Dreaming of going abroad for a month with dcs

[dreamingofdoncaster]

It's been three long years since leaving the UK. I know that's first world problems but I have family abroad and went on a plan at four months so, to me, it's part of life.
I am also concerned about climate change so would rather go for a longer period by boat if I can. I've just looked and there's some very reasonable houses to rent on Air bnb for a month (August) plus either in Spain or Portugal. I speak some Spanish but the kids don't do would be a good experience for them to be immersed. Portuguese would be even more of an immersive experience for us all.
I'm aware it will be hot!
Concerns are will we find enough to do out there for a month if not near a big city. Also renting a car, will I be confident enough to drive? Will we feel tied to the accommodation and feel we'd rather move around? My original goal was to camp and move around campsites of Europe but it seemed like so much planning!
Another is leaving DP behind, seems unfair but he won't be able to get the time off and isn't very adventurous. Mil who we see often will also be distraught!
I'm just so very tired of the crappy weather, three hour drive to the beach, £1500 holiday cottage for a week of rain, thinking what to do every day of the school hols, childcare rota so I can work, play dates where they sit on screens and not feeling refreshed!
Anyone done anything similar?

No but it sounds like heaven!

Sounds amazing! Go for it. I think we’d be tempted to do similar if we could get around to planning it!

If good weather and I assume a nearby beach is enough for you then it sounds great. I admit personally I would feel it was a bit of a waste to spend that much of my holiday (with the associated cost) in one location as there's unlikely to be enough different things to do/see for that long.

I would love to do something like this, always been a dream of mine.

No way would I do it with kids though. It would just be way too much stress for me.

How many children and how old?

Go!

Depends on the age of your children but have you considered inter-railing?
No driving - use booking.com to mix up horels/youth hostels or sleep on the train. Whole of Europe open to you so can mix it up depending on weather.

Kids are 7 and 5, I've been away with them on my own for every holiday since they were born.

Definitely do it, sounds fantastic!

For sure. Your MIl will get over it, it’s only a month. Driving abroad is ok, harder in small towns, you do need a passenger to help sometimes. Might be worth going near a town and then use public transport

@newname12345 this is my worry. I've stayed in Madrid for a month before but that was obviously a capital city and we could do day trips to Segovia and Toledo. I suppose I'm hoping that it will be a slower pace than an average weeks holiday when you feel the need to get up and 'do something' each day.

Do it! Very good for your children.

The reason I'm considering this is due to starting a new job in September so would hand my notice in July. August is a loss maker for me as all of my wages (and then some!) goes on holiday clubs.

Do it. You won’t regret it. Have you thought about northern Spain eg Galicia? It’s much cooler. Other parts will be stupidly hot in August which in my experience always leads to whining children!

I’d go like a shot but I’d take my own car and drive there- bit nervous of driving left hand drive cars but happy to drive mine on the other side of the road.
I’d head for Austria though - great pool complex with lake swimming where we go. But I’d not say no to Spain or Portugal!
If you go to a resort you’re very likely to meet other kids so your DC might make some great friends . Views of grandparents are not relevant at all here. We took ours for 3 week holidays occasionally- not once did we consider grandparents missing them!

@Maray1967

I’d go like a shot but I’d take my own car and drive there- bit nervous of driving left hand drive cars but happy to drive mine on the other side of the road. I’d head for Austria though - great pool complex with lake swimming where we go. But I’d not say no to Spain or Portugal! If you go to a resort you’re very likely to meet other kids so your DC might make some great friends . Views of grandparents are not relevant at all here. We took ours for 3 week holidays occasionally- not once did we consider grandparents missing them!

Great idea - you could take overnight ferry to Santander in northern Spain (from Southampton, I think). An adventure, and you cut costs by using own car.

@FrancescaContini good idea, I like the idea of Galicia or San Sebastián

But can you include your husband somehow? Ca. He join you for a week or two?

If it's something you want to do and you have the time and money, do it. And if you're worried that you'll be bored in the same place for a month, how about two weeks in one location and two in another?

Galicia is meant to be very green and beautiful - I’ve never been but would love to. SS has amazing restaurants and a lovely beach. You could also rent a house in the Pyrenees and go for long shady walks. With four weeks, you could even stay in two or three different places in the north.

We did in a mini tour of Northern Europe in our car a few years ago.
Camping, 3 campsites, all booked ahead.
Do you like the really hot of Spain or Portugal in summer?
It would be too much for us so we went to Belgium(day trip to Bruges) , Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg.

Sounds fab, days at the beach and local parks etc will be cheap. In fact spending money doesn’t have to be much more than you would spend at home.
Trips to the local supermarket or market always seems so much better than when you are at home.
I don’t think you’d get bored.
All the local food and days out, so exciting.

We will definitely do this when our kids are a little bit older and able to entertain themselves a bit more.

I would rent somewhere with a pool and lots of green space to explore, that has a few things walking distance (a beach? Small shop?) I would fill the fridge and cupboards with lots of lovely food and stock up on lots of books, board games, garden games etc.

I would also invite a few friends/family members out at different points to join us for a long weekend/week to break it up. So for example, can your DP come for a week? Can your parents or in-laws come for a long weekend? Do you have friends with similar age kids who might like to join for a bit?

It's only a month! Do it! I'm sure your h
DH will cope. Amazing experience for the DC!

Could your DH come for part of it?

We did that a few times when the kids were little. A friend and I took the children to her holiday home with a pool for five weeks of the summer as we both worked term time. My DH came out for two weeks in the middle. Her DH was military so sometimes came for parts but sometimes didn’t.

It was great and the kids have lovely memories of it.