Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Original poster

Aibu these are safe holiday destinations

211 replies

Thisisanewnamename · 28/08/2022 20:16

Help me get some mental clarity Mnetters.

DH and I have 2 DC 3 and 9 months. Thinking of grabbing a cheap bit of winter sun in Nov, all inclusive 4/5*.

want it to be mid 20s at least to have lounge by pool/ beach and not do a lot else sort of hols. Basically 0 intention of leaving the hotel compound/ beach area somewhere that can’t be walked to.

talked to DM about you know as light convo and she balked at the destinations. Insisting they weren’t safe, hygiene would be poor, health care should anything happen would be insufficient and that it’s tantamount to neglect and me putting my selfish need/ want for a hols about my kids welfare, it’s just got me questioning myself.

looking at -
hurgurda in Egypt
looked at and dismissed Ayala and izmir as I think they aren’t that warm in nov
cape verde
dubai ( unlikely as seems pricey but maybe can find a deal)

shes being ridiculous right? Would you take your kids here? I just need to soundboard that these are perfectly legit places to take kids.

OP posts:

XelaM · 28/08/2022 22:41

Dubai is amazingly safe and clean so that would be my no1 destination. I wouldn't go to Egypt (I have been there before and wouldn't recommend it)

ohffsomg · 28/08/2022 22:42

No to Egypt even without the children.

minipie · 28/08/2022 22:44

South side of Tenerife is the warmest bit of the Canaries weather wise. Costa Adeje is the nicest bit of the south IMO.

It is definitely not exciting but if you just want pool, sun, child friendly food, maybe a kids club and the odd trip to the beach, it’s ideal. At these ages it’s all about what’s easy and has least chance of something going wrong.

Piggywaspushed · 28/08/2022 22:45

OP, you have small children . You keep mentioning very grown up places. You are being so stubborn about the Canaries. It's geared towards package holidays and sun loungers and is literally a famed winter sun destination. And safe.

maddy68 · 28/08/2022 22:47

If you want safe stick to canaries heat but safe

OnthePiste · 28/08/2022 23:08

Tenerife is your best bet, still nice and warm in November and great hotels for families

bloodyplanes · 28/08/2022 23:15

I loved Egypt, however i must admit I did get a dodgy tummy and the food was terrible.

Jjones8 · 28/08/2022 23:17

Mauritius could be a good bet. I have heard that the Mauritian government are heavily subsidising hotels to increase tourist numbers.

TheNoodlesIncident · 28/08/2022 23:20

The Canaries might have been the basis of bad holidays for you as a child, but they will have changed a lot in the intervening years and so will you. I would give them another chance as it sounds like they tick most of the boxes for your situation. OK, you might prefer further south for more heat, but if that compromise isn't an option for you in terms of budget/safety/whatever then you might have to hope for the best weather wise.

Exorcise the demons OP, it's only for a week. You'll probably really enjoy it and it sounds great for the kids.

bloodyplanes · 28/08/2022 23:22

What about goa? Ive never been there but I know a handful of people who absolutely love it.

ellieboolou · 28/08/2022 23:22

Canary Islands for kids that young. We stayed in the GF Isabel in costa Adeje and was fabulous.

Is not go back to Egypt or Turkey.

PyongyangKipperbang · 28/08/2022 23:26

I agree with the Canaries. Hot and reliable. I have friends who go there every January for their "Summer" holiday as they run pubs so cant go away in the summer.

Cape Verde is lovely according to my sister who also went in November but expensive.

I agree that I would avoid Egypt.

AlexandraJJ · 28/08/2022 23:28

Cape Verde for me too, much prefer to Canaries. It’s barren but Santa Maria beach is lovely and the people are wonderful

Yoloohno · 28/08/2022 23:30

Tenerife is lovely and family friendly, we’ve had lovely holidays in Costa adeje.

Have you looked at the cruises around the canaries, family friendly ships that give you the grown up time.

I can’t say your choices are where I’d take small children.

Yellowcakestand · 28/08/2022 23:31

I love the Gambia and would take my son there no problem. Been there many times.
One hours time difference, 5 hour flight from UK (South west). Cheap once you are there, forests and amazing beaches, friendly people and dgoid hit winter sun x

TippledPink · 28/08/2022 23:35

We went to Hurghada and all 5 of us were so sick, I was scared getting on the plane home in case I couldnt get to the toilet in time! It took months for me to feel completely better, it was awful. Such a shame as we really enjoyed the resort but couldn't risk being that ill again. The staff at the resort couldn't do more for you. Speaking to others it does seem very common to get ill in Egypt. Not worth the risk for me again!

maryberryslayers · 28/08/2022 23:36

Dubai is perfect with little ones. Go to a large resort and you'll have no need to leave! If you do want to there is lots of things to do for kids of all ages and aircon everywhere. I took DS as a baby and it's the easiest holiday I've ever had with kids. The staff couldn't do enough everywhere we went.
Everything is clean and private healthcare readily available and of a high standard.
I've been multiple times and never felt unsafe, quite the opposite.

TippledPink · 28/08/2022 23:37

I second others with Costa Adeje Tenerife- we go every March, its lovely!

runtothesun · 28/08/2022 23:38

Hurghada is full of tourists and not much else. Seemed perfectly safe when we were there last year. We flew internally too and always felt safe. The risk of terrorism never concerns me when travelling as the risk is moderate here in London.

Firty · 28/08/2022 23:39

Dubai is extremely safe as long as you don’t break any local laws.

Egypt is a bit of a lottery, every so often there’s a terrorist incident.

Luredbyapomegranate · 28/08/2022 23:40

Abu Dhabi is fantastic - much nicer than Dubai and somewhat cheaper (or was)

Egypt is fine I have always found. Can’t think of any reason it would be a problem with kids. Have always found it very kid friendly.

Never been to Cape Verde but certainly all the drive has been to make it the affordable winter sun destination so hopefully they have

Much to like about the Canaries, but it can be cooler than that so you might be disappointed

FangsForTheMemory · 28/08/2022 23:43

Madeira?

friskybivalves · 28/08/2022 23:52

Maybe have a look at Hotel Parque Tropical in Gran Canaria. Rooms are a bit dated but the gardens are lovely. Right on the beach but not an absolutely banging bit of beach. Breakfasts and dinners fab - masses of choice and people making omelettes etc (my particular weakness). Lots of bars and things nearby but not raucous ones. Safe for families. Never struggled for a sunbed when I was there with DH and DCs a couple of years back. Big outdoor pool. Think prob still ok in November, weather wise? Even found myself playing bingo in German one afternoon...

friskybivalves · 28/08/2022 23:57

friskybivalves · 28/08/2022 23:52

tui reckons 22 Deg average temps in gran can in Nov.

NewYorkLassie · 28/08/2022 23:59

I don’t really like the canaries

But why does that matter if you’re not leaving the hotel?!

I’ve been to Tenerife in November and January and spent both weeks on the beach/by the pool and it was plenty warm enough. In fact, a great temperature for little kids.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9