Foreign family holiday for a novice??

[broken biscuit]

Looking for a foreign holiday for the family somewhere around March 2012. This is about as far as I have got as i have no idea. We have been abroad once, years ago, to Ibiza, and then USA for honeymoon. We now have a 4 yr old son, and want a break before he goes to school / any more kids arrive.

Criteria is somewhere with 'English' dishes on the menu for little one, beach, pool, watersports activities etc etc.

Ideally half board / all inclusive price dependent.

We have no idea where to go to even start looking for destinations, which is where I need some advice.

So in summary, I want a package holiday for two adults and a 4 yr old boy. Price is a criteria, cheap is good, cheaper is better. Any suggestions please??

[LuS1fer]

Personally I would rent a cheap villa in the Canaries (being March, it's going to be coldish anywhere else), probably somewhere like Playa Blanca at the southern tip of Lanzarote - rent a cheap car and book the flight direct with a budget airline.
Villas: www.ownersdirect.co.uk, car hire www.autoreisen.com (or .es)

A villa will be £500 max. You'll have to self-cater or eat out but there's plenty of choice. use the car to tour the island.

[broken biscuit]

Had an offer from a colleague who has a time share - can have a week of his for £100 for villa. Not sure where but quite a few choices. Wondering if that may be an option. I gather i will have to sit through some hard sell pitch at some stage, but i can say no to anyone, so thats not an issue.

[LuS1fer]

Don't worry too much about the English dishes. Most places will rustle you up some fried egg and chips or similar and nearly ever restaurant will have a children's menu of chicken nuggets, burger, fish fingers etc. Mine tend to like the spaghetti bolognese or carbonara.

If you go a little later in the year, I would unerringly recommend a villa in Cala Egos (Cala d'Or)in Mallorca. I've had a nice week there in April once but it had rained the week before. Mallorca has lots of fantastic cove beaches and lots of restaurants and is fantastic to drive round.

[Countdown]

broken biscuit said:

So in summary, I want a package holiday for two adults and a 4 yr old boy. Price is a criteria, cheap is good, cheaper is better. Any suggestions please??

Hi BB

Try Morocco / Tunisia through First Choice. I'm in a similar position to you (although there's 6 of us going) and it seems to meet most of the criteria you have listed.

For info we're paying about £450ea for 1 week AI

[CO2000]

Cyprus (Paphos I like) will be nice in March & not too long a flight.

[Silver993tt]

Malta, extremely child friendly, nearly everyone speaks English and you can find any kind of food. There's also loads of history & culture for the adults.

[Melman Giraffe]

Silver993tt said:

Malta, extremely child friendly, nearly everyone speaks English and you can find any kind of food. There's also loads of history & culture for the adults.

Not that hot in March

[PaulB81]

I went to Fuertaventura (sp?) last November. It was still very warm then. It was very easy and does fit your criteria. There was plenty to do, we even had a ride on some camels which was quite fun Theres a big zoo called the Oasis Park that would be good for the kids etc

Anywhere in the Canaries or the Greek islands will be fine. I went to Rhodes recently, that was pretty nice also and had english food etc everywhere if needed.

[mike325112]

CO2000 said:

Cyprus (Paphos I like) will be nice in March & not too long a flight.

This - been to most of the canary islands pre nipper and cyprus twice with him. I would go Cyprus every time - weathers nice, food great and the locals are really child frendly.

[Silver993tt]

Melman Giraffe said:

Not that hot in March

well, the weather in all of the Med is the same at that time of year, mild, warm and very pleasant - just right of you have young children.

[Norfolk Enchance]

Tenerife ? Los cristianos, we go every year feb/march with our now 4 year old. Apartment around £250 for a week. Plenty of places which cater for younger tastes, there is a small play area near the beach, which is also good for paddling (around the port area)