Family holiday conundrum
Discussion
We’ve got kids (5 and 7) and are having a bit of a debate about what to do about holidays now they are that age.
Previously we’d always done airbnbs chiefly because I hate other people, the wife isn’t mega against that idea, and the kids were little so it didn’t matter. I hate hate hate package holiday hotel resort all inclusive type things and the wife thinks similar… but we kind of agree it would be nice for the kids to make friends etc.
Before kids we travelled a lot and went to all sorts of interesting places.
I am prepared to budge on my type of holiday I’d prefer, but package hols seem so so expensive it just makes me doubly not want to do that. We’re also now stuck with school hols only now really.
Part of me would quite like the kids to have someone to play with so we don’t always have to directly entertain them, but part of me thinks the point of a holiday is for us to connect with our own kids. I’m not a big boozer and I also have stomach issues so tons of food and drink is not really my aim. It’s more about quality I think. My wife doesn’t drink at all. I also don’t want to slip down the slippery slope of just doing ‘kid friendly’ hols and would also like to take them to more interesting places than the typical standard countries for sun and sand.
Any thoughts on this?
Previously we’d always done airbnbs chiefly because I hate other people, the wife isn’t mega against that idea, and the kids were little so it didn’t matter. I hate hate hate package holiday hotel resort all inclusive type things and the wife thinks similar… but we kind of agree it would be nice for the kids to make friends etc.
Before kids we travelled a lot and went to all sorts of interesting places.
I am prepared to budge on my type of holiday I’d prefer, but package hols seem so so expensive it just makes me doubly not want to do that. We’re also now stuck with school hols only now really.
Part of me would quite like the kids to have someone to play with so we don’t always have to directly entertain them, but part of me thinks the point of a holiday is for us to connect with our own kids. I’m not a big boozer and I also have stomach issues so tons of food and drink is not really my aim. It’s more about quality I think. My wife doesn’t drink at all. I also don’t want to slip down the slippery slope of just doing ‘kid friendly’ hols and would also like to take them to more interesting places than the typical standard countries for sun and sand.
Any thoughts on this?
IME at that age kids find ANY holiday exciting. They don't have preconceived ideas of what type of holiday they want. the main thing they want is attention from the parents.
When mine were younger we used to enjoy package holidays. They loved the pool, the sunshine, the waterparks even the food (because it was different to what they had at home). We tended to go AI so they loved the unlimited ice cream and soft drinks.
OTOH my mate prefers to stay in the UK and tends to go camping or log cabin type holidays with LOTS of walking. Again his kids seem to enjoy it.
Once they get older and their classmates talk about Disney then things might change
When mine were younger we used to enjoy package holidays. They loved the pool, the sunshine, the waterparks even the food (because it was different to what they had at home). We tended to go AI so they loved the unlimited ice cream and soft drinks.
OTOH my mate prefers to stay in the UK and tends to go camping or log cabin type holidays with LOTS of walking. Again his kids seem to enjoy it.
Once they get older and their classmates talk about Disney then things might change
We've got a 9yo son and also did a lot of independent travel before we had him.
We also both dislike hotels, mainly because we like to go with the flow, so dancing to someone else's tune at a hotel with set meal times is a tad irksome.
Our solution has been going 'room only' in places, or renting an apartment with communal facilities. Until my Dad went into care last year we also had access to my parents' two-bed apartment on the La Manga complex in Spain. That is ideal as you get lots of families there also effectively self-catering, but sharing pool etc. These places are never over-subscribed, as they are 'residents only' (including those renting from owners) you always get a sunbed by the pool whenever you turn up, and don't have to endure the hell that is loads of other Brits on a package holiday. There is generally a couple of kids of a similar age to play with, but it's not overrun with screaming kids. Lots of bars and restaurants, sporting facilities and good supermarkets nearby.
The key thing is that it is generally nicely busy with 'some' kids around the age of our son, but not overwhelmed with hordes of screaming Brits on the piss all trying to get as much all-inclusive San Miguel down their neck as fast as possible. So you can usually tick the box of there being someone to entertain the kids, but not one of those hellish places where people race for the sunbeds at 7am. There are also loads of really nice beaches all within a short drive.
There are loads of rental agencies, I have just picked this at random to give an idea of type of properties (no affiliation).
https://www.lamangavillarental.co.uk/rentals/
We're going again in August, sadly my folks had to sell their place because of Dad's dementia, but we fortunately have a family friend who owns another one out there who lets us have it for free for a few weeks every summer. Before that was the case we rented a couple of places and had a great time.
Some people baulk at having to do *any* cooking on holiday. I've never really understood that, we mix it up, a bit of eating out, a bit of self-catering, depending on what we want to do on the day. Main thing is we are dancing to our tune, not someone else's.
ETA: most apartments at La Manga will be two bedders, so the kids get their own room. This was the kind of place my folks had before they sold it, we had some great times there. Pool is perfect for kids the age of yours: https://www.expedia.co.uk/Cartagena-Hotels-Los-Mol...
There is also a fellow PH'er over on the Buying An Apartment in Spain thread who lives at El Rancho across the road, he can vouch for how nice it is for a young family.
https://www.lamangavillarental.co.uk/resort/el-ran...
Restaurants: https://www.lamangaclubresort.co.uk/about/restaura...
We also both dislike hotels, mainly because we like to go with the flow, so dancing to someone else's tune at a hotel with set meal times is a tad irksome.
Our solution has been going 'room only' in places, or renting an apartment with communal facilities. Until my Dad went into care last year we also had access to my parents' two-bed apartment on the La Manga complex in Spain. That is ideal as you get lots of families there also effectively self-catering, but sharing pool etc. These places are never over-subscribed, as they are 'residents only' (including those renting from owners) you always get a sunbed by the pool whenever you turn up, and don't have to endure the hell that is loads of other Brits on a package holiday. There is generally a couple of kids of a similar age to play with, but it's not overrun with screaming kids. Lots of bars and restaurants, sporting facilities and good supermarkets nearby.
The key thing is that it is generally nicely busy with 'some' kids around the age of our son, but not overwhelmed with hordes of screaming Brits on the piss all trying to get as much all-inclusive San Miguel down their neck as fast as possible. So you can usually tick the box of there being someone to entertain the kids, but not one of those hellish places where people race for the sunbeds at 7am. There are also loads of really nice beaches all within a short drive.
There are loads of rental agencies, I have just picked this at random to give an idea of type of properties (no affiliation).
https://www.lamangavillarental.co.uk/rentals/
We're going again in August, sadly my folks had to sell their place because of Dad's dementia, but we fortunately have a family friend who owns another one out there who lets us have it for free for a few weeks every summer. Before that was the case we rented a couple of places and had a great time.
Some people baulk at having to do *any* cooking on holiday. I've never really understood that, we mix it up, a bit of eating out, a bit of self-catering, depending on what we want to do on the day. Main thing is we are dancing to our tune, not someone else's.
ETA: most apartments at La Manga will be two bedders, so the kids get their own room. This was the kind of place my folks had before they sold it, we had some great times there. Pool is perfect for kids the age of yours: https://www.expedia.co.uk/Cartagena-Hotels-Los-Mol...
There is also a fellow PH'er over on the Buying An Apartment in Spain thread who lives at El Rancho across the road, he can vouch for how nice it is for a young family.
https://www.lamangavillarental.co.uk/resort/el-ran...
Restaurants: https://www.lamangaclubresort.co.uk/about/restaura...
Edited by PurpleTurtle on Tuesday 9th April 13:05
i'm deffo in the camp that kids find any holiday interesting, but also that the places you take them shape their worldview even if just a little bit. I'm also very much in the camp that as much as self-catering holidays are probably quite tiring compared to hotels (you need to cook, find restaurants, have your kids 24/7 obviously, etc.) that this is on balance better than outsourcing the kids to other people on a flop holiday. I just enjoy the freedom to go and explore and but also to have a house rather than just a room, etc. esp if it is a lot less cost.
I think the Mrs sees it from both sides, and had previously lobbied me to do an all inclusive type place once before and we both hated it. All of us got ill, we were all in one room, it all just felt quite generic but you felt trapped there. That was meant to be a really good place too.
Anyway I dunno. People tend to gravitate to what they prefer. I just feel i'm a fighting a losing battle a bit as the wife is very heavily influenced by her mates who are mostly in the all inclusive get fookin pissed an burrrnt camp...
I think the Mrs sees it from both sides, and had previously lobbied me to do an all inclusive type place once before and we both hated it. All of us got ill, we were all in one room, it all just felt quite generic but you felt trapped there. That was meant to be a really good place too.
Anyway I dunno. People tend to gravitate to what they prefer. I just feel i'm a fighting a losing battle a bit as the wife is very heavily influenced by her mates who are mostly in the all inclusive get fookin pissed an burrrnt camp...
Blown2CV said:
I am prepared to budge on my type of holiday I’d prefer, but package hols seem so so expensive it just makes me doubly not want to do that. We’re also now stuck with school hols only now really.
Depends where you go surely? Doesn't have to be Maldives...I booked a last min Easter holiday to Turkey for £1900 for 3 people AI for 8 days which I think is pretty cheap. Canaries and Greece/Cyprus weren't too much more. There's plenty of stuff to see and do outside the resort in those places too.
Camping in Europe?
Self catering and get your own space but absolutley great for kids. Find a campsite with as many or as few ammeneties as you like.
Have a look at https://www.les-castels.co.uk/ for an idea on whats available.
Self catering and get your own space but absolutley great for kids. Find a campsite with as many or as few ammeneties as you like.
Have a look at https://www.les-castels.co.uk/ for an idea on whats available.
PurpleTurtle said:
We've got a 9yo son and also did a lot of independent travel before we had him.
We also both dislike hotels, mainly because we like to go with the flow, so dancing to someone else's tune at a hotel with set meal times is a tad irksome.
Our solution has been going 'room only' in places, or renting an apartment with communal facilities. Until my Dad went into care last year we also had access to my parents' two-bed apartment on the La Manga complex in Spain. That is ideal as you get lots of families there also effectively self-catering, but sharing pool etc. These places are never over-subscribed, as they are 'residents only' (including those renting from owners) you always get a sunbed by the pool whenever you turn up, and don't have to endure the hell that is loads of other Brits on a package holiday. There is generally a couple of kids of a similar age to play with, but it's not overrun with screaming kids. Lots of bars and restaurants, sporting facilities and good supermarkets nearby.
The key thing is that it is generally nicely busy with 'some' kids around the age of our son, but not overwhelmed with hordes of screaming Brits on the piss all trying to get as much all-inclusive San Miguel down their neck as fast as possible. So you can usually tick the box of there being someone to entertain the kids, but not one of those hellish places where people race for the sunbeds at 7am. There are also loads of really nice beaches all within a short drive.
There are loads of rental agencies, I have just picked this at random to give an idea of type of properties (no affiliation).
https://www.lamangavillarental.co.uk/rentals/
We're going again in August, sadly my folks had to sell their place because of Dad's dementia, but we fortunately have a family friend who owns another one out there who lets us have it for free for a few weeks every summer. Before that was the case we rented a couple of places and had a great time.
Some people baulk at having to do *any* cooking on holiday. I've never really understood that, we mix it up, a bit of eating out, a bit of self-catering, depending on what we want to do on the day. Main thing is we are dancing to our tune, not someone else's.
ETA: most apartments at La Manga will be two bedders, so the kids get their own room. This was the kind of place my folks had before they sold it, we had some great times there. Pool is perfect for kids the age of yours: https://www.expedia.co.uk/Cartagena-Hotels-Los-Mol...
There is also a fellow PH'er over on the Buying An Apartment in Spain thread who lives at El Rancho across the road, he can vouch for how nice it is for a young family.
https://www.lamangavillarental.co.uk/resort/el-ran...
Restaurants: https://www.lamangaclubresort.co.uk/about/restaura...
many thanks, we're aren't massively different i think. Sorry to hear about your Dad.We also both dislike hotels, mainly because we like to go with the flow, so dancing to someone else's tune at a hotel with set meal times is a tad irksome.
Our solution has been going 'room only' in places, or renting an apartment with communal facilities. Until my Dad went into care last year we also had access to my parents' two-bed apartment on the La Manga complex in Spain. That is ideal as you get lots of families there also effectively self-catering, but sharing pool etc. These places are never over-subscribed, as they are 'residents only' (including those renting from owners) you always get a sunbed by the pool whenever you turn up, and don't have to endure the hell that is loads of other Brits on a package holiday. There is generally a couple of kids of a similar age to play with, but it's not overrun with screaming kids. Lots of bars and restaurants, sporting facilities and good supermarkets nearby.
The key thing is that it is generally nicely busy with 'some' kids around the age of our son, but not overwhelmed with hordes of screaming Brits on the piss all trying to get as much all-inclusive San Miguel down their neck as fast as possible. So you can usually tick the box of there being someone to entertain the kids, but not one of those hellish places where people race for the sunbeds at 7am. There are also loads of really nice beaches all within a short drive.
There are loads of rental agencies, I have just picked this at random to give an idea of type of properties (no affiliation).
https://www.lamangavillarental.co.uk/rentals/
We're going again in August, sadly my folks had to sell their place because of Dad's dementia, but we fortunately have a family friend who owns another one out there who lets us have it for free for a few weeks every summer. Before that was the case we rented a couple of places and had a great time.
Some people baulk at having to do *any* cooking on holiday. I've never really understood that, we mix it up, a bit of eating out, a bit of self-catering, depending on what we want to do on the day. Main thing is we are dancing to our tune, not someone else's.
ETA: most apartments at La Manga will be two bedders, so the kids get their own room. This was the kind of place my folks had before they sold it, we had some great times there. Pool is perfect for kids the age of yours: https://www.expedia.co.uk/Cartagena-Hotels-Los-Mol...
There is also a fellow PH'er over on the Buying An Apartment in Spain thread who lives at El Rancho across the road, he can vouch for how nice it is for a young family.
https://www.lamangavillarental.co.uk/resort/el-ran...
Restaurants: https://www.lamangaclubresort.co.uk/about/restaura...
Edited by PurpleTurtle on Tuesday 9th April 13:05
Unfortunately what young children find interesting and fun is different for adults... so finding something for both can be challenging.
When mine were that age, we had a few holidays in Mallorca - Pollença - and rented a house. Not only are the Spanish extremely welcoming, but the island has a decent airport and everything works. Pollença is interesting as there's an interesting old town for pottering about and there's a port town which is great for kids - a huge safe beach and full of pizza/ice cream types of places.
I've never had a package/resort holiday, but they don't look the sort of holiday I would enjoy either.
When mine were that age, we had a few holidays in Mallorca - Pollença - and rented a house. Not only are the Spanish extremely welcoming, but the island has a decent airport and everything works. Pollença is interesting as there's an interesting old town for pottering about and there's a port town which is great for kids - a huge safe beach and full of pizza/ice cream types of places.
I've never had a package/resort holiday, but they don't look the sort of holiday I would enjoy either.
Shaoxter said:
Blown2CV said:
I am prepared to budge on my type of holiday I’d prefer, but package hols seem so so expensive it just makes me doubly not want to do that. We’re also now stuck with school hols only now really.
Depends where you go surely? Doesn't have to be Maldives...I booked a last min Easter holiday to Turkey for £1900 for 3 people AI for 8 days which I think is pretty cheap. Canaries and Greece/Cyprus weren't too much more. There's plenty of stuff to see and do outside the resort in those places too.
StupidDecisions said:
Camping in Europe?
Self catering and get your own space but absolutley great for kids. Find a campsite with as many or as few ammeneties as you like.
Have a look at https://www.les-castels.co.uk/ for an idea on whats available.
yea we looked at that too. I would be less averse to this but it seemed to be coming in sort of £4k upwards to live in a shed for a week!! There were nicer ones but they were more ££.Self catering and get your own space but absolutley great for kids. Find a campsite with as many or as few ammeneties as you like.
Have a look at https://www.les-castels.co.uk/ for an idea on whats available.
We've used these guys for the last few years
https://g.co/kgs/SoL6S3C
Loads for the kids to do, very few Brits and the sites have been spotless, well run and a nice atmosphere.
Not sure whether self-drive is your thing, but loads of options around Europe - some of the sites are quite isolated, some are closer to bigger towns.
Our Child is 8 and loves them
https://g.co/kgs/SoL6S3C
Loads for the kids to do, very few Brits and the sites have been spotless, well run and a nice atmosphere.
Not sure whether self-drive is your thing, but loads of options around Europe - some of the sites are quite isolated, some are closer to bigger towns.
Our Child is 8 and loves them
We're a few years ahead of you (11 + 5), and like you we travelled quite a bit pre-kids and enjoyed doing our own thing. Only AI we ever did was the Maldives, and that was because there was effectively no choice...and I hated that this exotic holiday was saddled with a fair chunk of buffet food.
We've avoided AI since, even with the kids, but we have found that the better complex-hotels are lower-stress on us than self catering apartments, not just for food (we still eat out in the evenings...I HATE buffets!) but for being able to let the kids roam a little without worrying about them...gives the eldest at least the appearance of a little freedom without worrying about where he might get to...it's amazing how long a pool with a few water slides and a bunch of kids his own age can entertain a young boy...
That said, because we prefer not to eat dinner in-hotel, we inadvertently narrow our choices down to nice hotels which are walking distance of a town/resort centre...a lot of the bigger 'resort hotels' are out of town in the Med / Canaries.
One final thought - we did Barbados last year, when our youngest was just under 5. She was better on the flights than we expected, and even though we did a self catering apt, the complete change of culture, of scenery (and the water / fish) absolutely enthralled our two. So far outside of their experience zone that it became a proper adventure. But still with sandcastles, of course...
We've avoided AI since, even with the kids, but we have found that the better complex-hotels are lower-stress on us than self catering apartments, not just for food (we still eat out in the evenings...I HATE buffets!) but for being able to let the kids roam a little without worrying about them...gives the eldest at least the appearance of a little freedom without worrying about where he might get to...it's amazing how long a pool with a few water slides and a bunch of kids his own age can entertain a young boy...
That said, because we prefer not to eat dinner in-hotel, we inadvertently narrow our choices down to nice hotels which are walking distance of a town/resort centre...a lot of the bigger 'resort hotels' are out of town in the Med / Canaries.
One final thought - we did Barbados last year, when our youngest was just under 5. She was better on the flights than we expected, and even though we did a self catering apt, the complete change of culture, of scenery (and the water / fish) absolutely enthralled our two. So far outside of their experience zone that it became a proper adventure. But still with sandcastles, of course...
My kids are a similar age and they just enjoy sunshine and playing in a way they wouldn't at home. They love a weekend at Haven (sorry I know it's council) as there are so many activities, kids of a similar age and entertainment to suit everyone.
They also enjoy an all inclusive holiday to Turkey or the like. They would rarely have the chance to swim in an outdoor pool with slides otherwise. They also get to mix with other kids from different countries which in turkey are not always British.
I'm sure they would find a way to enjoy most things but it's just much easier for us when they have so much choice compared to something like a walking holiday in the lake District where it rains for a week or something entirely focussed on history and culture. Not to say they aren't fascinated by old things but only as an interlude to the running about daft and jumping in the pool while eating bottomless ice cream
They also enjoy an all inclusive holiday to Turkey or the like. They would rarely have the chance to swim in an outdoor pool with slides otherwise. They also get to mix with other kids from different countries which in turkey are not always British.
I'm sure they would find a way to enjoy most things but it's just much easier for us when they have so much choice compared to something like a walking holiday in the lake District where it rains for a week or something entirely focussed on history and culture. Not to say they aren't fascinated by old things but only as an interlude to the running about daft and jumping in the pool while eating bottomless ice cream
Blown2CV said:
well that is pretty cheap yes however i was seeing things like torremolinos for £6k etc. which i thought to be the general level! Maybe I am looking in the wrong places.
Turkey is still the last bastion of 'cheap' in Europe (for a few reasons, good and bad, I think) - we're seeing the same prices for what used to be simple family holidays to the Spanish / Greek resorts that you are, and it really winds me up that holiday inflation has massively outstripped even normal inflation post-Covid.Canaries are still cheaper than Mediterranean Spain when you get there (car hire and food, notably), but of course the beaches and the water can't compare to the Med.
98elise said:
We always took our kids to rental villas and apartments as I really don't like hotels.
I also wanted to spend time with the kids, they could play with their mates at home!
The kids must have liked it because they still wanted to do family holidays Into their early 20's,
The same here, I don't like hotels and am very anti social I also wanted to spend time with the kids, they could play with their mates at home!
The kids must have liked it because they still wanted to do family holidays Into their early 20's,
Airbnb's / villa's with a hire car are great and give better flexibility and living space. Kids help with shopping / cooking (BBQ) and it's all very relaxed.
The holiday's are usually punctuated with some sort of trips every other day they will like (beach / snorkelling / rafting / quad biking, eating out, etc) depending on where we are holidaying and what the options are close.
Love a Villa and a car but we did lots of different thinks with the kids when they were 'that' age.
Did an all inclusive at a waterpark hotel they had a great time, made new friends
Did a PLG activity holiday in France with something to do every day, cycling, walking, canoeing, sailing, shooting etc
Did a cabin in Cornwall near the beach, surfing and fishing. Only managed to get one to gut a fish completely.
Did Orlando for three weeks and did every park and came home knackered !
Did horse riding in Portugal (I got knocked off and almost died !)
I wanted to give them a wide variety of experiences rather than just beach holidays but I think they appreciated them all. Its easy to get stressed thinking you need to do something for the kids everyday, but they just find stuff to do or relax.
Just remembered with PGL we all took open canoes down the Dordogne then they got the kids to stand on an overturned boat then try to push each other off. Don't think they do it anymore.
And they got the wife to abseil !
Did an all inclusive at a waterpark hotel they had a great time, made new friends
Did a PLG activity holiday in France with something to do every day, cycling, walking, canoeing, sailing, shooting etc
Did a cabin in Cornwall near the beach, surfing and fishing. Only managed to get one to gut a fish completely.
Did Orlando for three weeks and did every park and came home knackered !
Did horse riding in Portugal (I got knocked off and almost died !)
I wanted to give them a wide variety of experiences rather than just beach holidays but I think they appreciated them all. Its easy to get stressed thinking you need to do something for the kids everyday, but they just find stuff to do or relax.
Just remembered with PGL we all took open canoes down the Dordogne then they got the kids to stand on an overturned boat then try to push each other off. Don't think they do it anymore.
And they got the wife to abseil !
Edited by Gary C on Tuesday 9th April 15:40
My Kids are 8 and 14.
Usually do hoseasons holiday parks or air bnbs in UK.
Once did a center parc place in Netherlands which was good.
This year we have 2 weeks in July/August so I'm planning a holiday park in Europe - center parcs is possible but am leaning towards a Landal park in Netherlands/Germany/or Belgium for the first week before heading down through Germany, possibly into Switzerland and Italy and then back up through France to the Ferry.
The first week will obviously be rather child focussed, swimming, play areas etc.
The second week I'm just thinking I'll do Air Bnbs for two or three nights at a time -
maybe 3 nights Italy/ 2 nights Switzerland and 2 in France on the way back.
A lot of driving I know but hopefully breaking it up and visiting different places and Countries it won't see too bad.
Usually do hoseasons holiday parks or air bnbs in UK.
Once did a center parc place in Netherlands which was good.
This year we have 2 weeks in July/August so I'm planning a holiday park in Europe - center parcs is possible but am leaning towards a Landal park in Netherlands/Germany/or Belgium for the first week before heading down through Germany, possibly into Switzerland and Italy and then back up through France to the Ferry.
The first week will obviously be rather child focussed, swimming, play areas etc.
The second week I'm just thinking I'll do Air Bnbs for two or three nights at a time -
maybe 3 nights Italy/ 2 nights Switzerland and 2 in France on the way back.
A lot of driving I know but hopefully breaking it up and visiting different places and Countries it won't see too bad.
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