Please please please help me plan our little holiday PLEASE

[complexo]

Hi, we are a family of three who doesn't like travelling but likes the idea of travelling iykwim. Our dd is 5 and we decided going on holiday on the middle or end of August. Somewhere hot with a nice beach, not too expensive, not too far away but still an interesting, nice, safe, fun place.
Our last trip to Euro Disney was a disaster so this time we must get it right pleeease.
I am thinking Greece, or Morocco, or should I try the Arab countries?
I am not sure why but Italy and Spain or even Portugal don't pop up on my mind when I think about the holiday but I am going to keep my mind open.
Please give me your tips, we have a bit of travelphobia...

Greece is ideal. Lovely weather, beaches, food and the Greeks are really family orientated, they adore kids. Average about 3/4 hours on a plane, great culture, interesting things to see. Not much to dislike really :)

It will be extremely hot in Greece or Morocco in August I'd not recommend it unless you were particularly keen on hot weather.

Tell us what was wrong with Euro Disney to give us an idea of what doesn't work for you.

My daughter fell ill with a misterious sickness two days before the trip I spent one night and one day in the hospital with her basicly just waiting around and after 2 scans, 2 X rays, 3 blood tests and 2 urine tests the doctors said she was faking it and told us to go because she would forget as soon as we got there, we were tired but still went, she was screaming in pain day and night for the whole 3 days and just got better when was time to come home...also the weather wasn't nice. Me and dh had massive fights due to stress, tiredness, frustation and bad communication and it was a complete nightmare.

Anyway, how much it too hot? How hot would Greece be? I need more info, like hotels, cities etc...

In August most of Greece will be 40+. But as long as you're liberal with the sunscreen, hats and other protection then it shouldn't be a problem. Goes without saying that staying out of the midday sun and drinking plenty is a must. Great excuse for ice creams also

Holidays get easier as they grow, our DS is also five and it's certainly less stressful than when he was 2/3!

Any of the main islands (and more) can be read about on trip advisor. You can also suss out hotels. We go to Corfu and love it. Staying at smaller hotels can be much cheaper but then you've to expect basic facilities. The bigger hotels have plenty of kids clubs etc, all inclusive if that's your thing.

I never went all inclusive and i don't mind basic accomodation as long as it doesn't look like a prison cell. A swimming pool in a small hotel would be perfect.
40+ will maybe be trick as dh has a weird hash when it is too hot, damn it. I will talk to him and see what he thinks anyway.
help help help

If you don't like stress and want safe (thinking medically) then Morocco or similar isn't the best idea. Most people get gippy bellies at best .You can also expect lots of people coming up to sell you stuff and you have to haggle and watch the change all the time. I think it's good fun but it does gt wearing for some people.
Greek islands are nice but will be hot and the third worldness often surprises me although it's fine it you are happy to relax and roll with it.

I am from a very hot third world country haha
Yes I can see myself alone in morocco but not with dh and dd
Oh I want Greece

Slight risks attached to Greece in case they default on their loans, but that will be offset by good prices. Spain and Italy slightly less hot and slightly closer. How much are you looking to spend? What kind of accn? How long do you want to fly for?

why don't you stick to Britain, loads of fab places to visit, places to stay with pools, and not to hot.

what about Mallorca? Lovely safe beaches, some great towns, short flight, good climate.....? Morocco will be scorching as will Greece. Plus they are longer flights.

or Corsica? or Sicily? or Sardinia?

I don't mind britain, I need ideas.
I haven't got a clue how much I should spend, how much is cheap or expensive that is why I am here. I have some cash and I want a nice week somewhere other than my own home.
We don't drive in case someone wants to suggest places in the UK
what is accn?
I think that up to 5 hours on a plane would be enough?

Turkey for you, I reckon

corsica is lovely, Turkey again is 40+ degrees, what is your budget?

Accn= accommodation. Hotel/villa/b and b/chalet/ apartment ?

Il de Re would be lovely as well, disclaimer never been but would love to.

I think a good starting point would be to list the things you want from your holiday, plus anything that you don't want. Chat with your DH about this too- make sure you agree on the key things that you are looking for to avoid rows later on .

Some things to consider are: how hot do you want it (I like the heat but summer in Morocco and Egypt are unbearable for me), how long is the maximum flight you could bear, do you prefer self catering, half board or all inclusive, touristy or off the beaten track.

I think that it might be worth considering Europe if you are feeling a little nervous about it all- it will be less hot, shorter flight, arguably less risk of dodgy tummies, less cultural difference (to clarify, cultural difference is not a bad thing but can make some elements of holiday more challenging).

HTH

Good plan wantomake.

Northumberland is lovely! Huge sandy beaches, loads for kids to see (castles galore, Alnwick Gardens and Tree House, etc)

Dh and DD mentioned beach
I am giving up greece, morocco and turkey because of the excessive heat...but anyone knows how is their climate on Xmas

Sorry, I know I don't have a clue, you must be laughing...
huummm, Spain atracts me more than Italy
Definitely no self catering...but no all inclusive either.... and I think I want to be relaxed to do what pops in mind instead of following a schedule...

Budget?

Well, since you're not sure where to start, I will propose a few things. We are a travelphobic family of 3 and I dislike it too hot, so we are similar there

I would always self-cater with a child of any this age - hotels IMo just don't work with kids unless you can afford another room for them and they are older. Because otherwise, where are they going to sleep, and what are you going to do once they are in bed - read with a torch and talk in whispers??
I would go to France because the weather is better, it's close and the trains are good; also given the right place, it's not too hot.
I would expect to be able to get accommodation such as a mobile home or simple apartment etc for somewhere around £500 for one or two weeks without much problem (a bit vague, sorry! depends on your minimum standards re facilities etc).
Without a car, I would look at packages. Try Brittany Ferries holidays?

Morocco would be nice at Christmas I think but we thought this and then we saw the prices of the flights...

Budget budget, i don't know!!!
I am useless at this.
i have £££££££ in my account but obviously I don't want to spend it all and I want to have a good deal...or at least 'feel' that I had one.
I don't want to cook or go food shopping so don't think self catering will be a good idea.
And we do co-sleep anyway (I know so this is another thread) so one bedroom would be fine. Maybe one bedroom with 2 beds.
In my idea we would get exausted during the day and just sleep in the night, so no problems there.
Is it possible to enjoy Northumberland whitout a car?

I found this site today and its right up my street perhaps you'll like it too: www.amfibietreks.co.uk they allso have a facebook page with some good photos.

They are a camping company in Sardinia, with a variety of tents set up basic, to ones with ensuits. The food is included in the price although one day a week you help make it tripadvisors says the food is a little repetitive but also communal eating and helping make the meal is a great experience. They offer a large range of watersports, sailing, hiking, climbing tours around sardinia, some are free some are extra. They have a spa. Drinks with the meal are free as is the happy hour. They have a swimming pool and childrens club near beaches etc. The company offer airport transfer as an extra.

I like the idea of the communal living, outdoor activities and only having to get myself to the airport and being picked up the other end. If we book it'll be the first time I take my DD (who will be 3) abroad and and I like the idea I will hopefully be able to meet people easily..