Half-term is barely unpacked, the school bags still smell faintly of sun cream, and here I am talking about Easter. I know. But this is the quiet window where the families who plan well get ahead of everyone who'll be scrambling in January. Here's why, and how I'd approach it.

 

Easter is early in 2027, and that changes everything

Easter Sunday falls on 28 March 2027, so most school holidays will straddle the end of March and the start of April. That matters more than people think. Late March is not summer in the Mediterranean. Southern Spain, Greece and the Algarve can be lovely for a walking-and-lunches kind of trip, but if your children's idea of a holiday is a heated pool and long hot afternoons, you may be disappointed. An early Easter means picking your destination for the weather you actually want, not the one you're hoping for.

 

Where is properly warm at the end of March

If guaranteed sun is the brief, look a little further. The Canary Islands are the easy short-haul answer: warm, reliable, and around four hours away. Dubai and the wider Middle East are at their best in spring, warm without the summer heat. Further out, the Caribbean is in its dry season, Mauritius is coming out of summer, and Florida is a classic for families who want theme parks and pools in one trip. Each suits a different family and a different budget, which is exactly why the destination conversation comes first.

 

 

Why now, not January

The best family rooms go first. Connecting rooms, genuine suites and villas with a pool make up a small share of any resort, and families who've done this before book them early. Wait until after Christmas and you're choosing from what's left, often at a higher price. Flights follow the same pattern for school-holiday dates. Booking now isn't about panic. It's about choice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The bits that catch families out at Easter


A few things worth checking before you commit:

 

  • Your school's exact dates. They vary by area, so check before you book, not after.
  • Kids' clubs. Make sure they're running your week and cover your children's ages.
  • Passports. Check the months of validity left on each child's passport, not just the expiry date, and renew in good time — spring is busy.
  • Ramadan and local holidays. In some destinations these affect opening hours and atmosphere, so it's worth knowing the dates before you choose.
  • Deposit and payment terms. Know exactly what you're paying now, when the balance is due, and what happens if plans change.


What I'd do this week

Settle your dates. Decide what matters most — guaranteed heat, short flight, or something special. Set a realistic budget that includes the extras. Then get the right room secured while there's still a choice. That's it. The rest can wait until the new year.

 

 

The bottom line


Easter 2027 will come round faster than any of us would like. The families who book in the autumn get the room, the resort and the weather they actually wanted. Everyone else gets what's left.

If you want the exact questions I ask every resort before I book a family in, grab my free guide What Resorts Won't Tell You — comment RESORT on any of my Instagram posts. And if you'd like my honest shortlist of family resorts for Easter, comment SHORTLIST or get in touch and I'll send it over.

 

 Get in touch at www.letsgo-travel.co.uk

 

*Jenny Willcock is a luxury family travel specialist and founder of Lets Go Travel. She travels regularly with her three children and books family holidays across Europe, the Middle East and beyond.