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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Please help me book my parents a holiday

58 replies

SeriouslyStrongCheese · 16/04/2019 18:02

I'd like to book my parents a holiday. They do a lot of childcare for us and have been unwell and said they would like a holiday so I'd like to book them one. They are aged mid sixties and just want somewhere to relax.

Spain or Canary Islands ideally but would consider a Greek island but no where else.

All inclusive travelling in June 2019

4 or 5 star decent clean places with pools and beaches but they dont want to spend a fortune!

Really struggling thank you!!

OP posts:
minipie · 17/04/2019 09:28

wineandroses what time of year was it with all the wasps? IME from other parts of Greece the wasps can be bad in August but not so much in June which is when the OP’s parents are going?

OP the drier, breezier islands on the east side of Greece (Cyclades and Sporades especially) are likely to have fewer wasps.

BarbaraofSevillle · 17/04/2019 09:36

Another vote for jet2holidays, but they don't fly from Gatwick. They do Stansted though if that's any good.

Justheretosee · 17/04/2019 09:41

My parents are a similar age, alternate between Portugal and Tenerife - they love both.

I was in Greece last year (another jet2 holiday) in a resort called argassi and there was a lot of people at the hotel 55+ The hotels entertainment and the local bars were all targeting this age range

MereDintofPandiculation · 17/04/2019 09:58

Madeira is ideal for that age group. Really? We're all the same in our tastes, are we?

Geminijes · 17/04/2019 10:03

The OP. has stated.....Spain or Canary Islands ideally but would consider a Greek island but no where else....

Do people have difficulty reading? several people have commented with places outside of the OP's spec. Odd.

Nesssie · 17/04/2019 10:12

We went to the Pestana Porto Santo (island just off Madeira) All inclusive, by the beach, pools etc. Absolutely lovely.

The only issue is there isn't a hospital on the island, so if they get unwell (not sure if their illness is a long term thing?) they have to go across to Madeira.

Thadeus · 17/04/2019 10:36

Hi there

What a lovely and generous idea. Please PM me, I can help further.

Crazycrazylady · 17/04/2019 11:31

Travel department are excellent for escorted tours.. have a look

chorusline79 · 17/04/2019 12:00

Oh yes as Nessie says the pestana in Porto santo is amazing - great food and an amazing beach, and loads of outdoor pool areas. You can also use the stunning neighbouring hotel as well and there are several great restaurants and a lovely indoor pool and spa. It's v relaxing but not much to do outside of the hotel as the island is small.

Sexnotgender · 17/04/2019 12:01

The Cliff Bay in Madeira is a beautiful hotel, worth looking at.

MarthasGinYard · 17/04/2019 12:31

Cliff bay is gorgeous

Also Vida Mar next door is lovely.

SeriouslyStrongCheese · 17/04/2019 19:39

@Thadeus messaged you

OP posts:
SeriouslyStrongCheese · 17/04/2019 19:44

@MarthasGinyard

What country are they in please

OP posts:
SeriouslyStrongCheese · 17/04/2019 19:45

I meant to say Spain, Balearics and canaries. Open to some other places but nowhere like turkey/ Tunisia etc thank you everyone

OP posts:
MrsCasares · 17/04/2019 19:50

How about a Med cruise. That’s a really relaxing holiday.

Penguinpandarabbit · 17/04/2019 19:54

We have been to Estival Park beach there is beautiful and lovely indoor pool and couple of outdoor pools too. Its about an hour from Barcelona so can do a day trip. For a week in June AI its about £500 each with First Choice from Gatwick. It has entertainment every night for all ages so no a quiet hotel if they are after that. Waterpark nearby if they are feeling adventurous!

N0Time · 17/04/2019 19:56

The Sol Beach House in Santa Eulalia on Ibiza is a gorgeous adults only hotel. The town is quiet, clean, lots of nice restaurants etc. Miles away from all the clubs and very beautiful clean beaches.

Alsonification · 17/04/2019 19:58

Myself & my 2 kids stayed in a hotel called The Best Cambrills hotel in Spain 2 years ago. We went all inclusive & it was hand on heart the best all inclusive I’ve ever stayed in. Very good value, nice food, lovely pool & bar area. Beach right across the road. Busstop right outside the door & it’s only a 10mins journey to salou. The night time shows were very good compared to the usual stuff. And not too expensive price wise. We flew into Barcelona & it was a 2 hour bus journey to the hotel but if you fly into Reus it’s less than 30 mins drive. Accommodation was lovely. We had a pool view but I have heard that there are rooms overlooking a train station at the back so this might be an issue for some. Have a look. I was only today talking to my parents about us all going back next year.

Steamedbadger · 17/04/2019 20:04

Lanzarote in or near Playa Blanca. A nice resort to walk around, plenty of good restaurants (but maybe you don't need those if they want all-inclusive) and if they want to explore a little there is the Timanfaya volcanic park to see and the César Manrique places. Or if they don't fancy a seaside resort there are plenty of other areas on the island. We found driving very straightforward there too. Princesa Yaiza is nice, don't know what their prices are like in June or whether that would be in your budget. If not there are tons of other places to stay. I have always heard good things about the other Canary Islands too and it should be warm then.

EnglishGirlApproximately · 17/04/2019 20:05

Op depending on budget the Sensimar Imperial Rhodes would fit the bill. Adults only, absolutely fab hotel the rooms, food and service are great. Mostly couples but not elderly so no bingo etc, more live music and bbqs outdoors. Not much to do locally save a few shops, bars etc but if it’s only a week and they want to fly and flop then it’s ideal.
If over budget look at the Sentido Cala Vinas in Majorca, lovely hotel and I’ve seen some great pricing on it.
I’d second a cruise though, so relaxing but lots to do if they like to be busy.

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 17/04/2019 20:06

Would a cruise be an option?

wineandroses1 · 17/04/2019 20:07

Re my previous message; we were in Kefalonia in late June.
I really like Madeira, but it’s quite hilly (may not be an issue if parents are fit and able though). Also, Croatia is fab.

TheCraicDealer · 17/04/2019 20:08

I would second a med cruise- unless they have travelled extensively and now know that the shortlisted destinations are the ones for them out of all the places they've visited. It's a really "safe" way to see a lot of places in a short space of time- you're not risking your precious holiday time by going somewhere you might not like because if you hate it you're leaving again for somewhere else in twelve hours. And you've got the convenience of not having to pack and unpack, plus lots of excursion ideas for different budgets. Tui do a cruise and stay option, where you can tack on a four nights or a week in Majorca after a week's med cruise.

If you're not keen on that we went to Corfu with DH's parents a few years ago which we all enjoyed. Majorca is hard to beat as well.

Thadeus · 17/04/2019 20:35

@seriouslystrongcheese have responded

Marmalady75 · 17/04/2019 21:50

Playa Taurito in Gran Canaria - Tui does all inclusive. One hotel is adults only and the other (on the opposite side of the bay) is for everyone.