Would you recommend this year's holiday/break? why?

[Chosenone]

Staving off post holiday blues and thinking ahead to next year. We've had two very different break a this summer. I would recommend them both for different reasons.
The first was in my friends tourer caravan so upscale camping. We went to Plassey near Wrexham which was an immaculate park. The weather was fab so it was a really pretty and relaxing break, walks, using the pool and playing games outside the caravan.
The 2nd was a week long Cruise with Royal Caribbean. It's not everyone's cup of tea. Very Americanised and commercial. But is really recommend it for the 'floating resort' experience. With teens and pre teens there was simply so much to do. Pool, slides, climbing wall, surf simulator, later tag, sky pad trampoloning. All included. I also enjoy the shows in the evening. Excellent standard. Plus the waiter service in the dining room takes the service way above buffet experience in an All Inclusive resort. If you like the idea of that plus being at Sea and sailing it's fab.

As part of our time in Spain we flew from Malaga to Menorca for a week in June. 4 adults in a great villa with pool. Total relaxation. Beautiful resort and island. Highly recommended.

An excellent apartment in Cornwall overlooking the marina. Self catering, but magnificently equipped with everything you could possibly need, close to the beach, town centre and more restaurants then you could count.

I think the owners are selling though, so may not be available again. The weather was great and there’s nothing better than a British seaside holiday when the weather is good.

No I wouldn't recommend. Went to Rhodes and stayed in a VERY expensive 5* hotel, full board. Drinks were extortionate, food was bland and over cooked, ants everywhere and no organised activities of any note to keep the kids from being bored. Evening entertainment was truly diabolical.

Upsides were the sea was beautifully clear and warm, our room was excellent.

I like the sound of your cruise though.

Where did you cruise, op?

We went on a cruise this summer too - we enjoyed it but not sure I would rush to do another. Onboard was fantastic, relaxing, great facilities and food - we were on the Norwegian Star from Venice.

What we hated was the tendering process at ports, we only had 3 walk offs, Dubrovnik, Athens and Split, 3 ports used tender boats and it took forever, 3 hours in Montenegro even with tickets ( which you had to queue for at 7am) and at least two hours in Santorini and kefalonia. You were clock watching whilst in port too, only Athens was a full day and the port of Pireaus was 45 mins away in horrific traffic, I don’t think we will ever visit Athens again!
It was nice seeing all those places on one holiday though - Venice is gorgeous and I’ve already booked to go back next April. We also loved Croatia and will definitely go back.
I’m taking DH to Berlin for his birthday in December, looking forward to that.
DD is in Cape Verde right now, she sent me this picture earlier - how gorgeous is that pool ?

Some of these holidays sound fantastic. I think the great British Summer has meant many have really enjoyed the UK this year. bonfires it's a shame when expensive resorts dont live up to expectations.

Our Cruise was only a week so from S'hampton to France and Northern Spain. Luckily as soon as we boarded it was a holiday thanks to the 28 degree heat and most of the stops were hot too. We didn't even get off though

We've had two successful breaks this year:

The first was staying in a mobile home on Lake Garda at Camping Bella Italia. A great site (though busy) and we've already booked to go back with friends next year. Approximately £3k cheaper than our usual AI or villa for the five of us

The second was two nights staying in the hobbit houses at Alton Towers. Really great accommodation and we much preferred AT to our DLP experience. Great rides, beautiful landscaping and less queues.

I have had a solo holiday to the Mercantour National Park in France - flew to Nice and got the train. It was beautiful and lots of nice walking to do.

I have also been to Lake Garda with DH and some friends. It was early in the season (start of June) so apparently quiet but I found it rather busy, although it was also very nice scenery.

We went to Bulgaria to an all inclusive resort complete with winery! Food and wine were excellent and I now I'm only eating fruit and salad and running to rid myself of my excesses. Great accommodation, fun entertainment, lovely pool! Went with Tui and wood highly recommend.

I recommend a Marella cruise. They are much smaller ships, on the three cruises we have only had one tender port per cruise. They are marked in the brochure, so you know before you book.