The family holiday!!!!!!!!
Discussion
schmalex said:
Yes. They were a bit s
t to be honest. Too expensive for what you got and full of slightly orange people preening themselves whilst shoving the kids off to kids clubs for the 2 weeks of the year that the kids really wanted to spend time with their parents.
We've done two, only one felt a little as you described, the other was wonderful (Portugal resort) but half day kids clubs were appreciated by both child and parents. Free (well included). evening child care even more so! t to be honest. Too expensive for what you got and full of slightly orange people preening themselves whilst shoving the kids off to kids clubs for the 2 weeks of the year that the kids really wanted to spend time with their parents.When asked on the Thursday of our holiday what our 2 year old wanted to do the next day, he said go to nursery - he was bored of mummy and daddy and wanted to see his friends!
bint said:
We've done two, only one felt a little as you described, the other was wonderful (Portugal resort) but half day kids clubs were appreciated by both child and parents. Free (well included). evening child care even more so!
When asked on the Thursday of our holiday what our 2 year old wanted to do the next day, he said go to nursery - he was bored of mummy and daddy and wanted to see his friends!
Depends on the age of the kids - ours 0 and 3 we would never consider a kids crèche maybe when a bit older but even then go along with them (heck at least one of the parents only sees the kids evenings and weekends so hardly a chore to see kids during the holiday/a great opportunity to spend quality time with them). When asked on the Thursday of our holiday what our 2 year old wanted to do the next day, he said go to nursery - he was bored of mummy and daddy and wanted to see his friends!
Different holiday sure but things change a lot when you have kids ...
jackal said:
Kefalonia
Took my kids there last summer
Quick flight, resort 5 mins from airport, lovely and hot, gorgeous lush island with plenty to explore and some stunning beaches
Cheap and simple hols and arguably the best of all the Greek islands
One drawback is they don't do All Inc which I'd have to have with kids who no doubt will hate certain types of food picky etc ice cream dropped again etc just makes it easier. Took my kids there last summer
Quick flight, resort 5 mins from airport, lovely and hot, gorgeous lush island with plenty to explore and some stunning beaches
Cheap and simple hols and arguably the best of all the Greek islands
jonny996 said:
I never meant it to come across as I am going on better holidays than you!
That is a baffling conclusion to come to and a long way off the mark.My point was that you have given no indication of how far you are prepared to travel and what you are actually looking for in a holiday (other than sleep).
If you want kids clubs - try Pierre et Vacances - they have places all over France and some in Spain and Italy. If you want to avoid the usual suspects - try the Village Club Lacanau.
If you want something different - try Sri Lanka - you could get 7-8 days in SW Sri Lanka in a beach hotel for that budget with Virgin Holidays.
I'd avoid Florida in summer - too humid with a good chance of thunderstorms; ditto for the Caribbean, unless you head for Aruba.
But most importantly, don't plan on lying on a sun-lounger for the whole time - neither your kids nor your missus will be in the least bit impressed.
+1 laying in a sun lounger -- forget about it you will be utterly shattered playing with the kids all day but hey I'd say that's actually the best bit playing with the kids
You can still soak up some cocktails but not too many due to being responsible.
The kids will need to stay in the shade a lot (or in the water) so again a high bronzed look simply isn't going to be happening for many many many years now - a good thing in itself as pasty White is very healthy.
Our kids were getting niiggly on our recent 3.5 hour flight, I'd love to do further BUT I'm not so sure + helping them to use the dirty plane toilets isn't really great. You could be lucky or not but door to door total tfr time UK home to hotel room is important.
You can still soak up some cocktails but not too many due to being responsible.
The kids will need to stay in the shade a lot (or in the water) so again a high bronzed look simply isn't going to be happening for many many many years now - a good thing in itself as pasty White is very healthy.
Our kids were getting niiggly on our recent 3.5 hour flight, I'd love to do further BUT I'm not so sure + helping them to use the dirty plane toilets isn't really great. You could be lucky or not but door to door total tfr time UK home to hotel room is important.
jackal said:
Kefalonia
Took my kids there last summer
Quick flight, resort 5 mins from airport, lovely and hot, gorgeous lush island with plenty to explore and some stunning beaches
Cheap and simple hols and arguably the best of all the Greek islands
Plus one to this! What a fantastic island. We got a lovely villa there last year, and are going back again this year - dealing direct with the villa owner this time so we are getting 2 weeks for what we paid for one. Took my kids there last summer
Quick flight, resort 5 mins from airport, lovely and hot, gorgeous lush island with plenty to explore and some stunning beaches
Cheap and simple hols and arguably the best of all the Greek islands
Kefalonia is amazing - so many fabulously different beaches, loads of history, delicious grub, and loads to do. Great place for a family holiday
For the last few years, we've gone to the Alps in the summer. We stay in Chamonix which is a lovely town, very accessible from Geneva airport - although we tend to drive. Loads of restaurants and outdoors stuff to do, including walking, more energetic hikes, swimming, cycling etc. Also great to kick back and relax amid the views. We stay here http://www.iceandorange.com/ run by a lovely couple with food options.
Mobile Chicane said:
Royan, France. Most Brits have never heard of it, but it's where the French go on holiday.
Allegedly the most sunshine anywhere in France, with wide sandy beaches. A stone's throw away from Cognac, Bordeaux, the Isle d'Oleron, the big Atlantic breakers at Arcachon, plus the space thingy at Poitiers ought to be do-able in a day.
Fabulous part of the world. Try a trip with Canvas Holidays or Eurocamp. Impossible to imagine a better holiday for kids and I and many others find it totally relaxing. No rules, and rules on holiday are the devils way of making people tense.Allegedly the most sunshine anywhere in France, with wide sandy beaches. A stone's throw away from Cognac, Bordeaux, the Isle d'Oleron, the big Atlantic breakers at Arcachon, plus the space thingy at Poitiers ought to be do-able in a day.
I've been on a number of Mark Warner holidays, both skiing and summer. I resisted for years but having been I was a bit of a convert. We been to Levante beach in Rhodes a couple of times and can't recommend it highly enough. Kids were well looked after - elder one is 12 and now has her RYA level 3 and is a pretty competent dingy sailor. Younger tends to spend more time windsurfing. I lay by the pool, read and listened to the cricket while also going for some decent bike rides (they have both road and mountain bikes and do escorted tours of various degrees of difficulty). Food is good, alcohol very reasonably priced, flights are BA charters and the transfer is short - about 40 mins. If you are thinking of going join the ski club of Great Britain as it gets you 10% off (even the summer holidays). I know some people decry it as Middle class Butlins but that was just fine by me.
Welshbeef said:
Last year we went to the Calla Medina Hotel in Mallorca - very impressed with it/from a family holiday perspective.
http://www.insotelhotelgroup.com/en/resorts/mallor...
Can I gate crash this thread? I thinking of the first overseas family holiday next year - my kids will be 5 & 7 then. We've had some great holidays on the UK south coast, but I want to get them on a (short) flight and try and have an amazing family holiday overseas. Pool, Beach, sun and all inclusive food are needed, and lots of things for the kids.http://www.insotelhotelgroup.com/en/resorts/mallor...
The above sounds very good, that or a nice villa with pool (Villaplus?) but would need things near by within minimal hassle and travelling about. Can anyone offer any other recommendations for somewhere for next year? I'll be showing the one above to the missus, bit if you've tried anywhere and loved it, it would be good to hear from you!
giger said:
Can I gate crash this thread? I thinking of the first overseas family holiday next year - my kids will be 5 & 7 then. We've had some great holidays on the UK south coast, but I want to get them on a (short) flight and try and have an amazing family holiday overseas. Pool, Beach, sun and all inclusive food are needed, and lots of things for the kids.
The above sounds very good, that or a nice villa with pool (Villaplus?) but would need things near by within minimal hassle and travelling about. Can anyone offer any other recommendations for somewhere for next year? I'll be showing the one above to the missus, bit if you've tried anywhere and loved it, it would be good to hear from you!
If you want to go to Mallorca, I can highly recommend the Pollenca area. We hire a villa through VillaPlus there every year and it is all very hassle free and a beautiful part of the island.The above sounds very good, that or a nice villa with pool (Villaplus?) but would need things near by within minimal hassle and travelling about. Can anyone offer any other recommendations for somewhere for next year? I'll be showing the one above to the missus, bit if you've tried anywhere and loved it, it would be good to hear from you!
giger said:
Can I gate crash this thread? I thinking of the first overseas family holiday next year - my kids will be 5 & 7 then. We've had some great holidays on the UK south coast, but I want to get them on a (short) flight and try and have an amazing family holiday overseas. Pool, Beach, sun and all inclusive food are needed, and lots of things for the kids.
The above sounds very good, that or a nice villa with pool (Villaplus?) but would need things near by within minimal hassle and travelling about. Can anyone offer any other recommendations for somewhere for next year? I'll be showing the one above to the missus, bit if you've tried anywhere and loved it, it would be good to hear from you!
http://www.insotelhotelgroup.com/en/resorts/menorca/insotel-punta-prima-resortThe above sounds very good, that or a nice villa with pool (Villaplus?) but would need things near by within minimal hassle and travelling about. Can anyone offer any other recommendations for somewhere for next year? I'll be showing the one above to the missus, bit if you've tried anywhere and loved it, it would be good to hear from you!
We've booked the above this year which is 5 star compared to my previous link which was a really nice 4 star. Will report back on our return but it looks and sounds very very good reviews excellent.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff