To just want to book a holiday - take my money!

[ItsCalledAConversation]

Whyyy is it so hard to find a fucking holiday?!

Made harder by the fact DH can't/won't decide or make up his mind about anything. He 'wants something to look forward to' (as do I) but what this is seems to change every five minutes. Meanwhile summer is creeping closer, prices are going up, availability is going down and our budget is shrinking.

We want a relaxing beach holiday, to be looked after, but to have freedom to explore and stuff to do.
Two kids 7 and 10.
Dislike typically 'all inclusive' type places, but don't have the budget for Ikos/ Sani etc.
Don't want to camp or even self-cater - need a proper break.
DH won't use a travel agent as thinks they're all out to steal his money.

So far we've had a look at:
Northern Spain - no resorts, shit weather
South of France - all too built up/urban, and too £££
Portugal - don't play golf and it seems to be all golf
Devon/Cornwall - been there done that
Scotland - unpredictable weather
Thailand - too expensive

I am slowly losing my mind. Please can someone just tell us where to go on holiday, down to the location, the hotel/villa, what to do while there, etc. I simply cannot waste any more of my life googling or on Airbnb or booking.com. Help!!?!

I did the villa/hotel combo in St Lucia one year with my DC, it worked really well as we did lots of days out during the villa stay. Then we chilled and made the most of the lovely hotel facilities.
OP I think your plan could work well in Europe.

Just get a villa. Stock up on all the drinks and foods from supermarkets and go out to eat. All inclusive in school holidays are ridiculous and over priced.

I would overrule DH and go to a local travel agent 😂 This is what they do. Hope you get something sorted.

This is so super helpful thank you everyone! I’ve a mind to look at Croatia, Mallorca and Turkey and see if we can stretch out our budget without going mad. Some great hotel recommendations here too thanks!

I came on to suggest here too.

I was like you last year, wanted to go away, didn’t know where, DH not inclined to offer suggestions as too busy with with work.
In the end I booked a flight to Berlin and a lovely hotel for the week. The easiest holiday I’ve ever arranged.
It isn’t what you have in mind, and definitely not relaxing but we had a blast there. Too much to do even with a week.

Greek island, one of the smaller ones like legal o is or paxos. One of those small hotels with a restaurant where you can eat there or venture farther away.

Sorry that was meant to say kefalonia!

There's very little to do though, isn't there? It's been on my list for my March birthday, but everyone says that it's just a beach/resort holiday?

Sometimes I wish there was just a holiday consultant you could ring with your. Requirements and budget and they just sort it out and book you in.

Oh no, wait, that’d be a bloody travel agent! Sometimes I think the removal of stress would be worth the extra cost.

I've just done similar but for next year. Recommended the Jet2 website, I went on there put the airport/s we'd be happy to fly from, left the destination as anywhere, stuck in who was going, duration etc and then filtered all the results to 4 or 5 star rating, 4+ trip advisor rating, budget etc which narrowed it down loads. Ended up booking 10 days at a 5* all inclusive in Turkey, Fethiye area

10 days here won't totally break your budget, and is what we are doing after a recommendation on MN for 2 room places - so actually if you are all happy in 1 room, you might get 2 weeks?

https://www.jet2holidays.com/spain/costa-blanca/benidorm/magic-natura-animal-waterpark-and-polynesian-lodge-resort

Can recommend Travel Counsellors https://www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/

We have booked 2 lovely holidays (Egypt and Greece) through them and just booked another to Indonesia. Saves so much time and energy. We literally give them a budget, tell them what we want in terms of dates and destinations and wait for them to send options.

I don't think you could go wrong with Majorca.

Holland! Beekse Bergen, Efteling , Duinrell, and then a beach resort to relax like zandvoort
Or
Crete, hire a car spend a week on each side of the island, so much to see and do and wonderful beaches and food!

@CatsOnTheChair we went there for a week 4 years ago and really enjoyed it! The zoo and waterpark are great. Hope you have a brilliant time

Rodos Princess Beach hotel in Rhodes. Best family holiday we've had.

Croatia - but this time Porec. Look at Isabella Valamar which is a private island resort. Has a boat over to the mainland and lots for the kids on site. Standard package is half board and there are more restaurants on the mainland opposite. You can go to a Venice for a day trip on the hydrofoil.

Alternatively - the Italian Lakes. Garda is so family friendly. Especially Bardolino area. So many trips if you want them. Look at Hotel Caesius. Food is incredible.

You could combine a week here with a week in a beach resort in Crete https://www.eleonas.gr/

BA Holiday finder - https://www.britishairways.com/travel/holiday-finder/public/en_gb

Put on your filters, sort by TripAdvisor rating low to high, book the top one, job done.

Definitely Cyprus ☀️ and stay in the same place. There's loads to chill out and relax but also plenty of sights, sports and activities.

I've been to Mallorca and think a resort there within easy reach of a day out to Palma would be great 😃

Also I'm heading to Costa Adeje in Tenerife in a few weeks. Our hotel kids club has great reviews by all accounts, not sure if it would be within your budget but it's the Vincci Plantaccion del Sur. Lots of restaurants nearby.

Turkey! Go for one of the Tui blue hotels and a child free place. Mostly all inclusive but have really good food.

Magic natura is a good choice, ignore the fact it’s Benidorm it’s quite a way out and is quiet. They have shuttle buses to the beach but unlimited zoo and water park access gives you lots of options. There is an all inclusive place in the water park.as well as pools etc on resort. But the hills were a killer although when we went there was a shuttle bus.

Another option to look at is Salou, if you can get a good package including port aventura tickets it’s a good shout. Salou had a lovely beach and is very easy to navigate and about 30 minutes transfer from Reus airport.

Yes because travel agents work for nothing 😳