Where to go for a family holiday with excellent kids club somewhere not hot

[SweetDCofMine]

We're looking for a holiday for the whole family (DC are 7 and 4) that provides an excellent Kids Club (option of learning to swim would be fantastic) and a bit more for the adults than just beach and swimming pool. In fact, if it's not by the beach it doesn't matter. None of us like the heat. Doesn't have to be activity-packed for the adults, but just some villages to visit and some evening entertainment would be good. Would appreciate suggestions.

Have you thought about kinderhotels in Austria? We're going back to one for the second time this year.

HerMajesties they look great thanks. My only concern would be the language barrier. Will English kids find enough children to play with?

There were English speaking families at the one we were at. Also Italian and French speaking ones. Depending on the age of the dcs language sometimes doesn't matter!

I agree, for the 4 year old it wouldn't matter, but for the 7 year old it would!

Have you thought about a cruise? They tend to have great kids clubs and generally a choice of activities to suit everyone. You can get involved with as much or as little as you like. You stop off at a new place every day so plenty of variety. We've done a few now and have loved them all. I have a 3 year old and a 6 year old and they both love them too.

Thank you djinthailand. I wonder if I may have left it too late for a cruise? (late July - Aug) Would you be able to recommend any specific one?

I've been on Royal Caribbean and Carnival with the children. Both were fantastic. They are good value for money because all the food and entertainment are included but you do have to pay extra for alcohol and this bumped up our bill quite a bit. We sailed from Galveston in Texas because we were living in Houston at the time. I suppose having to fly to your departure point would make it more expensive but you can buy the cruise and flights as a package if this is what you go for. Have a look at the websites for the cruise lines - they include the prices on them. Also have a look at another website cruisecritic.com which is quite good for researching all the cruise lines. I really can't recommend cruising highly enough!

www.espritfamilyadventures.com/ - Summer Chalet holidays in the Alps. 4 days of Kids Clubs. British company, so Brit staff and families - we did Austria with them 2 summers ago and are going to France with them again this Summer. Really fun and good value.

kiwinyc I've just had a look at the esprit website myself. It looks great. Do you think it would be suitable for a 4 year old and 6 year old?

yes! We went in summer 2009 when my two were 6 & 3 and they were grouped together in the Kids Club. Most of the children were aged between 3-9 or 10 iir. Both had a ball and we had a break too.

Sounds great. I'm going to send for the brochure and get something booked - probably not for this summer though. I'll have to have a look at the other school holidays and see when's best for us. I'm all excited now!

Oh i hope you enjoy it if you do try Esprit! We are trying Belle Plagne this year and can't wait until August when we go! They have a great formula if you're happy to forgo the beach for a change.