Pleeeeeease find me a holiday!

[ScarlettCrossbones]

Have been googling all night ...!!

We're in Scotland and ideally would like to take the train to the South of France, then get the ferry to Corsica or Sardinia, preferably. Stay in one of those agritourism places, possibly, or SC.

2 adults, 3 children (including baby), budget about £2.5k, end June/beginning July.

Has anyone done anything like this, or have good tips for any part of the journey - accomm/integrated train websites so we don't have to buy a million individual tickets, etc etc ... any help would be much appreciated!! Thx xx

Hi Scarlett,

My first thought is do you really have to take the train to south of France. That is a long and expensive route from Scotland. If you can I would fly to Nice or Marseille, stay overnight (or not depending on the times and get the ferry from there). Presuming you are going by train from Scotland that would probably mean train to London, Eurostar to Paris, then Paris to south of France, then ferry. I honestly think that is two much, especially with three children including a baby. Also, any rail delays on any bit would may mean missed connections. You are probably also looking at 2 overnights at least in hotels. Alternatively just fly straight there to Corsica or Sardinia?

Sorry - should be 'too' much not 'two much' - must preview before posting

Hi

We have stayed on Corsica & Sardinia. I have to say of the two Sardinia was far more child friendly & cheaper to have a pizza/pasta out. Beaches fab on both.

We went to the west coast (east coast more super yacht territory) & stayed in a lovely agritourismo...but can't remember the name. Cheap flights available on budget airlines to Alghero.

Have a wonderful time!

Yes, we could fly I suppose Alison - probably will if it does work out much cheaper - I just fancied train as I wanted the journey to be as much a part of the holiday as the final destination, and that it would be good for the kids to see the scenery gradually changing. Thought of overnighting a couple of places on the way.

Thanks, munstersmum that's really good to know, from someone who's been to both places. My French is a fair bit better than my Italian, but I can always mug up in time for June!!

Any more tips gratefully received!

Hi again Scarlett,

Sorry if I what I posted was really negative - you probably thought what a miserable sod I am - you all excited and them me saying don't do it! My husband flatly refuses to fly so all our holidays for 25 years (apart from two short breaks) have been by car/ferry/train. Quite a few of them setting off from Scotland for Europe. The costs can be very high. With hotels you could easily take 1.5K from your budget for that. But - I understand why you want to do it that way. I used to think why can't we just get on a plane but now I treat it as part of the holiday and we have seen great places along the way we would never have seen just by flying somewhere and think I enjoy travelling that way far more now.

That said I still think with kids it is just a bit too far. We have done a few long train journeys and ferry/car journeys with our son. The train can be great, really exciting for them but two days is about all I could stand (and all my 5 year old would put up with). Getting on and off the trains with all the stuff, finding the platforms while trying to stop an overexcited kid from running to something they have seen, changing nappies on the train , explaining for the hundredth time you have no clue why the train has stopped for an hour (whilst worrying if you will get the connection), the boredom that inevitably sets in after about 5 hours, etc. And that is just with one!

OK - sorry I am being negative again! Some alternatives to give you a 'journey' but not so long could be, fly to Paris have a couple of nights there and then TGV to whatever port, then boat. Fly to Rome, or perhaps Milan and then a train trip in Italy (or car hire) for 2 days then the ferry. Do the train trip just one way, on way there and fly back directly. Or stay one week each on both islands with train and ferry journey between the two.

Have never been to Sardinia but know loads of people who have and say how wonderful it is (we are planning to go). Have been to Corsica but just to Bastia, that was great but not really a kids place (just Bastia, not elswhere on the Island).

Sorry if last post wasn't helpful (although not sure this one is that much more so). Sure you'll have a great holiday whatever you do

Alison

Aw, thanks Alison, don't worry, I didn't think you were being negative, was looking for realistic opinions! I do realise it's a very long haul. However, I've done quite a lot of Euro train travel in the past (admittedly not with small children!) so I hope I'm not being too rose-tinted about the whole thing! I do want to consider all the options, definitely.

OK, the sand's starting to tip firmly in the direction of Sardinia now ...! Thanks again.

scarlettcrossbones I pm you earlier.

Someone on mumsnet reccommended this when whey booked their villa. She didn't say where it was but is was villa on an olive farm with a pool and children's play area.

That was me! We went last summer and had a great time. It was at the Borgo Sixeri agrotourism. Really kid friendly and super safe. Not much to do apart from swim, walks around the farm and play areas, so not recommended for older kids, but my 5 year old loved it.
Definitely need a car, but a very relaxing holiday.

Hi sailorsgal, thanks, I did email you but maybe I went to your junk?! . Have pm'ed you now.

Thanks too for that link - looks great, getting lots of good ideas here! OMG, that Borgo place looks incredible ... I'm inspired ...!