For a long time, family vacations were all about compromise. Today, they follow a different formula: giving everyone the freedom to enjoy their stay as they please, without sacrificing shared moments. With a variety of accommodations, dining options, activities for all ages, sports, wellness, and programs dedicated to longevity, the new generation of vacation villages now focuses on a highly personalized experience. In Sardinia, the Forte Village exemplifies this shift, where luxury is no longer limited to comfort but extends to choice.
“À la carte” vacations are replacing one-size-fits-all vacations
Travelers’ expectations have changed profoundly. Families are no longer just looking for a beachfront hotel or a resort offering a few activities. They want to be able to bring together multiple generations, accommodate different lifestyles, and allow everyone to plan their own days.
Grandparents dream of a wellness retreat, teenagers of sports activities, the youngest children of play areas, while parents sometimes simply long for a few hours of peace and quiet. The success of large resorts lies precisely in their ability to simultaneously meet these expectations without giving the impression of an imposed schedule.
In Sardinia, the Forte Village, set amid fifty hectares of subtropical gardens, takes this concept to the extreme.Eight hotels, more than forty suites, and thirteen villas allow each family to choose accommodations that match their travel style—whether it’s a bungalow near the activities, a villa with a private pool, or a suite overlooking the sea.
Luxury today? Being able to set your own pace
This shift reflects a broader trend in tourism: the era of synchronized vacations is gradually giving way to that of personalized vacations.
While some enjoy the beach, others take a tennis lesson, participate in a yoga session, explore a sports academy, or treat themselves to a few hours at a spa. In the evening, everyone gathers for dinner.
Forte Village offers more than twenty sports academies, ranging from soccer with the Fundación Real Madrid Clinic to tennis, padel, fencing, cycling, and even pickleball, for both children and adults.
Younger guests also have spaces designed entirely for them. Children’s Wonderland features a nursery, mini-club, creative workshops, a water park, a miniature village, sports activities, shows, and areas dedicated to teens, allowing parents to fully enjoy their own activities.
Wellness Becomes a Family Activity
Another major trend: wellness is no longer reserved for adults.
High-end destinations now include offerings that allow everyone to take care of themselves, regardless of age. Parents can book a massage while their children participate in a sports or creative activity. Teens can explore yoga, fitness, or team sports, while grandparents extend their stay thanks to health programs.
Le Forte Village has developed a comprehensive preventive health approach centered around its Acquaforte Thalasso & Spa. Its circuit of six thalassotherapy pools, designed using magnesium-enriched seawater, is complemented by targeted programs focused on detox, physical recovery, anti-aging, cardio fitness, and menopause. The resort also offers medical checkups, nutritional consultations, and personalized protocols combining preventive medicine, physical activity, and holistic treatments.
This rise in popularity of stays that combine vacation and wellness illustrates another trend: longevity tourism. Traveling is no longer just about relaxing—it’s also about returning home in better shape.
A destination also becomes a culinary journey
Dining has become an important factor in choosing a resort. Travelers now seek a varied selection, allowing them to enjoy a variety of culinary experiences without leaving their resort.
Le Forte Village meets this expectation with up to 27 restaurants during peak season. Sardinian cuisine is featured alongside Italian, Indian, Brazilian, and Japanese specialties, as well as restaurants dedicated to grilled meats and seafood. This diversity allows guests to enjoy a variety of atmospheres and cuisines throughout their stay.
The offerings are also supported by several renowned chefs. Heinz Beck curates the menu at the Beachcomber restaurant, while Giuseppe Molaro offers cuisine at the Belvedere that blends Mediterranean and Japanese influences. The resort also hosts Carlo Cracco’s restaurant as well as Rocco Iannone’s trattoria. During the summer, Celebrity Chef Nights bring together Italian and international chefs for themed dinners.
Local cuisine remains a central focus. At the Sardinian Restaurant or at Le Dune, led by Sardinian chef Andrea Putzu, traditional recipes and the island’s produce take center stage. This approach relies on short-chain sourcing from Sardinian producers for cheeses, vegetables, breads, honey, saffron, and fish.
The offerings are rounded out by a wine cellar with over 600 selections, an artisanal pastry shop, a restaurant dedicated to children, wellness-focused breakfasts, and a Cooking Academy, where adults and children can learn how to make fresh pasta and Sardinian specialties. Dining is thus an integral part of the vacation experience, just like sports activities and wellness.
The vacation village becomes a destination in its own right
This new generation of resorts is profoundly transforming the very concept of a vacation.
Guests no longer simply book a room, but rather a complete ecosystem where everyone can create their own itinerary. A variety of accommodations, sports activities, culinary experiences, children’s areas, wellness centers, health support, and longevity programs all serve the same goal: to bring multiple generations together without imposing a single model on them.
With this approach, luxury no longer lies solely in the quality of the services, but in the opportunity offered to each family member to enjoy a different kind of vacation… while sharing the same memories. It is likely this freedom—even more so than the sun or the beach—that is redefining the new trends in family vacations today.
Featured photo : © Forte Village
