When planning winter holidays with grandchildren, it is worth ensuring a balance between the activity level of the youngest and the need for grandparents to rest by choosing a place that offers amenities for both generations.
A winter trip accompanied by grandparents is an excellent opportunity to strengthen bonds, provided there is good organization and the pace of the day is adapted to the abilities of all participants. A well-chosen location makes the holidays with a grandchild a time for relaxation, not a logistical challenge beyond one's strength.
When are the winter holidays in the 2025/2026 school year?
The dates of the winter school break in Poland are flexible and set each year by the Ministry of National Education with division by voivodeships. This system aims to spread out tourist traffic, which in practice means less crowding on slopes or in hotel pools.
The winter holidays schedule for 2026 is as follows:
- Round I (January 19 – February 1): the voivodeships of Mazowieckie, Pomorskie, Podlaskie, Świętokrzyskie and Warmińsko-Mazurskie rest.
- Round II (February 2 – 15): the school holidays are for students from Dolnośląskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Łódzkie, Zachodniopomorskie, Małopolskie, and Opolskie.
- Round III (February 16 – March 1): the cycle ends with the voivodeships of Podkarpackie, Lubelskie, Wielkopolskie, Lubuskie, and Śląskie.
For grandparents planning a trip, it is crucial to verify the calendar for the specific region where the child lives. When planning holidays with grandchildren, it is advisable to think about booking several weeks in advance, which not only allows choosing a better room but often also benefits from “first minute” offers. If grandparents are already retired and have flexible time, they can tailor their schedule entirely around their grandchild's free days, which greatly facilitates working parents.
Holidays with grandchildren – relaxation for seniors and relief for parents
A trip with grandparents and grandchildren is a scenario where all three sides benefit. Parents gain priceless time for work or rest at home, knowing their children are in good care. Children have a chance to change their environment and detox from digital devices (if caregivers choose offline activities), and seniors can feel needed and active. However, to make this scenario work, one must realistically assess their capabilities. Caring for an energetic young child 24 hours a day can be physically exhausting. Therefore, an increasingly chosen model is holidays with grandchildren at a spa or a hotel with a pool and spa, which take over part of the responsibilities related to organizing time and meals.
The key to success is choosing a place that is not just a bedroom but offers infrastructure allowing the child to tire themselves out safely while giving grandparents a moment to rest. Winter weather can be unpredictable, so relying solely on walks or sledding is risky. The facility should have indoor amenities – a pool, playroom, or organized animation. In such a setup, grandparents can watch their grandchildren play from a poolside lounger or a café chair instead of chasing them in the frost for many hours.
The health aspect is equally important. Instead of traveling to high mountains, where pressure changes may negatively affect seniors' well-being, it is worth considering lowlands or lake districts. Many people opt for trips combined with health prophylaxis. Access to rehabilitation treatments on site allows combining pleasure with usefulness – in the morning, the grandfather enjoys a spine massage while the grandchild plays in the playroom, and in the afternoon they take a walk together. This travel model ensures the holiday does not end with the caregiver being physically exhausted.
Holidays with grandchildren at Villa Park Med & SPA in Ciechocinek
An example of a facility that fits the concept of combining the needs of two generations is Villa Park Med & Spa in Ciechocinek. It is a four-star hotel located in the center of the Spa Park, which facilitates logistics – leaving the building, you immediately find yourself in a walking area without the need for transportation. The facility combines spa traditions with a modern medical wellness approach, which is important for seniors wishing to take care of their health during the holiday (e.g. for a healthy spine).
For guests planning holidays with grandchildren at the spa, solutions have been prepared that allow relaxation regardless of the weather. The heart of the recreational zone is Saltaris SPA. Here you will find an indoor pool supplied with natural brine, which itself constitutes a form of inhalation. A unique curiosity is the indoor brine graduation tower – a unique solution that allows benefiting from the microclimate without going out into the frost. Grandparents can also use the jacuzzi, sauna with a view of the park, or the Med & SPA Institute zone offering structural rehabilitation (including cardiomed) and over 100 treatments.
From the perspective of childcare, Hotel Villa Park provides an indoor playroom, and during holiday periods packages with animations are often organized, which relieves caregivers. Rooms are air-conditioned and equipped with necessary amenities, and some have balconies. Meals in the Preludium Restaurant in Ciechocinek are based on seasonal cuisine and products from local suppliers, eliminating the problem of cooking and allowing guests to focus solely on relaxation.
Ciechocinek and Toruń – attractions for holidays with grandchildren
Choosing Ciechocinek for a winter trip is justified practically and health-wise. The spa town is mainly associated with summer, but in winter it gains a completely different, calmer character. The famous Brine Graduation Towers, although their full effect depends on the weather and brine flow, provide a monumental backdrop for walks. Inhaling aerosol rich in iodine is recommended for children with recurrent upper respiratory tract infections, a common problem during school age. The Spa Park, near which many accommodation facilities are located, offers snow-cleared and safe paths for elderly people, unlike icy mountain trails.
Spending the winter holidays with a grandchild in this part of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie voivodeship, it is worth using the location for short sightseeing trips. Ciechocinek is close to the A1 highway, ensuring quick access from Łódź or Warsaw but also allowing a short trip to Toruń. Visiting the Gingerbread Museum or the Planetarium is a great alternative for a day with bad weather. In Ciechocinek itself, it is worth showing grandchildren the historic Presidential Manor or the historic Summer Theater.
Summary
A successful intergenerational trip requires compromise but above all the choice of a place that takes the burden of daily duties off the grandparents. Medical spa facilities in spa towns are a safe haven, offering pools and playrooms for the youngest and professional wellness for seniors. It is worth planning holidays with grandchildren in advance by checking the availability of rooms and animation packages for the chosen dates.
Those interested in the "Family winter holidays with meals and pool" offer are encouraged to check availability on our website or contact the reception. We will help tailor the stay to the holiday dates in your voivodeship.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will children get bored in a medical spa facility?
Most modern facilities of this type have zones dedicated to the youngest, such as playrooms or recreational pools. During holiday periods, animations are also organized, giving children something to do and adults time for treatments.
2. What documents are needed for grandparents to travel with grandchildren?
In Poland, special notarized authorizations are generally not required, but it is advisable to have a written parental consent for caregiving, the child's health book, and their identity document (ID card or school ID).
3. Are treatments in the medical zone safe for older people?
Yes, in professional facilities, treatments are preceded by consultations or selected by physiotherapists. Structural rehabilitation programs or cardiomed are even recommended for seniors wishing to improve their condition.
4. What to do in Ciechocinek in winter when the weather does not favor walks?
Aside from using hotel infrastructure (pools, indoor graduation towers), visitors can explore local indoor attractions, such as the mineral water pump room, or take a trip to nearby Toruń, which offers many museums and interactive attractions.
5. Are brine pools suitable for children?
Yes, bathing in diluted brine is generally safe and can have a hardening effect on the child's body. However, always follow pool regulations and recommendations regarding the time spent in brine water.
