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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to ask for advice re abroad holidays with kids.

12 replies

petuniapickletits · 30/07/2013 10:31

We get married in February. We have a dd who will be 2.5.

We don't go abroad hardly ever and so I really don't know enough to ensure we pick somewhere safe..not too hot (25 max?) and not tooo long a flight for a family honeymoon.

also. are we mad thinking we can take a small child abroad. ..will it really be a holiday? or will I come back frazzled? ...is anywhere actually warm in February?

OP posts:

cushtie335 · 30/07/2013 10:36

The Canary Islands but it can be quite a long flight from the UK. The Algarve but that's a bit hit and miss out of season.

SybilRamkin · 30/07/2013 10:46

Another vote for the Canaries. If you go with a tour provider they usually have kids clubs/on-site babysitting.

The weather is lovely in Feb, usually mid-twenties - warm enough to swim but not so warm that you'll bake.

SybilRamkin · 30/07/2013 10:46

The flight will be fine by the way, 4 hours shouldn't be too much of an issue, but make sure you bring sweets or something for take-off and landing so your DD's ears can equalise in pressure!

SalaciousBCrumb · 30/07/2013 10:50

Another vote for the Canaries. If you've got an ipad, load it up with children's television programmes for the journey.

Or would you want to do something completely different? Skiing for example? Good time of year for it, and lots of excellent child care clubs.

soontobeslendergirl · 30/07/2013 10:53

You aren't mad at all. The only thing I would say, is that I would rather a longer flight than the risk of the weather being poor while you are away as trying to entertain a small child when the weather is bad in a "beach" type resort can be quite difficult unless you have access to a kids club. Often the kids clubs don't run out of high season and becasue the focus tends to be on the beach/pool, resorts don't tend to have an awful lot that would keep a small child occupied and she wont have a lot of toys etc to occupy her. Better 4 hours each way on a plane than 1/2 weeks of struggling imo

I am always of the view that if the kids are happy then it means the adults can enjoy their holiday a lot more.

I haven't been to the canaries, but I have heard a lot of good reports. Been to Turkey a few times and the big all inclusives definitely cater well for families.

We went abroad for the first time when our boys were 21 months and nearly 3. they were fine both on the plane and on holiday. we went to Menorca in May. We took them long haul (2 flights) to the USA to visit family when they were 3 and 4 and they have been to France (south of and Paris), Holland, Turkey (twice) Italy and Belgium since.

Little ones tend to enjoy the beach and pool, I wouldn't think a sightseeing type of holiday would be the best idea.

Original poster

petuniapickletits · 30/07/2013 11:03

Thats really helpful thankyou! we aren't keen on using babysitting services or clubs too much.(pfb lol) but don't want her to be bored senseless either!

OP posts:

KellyElly · 30/07/2013 11:06

Sharm el Sheik should be fairly warm then and you should get a really good deal.

numbum · 30/07/2013 11:12

We always said the same about kids clubs 'whats the point of a family holiday if you arent going to spend the whole time as a family'. One First Choice holiday was enough to sway us. The kids had a brilliant time, made lots of friends and we had a couple of hours to relax and reenergise every day now and again.

Another vote for the Canaries from me (although I dont know if kids clubs/entertainment run all year)

Original poster

petuniapickletits · 30/07/2013 11:19

I think dd is too young though, don't you think? to be leaving her with holiday reps and other kids without us?

OP posts:

towicymru · 30/07/2013 11:29

One of the benefits of kids club is that it gets them out of the sun for a bit and they get to make new friends and do activities (such as painting etc) that you don't take on holiday. Now our 2 are a bit older they get involved in raft building etc. Our kids get the choice of kids club or a nap otherwise we probably wouldn't get them out of the pool!

We first took DS on a first choice holiday when he was 2 and he went in the creche for a couple of sessions. I was a bit nervous (pfb!) about leaving him but I needn't have been. He had so much fun.

Both First Choice and Thomson have hotels where the child care staff are all from the UK and trained to UK standards. Not sure I would leave the kids in a hotel run one though.

KellyElly · 31/07/2013 10:02

petuniapickletits They have to be 3/4 to be left alone at any kids Club. Places like Sensatori resorts do offer a nursery, which you pay for, where you leave them alone, as you would in the UK. They are all UK registered and CRB checked child carers. I don't think kids Clubs will take them that young alone for insurance purposes.

Rufus43 · 31/07/2013 11:10

We went to Salou in Spain when ds was 18 months old. Lots to do, beautiful beach, nice promenade for evening walks and there used to be a little fun fair. Spanish resteraunts and British if you get stuck for food. Very close to a big theme park. Lots of tacky shops and supermarkets selling British nappies etc. very family friendly

Downsides are its the Danish Ibiza so there are areas of nightclubs, we are not keen on too much British on a foreign holiday but when you have little ones it can be easier.

Have a good time wherever you go

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