simply travel

[Bridge1001]

has anyone noticed the demise of simply travel? I went to Periyali Villas in Zakynthos last year and was impressed with the service and quality - especially the kids club. Now TUI (thomsons) have ruined it! cheap brochures, theyv'e dropped lots of properties, especially the child friendly places, web site is terrible....they want us all to go on Thomson SuperFamily holidays which are not my cup of tea...any advise o reasonably priced med holidays which are good for kids? not big unfriendly hotels full of shaven heads, lager drinking louts?

Hey desperate housewife - I've never been asked for proof of age but be careful as child might not enjoy it. When my DS was in Mousses last year he was youngest in the group (by over a year) and though he was very happy in childcare one of the other mothers confessed that her DD's had admitted teasing him mercilessly for being the smallest. So would only recommend if your child is robust and/or large for age. Saying that, a friend put her daughter into ski-school in courchevel at 2.5 even though limit was 3 and she had a great time.

Elliott - agree not cheapest option (we are going in middle of school holidays and with flights and same childcare as Simply travel (ie mornings 5 days) works out at about 2,500 which is 600 more than I paid for Simply Travel. But what PNP don't make clear is that prices are for half-board not self-catering so I think the increase is about bearable. Would suggest you contact Caroline who runs company on [email protected] asking her what cheapest options are and see what she comes back with. I've found her fab to deal with and am sure she will have options available if you are able to go during term time or maybe don't want half-board etc.

In terms of alternatives I spent long long time looking at the same set-up as Simply Travel but with other operators or independant operators but didn't have much luck. Other than Mark Warner/ Sunsail type places, everything very expensive. We did look at this other place and were tempted but then decided better to go in Autumn/Winter because of temperatures www.familydiving.co.uk (savoy at sharm does english nanny childcare). Seems to me there is huge gap in the market. Anyway, drop Caroline a line and see what she says - she is back and forth to Italy all the time so she may have other options as well as this place.

I will be very interested to hear re parents need pampering, have also read v good reviews!

thats brilliant, willow, many thanks for your advice.

When are you going? The setting really is quite magical - it's in the middle of nowhere, looking out to sea - can't get much more chilled.