MIL wants to book a dream holiday....

[Whatsername17]

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.

Honestly, a holiday in this country could work very well. We've booked a cottage or caravan in the past when going on holiday with my MIL, BII and his wife and their kids. Self-catering is so much easier with young children, I always find.

Another advantage is that you can share babysitting duties and get some time on your own with your DH.

Seaside places are best, kids love playing on the beach and there's always lots of fun things to do.

I know it's not so glamorous as a holiday in a Mediterranean resort but I always hated the idea of taking my DDs on a plane when they were small. We're planning to go overseas next summer, they'll be 9 and 6 then, so old enough lol.

They are worried about Zika because sil2 and bil2 haven't had children yet. There are some fab suggestions on here! Thank you. This country is a complete no - mil wants somewhere hot with no rain. She really knows exactly what she doesn't want but has no idea what she does want!

Ok fair enough! Somewhere hot with no rain, that's definitely not this country lol.

Hope you think of something that pleases everyone, sounds a challenge where your MIL is concerned! If money is no object then a cruise might well be the thing, as quite a few pps have suggested.

I vote for an Adriatic cruise on a smaller ship. Certainly when we went we mainly docked in the towns and you get to see some lovely places. No long flights. Mind you we loved Sardinia too so good luck.

What about Palma Nova in Majorca, it's beauiful or a cruise, lots for everyone to do.

Look at Liberty Lykia in Turkey. It's hot- no rain. Caters for all age groups fab kids clubs and big enough to get lost if you need to.
We have been so many times I've lost count.

http://www.libertyhotelslykia.com/en

Love Newport Beach

Not sure when this is planned for, but So Cal can have temps in the 90s through September, sometimes mid-October. No guarantee of course, but still plenty of 'beach weather'.

Many posters have recommended a cruise, which could be fun...but! My auntie took her children and grandchildren on a Carribean cruise after my uncle died. It was awful for my cousin as she had 2 young children who couldn't go in the pool as they were still in nappies (no swim nappies allowed) and the children desperately wanted to swim. So do check this out before you commit.
Greece is lovely and has so many options. Might be worth checking out.

Sicily. Just perfect.

ikos oceania
fab all inclusive
great food
beautiful pools
adults only area
great kids facilities and clubs and activities
great beach.

We done a canaries cruise with kids and definitely don't think we will do it again or we will wait till their teenagers and opt for Caribbean.

Have a look at turkey, Antalya area. Hotels are mainly 5*, and awesome for everyone.

Portugal? Look at the Martinhal resorts. The one in Cascais particularly appeals to me because you could escape to Lisbon from there to decompress from the family bubble.

Or Lopesan Baobab in Meloneras, Gran Canaria.

For family holidays look on Sovereign - they deal only with 4* plus hotels, and if you contact them with your requirements/wish list they can suggest some places for you.

South Africa? Long haul but overnight flights and no jet lag. Loads to do with all different ages.

Florida club med - where you can be together but not living on top of each other and there are activities for every age and ability - or not - as you choose

Blue Lsgoon in Kos is nice but there is very little else to do we found. We drove round the island and went to a great water park and some lovely beaches but the food in Kos Town wasn't great. I think with an 18 mths old you would find it hard work anywhere sorry

I have to say suggestion the Cook Islands or somewhere in the South Seas is a bit impractical with an 18 month old. You probably don't want long haul at all. Plenty of Med places suggested here that sound gorgeous.

The Forte ones are about £4k pp pw if I remember correctly.

Seabank food was rubbish but great entertainment and beach opposite.

Look at the Ikos hotels in Greece. More luxurious than the Seabank but less to do.

Sicily is lovely. Malta, Sardinia, Croatia or Portugal.

@chocolateavocado99 my heart just broke for those poor kids being near a pool and couldn't go in 😢 poor pups

OP
What time of year are you going? Is weather a factor? I'm looking at September and want sun. Went to Sicily last year - had one day round the pool. Bear it in mind. I've heard good things about the holiday villages for families but might not be what adults who don't have children want.

OP, if you decide on a cruise I'd go for a larger ship, a balcony cabin at the very least, and something like the MSC Yacht Club if possible.

Op, Oman is very nice.

There's even a child friendly hotel called the Al Waha..

Personally I'd go for either a massive house or a group of houses in Tuscany or Umbria - everyone had more space and a bit of independence. You could always hire a cook / housekeeper to make it more special.

My idea of hell would be a cruise or somewhere like Dubai.

You've got some good ideas here. I'd get a general consensus from the group of requirements and the areas you are looking at and go round a few travel agents as well seeing as you are dealing with a large party.

Why not look at a uk cottage holiday with its own pool, at a small 'complex' you could all have your own cottage (and own private space) but probably book all the cottages available.
Or rent a castle in Scotland, there are some small castles that are up for holiday rentals.