Agent tips: 'Five holidays I'd pick for my autistic child'
Inspired by her own family’s experiences, InteleTravel agent Kathryn Freeman became a certified autism travel professional to enable her to help autism families to travel
I’ve been a travel agent for nearly four years, based in Sheffield, having previously worked in the NHS for 17 years, as a specialist Hepato-Pancreatico-Biliary (HPB) dietician. I am married with two children, an 11-year-old daughter and a seven-year-old son, who was diagnosed with autism in September 2021.
I have always loved travelling but travelling with an autistic child can be particularly challenging. Autistic individuals can often find travel and holidays difficult, due to uncertainty, lack of control, queuing, busy environments, new experiences, and changes to routine. But we can see that our son benefits from travelling so much and thrives on holidays.
I offer a specialist and bespoke service and have expertise in offering advice to families with autism. I completed extra training to become an International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) Certified Autism Travel Professional (CATP) which is defined as a professional who has demonstrated that they are both knowledgeable and capable of providing support and travel-related services to an individual on the autism spectrum and their family.
Here are my top five holiday tips for families with autistic children.
The Algarve
For families that want a short flight from the UK, I often recommend the Algarve. We particularly love the large, stretch of golden sand at Falesia Beach, which is backed by cliffs, and far from dangerous roads, so it’s a safe option for children that love to run around. There are also good supermarkets, including The Food Co. which supplies British-branded products, which is great for people that struggle with changes in food. In addition, there are lots of attractions, including waterparks and theme parks.
Where to stay?
Eden Resort in Albufeira is great for families that want to try an all-inclusive resort, but still require a fully equipped kitchen in case eating in the restaurant doesn’t quite go to plan! It’s located in a peaceful suburb of eastern Albufeira, and features a splash park, indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, tennis and football facilities, a kids’ club and both daytime and evening entertainment. You can choose between one-, two-, and three-bedroom accommodation, and there are four-bedroom villas with private heated pools too.
Book it: Classic Collection offers seven nights’ self-catering at Eden Resort from £3,730.50 for a family of four in a one-bedroom apartment departing 27 October. Includes flights from Manchester and private transfers;
Disneyland Paris
Lots of autistic children love Disney, and who wouldn’t want a magical Disney experience? I recommend Disneyland Paris as a first Disney experience, because it’s a short flight from the UK and the resort is smaller and more manageable than the US parks. You can opt to stay on site but days in Disney, whilst magical and exciting, can also be very tiring, especially for autistic individuals. I would recommend staying offsite to allow lots of down time and relaxation and there are other attractions in Marne-la-Vallee, such as a shopping centre.
Where to stay?
I recommend Villages Nature Paris in Marne-la-Vallee for families that want to spend a couple of days in Disney, but also want some time to relax in nature. This resort has an indoor water park, a heated outdoor lagoon, a spa and a farm, with multiple activities and entertainment options too, so you can choose to do as much or as little as you like.
Book it: Instant Breaks offers seven nights for a family of four in a VIP two-bedroom apartment, including theme park tickets for two days, departing on 3 August, from £4,351.66 (with transport via Eurotunnel, Eurostar, ferry or flights extra); instantbreaks.com
Dubrovnik
City breaks are popular, but navigating busy roads with autistic children that have limited danger awareness can be very stressful. For families that want a taste of culture, I recommend staying just outside of a city where possible. A pedestrianised area, or close to a park or beach, offers you a safe place to retreat to when needed. Dubrovnik is coastal and has amazing sea views that have a calming influence on most people. The Old Town is a pedestrian-only zone, and there are lots of things to do such as walking the walls or taking a cable car up to see views of the Old Town and Elaphiti Islands.
Where to stay?
I recommend Sun Gardens Dubrovnik for glorious sea views, as it’s set in a beautiful bay with views to the island of Kolocep and has a private pebble beach. It has elegant rooms and suites, or larger residences with well-equipped kitchenettes. There’s even a five-bed resort villa with private pool. There are indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, impressive sports facilities including a climbing wall, a beach volleyball court, a kids’ club, and sports academies for football, tennis, squash, dance, swimming and water sports. Multiple bars and restaurants are available, or you can self-cater in your own residence if you prefer.
Book it: Jet2 Holidays offers seven nights’ room-only at Sun Gardens Dubrovnik from £4,120 for a family of four in a two-bedroom apartment on a self-catering basis, including flights from East Midlands, departing 27 October, and private transfers; jet2holidays.com
Dubai
Dubai is a very autism-friendly destination, because many of the resorts and attractions are committed to being accessible to all, and the many lights, and fountains are great for sensory seekers! Dubai International Airport is no exception – they have a dedicated Autism Friendly Route with priority lanes for check-in, passport control, security and boarding, which can be accessed when wearing the sunflower lanyard.
Where to stay?
Sofitel Dubai the Palm is an upscale spa resort, set on a private beach at the edge of the Palm Jumeirah. It has refined rooms, suites and apartments with fully equipped kitchens, as well as villas with private pools. There are six pools, along with 11 eateries and bars, a French-Polynesian styled spa, a gym, and a kids’ club, plus tennis and water sports facilities. So, this is another great option where you can sample hotel dining and also self-cater for any restrictive diets, if needed, in the comfort of your own villa or apartment. It’s also close to Atlantis Dubai, so you can get a day pass to visit the autism-friendly Aquaventure waterpark within Aquaventure World, then retreat to the calmer environment that the Sofitel offers.
Book it: Major Travel offers seven nights’ half-board for a family of four in a one-bedroom apartment, from £6,975.91 including flights from Birmingham departing 15 February 2025 and private transfers; major.travel
Cruise
For families that long to go abroad, but don’t feel able to embark on a flight, I would recommend considering a cruise. There are various different options that originate and end in the UK, and many cruise lines are trying their best to be accessible for all.
Which cruise to take?
Royal Caribbean has an children’s programme, Adventure Ocean, that offers autism-friendly facilities including sensory-friendly films and toys, priority check in, boarding and departure, special dietary accommodations, autism training for staff and flexible grouping by ability for children aged between three and 11 years. They also offer pagers and phones for the use of parents of children signed into Adventure Ocean. The huge number of restaurants, bars, shows, and activities on board is great for any sensory seekers. If you haven’t cruised before, there are lots of short taster cruises that you can try, before embarking on longer cruises.
Book it: Royal Caribbean International offers a seven-night Spain & Portugal Cruise onboard Independence of the Seas, departing Southampton on 24 May 2025 from £5,134 for a family of four in an ocean view stateroom with balcony; royalcaribbean.com
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