Best holiday you’ve been on with children?

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DH has a week off work just before the end of summer break, so we’re going to book a last minute trip. But holidays sometimes feel like hard work with children!

What’s the best holiday you’ve taken with children? (Mine are aged 7 and 5)

A eurocamp in the south of france that was pretty much on the beach. Had a great pool. Kids made friends and it was just the right mix of chilling out but the kids having plenty to do and lots of nice places to visit nearby

Austria in the summer-lovely mountains, lift pass free, hotels have wonderful food and lovely swimming pools and saunas. They have great family deals-far better than beach holidays. One hotel had its own ponies and kids had great fun riding. I don’t know why it’s not more popular with British families.

When they were tiny, DisneylandParis at Christmas. The place was deserted. We walked onto every ride, no queues. They just charged around, flinging themselves at Mickey for cuddles, climbing onto ride after ride. And we ate - to their delight - at MacDonald's every lunchtime to keep costs down.

Also had a great time at Dol de Bretagne Eurocamp - so much to do there - zip wires, tree houses, pedalos, horse riding, 3 swimming pools with waves, lazy rivers, slides, cycle hire, archery and great playparks. Day trips to Mont St Michel and seaside towns.

When they were teens, they loved city breaks.

Northumberland

I've taken my daughter all over the world but this is the one she always says was the best. Lots of walking on huge empty beaches and flying kites

Any holiday where the kids are entertained by someone else and your meals and cleaning are done for you.

Otherwise it’s only a holiday for everyone else except you.

So that’s either an all inclusive hotel with a kids club or a partner / grandparent / group of friends who will do at least 50% of the work.

Disneyland Paris. Just planned in advance some restaurant reservations. What I liked was that there was very little thinking each day about what to do, kids were happy, no cooking, hotel swimming pool in the afternoon and just left the car parked up all week. It was not a cheap holiday but it was worth it!

We went on an ethical Safari trip a few months ago in Kenya. They had an amazing time with all the animals and the guides playing with him, and lodgings meant it was like going back to a luxury hotel. I find the key is ensuring all inclusive with options to do your own thing if you want: maximum flexibility.

Other highlights have been London, which is truly one of the most child friendly European cities; Dubai is local to us and is the most convenient way to tire children out; and we spent a delightful week in Taiwan when I was pregnant with DS2.

My favorite was Skiathos when I was 8 and a French campsite at Camurac when I was 9 and then 11. We stayed in the guest house though, not in a tent.

DS is only 2, but most successful trip so far was probably our pre-lockdown trip to an all-inclusive in Mexico. I live in the US and we also really enjoyed the North Fork of Long Island. Like the Hamptons, but a bit wilder and more rural with fewer Real Housewives.

First Choice holiday villages have always been a big hit in our family, even the grandparents. I can recommend the majorca one.

Center Parcs. So relaxing with everything on site. Eat out most meals and take enough clothes for the week so no cooking/washing up or washing clothes to do.

Not possible due to covid but backpacking around Alaska was amazing, they were 4&2

Eurocamp/ canvas/ venue campsites in France, Italy or Spain. Freedom, activities, new friends. Mine are teenagers now and we've had the best holidays, affordable too!

Eurocamp in Rome and Venice. Fabulous - a good mix of days on the camp and days out sightseeing.

Keycamp and eurocamp in France were fab when they were little as they could just be feral and made loads of friends. Was easy for us as we could bbq and sit outside the caravan after they had gone to bed. As others have said Butlins was their absolute favourite though! I thought it was hideous but they absolutely loved it when they were small. Now they are teens Disneyland was a massive hit - that is the most fun we have ever had as a whole family on holiday. I was amazed by how much we all loved it.

I am 40 now but have such fond memories of Eurocamping as a child in the 80s and 90s. We used to go with another family - we kids would be off in the pool and the playground making friends and the parents just chilled out.

First choice holiday villages are excellent. Been to a few but Menorca was my favourite followed by Majorca.

Florida was the ultimate and they loved it. In this country north wales is a favourite.

Camping in France. Nice pool and play park, good weather, interesting local sites, fun goung to the shop to get breakfast.

Butlins. We now go 4-5 times a year because the kids love it so much.

Camping! with kids entertainment and playground... mine always made lots of friends. I choose family friendly sites so that they could go off by themselves.

@BeeDavis Hagerston castle Haven?

Yes it is x

Another vote here for Butlins! Kids are 5 and 7 and had a brilliant time.
They have also enjoyed centre parcs,Haggerston Castle Haven and Ribby Hall when they were smaller.

@jesusmaryjosephandtheweedonkey Thats the one!

Orlando was their favourite by miles.