What is the best and worst holiday that you have been on?

[worldshottestmom]

Hi. Plane virgin here. Thats right, I've never left the UK (pity me). I am thinking of taking the plunge and taking my kids on holiday abroad next year, for the first time ever for all of us! 'Terrified' doesn’t quite cut it.

Despite my fear of flying (heavily instilled into me by my mother, who is phobic of planes) I don't want to hold myself back and die only ever having been in the UK.

But now the question is, where do we go? I'm thinking of somewhere that's only a short distance away for the first time (probably Spain), but if it goes well, will be looking to travel further in the following years.

So, what was your most and least favourite holiday that you've ever been on?

Bonus question: if you've ever been to Spain, where would you recommend taking 2 kids to within Spain?

Your 4 yo would like Menorca I think. Family friendly, pools, sandy beaches, safe foods available, shortish flight, smallish airport…
We went 3 times on holiday when kids were little and it ticked all boxes.
Wasnt TOO hot either, a nice 28 degrees or so.

Best family holiday definitely Spain - love Andalucia - particularly around Mojacar area, less built up and overcrowded, and fewer Brits than the rest of southern Spain. Plus the Spanish are so relaxed, friendly and welcoming of children. It gets super hot in the summer but with air con, a nice breeze by the sea and a siesta in the midday heat it was fine. Worst holiday was France, weather much more unpredictable, not very welcoming and just less to do with the kids (they got very bored trawling around castles and vineyards!)
Also good was centerparcs in Netherlands - much nicer and more reasonably priced than UK ones and very flat so great for cycling!

Aww thank you so much! I fell asleep last night and have had a super busy day so sorry to everyone on the thread for going MIA if anyone cares haha. And thanks! Yeah I am genuinely so excited just to go abroad anywhere really, ive been thinking about it a lot lately and think it's definitely time.

Oh thank god they have uber eats etc, I dont use it much but take comfort in knowing its always an option just in case.

I think I definitely will opt for a city, perhaps a province capital would be best for the first time. You've made it sound so exciting I actually cant wait now! I kinda had this idea in my head it was going to mostly be for my kids and just some water parks etc, but im coming to realise there will be much more for me to see and do than I initially expected!

I am going to have a go on Google flights now, thats such a good idea to get a broad picture of whats out there and which would be most accessible etc.

From what you've said about Northern Spain, I think I would definitely prefer to go there at first. Im thinking maybe of going in July/August, but booking an apartment so my son isnt in a hotel heaving with people and not enjoying himself. I think my daughter will just be happy to be anywhere lol

Thank you so much again for all of your advice, it has been so much more helpful than you may realise! Im such a novice to all of this and dont really have anyone to ask about it. When I come to booking the holiday, would it be okay if I were to DM you nearer the time if I have any general questions? I dont want to be a pest and totally get it if not, it just seems that you really know you stuff and have been so helpful! Thanks so much again ☺️

Yes Menorca seems to be a favourite for families! Around 28 would be ideal really, and it sounds like theres so much to do now. I feel spoilt for choice reading the suggestions on this thread!

I guess how much is your budget? If you’ve never flown before may I suggest either going with friends or have a short flight by yourself. Airports can be very busy places and trying to work out what to do with the various stages might prove tricky if you have never done it before, esp if you’re trying to manage a child who might be overwhelmed in that environment.

if you have a decent budget a cruise from Southampton would be a great idea, or yes to the Eurostar. If you don’t like heat steer clear of the Mediterranean in the summer hols.,,

Yeah I think im definitely opting for Spain first, for sure. A lot of votes for malaga! I have heard some great things from colleagues etc, too! Yes i dont know about tenerife, it sounds super kid friendly but really busy, especially the time of year we would be going. Though having a washing machine there would be delighful lol. My kids go through about 3 outfits a day theyre a right messy pair. Imagine it would be worse on holiday haha. Thanks for the suggestion!

35 trips to Greece?? You sound like my uncle with Turkey lol, hes been every year since he was about 25, and hes now 72 lol. Yeah ive heard some stories about Zante, it sounds a bit strange tbh. Like Britain abroad. Definitely gonna pass on that one!

They all sound wonderful, I think i definitely want to go to Greece in the near future, if all goes well with this first holiday lol. Thank you!

We always do villa holidays as we like to have a private pool and our own space. Best holiday (apart from our annual skiing hol which beats all other holidays every time), is probably Trinidad and Tobago (beautiful villa above a private beach), or Crete (up in the mountains but only 15 mins drive from amazing secluded beaches).

I don’t think I’ve had a bad holiday, so no worst destination for me.

just a thought, if you don’t want to fly, why not drive and go to France or Scandinavia? Joe de Noirmoutier is beautiful and an easy drive from the UK on a ferry or the tunnel.

I’ve been to Spain a lot as half my family are Spanish - Javea is lovely, so are the hills inland from Malaga. I’m not a fan of the canaries really as they are too over populated and touristy now, but Formentera can still be nice for an island holiday depending where you stay.

Worst Tunisia and Egypt - both similar reasons- sleazy males, unsafe - couldn’t pay me to go back
best (in Europe ) Italy & Portugal.
North America : western canada - ab/bc

worst U.K. holiday - Cornwall ! People raved about it so tried it , drive 8 hrs (could have got to Caribbean in tha time ) wet , crowded overpriced , beach rubbish with tide miles out … also my mil was there thankfully never again

Crete was my favourite. Loved Barcelona too (but went without kids when a lot younger). Love Brittany in France. Had a pretty awful holiday in Lanzarote (but probably more the company!)

Best so many ,when DC little Netherlands / efterling /Amsterdam etc

Marrakech / Africa ...

Mallorca /South of France
UK Dorset ,Devon

Worst ,air b and b in Whitstable it just wasnt what I was expecting at all !!
Crap sea front if you can call it that shops and cafe open and closed at bizzsre times end so on.

Didn't enjoy Porto banus either hated it.

Blimey, each to their own, but the Scottish Highlands is my favourite place on earth to holiday, and in fact live if I could. And I have lived in three countries and travelled to many. It is stunningly beautiful, dramatic, refreshing, full of history etc and it still makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck as I wind my way up the A93 to the Cairngorms. Always sad to leave. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

I havent even heard of eurocamps hahaha will have a look now! They do sound great tbh I think both of my kids would really enjoy it! Yes i am tempted to go via Eurostar tbh but equally want to get over my fear of flying. Im thinking if it would be best to go on the eurostar for first time abroad, then flying for the second time when im more comfortable with actually being out of the country.

I will have a look at the Spanish ones, too! Keen to go there first as it seems more of a traditional beach holiday which is moreso what I wanted for the first time. I just can't decide! Everyone has made so many great suggestions i just want to do it all haha - thank you!

As a child the best was tokoy disneyland.
Worst was wales we came home after 2 days.
As an adult best was all of them.

For me it's Greece, and the islands which are my favourite. Kefalonia being our return to every year, and a last minute elsewhere in September on top.

I'm not big on Europe. We had a horrible holiday in Portugal many years ago so not for us. Many love it. We didn't. Go, explore, find what works for you and enjoy

Wow, really? I never considered the water in other countries at all. I mean obviously very deprived areas i would expect not to be able to drink the water, but thought Greece and Turkey would of been fine! The more you know. I have so much to learn. Thank you!

I do want to go to the Netherlands in particular, theres a lot of things to see and do there ive wanted to do for ages. Short flight too so would be good for a first timer. Im now thinking maybe like an autumn holiday to the Netherlands this year, then a beach holiday next summer. Thanks for the suggestion!

Omg this looks idyllic!! This is Scotland?? Definitely not where I went to. It looks absolutely stunning. Maybe I should reconsider...

Interesting! Why didn't you like Barbados? My cousin went 2 years ago and loved it, though she is very invested in the culture etc as her partner is from there so maybe why

Best:- Montenegro
worst:- Marrakesh

I am definitely keen on Belgium, a lot of people have recommended it and having looked at it it looks beautiful with so much to see and do! Im also thinking Eurostar for a first time abroad would be less intimidating than flying as I havent done that either lol. Thanks for the suggestion!

Oooh a cruise! I've never considered one tbf. I have never been on a big boat but they do look very nice and luxurious. Didn't occur to me i could get multiple countries crossed off my list this way as well! Great suggestion, will definitely look into it. Thank you!

How old are the kids op? Can you all swim? Enjoy a waterpark ect?

Do you like to sightseeing or are you more of a lay by the pool type?

Do you want to drink/eat out a lot?

This will help us think of places.

To answer your original question

Best holiday isle of wight
Worst, Norfolk! Lol

That is a super reasonable price! I would love to go on a sleeper train, I used to watch YouTube reviews of them all the time lol. There's so many great suggestions i actually cant choose!

Im torn between eurostar for first time abroad, and then fly on the second holiday just to ease into it a bit, or to just bite the bullet and go on a quick flight to northern spain first. I cant wait to make a thread after my first holiday (hopefully) buzzing about it, haha!