so families don’t need to worry about relying on ferries to get to and from the airport.

Tips for aiming for temper-free family travel

With a change to normal routines, potential tantrums by young ones, and the difficulties of parenting away from home, it’s a wonder that anyone with young kids goes away at all! In fact, 61% of parents find going away with children difficult, with 28% saying this difficulty comes from managing their children’s unpredictable behaviour. (Source: Netmums) So why go away when your kids are young? Well, childhood travel has been psychologically shown to build confidence, foster resilience, boost empathy, and so much more.

This is why villa holiday specialists CV Villas have partnered with Becky Goddard-Hill, a children’s psychotherapist and emotional wellbeing author, to help parents navigate family travel difficulties and give families their best shot at temper-free holidays this year,

Together, they have identified the key factors that are most likely to affect children’s mood on holiday. These all important factors are: tourist density, flight time, nighttime humidity, day and nighttime temperature and food familiarity. Each of these factors contributed to the overall score – for example, day and nighttime temperature account for 30%, whilst flight time (and jet-lag risk) make up 20% of the overall score.

The researchers at CV Villas pulled data on these factors for almost 100 popular family travel destinations, creating an index that allowed them to score destinations in a ‘Temper-Free Score’ out of 100. That’s how Hvar has ended up topping the list with a score of 89.1.

Becky comments: 

At this time of year, everyone has started talking, thinking about, and planning their holidays, and what I want to urge them to do is put their children’s needs at the heart of this.

Holidays are meant to be fun and relaxing times with the family, a break from life’s worries and stresses, and a chance to rest. But get the fundamentals wrong for your kids, and you are likely to have meltdowns to deal with…and that’s not fun or relaxing for anyone.”

Top tips for parents dealing with holiday tantrums, according to a children’s psychotherapist

Becky provides plenty of excellent tips for family travel and how to reduce the potential for tantrums, or minimise them should they occur.

• Reduce stimulation: “Reducing stimulation can really benefit a child having a tantrum when on holiday. Stepping away from crowds, reducing noise levels (you could try noise-cancelling headphones), and finding shade or a quiet corner can all be helpful.”
• Take familiar objects from home away with you: “Introducing them when they are struggling can be reassuring and comforting – a beloved book, blanket, or toy from home can help them feel secure.”
• Remember, emotions are contagious: “Understanding that emotions are contagious is key to handling a tantrum. If you are calm and reassuring, and if you are supportive and keep a level tone to your voice, they will likely recover from their meltdown much more quickly.”

Becky adds: 

All behaviour is communication, and when children have a tantrum, they are often showing you how they feel rather than saying. 

They may be tired, thirsty, hungry, too hot, or overwhelmed. But they may not be able to tell you because their feelings are big in that moment, and they aren’t thinking logically. 

Help them calm down first, then try to discover what they need rather than getting annoyed. You will soon have a happier child on your hands.

Ben Briggs, Head of Marketing and travel expert at CV Villas, comments: 

Finding places to go on holiday as a parent can be tricky, especially when children’s needs and interests change so rapidly.

But as tricky as family travel can be at times, the good far outweighs the bad, and it is full of some incredibly exciting moments. To make the most of those moments, it helps to set your family up for success before you even pack a bag, and that often starts with choosing the right destination.  

As a parent myself, over the years, I have always looked to keep travel-induced temper tantrums to a minimum. I’ve learned that a little planning goes a long way, and I hope the research takes some of the guesswork out for other parents choosing a destination this summer.

CV Villas has been creating bespoke villa holidays for over 50 years, offering a curated portfolio of 800 villas across top global destinations like Croatia, Greece, Italy, France, Spain, the Caribbean, and now, Sri Lanka. Originating in Corfu, it offers many exclusive properties with expert local support, plus optional travel arrangements.  Properties range from smaller villas for couples in romantic locations to large villas with extensive grounds for big family gatherings and special celebrations.

To all parents – may your family travel be temper-free this summer!