Not been abroad for a decade, help needed!
Discussion
We are looking to go abroad for 7-10 days somewhere warm with a waterpark, it is our first holiday in 10 years and we have triplet 5 year olds coming with us. We also have friends with 2 kids the same age. Criteria is..
1. 4-5 hour flight max as not sure how kids will be on the plane!
2. Good Waterpark avaialable for both kids and adults
All inclusive and decent food!
3. Obviously as best value for money as possible, but happy with exactly that, not just cheap.
Our last holiday was tenerife and we went to Siam park which was amazing but Ive heard the prices have nearly doubled in the canaries recently so that maybe a no go?
Also whatvis best way to book these days? Tui, easyjet etc? Or any better alternatives who could arrange a package?
Thanks in advance for any assisatance, I know there are plenty of knowledgable people on here!
1. 4-5 hour flight max as not sure how kids will be on the plane!
2. Good Waterpark avaialable for both kids and adults
All inclusive and decent food!
3. Obviously as best value for money as possible, but happy with exactly that, not just cheap.
Our last holiday was tenerife and we went to Siam park which was amazing but Ive heard the prices have nearly doubled in the canaries recently so that maybe a no go?
Also whatvis best way to book these days? Tui, easyjet etc? Or any better alternatives who could arrange a package?
Thanks in advance for any assisatance, I know there are plenty of knowledgable people on here!
Honestherbert said:
3. Obviously as best value for money as possible, but happy with exactly that, not just cheap.
Good value / cheap is hard in Europe now. For the last couple of years, we have gone to Turkey - specifically Lara Beach (Antalya) where there are many hotels that meet your requirements. (Royal Wings was the one we went to last summer, but we have done cheaper ones in the same area as well)
While some people turn their nose up at Turkey, Our experience is that you get much much more holiday for your money than anywhere else in Europe and they have the food, waterpark, mini funfair, entertainment etc all on site. (and the pool at the Royal Wings is Fab). The properties are much better than the majority in Spain, Greece etc.
Go with either Jet2 or TUI to Antalya (we've done both).
Another option that we used to like was the TUI blue / families option in Europe. The entertainment is samey but the kids love it (English ents staff) - We went to the one in Halkidiki with TUI and it was pretty decent value at the time (although I imagine it costs a lot more than it was)
Try Portugal (fly to Faro). Probably the cheapest country in Europe (also Turkey). Food is good, short flight and short transfer times.
There are at least a couple of decent water parks and Zoomarine which the kids will love.
Can’t recommend any AIs as we used to go in Villas but I’d probably need book a package.
Look here for ideas. https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/HotelsList-Algarve-A...
There are at least a couple of decent water parks and Zoomarine which the kids will love.
Can’t recommend any AIs as we used to go in Villas but I’d probably need book a package.
Look here for ideas. https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/HotelsList-Algarve-A...
Honestherbert said:
Thanks guys, will speak to swmbo and see what she thinks to turkey or portugal. She has mentioned corfu but im not so sure! Any more suggestions welcome, especially if you can recommend the food from experience!
Nothing wrong with Corfu or any of the Greek Islands. Cheap, friendly people, good food and children welcomed everywhere. Can’t speak for all inclusives or water parks as have never been to any (visit a Greek island once or twice a year)Have a look at TUI Magic Life properties.
We went to one about 3 years ago and it was pretty good for the money. Yes it was during covid so the prices were less but you can still find deals.
We dont have kids but the one we stayed at seemed to cater quire well. Rooms were large and clean.
The food was nothing too special but it was fine. Lots of it, always fresh and plenty of different stuff from healthy to not healthy etc.
The alcohol was ok. We didnt really use the club or the main bar but the wine in the food hall was fine. There were stuff like snacks, burgers, hot dogs etc at the pool area in the day too.
I think some of them have larger pool areas with more of a water park feel. I think the only thing that wasnt up to scratch was the speciality food places. Nothing to write home about at all and the regular buffet was actually just as good. The app allows you to book everything in advance too.
I have only been once but if we saw a good deal we would go back. I have not looked at prices recently though.
We went to one about 3 years ago and it was pretty good for the money. Yes it was during covid so the prices were less but you can still find deals.
We dont have kids but the one we stayed at seemed to cater quire well. Rooms were large and clean.
The food was nothing too special but it was fine. Lots of it, always fresh and plenty of different stuff from healthy to not healthy etc.
The alcohol was ok. We didnt really use the club or the main bar but the wine in the food hall was fine. There were stuff like snacks, burgers, hot dogs etc at the pool area in the day too.
I think some of them have larger pool areas with more of a water park feel. I think the only thing that wasnt up to scratch was the speciality food places. Nothing to write home about at all and the regular buffet was actually just as good. The app allows you to book everything in advance too.
I have only been once but if we saw a good deal we would go back. I have not looked at prices recently though.
I was going to say zoomarine in the Algarve too.
Would avoid Turkey with little kids just because of the timezone difference, would hate to struggle with sleep times and schedules on holiday and coming back to the UK. Also shudder at the thought of 4h plus flights with them. Portugal is in the same time zone and the flight time is about half. Got to make sure they are fully entertained on the flights. IPads, colouring books, or whatever it is they like doing that won’t create a mess and can be done on an airplane.
Would avoid Turkey with little kids just because of the timezone difference, would hate to struggle with sleep times and schedules on holiday and coming back to the UK. Also shudder at the thought of 4h plus flights with them. Portugal is in the same time zone and the flight time is about half. Got to make sure they are fully entertained on the flights. IPads, colouring books, or whatever it is they like doing that won’t create a mess and can be done on an airplane.
Edited by wyson on Friday 5th January 07:37
wyson said:
I was going to say zoomarine in the Algarve too.
Would avoid Turkey with little kids just because of the timezone difference, would hate to struggle with sleep times and schedules on holiday and coming back to the UK. Also shudder at the thought of 4h plus flights with them. Portugal is in the same time zone and the flight time is about half. Got to make sure they are fully entertained on the flights. IPads, colouring books, or whatever it is they like doing that won’t create a mess and can be done on an airplane.
Turkey is 2 hrs different in the summer so hardly a major issue.Would avoid Turkey with little kids just because of the timezone difference, would hate to struggle with sleep times and schedules on holiday and coming back to the UK. Also shudder at the thought of 4h plus flights with them. Portugal is in the same time zone and the flight time is about half. Got to make sure they are fully entertained on the flights. IPads, colouring books, or whatever it is they like doing that won’t create a mess and can be done on an airplane.
Edited by wyson on Friday 5th January 07:37
I'd also recommend Turkey, I dont think you can beat it for VFM if thats a priority. We did one of the big all inclusives just over a year ago and sounds like what you are looking for.
I'm sure all the hotels there are much and such similar, they are all just enormous estates, with varying numbers of pools/restaurants etc.
This was the one we stayed at - https://www.onthebeach.co.uk/hotels/turkey/antalya... - and would go back again.
Weather was fantastic in September. Food was great although the buffet restaurant was wild. Like feeding time at the zoo. We spent most evenings in the A La Carte ones which are also included. Water park was good, and it even has a lazy river.
I'm sure all the hotels there are much and such similar, they are all just enormous estates, with varying numbers of pools/restaurants etc.
This was the one we stayed at - https://www.onthebeach.co.uk/hotels/turkey/antalya... - and would go back again.
Weather was fantastic in September. Food was great although the buffet restaurant was wild. Like feeding time at the zoo. We spent most evenings in the A La Carte ones which are also included. Water park was good, and it even has a lazy river.
I'd be looking at Cyprus personally. We stayed at the Olympic Lagoon in Ayia Napa last year and it was fantastic, and sounds like it would be right up your street. There's a decent water park onsite and if the kids get bored of that one, there's a massive one next door which seems highly rated.
We went All Inclusive Plus with Jet2 and whilst I wouldn't say it was cheap, it was excellent value. The Plus part meant you could dine in any of the onsite restaurants, two of which had Michelin stars (the Pan Asian one was especially good), plus the general dining was always excellent with themed nights and the service was top notch everywhere.
There's loads to do around Ayia Napa and Protoras if you don't want to stay onsite, some lovely restaurants and beaches and all reasonably good value. Also loads of boat tours and excursions leave from Ayia Napa - I'd recommend one of the sunset boat tours, and maybe a trip across the border to Famagusta Old Town - where things are ridiculously cheap.
Also fair to say that Ayia Napa has changed a bit since the late 90s - there's still great nightlife but it's much more family friendly now.
We enjoyed the area that much we've booked to go back in July - albeit to a Villa this time - and are debating whether to try the Olympic Lagoon resort in Paphos in September.
We went All Inclusive Plus with Jet2 and whilst I wouldn't say it was cheap, it was excellent value. The Plus part meant you could dine in any of the onsite restaurants, two of which had Michelin stars (the Pan Asian one was especially good), plus the general dining was always excellent with themed nights and the service was top notch everywhere.
There's loads to do around Ayia Napa and Protoras if you don't want to stay onsite, some lovely restaurants and beaches and all reasonably good value. Also loads of boat tours and excursions leave from Ayia Napa - I'd recommend one of the sunset boat tours, and maybe a trip across the border to Famagusta Old Town - where things are ridiculously cheap.
Also fair to say that Ayia Napa has changed a bit since the late 90s - there's still great nightlife but it's much more family friendly now.
We enjoyed the area that much we've booked to go back in July - albeit to a Villa this time - and are debating whether to try the Olympic Lagoon resort in Paphos in September.
Honestherbert said:
Also whatvis best way to book these days? Tui, easyjet etc? Or any better alternatives who could arrange a package?
Thanks in advance for any assisatance, I know there are plenty of knowledgable people on here!
Other than my standard advice of speaking to a professional travel agent (in a shop, online etc), Jet2 do a free child place for 2 paying adults which might bring cost down a bit (which you can book yourself if you think the price is good).Thanks in advance for any assisatance, I know there are plenty of knowledgable people on here!
justin220 said:
I'd also recommend Turkey, I dont think you can beat it for VFM if thats a priority
ooh you can....just go a teeny bit further. North Cyprus (so still sort of Turkey). Some stunning resorts by Famagusata and along the north coast and you'd struggle to find something as good for the price. We've stayed at Noah's Art in Famagusta (https://www.gonorthcyprus.com/noahs-ark.asp) and Acapulco along from Kyrenia (https://www.cyprusparadise.com/hotels/acapulco-beach-and-spa-resort). Both fit the OP's requirement.
dunkind said:
bodhi said:
The Plus part meant you could dine in any of the onsite restaurants, two of which had Michelin stars (the Pan Asian one was especially good),
I don't think there are any Michelin starred restaurants in Cyprus Star or no however, they were spot on.
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