Short-haul winter sun ideas for February half-term please!

[harriedmum]

We've had a horrendous Christmas, everybody's blue, and poor DD is on the CAMHS waitlisr for an ASD/ADHD diagnosis, and having a very hard time with school. So we're going to run away to somewhere sunny for Feb. half-term.

I'm too exhausted to do proper research, so I'm putting my faith in Mumsnet: your suggestions for where to go and where to stay most welcome. 8 year old DD likes the beach and animals, we all hate camping, and our nearest airport is London. DH likes old ruins (luckily for me), and city cycling, but neither of us would be confident driving.

Tell us where to go!

Cyprus would fit your DDs interests of beach and DHs of old ruins. From memory it is about 18 degrees in Feb. We managed using buses and didn’t hire a car. The only draw back is if you go somewhere very touristy, it is out of season so lots of burger and chips but not much lovely Greek food.

Crete! Near Chania. It will be warm, loads of history, loads of beaches, plenty to do, and it’s usually one of the cheaper Greek islands to get to.

Thanks both: DH is a classicist, so Greece is a particularly nice idea. if you have recommendations for specific places to stay, let us know!

Op is it OK tk go anywhere at the moment in the eu?
They have very strict entry requirements now, and keep moving vaccine requirements.

I'm thinking about cancelling an eu trip at Easter.

Greece will be about 12 degrees in February; not my idea of warm! Morocco would be warm but they have a ban on uk visitors until end jan so you'd need to watch and wait.

Cyprus as I understand it has some very strict covid testing requirements.

Yes, we're worried about testing requirements too, but needs must: we're desperately in need of good weather (looks glumly out of the window).

Spain currently looks like its open to double vaccinated travelers, so we're currently considering Va!encia too.

I’d aim for the Canary Islands if you want some warmth, and for your daughters I’d definitely recommend Hotel Club Jandia Princess because it has a petting zoo! The main pool is huge and gets great sea views. It’s heated in winter, as is the nearby whirlpool bath and children’s pool.

If you want guaranteed good weather - good enough for outdoor swimming etc then you’ll have to go long haul. Even the Canary Islands aren’t guaranteed in Feb - we’ve had days it was cool in early April!

@Fivemoreminutes1

I’d aim for the Canary Islands if you want some warmth, and for your daughters I’d definitely recommend Hotel Club Jandia Princess because it has a petting zoo! The main pool is huge and gets great sea views. It’s heated in winter, as is the nearby whirlpool bath and children’s pool.

(makes notes)

Cyprus apparently has nightmare restrictions around covid right now.

Malaga fits the bill imo. Lovely city, castles, museums etc and overlooked as a destination in its own right I always think because it’s “Costa Del Sol”…

It’s 20 degrees and sunny there on some days at the moment probably higher by mid Feb.

Malaga weather right now…

I think it’s good to make plans . It’s something to look forward to if it’s cancelled it’s cancelled
I’d look at the Canary Islands too . Lovely weather in February

That Malaga weather report is making me cry

It was 24º in Valencia last week. February is a pretty predictable month there, much more than March/April. Unless you’re very, very unlucky, it should be warm and sunny for half term. Hope I didn’t jinx it

How old is your DD? Is she/when will she be 2 weeks post vaccine?

We are heading to Canaries in Feb midterm. We go almost every year :) It will be low-mid 20s during the day but cool at might so for us a heated pool is an absolute must. We are all fully vaccinated incl 7 yo dc and don't mind paying for tests...or getting stuck.

The Netherlands has just introduced some of incredibly complex sounding vaccine stuff based on when you last had them?
Italy also requires complicated stuff... Super passport or something

We're going to Malaga in Feb half-term, but have also been to Valencia (sunny and mild) and Rome (ditto).

For warmer weather the Canaries are nice. Mogan in Gran Canaria has some ruins and plenty of lizards and was warm and sunny. Playa Blanca in Lanzarote has lots of nice, family-friendly hotels, but no ruins. It has a volcanic national park though and camel rides - would that work?

They want to know when had last vaccines.
We are triple jabbed and dd wouid be double but by the time we have were due to go at Easter I fear it may all be out of date for us.

Has Spain got looser restrictions??

I believe to enter Spain, you don’t have to test if you’re fully vaccinated.

Spain requires all visitors over the age of 12 to be fully vaccinated (x 2 vaccines), under 11s are exempt.

Canaries only place hot enough short haul. Enjoy it!

I’ve got a completed 8 yr boy with ASD / adhd and lots more letters. However you need to go long haul for the weather if you want to swim in the sea / pool ? ….. he loves going on holiday and can play computer games / kindle for 8 hrs constant on a plane so no issue 🤪🤪🤪

Cyprus too cold in feb but at least they drive on the same side as uk but best waiting May- sept for Cyprus

Dubai ?!?!? They heat their swimming pools. We go there often as it’s easy from London

Hope you have a lovely time where you go!