Recommendation for foreign holiday with 3.5 yr old and 20mth old in October this year

[Lilliput]

My dh announced he would like to go abroad this year for our annual holiday in October. We usually go to family in Devon and Cheshire but we've not been abroad since the kids were born and although I think it would be great I am slightly daunted by the hard work it might be. Any recommendations?

Majorca ? - not too hot or crowded at that time of year, still just about warm enough to use outside pools.

Thanks lizs, anyone else?

We really liked the South of France. We stayed near a costal town called Villars, which was lovely.

Kos, Mark Warner. Everything you need for young children.

I think Mark Warner is probably too expensive

we went to cyprus last oct, weather was excellent.

Get a quote for early May (check rates for October and try for the same rate IYSWIM). The child-share and one child free space can bring down the cost significantly. Lakitira weeeks of 4/10 and 11/10 would be £1,180 for the 4 of you incl flights and full board, and childcare if wanted for a week. Don't know if they are doing the child free space this early for that time of year, but they alwasy do it.

Paleros even cheaper for week of 11/10.

Are you getting this off the website ladymuck?

Don't worry I've found the prices on the website. Do they really always do a free child place offer?

on our first holiday abroad with ds, we found the flexibility of a private villa a godsend. we hired a car and could get out and about if we wanted, or could laze by the pool, eat what we wanted when we wanted, ds had a long afternoon nap in his air conditioned room, it was great. cala d'or majorca, was where we stayed, just not sure of weather there in october. the algarve i have heard is great in october- lots of villas to chose from there. we had 5 yr old niece with us and was bit concerned she might want entertainment at night etc, but she was always pooped by 8pm as she's an early riser! good luck

Typically they always do a free child place for their Med holidays during term time (and as a lot of their clients are private schooling, they do use the shorter private school term dates for this). Currently the offer is for April-July excluding the half term week, but around May/June time this offer will become September onwards (based on my previous experience - I've had a Sept/Oct holiday with them in 2003 and 2004). They make most of their money from families in school holidays (they're almost always totally full, and give fewer discounts).

There is one thing to watch out for though. To get the child share rate you need to either get a family room in the hotel (which is reality is 2 interconnecting double/twin rooms plus one bathroom) or the equivalent in the Village. Otherwise I think that you will be charged an underoccupancy charge for the infant (which was about £275 for the week). There aren't a huge number of these rooms (though loads of ordinary interconnecting rooms which are practically except that there are 2 bathrooms, not one). But I don't think that the MW clients tend to book up for October too early, and in fact loads of people wait until the very last minute (literally the day before) to book as there are substantial discounts. The downside of this approach with an under2 is that the childcare might be full! With the childcare it is up to you as to how much you use. Probably half the parents use it for just the mornings and the other half use it both morning and afternoon.

What are the extras with mark warner and what is free? Sorry Ladymuck you are a star helping me out like this. The website is good but I need to be armed with all info to persuade dh this is the holiday for us. If we are going abroad this year I WANT CHILDCARE!! it's my holiady too!

Strictly the deal is full board rather than all inclusive. Extras - you can have wine with lunch and dinner but all other drinks are extra (including anything you might want from the pool bar during the day). The 24 hour kitchen has milk and bottled water available for free all the time. All meals are included and they obviously cater for children. The shop on site does stock Weetabix though as the cereals aren't quite what kids are used too (they're all fine if somewhat sugary, but just not cheerios or weetabix and toddlers can't always handle unusual first thing in the morning!). There's a buffet available at each meal. Ds's usually started their day with a full cooked breakfast.

You will need to check out the precise charges for infants - I don't think that there is a charge for the younger ones childcare but can't remember I'm afraid.

Tennis lessons are extra, though from memory the courts are free. Sailing and windsailing courses are free unless you want to do a RYA course where there is a fee. There is a fee for water skiing as well. You can take boats and boards out during the day for free. They also run aerobic classes/football/beach volleyball etc during the day for free. There is a beauty salon and spa which is extra. With all the above I am refering to Lakitira - you'd need to check the brochure. Fo the last couple of holidays we've just had tennis lessons, massages and booze on our hotel bill.

For kids - there is an ice cream trip each week - 2 euro I think.

It may be worth ringing and getting them to price it up for you (obviously there isn't the free child's space yet, but I'm sure they'd be able to tell you what the price would be if there was that deal).

ladymuck - at Paleros, if you ask the waitresses nicely they will get you weetabix! For some reason they just don't put the boxes out.

Thank-you so much ladymuck!

Was drooling over the brochure when I saw that the childcare for a 1-2 yr old is now £230 per week. It used to be cheaper, but you'll need to add it on.

I sent off for a brochure so hopefully that will seal the deal!

Try and make Mark Warner lakitira work out for you and you won't regret it! We've been in October for the last two years and had a fab time. You can sometimes get a cheaper deal by flying on a Wednesday but this may only be for half term fortnight.

Discount available for Mumsnet members by pressing the link on the home page.

What discount do you get through mumsnet at mark warner?

Not sure- but if you go through avant garde you can normally get about 10% of the price of a Mark warner holiday