Holiday with young kids.

[stewies_minion]

I'm seeking inspiration from you all.

Just booked two weeks off w/c 26/07 for summer hols.

Kids will be just 5 years & < 1 year on date if travel. We went to Florida last year and really loved it with the big kid, but now the littly has arrived, I'm not sure that it's worth the expense / effort to go all that way. I love swimming / water parks etc. So does the big kid. I'll also be looking for trips out with the kids to keep them entertained. Need not be of Disney quality though! I'm guessing zoo trips etc.

I'll happily fly, but I'd guess 4 hours is the tops.
I'd equally happily drive / ferry / stop over to the destination- possibly with my mountain bike & the big kid's bike in the boot.
As we've got a littly I'd need more than the "2 rings, a microwave and a tube of pringles" type of accomodation. Cooking / eating facilities will need to be top notch.

Has anyone got any inspired thoughts where I can cart them all off to?

Cheers

[Dr Imran T]

Egypt or greece perhaps? not a very long flight and the weather there should be decent..

we stayed in a hotel last time so I cannot suggest any villas etc.

[Puggit]

Same boat (3 yr old and 20 month old) - one of the reasons we bought our house in France and child-proofed it! We are flying to the Canaries in a couple of weeks, and I'm dreading it!

Much easier to drive to Portsmouth, overnight ferry, 3 hours and there!

Edited by Puggit on Tuesday 12th January 14:28

[jesusbuiltmycar]

Just booked 2 weeks in Cuba for February our oldest is 2.5 and the youngest will be about 3 months... At that time of year it shuld be too hot for the newborn.

I just hope the newborn is as good a traveller as my daughter - she has been on 3 long(ish) haul holidays...

Edited by jesusbuiltmycar on Tuesday 12th January 14:41

[R6dug]

Mine have been to Thailand,Malaysia and the maldives as well as other greek islands.

they loved thailand on elephant treks,long boats e.t.c

They are 5 and 2

[anonymous-user]

jesusbuiltmycar said:

Just booked 2 weeks in Cuba for February our oldest is 2.5 and the youngest will be about 3 months...

You're brave.

[stewies_minion]

Cheers for the suggestions so far.

I tried to cajole the wife's family into sharing a villa in Florida. Genius I thought, but the miserable lot poo poo'd it.

I like the idea of a Greek island...

I've been there a few times (before kids) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kefalonia

I'll skulk off and see how much a villa is there.

Anyone know where's good for kids in France that time of year? Maybe I could do some driving...?

Cheers

[jagracer]

Butlins........

[Bluebarge]

stewies_minion said:

Cheers for the suggestions so far.

I tried to cajole the wife's family into sharing a villa in Florida. Genius I thought, but the miserable lot poo poo'd it.

I like the idea of a Greek island...

I've been there a few times (before kids) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kefalonia

I'll skulk off and see how much a villa is there.

Anyone know where's good for kids in France that time of year? Maybe I could do some driving...?

Cheers

Britanny, Normandy and the Vendee. Cote d'Azur will be v.hot and crowded, coast south of Bordeaux has big waves and undertows so not so great for smaller kids, but fine for surfers.

[Puggit]

Bluebarge said:

stewies_minion said:

Cheers for the suggestions so far.

I tried to cajole the wife's family into sharing a villa in Florida. Genius I thought, but the miserable lot poo poo'd it.

I like the idea of a Greek island...

I've been there a few times (before kids) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kefalonia

I'll skulk off and see how much a villa is there.

Anyone know where's good for kids in France that time of year? Maybe I could do some driving...?

Cheers

Britanny, Normandy and the Vendee. Cote d'Azur will be v.hot and crowded, coast south of Bordeaux has big waves and undertows so not so great for smaller kids, but fine for surfers.

Or Sarthe We have a lake in our village which is ultra safe for kids - no currents, no waves etc...

[AC Motors]

We're off to the Algarve in May with our 3 & 5 yr old. Despite the Madeline case we have been there loads of times and I think it's an enjoyable and safe place to go. Great if you like Golf as well. Prices in the supermarkets and resturants also fairly good, risen a bit recently and Euro rate not that good but I think it's cheaper than Spain or France. Lots of options of flights as well to Faro from most UK airports.