Seeking barefoot luxury? Islas Secas is a 14-island archipelago on Panama's Pacific coast, 13 of which have been left pristine and undeveloped. The other houses this spectacular, but approachable, stay. Wildlife (including dolphins and humpback whales) greatly outnumbers humans - with only 18 guests welcomed at a time. The hotel has an outdoor-indoor vibe, pairing relaxation (think al fresco tubs, sprawling decks and soul-stirring Pacific views) with a little bit of adventure - the reason mother Felicia (@_felicia_) recommends it as family-friendly winter sun destination. "When planning a family trip, I tend to seek out beautiful and unique properties in new destinations that are a bit off the beaten path. Islas Secas checks off all of these boxes, and remains one of our most memorable experiences," she says.

The Maldives might be the archetypal honeymoon hotspot, but its sugar-soft sands and crystal-clear waters make it a good choice for a family holiday, too. With an ethos that champions shared experiences, Patina Maldives offers an array of experiences aimed at guests of all ages, including Maldivian cooking classes and coral conservation workshops. "I really love the idea of holidays where you're connecting with your family, and Patina Maldives was the perfect place to enjoy activities together," says Rhiannon Taylor (@inbedwith.me). "It had everything in one spot for the whole family." That includes a clever Montessori-inspired kids' club, Footprints. For a chance to switch off completely, drop your charges there and head over to the private pools (or back to your supersized outdoor bathtub) to recharge.

With spectacular scenery, world-class wine, magnificent beaches and in the same time zone as the UK - goodbye, jet lag - South Africa is fantastic for families. A safari adventure doesn't need to be put off until your kids have flown the nest, either. Melozhori, a game reserve in the Western Cape (a mere two-hour drive from Cape Town), was created for parents, by parents - and comes recommended by adventurer Faye Shearwood (@meandbeau_travels). Free from both predators and malaria, the surrounding wilderness is home to 38 species of game and 129 species of birds, allowing guests to immerse themselves in nature. Tiny travellers will marvel as you flit between private game drives, restorative hikes, sunset picnics and hot-tub stargazing. "We spent our days spotting giraffes, wildebeest and zebras on safari with our private guide, and our nights watching the stars while toasting marshmallows and listening for animals in the bush," says Shearwood.

Don't underestimate the power of a short three-and-a-half-hour flight to a sun-soaked whole new world when your travel companions are inclined to a quick tantrum. Marrakech has all the ingredients that make for a stellar winter escape, including boutique boltholes, labyrinthine streets to be explored, flavour-filled feasts and an abundance of artisanal wares to fill your suitcase with. An intimate eight-room stay in the heart of medina, Riad Yasmine is the passion project of French owners Gabriel Paris and Alice Tassery. All of the rooms are individually designed, while the central courtyard cocoons a plunge pool set amid a lush jungle of plants. Hungry? Modern Moroccan food can be found at Nomad, a rooftop café that boasts the city's best views over the medina and mountains. It's tranquil, but kids are welcome. "Located in the heart of the medina, footsteps away from the main sights, it feels far from the noise of the city," says Portugal-based parent and traveller Ola (@hellotravellady). "We stayed in the Naila suite, one of the biggest rooms available. The kids loved the tub in the large, green-tiled bathroom, and splashing in the pool after a long day of sightseeing."

We suggest parents swerve the crowded islands of New Providence and Grand Bahama in favour of the lesser-known Bahamian base Eleuthera, a pink-sand island that flies under the radar. A solar-powered, sustainability-minded retreat, The Other Side has been designed to leave little imprint on the environment, but we guarantee it will leave a big mark on your family memories. Lean into laid-back island life with scenic swimming and sandy strolling. With just a scattering of cottages and three lavish "tents", it's easy to feel like the only guests on the entire island - it's all a little Robinson Crusoe (minus the cannibals). There may be canvas roofs involved, but camping this is not: think four-poster beds, sumptuous sofas and palatial bathrooms kitted out with outdoor tubs and rainfall showers. "I still struggle to describe this heavenly place, but I now fully understand the meaning of the words 'paradise found'," says Thandi Maqubela (@thandimaq). "Think ultimate seclusion with beautiful views and quite possibly the most spectacular pool I'll ever swim in."

Singapore might not be first on your list when planning an all-the-gang adventure, but with the dry season between February and April offering warm days with little humidity, and a new push to make the city-state a little more lovable (via, primarily, a host of super green city parks and gardens), we're calling it the wild card of family explorations. Your base in the city? The Warehouse Hotel, a historic stay with a top-of-the-class location. Bunk up at this striking, 1895-built property and you'll be a hop and a skip away from the sights and smells of Tiong Bahru Market, as well as the family-friendly exhibitions at STPI Creative Workshop & Gallery. You're also not too far from the city's best stretch of sand: on days when little legs are tired, we'd hotfoot it to Tanjong Beach Club, a child-friendly restaurant and bar. "City hotels can be quite businesslike and not always the most family-friendly," says travel writer Milly Kenny-Ryder (@millykr). "This wasn't the case at all with The Warehouse Hotel, with its 37 slick and stylish rooms housed in a meticulously restored heritage building."

Offering so much more than package holidays and all-inclusive clichés, Lanzarote is a surprisingly cool Canary, and, according to Tiny Travelship, always comes up in conversations with in-the-know parents, who rate its guaranteed sunshine, tantalising tapas, unspoilt shores and sublime wine offering. Traveller Claire Such (@clairesuch) suggests making life easy by booking into Kamezí Boutique Villas, where you'll have the privacy of a private villa but can enjoy the pampering of a hotel experience, including on-site dining (if you want), a daily housekeeping service and access to a wellness centre. You can spend mornings lounging by your personal pool and evenings devouring the seasonal specialities, like Canarian potatoes, at the sea-gazing hotel restaurant. "We stayed in a modern and spacious open-plan four-bedroom villa with a private garden and pool," says Such.