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Original poster

Please help with our first holiday abroad with toddler

20 replies

lizardqueenie · 16/12/2011 19:05

Have been scouring these boards & the Internet for blooming weeks now & just can't get my head around what is a good trip for us to do. It will be me, DH & Dd who is currently 14 months old. Hoping to go away somewhere warm, would like a pool & sandy beach, max 3 hr flight as its DD's first time travelling sometime between April and June.
Do like to have the option of self catering as ur makes it easier with DD but would also like to have to option to have meals in a hotel/ restuarant on resort as otherwise its no holiday for me cooking all the time! Happy to hire car & abroad. Would like Dd to have her own room so we can watch tv in the evening in the living room/ chillout on balcony. Does anyone have any recoomendations or am I asking the impossible? Thanks very much

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Runoutofideas · 16/12/2011 21:25

I would suggest a villa in menorca. We went there when dd1 was just under 2 and I was pregnant with dd2. Weather will be lovely that time of year and I found it to be very family friendly. If you book with James Villas at the moment car hire is free, or alternatively I would look at Easyjet flights and an Owners Direct/Holiday lettings villa. You'll have much more space than being cooped up in a hotel room, just choose one where there are plenty of restaurants etc nearby.

Original poster
lizardqueenie · 16/12/2011 22:11

Thanks runout Am so desperate for a break I've been online all evening again.did you just eat out early in the evening so that your DS could have dinner with you?

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Original poster
lizardqueenie · 16/12/2011 22:11

Sorry, your DD not DS!

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Coldcuppacoffee · 16/12/2011 22:19

We went to Mallorca but have since heard Menorca is better. DS was 20 months.
We went self catering but did lots of buffet meals for ease. One night we ate out late and DS just stayed up, ( we put him to bed a little later and thankfully he woke up later too) we had a couple of nice lunches instead of dinners. With an apartment, you have space to chill in the evening vs a hotel room where you can't really go anywhere.

It's a very different holiday. You can't really get anywhere fast and our DS didn't like the sea, pool or sand so that was a bit challenging too!

Original poster
lizardqueenie · 16/12/2011 22:44

Ccc thanks for your ideas too. Went to both islands when I was a kid & it seems strange now looking for a holiday for my family! Oh your poor DC. Well I know dd will love the pool &at least I think we'll have our own room & she'll have gets rather than being cooped up in a hotel plus I was thinking if ur in a hotel what happens when they need to nap? You cart everything back to your room? At least with a villa you could take monitor & gear them from ur subbed (grand delusions of relaxation!). Would be great if anyone could recommend some villas/ resorts then... I just get a bit overwhelmed with the choice. Confused

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Runoutofideas · 17/12/2011 08:44

We stayed in cala'n bosch in Menorca - It was lovely. It is a marina resort so lots of nice restaurants on a harbour with boats to look at. We stayed in an apartment complex there, but there also seemed to be lots of villas. Having stayed in villas since I would say that they are better, mainly for the nap thing - you can still relax in your own garden/pool while the children sleep. In the evenings we would generally feed dd early before going out, then take her for a nice long walk in the pushchair to get her to sleep before going out for dinner ourselves, with dd asleep in the pushchair. Clearly you can't go off clubbing after, but it is possible to stop for a drink or two on the way back if you like.

Runoutofideas · 17/12/2011 08:52

I would go for something like this maybe? My parents went to Binebeca and said it was lovely. Don't know what your budget is though...am just jealous as mine always comes out double the price, paying for 2 children!

Original poster
lizardqueenie · 18/12/2011 18:41

Thanks runout . Binebeca looks like a good option and thing that that villa would be in our budget. call n bosch sounds nice too, i think DH would be pleased with the marina. I think we will definitely go for the villa option, it just makes more sense and also saves us the hassle of kids clubs and evening "entertainment" at a resort until DD is really old enough to appreciate it! Cheers

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Pantofino · 19/12/2011 09:27

When dd was 15 months we stayed here in Sardinia. It was gorgeous and with lots of stunning beaches nearby. We had a 2 room apartment with bedroom/separate sitting room with kitchenette - great for sorting snacks/drinks - but we booked breakfast everyday at the hotel. I think we may have cooked a couple of pasta meals at the apartment, but most nights we ate in one of the 2 restaurants on site, strolled in Cannigione or picked up a pizza. This place also has villas - so more space but you can still use all the facilities. The food was wonderful!

I have some photos on Flickr somewhere that I have linked to before. Will try to find. We did a couple of boat trips plus a day to Bonifacio in Corsica. Capriciolli beach is to die for!

Pantofino · 19/12/2011 09:34

photos

Runoutofideas · 19/12/2011 12:50

Pantofino - that looks lovely. Do you know if Sardinia is still hot in October? Am looking for somewhere for half term....

Pantofino · 19/12/2011 12:54

Looks like it It would be much quieter of course. We went in June - it was very warm but not too busy...

festivefireworks · 19/12/2011 13:04

Cala Llonga on Ibiza has lovely gently shelving beach great for a toddler. We stayed in an aparthotel on the edge of beach so not even a road to cross. Had one double bedroom, sofa beds in living room & small kitchenette. Plenty of family friendly restaurants in easy walking distance.

Mrsrobertduvall · 19/12/2011 13:12

Have a look at Rocha Brava complex, Carvoiero in Portugal.
you can book directly with RB or look on Owners Direct website(usually cheaper).
We took ds when he was 18 months old and it was perfect.

Original poster
lizardqueenie · 19/12/2011 14:04

Pantofino that looks great! Do you know I clicked on the villa prices first and did this face Xmas Shock but now I have re-read and seen that you meant the apartments! Which are much more reasonable Xmas Wink Plus that beach at Capriciolli looks lovely! wow! Who did you fly with?

festive and mrs will have a look at your links a bit later too. DD has just woken up from her nap and Ive just done the 30 day shred for first time in ages and its going to take me a while to get up the stairs! Ill be back! Grin

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Pantofino · 19/12/2011 15:00

We did it as a package with Holiday Options - but not sure if they are still going. Quite a few companies fly to Olbia now I think. You could manage in Cannigione without a car - everything is there - but definitely worth it to get to the best beaches.....

Original poster
lizardqueenie · 24/12/2011 09:32

Hey Pantofino - got in touch with a holiday company called essential Italy & they've quoted it's from £780 for a 2 bed- that's when resort first opens in may. Thought it might be a little bit cheaper Sad hmmm. The hunt might continue....

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muttimalzwei · 31/12/2011 09:52

Have you looked at Majorca Cala Bona Alicia hotel. Cheap deals in April if you book with hotel directly. We did it last year with two kids (one in cot) and was lovely food, great staff, relaxed with kids and CHEAP! (half board included in offers usually) Flew with Ryan Air. Worked out £800 for 8 nights.

muttimalzwei · 31/12/2011 10:03

Just looked at it for 12-20th April and it's coming up as 489 euros half board.
here
Flights to Majorca can be cheap and the transfer can be easily organised from airport (about 45 minutes)
We had a great hol here, lovely hotel and food. Near beach, lovely balcony overlooking sea (ask for first floor room although you will prob get that as a family anyway). See what you mean about self catering but the buffet was so good and varied you woudl find something to suit your little one. What I liked most about it was that my kids could pick and choose a little bit of what they fancied without any waste.

muttimalzwei · 31/12/2011 10:04

You would not have own room for DD but you could go out on balcony. We kept our kids up in the bar til 8.30-9pm and then bedded down for the night. We did a babysitting swop with another couple one night.

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