Festival season is fast approaching, and if you’re wondering what to book to avoid finding yourself in the middle of a moshpit or surrounded by ravers half your age then you’ve come to the right place. From Meadows in the Mountains, a wellbeing, art and music celebration in the valleys of Bulgaria’s Rhodope Mountains, to the world’s largest jazz festival in Montréal and Wales’ Green Man independent music, science and arts festival, here are eight that are worth the virtual queue this summer – and some nearby holiday destinations to visit right after.

Are we there yet? Whether you’re a grown-up who still dreams in widescreen, always looking for the next big challenge, or a six-year-old cooped up in a car seat, it’s something that you’ve probably asked (some more frequently than others). And as parents of the latter have found, it’s also not a question that is answered easily, or at least not to anyone’s satisfaction. Perhaps, as well as that question, we should be asking for more from our family vacation. Or maybe all we want is a getaway that’s a bit more, you know, child-friendly. Here, we’ve scoured the globe to sniff out holidays that work on numerous levels and for all ages. From shared adventures at the far reaches of the Earth to kids’ clubs that go further than most. Yes, we are there.

According to a 2019 survey, the average person spends more than 10 hours planning their vacation. That’s before even going anywhere. But how much thought do they put into packing? Do they map out an outfit for every potential scenario or leave it to the last minute and hope for the best? Who among us can honestly claim that they have never run out of underpants by the second week or returned home with items that have remained untouched? Every holidaymaker has a tale of their undoing. Most of us, however, learn from our past mistakes and become better travellers. Then there are those who, despite circumnavigating the globe, never seem to move on. And, as any baggage handler can tell you, their luggage can reveal all. From highly wound fliers to those winging it, these are the guys to avoid on the carousel – and what they take with them.

Have you been invited to a destination wedding (or five) this summer? Do you have mixed feelings about it? Yes, you want to go to sunny Turks and Caicos, but no, you do not want to stay in that particular resort. Yes, you’d like drop everything and head to gorgeous Lake Como, but what are you supposed to do with your kids while you’re there? Overseas weddings are expensive, but they’re an experience. They’re an adventure, but they require time off work. So, destinations weddings. Are they good? Or are they bad? It’s time to decide on which side of the aisle you sit.

Festival season is fast approaching, and if you’re wondering what to book to avoid finding yourself in the middle of a moshpit or surrounded by ravers half your age then you’ve come to the right place. From Meadows in the Mountains, a wellbeing, art and music celebration in the valleys of Bulgaria’s Rhodope Mountains, to the world’s largest jazz festival in Montréal and Wales’ Green Man independent music, science and arts festival, here are eight that are worth the virtual queue this summer – and some nearby holiday destinations to visit right after.

Are we there yet? Whether you’re a grown-up who still dreams in widescreen, always looking for the next big challenge, or a six-year-old cooped up in a car seat, it’s something that you’ve probably asked (some more frequently than others). And as parents of the latter have found, it’s also not a question that is answered easily, or at least not to anyone’s satisfaction. Perhaps, as well as that question, we should be asking for more from our family vacation. Or maybe all we want is a getaway that’s a bit more, you know, child-friendly. Here, we’ve scoured the globe to sniff out holidays that work on numerous levels and for all ages. From shared adventures at the far reaches of the Earth to kids’ clubs that go further than most. Yes, we are there.