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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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:
budgiegirl · 02/08/2017 09:45

I think a cruise would suit as well. Some of the bigger ships have lots to do for little ones, a port intensive cruise offers lots of opportunities to explore, and on some lines drink is included as well as food, plus entertainment if that's your thing.

I don't know about other lines, but if the budget stretches, NCL have gorgeous 'haven' suites, which have lovely cabins, private pool, private resataurant, butler etc

nobullshitallowed · 02/08/2017 09:48

Blue lagoon hotel in kos. It's a 5star Thomson holiday. Absolutely amazing for kids!! Best holiday we've had. Good was unbelievable too! X

firawla · 02/08/2017 09:49

I know a lot of people on mumsnet hate it but what about Dubai - nice hotels, beach, plenty for kids, and you can get away and explore. My mum loves it so it suits all generations?

2014newme · 02/08/2017 09:50

Cruise is a good idea.
Mauritius but it's a long flight
Somewhere fancy in Italy

CoraPirbright · 02/08/2017 09:51

Croatia or Italy would be my suggestion. We have been to Croatia for the last 3 years with young children and its great. The sea is so clear and crisp, great food and the people are so, so lovely!

lilydaisyrose · 02/08/2017 09:52

We went on a similar family holiday of a lifetime to Cape Town, SA. Hired a beautiful luxury villa & 3 x cars - 1 per family so we could each suit our own schedules and families and meet up in the evenings or for meals.

ilovesooty · 02/08/2017 09:53

I was going to suggest Malta too. Also Luqa airport is one of the least stressful airports ever - a consideration when flying back with small children.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 02/08/2017 09:53

That looks amazing nobull

I was going to suggest Dubai as seems to have something for everyone. Not too far flight wise.

fuckwitery · 02/08/2017 09:53

Sardinia. Great all inclusives big enough for own space. Amazing seas. Kids clubs. Great food and lots to explore on your own. The sea there is something else! Stunning.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 02/08/2017 09:54

What time of year?. How long for?. I would also ask about an actual price per head. She has not come up with much either apart from the fact that the hotel must be at least 4 stars.

wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/world-map-areas-with-zika

The above gives current information re Zika virus.

France and Spain has no known risk of Zika from mosquitoes.

I would not do longhaul.

This could well become the holiday from hell particularly if people's overall expectations are very different. How old are your BILs children; are they of similar ages to yours?. And what about BIL and SIL2; they are childless so want different things out of a holiday as well.

FatCatFaces · 02/08/2017 09:55

Dubai is dead boring if you don't like lounging or shopping in my opinion.

www.tenutadelleripalte.it/en/ I haven't been to this place but have recommended it before. It looks lovely and has lots of activities.

GinaFordCortina · 02/08/2017 09:57

Would personally never go to a Dubai. Cruise sounds ideal

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.alaraby.co.uk/english/amp/news/2016/11/18/tourists-told-learn-the-law-amid-dubai-rape-row

Original poster
Whatsername17 · 02/08/2017 09:59

It's going to be tricky. The whatsapp group is going crazy and already giving me a headache. Mil has had an awful year, I'm determined to try and give her the family holiday she wants. We've been invited on holiday abroad with them all before but always declined. Partly due to expense and partly because we are sort of expected to go along with what everyone else wants to do. At least, that's been our experience when we have been away in this country. But, as a one off, we can make the best of things for MIL. I just wish she'd choose a country!

OP posts:
Jaytee38 · 02/08/2017 10:00

Malta is a lovely place for a holiday. As is Austria.

Original poster
Whatsername17 · 02/08/2017 10:00

Thanks for all of the ideas and suggestions, I'm feeding them into the whatsapp group.

OP posts:
ChardonnaysPrettySister · 02/08/2017 10:01

Sardinia might be the right place.

Plenty of big hotel there too.

KeiraKnightleyActsWithHerTeeth · 02/08/2017 10:02

Positano.

Kr1stina · 02/08/2017 10:05

My suggestion is not about location but about childcare.

I suggest is that you write down a plan each day for when each of you ( you and DH ) and going to take sole care of the children.

I see too many families on holiday where the DH does what he wants all day ( sailing, tennis etc ) and his poor DW sits by the pool entertaining toddler. Which is fun for a while but not for 12 hours a day.

Unless you write it down, most men won't accept how little childcare they actually do. You will be the default parent even on holiday.

So men say " I will come and help you out at lunchtime " . By which they mean " you get kids ready and take down to lunch and feed them. I will pop in 20 mins later , buy myself a beer and chat to my mate at the next table. Then I'll glance over at my screaming toddler throwing fish fingers and say " darling ,are you ok to take them back to the room and put them down for their nap ? " while I go on chatting to my mate."

Then they boast about how they looked after the children for most of the morning.

So sit each evening and write it out for the next day. And stick to it.
Otherwise it won't be a " dream holiday" as you care for a tired and hot toddler 24/7.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 02/08/2017 10:05

"Mil has had an awful year, I'm determined to try and give her the family holiday she wants. We've been invited on holiday abroad with them all before but always declined. Partly due to expense and partly because we are sort of expected to go along with what everyone else wants to do"

It is not down to you to give her the family holiday she so wants. She has only specified a 4 star hotel. Also your last sentence here is telling; that dynamic won't necessarily change if you are all together abroad either. If the WhatsApp group thing is already giving you a headache that does not bode well going forward either.

katienana · 02/08/2017 10:07

Grand Palladium Ibiza was gorgeous, went there with 8 month old and a 2 year old. There were 2 a la carte restaurants so we had date nights (we were on a big family holiday)

Bostin · 02/08/2017 10:07

We stayed here viavillas.com/italy/la-casaccia with family and took the option of hiring Marcella to cook us the most wonderful meals.
Because of the location everyone will need to hire their own cars which means you can escape off to do your own activities when you need to.

TractorTedTed · 02/08/2017 10:09

I'd also say Italy or Croatia. Both are beautiful with lots of history, culture, lovely food, beautiful coasts, opportunities for boat trips, watersports, v family friendly and not too far away.

Dubrovnik would be lovely, or maybe Sardinia?

Not been to this resort, but looks lovely

www.justsardinia.co.uk/pages/forte-village-sardinia/?gclid=CjwKEAjw8IXMBRD8grLxi5ql5E4SJACD1-Awru5iNTw0oNvITZkNCS_a2rF4Fm2tWV9BzgiBTtMgChoCh2zw_wcBbe

Alternatively, mountains and lakes holiday such as Switzerland or Austria?

Original poster
Whatsername17 · 02/08/2017 10:09

Kr1stina, I honestly don't need to do that. Dh has never behaved in that way. He's much more likely to injure himself playing with the kids to be honest. We always share the baby between us and there will be 8 adults who will help out too. It wouldn't occur to dh to leave his kids and go drinking.

OP posts:
MyLittlePickleBoo · 02/08/2017 10:10

All of the children I know who have been on cruises hated it. A few were travel sick and the other two hated how claustrophobic it felt and were a nightmare! (Sister's children and they're normally really good!)

Second California. My brother has done that trip with his little ones several times and it's not been a problem at all.