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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

MIL wants to book a dream holiday....

185 replies

Whatsername17 · 02/08/2017 09:15

MIL lost both of her parents fairly recently. With some of the money she has inherited she wants to take us all on holiday to try and make some happy memories with the money her parents left her. Dh and I have a two children, as do sil and bil and then there is sil2 and bil2 who are childless, young and hip. MIL has asked us to suggest a hotel, it must be at least 4* and all inclusive, ideally somewhere where they have never been before. Disney has been ruled out as MIL is worried it is the rainy season and sil2 has been several times before. Spain, Teneriffe, Lanzarote are also firm 'no no's' too. MIL and FIL don't want to go anywhere where Zika is a risk. They've all been to Greece and Cyprus but would consider it, if we found the right hotel. They've been to Santorini and Italy but again, for the right hotel they could be persuaded. Any recomendations of where we can go? My kids will be almost 7 and 18 months, I'm a little worried about keeping an 18 month old happy on a pool holiday so suggestions of how to cater for my little one would be appreciated. In the past, holidays in the UK have been very stressful with the whole family, so, selfishly, I'd like somewhere that is big enough to get lost for a couple of hours when we all start to get on each others nerves.(Although I do appreciate how generous MIL is being - it's a lovely thing to do and we are grateful.) Any ideas would be most welcome. She would like everyone to submit a couple of ideas and then I think we have to vote.

OP posts:
19lottie82 · 02/08/2017 09:18

Mexico? Thailand?

KatyBerry · 02/08/2017 09:21

What's the budget per head? Flights are going to be the biggest expense because of school term times.
There are some excellent quality luxury all inclusive hotels in the non- Dubai emirates - Ras al khaimah is a one hour drive from Dubai airport and 1:3 of the price, e.g. Nothing whatsoever to do outside your luxury enclave of course

Whatsername17 · 02/08/2017 09:24

She hasn't given us a price per head. We will have 4 young children (oldest will be 7 and youngest 18 months) so I'm not sure if long haul is acceptable.

OP posts:
Notagainmun · 02/08/2017 09:26

Are the Canaries out completely? Gran Canaria is beautiful, best climate of all the Canaries. Meloneras resort is lovely with a fantastic beach. Some amazing hotels.

PJsAndProsecco · 02/08/2017 09:28

Malta is great, its a lovely island.

MaverickSnoopy · 02/08/2017 09:29

California. You have San Francisco with so much to do, including the likes of Alcatraz. Also San Diego with a fantastic zoo (really is spectacular). There's also LA with Hollywood (although more touristy and not much for kids), Venice beach, Disney @ anaheim and universal as well as lots of great shopping malls if that's your thing. There are also places up in the mountains you can visit which are wonderful for memory making, although probably not all inclusive.

liviadrusilla · 02/08/2017 09:29

Mauritius is lovely.

DrinkMilkAndKickAss · 02/08/2017 09:30

Croatian coast or islands? Maybe somewhere by a lake, e.g. Como?

FatCatFaces · 02/08/2017 09:31

This sort of holiday would be my idea of hell, even if it was free sorry, no help

How long is the proposed holiday? I'd probably plump for something in Italy. Hopefully near a train station so I could go out and explore and eat non all inclusive food Blush

IrregularCommentary · 02/08/2017 09:31

Croatia? Lots of day trip type stuff, beautiful country and weather is perfect at this time of year.

pinkbraces · 02/08/2017 09:31

How about a cruise?

DrinkMilkAndKickAss · 02/08/2017 09:32

The Balearics would also fit the bill, especially as they have a nice and short flight time that will be ideal for such small kids.

LittleOwl153 · 02/08/2017 09:34

What about a cruise? Can work for everyone in different ways if you book the right one.

FatCatFaces · 02/08/2017 09:34

I think the above cruise suggestion is good actually. All inclusive but opportunities for sightseeing for those who can't stand pool lounging.

BarbarianMum · 02/08/2017 09:35

Personally I'd avoid long haul with such young children. Is it a beach holiday in particular you are after? If so, what about Croatia or Sicily? Or the Amalfi coast? Or Corsica.

If not, what about Switzerland?

SimplyPut · 02/08/2017 09:35

Cannes, Monaco etc are beautiful.
Malaga is a beautiful small city, as is Palma.
Italian lakes... although car hire often needed.
Malta is picturesque.
Have been to all of the above with kids.

Ninjakittysmells · 02/08/2017 09:36

I think I would be looking st a cruise in this situation too - lots of different activities to cater for everyone, space to get lost but meet up for meals etc....

I can't work out if you are super lucky or super brave with this holiday!

DelphiniumBlue · 02/08/2017 09:38

Sicily, Crete, Malta?

TonicAndTonic · 02/08/2017 09:38

Mexico? Thailand?

Both full of Zika. I'm afraid.

Corsica/Sardinia/Malta?

astoundedgoat · 02/08/2017 09:39

Crete. Some incredible hotels - Elounda Beach, for instance - that offer all inclusive, and the cities - Heraklion (not far from Elounda), Rethymno and Chania - all offer a nice escape from IL's. If you go to Elounda, there are lots of vineyards etc in the hills to the south for days out. The mountains and scenery is fantastic.

Lots of incredible areas in Crete for all price points - I just mention Elounda because it's where I would love to go for something like this!

HattiesBackpack · 02/08/2017 09:41

What about a U.K. based holiday- all singing all dancing centre parcs tree top lodge or a luxury cottage somewhere?

Plenty of opportunities for everyone to do their own thing then

AsleepAtMyDesk · 02/08/2017 09:41

I would do a club med holiday - it's a French company so the food is AMAZING and there are loads and loads of all inclusive sports and activities (sailing, windsurfing, canoes, paddle boards, water skiing, tennis, football, circus skills, kids clubs).
They have them all over the place. Go for a 4 or 5 star one - the 3 stars can be a bit tired.

MsJolly · 02/08/2017 09:41

I also vote for a cruise-everyone can do their own thing be it lazing by the pool or getting off and visiting places, but you can all meet up for dinner in the evening. Win win.

Orangesox · 02/08/2017 09:42

Definitely a cruise in this situation, lots of activities for everyone, lovely restaurants for special meals, plenty of space to do things in your small family units without being on top of each other all the time!

Even better if you go from the uk, no luggage restrictions which is super helpful for 1. Kids stuff, and 2. As many clothes as you want to glam up!

Vanillaradio · 02/08/2017 09:43

Yeah definitely cruise. All inclusive but plenty of opportunities to get away and do your own thing, either by exploring ports or doing different activities on ship. Look carefully at the ports though, with kids you want one where you can just get off and wander round a port rather than have to sit on a coach for a couple of hours to get anywhere.