To ask for your best underrated holidays

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Not really AIBU, but inspired by another thread about best once in a lifetime holidays with kids, I am wondering what are your best underrated/budget holidays? in particular I mean holidays where you found a hidden gem or which massively exceeded expectations? I have heaps of ideas of places I want to go but which are too expensive or not suitable for younger kids so looking for ideas of places that aren't massively expensive and which are family friendly...

South Wales, between Cardiff and Swansea. Unexpectedly lovely countryside and beaches plus two major cities to visit, all within about 40 mins of where we were staying. Drive the other side of Swansea and you're on the Gower. So much to see and do.

We just went to majorca and omg it is beautiful! I know it’s probably like the most classic kids holiday due to the short flight but we’ve been to some really nice resorts pre-baby and my husband said that holiday is the best he’s ever been on!

Benidorm out of season . We go every half term , it's 21c , sunny in Feb. Its nothing like peak season that you see on channel 5. I don't want to give away all my secrets but we stay a little further up in the hills , absolutely beautiful while everyone is paying 3 times as much for the canary Islands in the school holidays.

Anywhere in particular @VikingNorthUtsire? We have been looking at the Yorkshire Dales but happy to look further afield if it has more of a 'hidden gem' vibe.

Definitely biased but the Highlands are magical. Scenery is breathtaking.
Im just back from there.
I didn't want to come home.... but luckily for me its not far and I have family there 😊

Caravan on the North Yorkshire coast, been loads. Took my DS to one alone as, DP would never entertain the idea before and had gone on a weekend away with friends abroad.

We had a fabulous time, caravan overlooked the sea, met another mum holidaying alone with DC as her DH was away golfing too!

DS had such a great time we rebooked with DP and now he has been converted - now we go all other the UK in them.

Sometimes in a lodge, or cottage I use hoseason and select a weekend and go where ever it’s the cheapest, had some great long weekend for about £100 in the most random places, but great to explore the uk

Jersey and the Isie of Wight are both lovely! Similar vibe - loads to do and fab restaurants. Stunning views in jersey. We hired a car and really discovered the island.

Anyway- can I just revisit the Benidorm every half term @YesitsJacqueline ? Do you mean literally every half term? i am exceptionally jealous if so!

(And I have just looked at some Benidorm holidays ideas when I would not have thought of it before, so thank you :) )

A lot of budget holidays are what you make of it. The weather makes a huge difference and how well behaved your dc / dh are!

Isle of Purbeck Dorset, festivals, art, music stunning coastline. We camp and if you’re there with kids get up early, have 2nd breakfast on the beach, stay till 2pm go do something else back to a different beach in the evening.

Amsterdam with small children for a city break, we stayed on a houseboat and avoided the "adult" areas of the city.
Northumbria, but though wonderful in dry weather it can be hard work with small children if it's a rainy week.
Bradford on Avon, lovely little town with a canal going through the edges and lots to do in the surrounding area. We rented a house overlooking the canal and we all loved it.

Isle of Skye was one of the best holidays we ever had. We stayed in a remote cottage near to the sea. The weather was glorious. We spent days walking or playing games in the garden. Every evening we went down to see if we could spot Otter's. We barely saw another person.

Also a private hostel in the lakes. Again very remote, no WiFi. Kids swam in the river every day. We went walking and played lots of outdoor and indoor games.

We do generally always go with friends though so the kids occupy one another.

Another vote for Malaga. We happened to be there for a local festival which was fantastic. Short train ride to the more resorty places down the coast, flights are frequent and generally cheap.
In the UK, have a look at Forest Holidays. We've been to North Yorkshire, lovely lodge with a hot tub, easy striking distance to the coast and Flamingo land if that's your thing.

Excellent thread!

A cottage on the waterfront of.the Norfolk broads.. absolutely loved watching the boats coming and going..also so much to do in Norfolk and the weather was wonderful. I would love to go back.

OMG Ilfracombe is horrid, tacky seaside resort and there's not even a decent beach. Go to Woolacombe instead! Not far away at all and a stunning beach.

I love this thread!

I agree with Northumberland- such varied and stunning scenery and so many great family days out within an hour or so. I’d move there in a heartbeat if it wasn’t for family ties. Yes, it’s a couple of degrees cooler there than further south but I couldn’t get over the miles and miles of empty beaches that would be packed in the same summer holidays in Devon or Cornwall.

Switzerland- often just seen as a winter destination but we went in summer and were blown away by the beauty of the lakes and mountains scene. Panoramic train rides through dramatic areas, going up steep cog rails, steam boat trips…. Lots to see and do.

We stayed in yha hostel in Ilam (thanks to a mumsnet thread) and uad a great time. The hostel was like a castle and the area was beautiful.

I’ve stayed in everywhere on this thread and agree!
Apart from camping in France, loving camping, love France, just not a good mix IMO.
Camping in Bavaria is heavenly.

I agree with Malaga and Mallorca both wonderful. Much less known though is Galicia in northern Spain - check out Isla Cies (Ronda beach), Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Ourense thermal springs and Fragas de Eume.

@SunnyLobelia yes it's our thing every Feb since ds was 4. He's 8 now. .... last year we took my mum she was so surprised how lovely it is out of season. Still everything open but no rowdiness. The local market was fab too .
We stay in the old Town and this year paid 230 pp for 5 days half board Inc flights and transfers !!!
Not bikini weather but short sleeves and no coats required!

Northumberland is totally amazing. We've just got back from a week there.
So many lovely beaches & national trust places. Stunning. We had great weather most of the time too.

I had thought that and stayed in Woolacombe- it was a stunning beach, but terrible tacky one-horse town and everything closed at 9pm. Much preferred Ilfracombe where there was loads to do.

static caravan park northern France
people think caravan and scream internally but we had some amazing holidays - ferry adventure, short drive to campsite, clean and spacious caravan, good weather, kids clubs, amazing centre parks style pools, historical towns and villages and amazing food and wine

Agree with PP - Malta! We stayed around Valletta and it was so much more beautiful, cultural, historic and fabulous than I imagined! I thought it was a bit “package holiday” before I went but it was just great