Best Holiday Ever with Small Children...

[SparkleandShine]

What was your best holiday ever with small kids?

I have an ulterior motive!!! we have a 2 and a 5 year old and want a good beach holiday..

A friend of mine rated bedruthen steps with dc over anywhere else in the world sparkle.

I am in a similar boat to sparkle and shine except that my wife and I both celebrate our 50th this year but we also have a 4 year old.

We would like to go somewhere a bit exclusive/luxurious but also with a child friendly angle possibly where other families with small children might be.

Having a child late in life, even if it means being less economically challenged, can create issues around all sorts of things as everyones needs attempt to be met.

Last year we went to Crete (here in fact) in a place a bit like the QuintadasAchadas in the Algarve, not especially for kids but there was another young family there so it worked out well.

does anyone have any ideas that might help us.

that looks very nice jonathanjo!

5 days abroad would be madness with a toddler. You need to take so much stuff and its takes 2 or 3 days for them to settle. It's best to go for longer out of season when its cheaper.

I think it depends on the toddler and where you are going.
I've been for 3 days in Europe before now, and I would say, yes it's a hassle, but worth it.
But I did have my mum there when I got there!!

What about Sardinia? I've heared the Chia laguna resort is great. I think there maybe some reviews on here.

I've just been sent an email with 40% off if you want it let me know.

I have been to the Chia Laguna, it was very good, half board and food is good, small kids club not brilliant but right beside the kids pool so very relaxed, bus/train to take you to the beach, all very upmarket, not cheap though.

Small villagey resorts in a warm country - a s/c apartment or villa, with pool, within walking distanc of a sandy beach and also tavernas or cafes on the beach:
s/c: do what suits you best re feeding the children. Live like a local: Take them out to eat late in the evening (maybe feed the 2 yo first and then let him sleepin his buggy), have a siesta in the pm. Sit in cafes / bars / tavernas while the children play on the sand in front of you.
Loads of places where you can do this in Greece.

Alcudia Beach Majorca.

Stayed in an Iberostar 4* All inclusive (our idea of HELL a few years ago) but it was FANTASTIC. They have 2 or 3 hotels directly on the beach.

Hotel, pool, beach bar, beach. All in 50m no road.

It was steps from beach to the bar that opened at 10.30am and being AI meant popping up for drinks, ice creams all morning. BBQ started in the bar at 12.30 then off to room (1 bed apartment) for a nap!

Much the same in the afternoon and then rocked down to dinner (bottle of Cava ordered first - gosh I sound like and alcy) then off to the the playpark after and the kids show.

DS were 3.5 and 1.5 and it was just a really good relaxing holiday. A real break for me as food was good and I didn't have to cook all week. Kids soon got into the way of having a big sleep post lunch because they knew they got to stay up late.

Beach was gorgeous and perfect - very gently sloping and never really got deep DS1 couldn't get out of his depth.

Really rate all inclusive for this age range - just check the reviews of food are good and call hotel before you book to check what time dinner starts. My friends went to Tenerife and dinner didn't start until 8pm!!

sailorsgal - just sent you a pm request!

sardinia, we hired a house and went by 'budget' airline. the beaches were amazing adn the weather was good. we went in may.
i wish we could afford to go back this year.

btw we had a three yo and a one yo at the time

Algarve - Great local food. Lots of 2 bed apartments, so easy to get them to bed while you can still relax drink wine on the balcony etc, not as expensive as a villa and if you get an apartment on a shared complex, they'll be other children for them to play with. Great beaches. Lovely.

Algarve - BA fly LGW to Faro (3hrs). Great local food. Lots of 2 bed apartments ideal for families, so easy to get them to bed while you can still relax drink wine on the balcony etc in the evening (so you're not stuck in a hotel room if they fall asleep early). Not as expensive as a villa and if you get an apartment on a shared complex, they'll be other children for them to play with. Great beaches. Lovely.

Its so good I had to post twice!

Sivota - Neilsen's sail and sun holiday. Just gorgeous

sivota - Neilsen's Greek idyll for families.

Johnathanjo

Have you thought of a cruise. We have one ds. We have found several of our best holidays have been cruises. Normally go from Southampton with P and O . Children's facilities excellant.The other place we have had lovely holiday was Oceania Club In Greece.

mousses lefkas, with simply travel

There is a case for saying the phrases "Enjoyable Holiday" and "with small children" cancel each other out.

That was certainly my experience until they got to the ages they are now (6 and 4). They can now swim independently, sit in a aircraft seat without needing constant attention or me worrying that they are going to wet themselves if they fall asleep, not need a day time nap that nails everyone else to the room/apartment etc.

Having said that we really enjoyed The Red Sea Holiday Village in Egypt (obv) the Kids Den rooms were a total life saver and the pools were fab. Kids Club and creche helped alot too!

We did Menorca last year and although we loved the island the hotel was a bit crap and it rained solidly for 2 days! couldn't beleive it. We are going back there this year though, this time for two weeks and in a private villa with our own pool. It will require alot more forethought and inspiration regarding self entertainment but I am hoping moseying down to the town for relaxed child friendly evening meals and lots of beach days will be the way forward. Can't bloody wait to be honest! Cannot bear running the gauntlet with 800 other people all trying to eat in an all inc ever again.

Bloss

xx

Best place and we are still going is le sarrail in France you will need to google as am on iPad and can't do links. Sooooooooo expensive but we save like mad all year. This will be our 3 td yr back gets booked up v quickly

omg that Sarrail place is LUDICROUSLY over-priced!

looking at aincs most say dinner 7pm - how do they expect little kids to wait till 7 to eat ?

marbeth Have you been on Independance of the Seas by any chance???

Want to go on the 11 day cruise round the canaries next year (dh and I both turn 40) and was wondering about the kids facilties (mine will be 9 and 3.5)

We've had short holidays in Norfolk and Whitstable and longer holidays in Cyprus, Halkidiki (Greece) and Tsivili (Zante). They were all good holidays and all cheap late deals.