Holiday suggestions for 2 kids 2 and under

[Kanfuzed123]

We really need a holiday and something to look forward to, think planning an early (pre schools breaking up and before it gets too hot) summer hols might be the ticket.

We have 2 kids, DD will be 2 years 9 months and DS 6 months around June time. I’ll put what we ‘need’ and ‘want’ from a hols below, hoping to have some suggestions (hotels too, debating hotel v air bnb whole house/ apartment thing) and what you can do there.

Needs

-not too long of a flight

• fly from bhx (we’re midlands)

-options for halal eating

• good public transport (not bringing car seats so will be relying on public transport to get around not taxis, big on car seat safety so wouldn’t hire them or hold kids on lap in a taxi)
• nice food

‘Wants’

• warm but not too hot
• beach and pool
• friendly enough breastfeeding culture
• activities that please all ( things for kids and us)

I was thinking maybe barclona but selfishly I’ve already been there, but thought DD would lien park guell, the zoo and the park that’s in and Sagrada familia plus there’s good public transportation and a beach.

(Ignore any spelling mistakes my phone hates me)

Thanks in advance!

France, somewhere with pool near a beach. Self catering accommodation with kids that age.
Good luck. I find holidays never feel like a holiday with kids that age

we stayed in the UK for all our breaks when the dc were under 5 as the logistics of what equipment they needed, sleeping arrangements etc just seemed way harder via plane.

Does it have to be abroad? Cornwall would be nice and warm late June/early July and you could time it before the schools break up.

i wouldnt go abroad. Id go to one of those Family holiday places in england, somewhere coastal, devon , cornwall, brighton, hampshire area or somewhere like butlins etc, nice weather around june or july

Majorca has many family friendly resorts and a nice, short flight. Not sure how hot it gets in early summer, I have been in September and it was around mid-20s.

Its probably won’t be too too relaxing lol due to the rugrats but just would be nice to feel some sun on my pale pasty skin 😂. But you’re probably right @FelicityBob air bnb self catering is the way to go with littles.

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz I always find UK hols a bit of a rip off (always seems more expensive) and in my head Cornwall would be more difficult because it’s like a 4.5/5hr drive from where we live, the weather in the UK is so hit and miss too. I went in July 19 and it was jumpers and jackets weather the whole time, although saying that, the last day we were there I managed to burn my hands and my forearms (who the heck burns their forearms and no where else?! Lol)? Think I’m a bit prejudiced about it from being trapped in the UK since 2019 (pregnancies and the lockdown)

Was going to say France too! Eurocamps or similar

If I had pre school kids now I’d take then to Center Parcs or somewhere like that to take advantage of the term time prices. My experience is that’s the most relaxing type of holiday with kids. They don’t care about the hot weather ime

@GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing

Was going to say France too! Eurocamps or similar

If I had pre school kids now I’d take then to Center Parcs or somewhere like that to take advantage of the term time prices. My experience is that’s the most relaxing type of holiday with kids. They don’t care about the hot weather ime

I think they’re a bit too young for CP. I went at about 14 and remember the pool being great but feeling like it was a bit of a rip off and then I saw the prices as an adult and recoiled in horror as I could go to Dubai 5* hotel for 2 weeks for the cost of 5 days in CP.

It’s me that wants the sun lol, don’t want it to be too hot for the kids though xx

I’ve had a look at europarks and I don’t think it’s workable as we dont want to bring our car seats aboard with us and have to hire a car

We always stay on the algarve. Find a resort where you can rent a villa but there's a restaurant/bar/pool on site. Excellent beaches and very family friendly!

What’s your budget?

Also what’s the aversion to either taking or hiring car seats? If you’re sticking with Europe they will need to meet the same safety levels as here and most big car hire companies have new seats in my experience. I just can’t imagine lugging two kids and all your stuff on public transport from the airport!

Also most hotels will book you a transfer including car seats. They can be pretty dodgy in some places but again I’ve never had a problem in Europe.

@Samanabanana

We always stay on the algarve. Find a resort where you can rent a villa but there's a restaurant/bar/pool on site. Excellent beaches and very family friendly!

Martinhal resorts would work. We had a lovely 2 bedroom apartment at Sagres. But I don’t think you can public transport it from the airport.

I hate flying with small children, so we opted for driveable destinations when they where that age. CentreParcs in Europe, Eurocamp etc. Load everything in, you don’t have to faff with suitcases/public transport etc, if they scream then who cares, and you just hoover the crumbs out when you’re there!

Bluestone in Wales is lovely, Ribey Hall nr Blackpool is decent, and caravan parks are actually super when they’re little.

If you were keen for sun, I’d go Majorca or similar. Not to far to fly, has a pool/beach and get a self catering house/apartment. City breaks are rubbish with a toddler.

My idea of hell on earth if sharing a hotel room with two kids for a week (and I do dearly love mine!) but you need to be able to shut the door!

@Wnkingawalrus

What’s your budget?

Also what’s the aversion to either taking or hiring car seats? If you’re sticking with Europe they will need to meet the same safety levels as here and most big car hire companies have new seats in my experience. I just can’t imagine lugging two kids and all your stuff on public transport from the airport!

Also most hotels will book you a transfer including car seats. They can be pretty dodgy in some places but again I’ve never had a problem in Europe.

We’ve got expensive seats extended RF from birth seats that fit in the car, yet the car isn’t big enough to 4 people plus 4 loads of luggage. So we couldn’t take our car abroad and I wouldn’t take them on a plane.

Driving seemed really long but actually might be better. Wondering should we hire a larger car and drive to France and do a euro camp there or fly somewhere and then hire a car and just reconcile that I’ll need to get 2 budget safe seats for holidays and keep them for future hols, pain because the baby’s seat we’ll probably only get one use out of. Wouldn’t hire seats there, i read that which article about hiring car seats abroad and wouldn’t chance it.

This is where MN is great, challenged my thinking when I could have made life more difficult for myself thinking I was making it easier

Oh budget around £1500?

Maybe £2k actually

@Scotinoz

I hate flying with small children, so we opted for driveable destinations when they where that age. CentreParcs in Europe, Eurocamp etc. Load everything in, you don’t have to faff with suitcases/public transport etc, if they scream then who cares, and you just hoover the crumbs out when you’re there!

Bluestone in Wales is lovely, Ribey Hall nr Blackpool is decent, and caravan parks are actually super when they’re little.

If you were keen for sun, I’d go Majorca or similar. Not to far to fly, has a pool/beach and get a self catering house/apartment. City breaks are rubbish with a toddler.

My idea of hell on earth if sharing a hotel room with two kids for a week (and I do dearly love mine!) but you need to be able to shut the door!

Really good points! I’ll google centre parks Europe, is it as much of a rip off as the UK ones? X

I love flying with small children, personally much more preferable to driving where you have to remain strapped in, one parent has to concentrate and you can never find a toilet.

Agree with a family friendly resort in the Balearics.

Is that £1500 total, or just accommodation?

I think Barcelona isn’t a bad option. Like you say you know the area vaguely, has beach and city activities. If you can get flights cheap enough then take a look at accommodation from there. You can probably get a nice 2 bed apartment

I would look at hiring car though and just buy or rent different car seats though. As not driving abroad really limits location. Plus you usually get cheaper accommodation if you can drive 15 mins from main areas, and attractions often only by car. We have extended rear facing at home, and bought a basic joie tilt for travel ( also rear faces).

Try Jersey?

The car seats shouid be good quality in hire cars, and the speed limit is really low. But you can get round easily on buses or taxis

Lots to do, can be overcast but is warm and usually sunny

@Caspianberg

Is that £1500 total, or just accommodation?

I think Barcelona isn’t a bad option. Like you say you know the area vaguely, has beach and city activities. If you can get flights cheap enough then take a look at accommodation from there. You can probably get a nice 2 bed apartment

I would look at hiring car though and just buy or rent different car seats though. As not driving abroad really limits location. Plus you usually get cheaper accommodation if you can drive 15 mins from main areas, and attractions often only by car. We have extended rear facing at home, and bought a basic joie tilt for travel ( also rear faces).

I’d say £1500-2k flights/ travel, accommodation and you know the big expenses. I’m on mat leave and generally love a good bargain so can’t justify going all out. (Once for Dubai 5* hotel on the palm , flights and accommodation (with breaks fast) for under £1500 for two adults for a week so that’s my bench mark lol (im probably ridiculous)

Ohh the fly v drive, might need to start another thread on what’s better

Bluestone in Wales is good with kids and lovely beaches nearby. We did early September last year and was lovely. Plus we hired a golf buggy to get around and that kept out 3 year old entertained!!!! You can go to the pool everyday and they have an indoor water play and sand play area as well as another inside part with climbing bits, big bouncy castle and activity bits for the little ones. Would definitely recommend

centre parcs Europe seem to be much cheaper although I was looking at the end of the UK school holidays and the prices dropped right off, I assume because their schools were already back. But i think most of mainland Europe finishes around mid June so you might need to go earlier.

Admittedly I haven't flown with 2 children that age, but we have always travelled when both DDs were under 2, I find it much more preferable to driving! We did Devon last year (DDs were 6 and 2), we had to stop so many times that it took a full day! Much prefer a 2 hour flight to the guaranteed sun of Majorca!

Majorca would fit the bill at that time of year. I checked out jet 2 and if you go in June there's a good choice in budget including a number of self catering apartments on a complex which might be a better option with your catering requirements and possibility of DCs sleeping in the living room.
I'd try and get a heated swimming pool as it can be a little chilly at that time of year.
Puerto pollensa is a lovely resort, great for DCs, if you want a day trip Palma is nice to visit.