Holiday Ideas

[mum2chalkandcheese]

This year's holiday has been screwed up a little (me being disorganised, the constant rain/crap weather etc). To make sure we don't end up in the same situation next year I'm trying to come up with a bit of a wish list of holidays ready for next year and ready to save up for. Problem is I can only seem to think of holdiays I'd like to do and they're never that (small) child-friendly (New York etc). The added complication is me and DH get bored of sitting on the beach or by a pool for most of the holiday so need something with a bit more to it. Absolutely no offence meant for anyone but the stereotypical package holiday doesn't do it for me.

So, what would you suggest for a family of 4 (ds aged 4 and 6 by then) who are happy to do a bit of driving, don't mind flying, quite up for new places with an average price tag. We've done UK holdiays for a couple of years so ideally something overseas.

Do you like sightseeing, theme parks, sports, water based activities, nature?

I'd totally add NYC to an itinerary. My cousins grew up in Manhattan and my aunt & uncle live in Brooklyn with their 7 month old, it's amazing for kids. Take a look here: mommypoppins.com and nymag.com/family/kids and timeoutnewyorkkids.com for an idea of how many great things there are to do.

Not sure how much an average price tag is but a couple of years ago we went on a camping safari in Kenya with family and their 4 and 6 year olds, they loved it. Year after we went to Lamu and the little ones had a ball because the water is so clear and shallow it was like a paddling pool - it's a UNESCO world heritage site so there's plenty to do apart from sit on the beach.

How about an agrotourism holiday in Italy, Spain or the south of France? Or renting a penichette in France?

when our kids were that age we used to go to france in a mobile home. we found the combination of sports facilities, bar, pool, beaches and places to visit really good. and if you go with your own car in the ferry you can loads of junk into the boot. plus a badminton net on the pitch and husband barbecuing

We've taken our children to NYC and they loved it!! Sure, we didn't get to do all the things that we did during our previous child-free visits (cocktail bars, shopping etc) but there's loads for children to do.

We did central park zoo, natural history museum, empire state building, open top bus tour, FAO Schwartz and Toys r Us to name a few.

We've also visited Chicago, San Francisco, LA, Vegas and Washington with our children, which aren't typically "child friendly" holiday destinations but we've always teamed them with "child friendly" parts to the holiday e.g. Orange county area south of LA has theme parks, beaches, national parks etc. Myrtle beach in South Carolina (about 7 hours drive south of Washington- don't know if that's too much driving??) has theme parks, water parks, beaches, parks and the added bonus of being the crazy golf capital of the world!!! Also, we've done all the things that would interest them whilst we've been in those cities- so going places for us, but doing activities for them!!!

We have also done Orlando on a few occasions which they obviously really enjoyed.... What shocked me was when we ask our children what their favourite holiday or part of a holiday has been, they often choose the parts that we thought wouldn't be so much "for them" if you know what I mean. My 6 year old says that Washington and Chicago are his favourite holidays and our 4 year old says myrtle beach.

So I would say that you can take children pretty much anywhere as long as you then investigate all the things to do that will interest them, that way everybody is getting something out of the holiday. So if you fancy NYC or anywhere else, go for it!!!!

Happy Holidays!! :0)

I'm another would suggest mobile homes. Camping in France is great with children that age. We are heading here this summer:

• castles
• Roman ruins
• lizard hunting
• pools
• sunshine
• French markets
• French food

Barcelona is very fun for adults and children. Not many city break type places have a nice sandy beach to boot!

Barcelona could be combined with a visit to Port Aventura theme park.

Friends took their child regularly to NY. They rent an appartement instead of a hotel so more space and more flexibility.

One year they did Yellowstone Nationalpark and added just a couple of days in NY.

We have just been in the Dordogne for 2 weeks. It was fab - so much to do. Castles, caves, dinosaur parks, cave paintings, canoeing on the river, boat trips, markets etc plus a bit of pool time. Lots of lovely food and stunning scenery. We barely scraped the surface and will probably go back next year.

Another vote for camping/mobile home in either south-west France or south of France.

Another suggestion - an activity holiday. These are a great company, and have holidays to suit most age groups of children, and just adults too. We had one of our best ever holidays with them.

Hiring a motor home can be great fun - you could even travel around the UK (with Cornwall and the Peak District being top of the list of places to visit - some lovely scenary!). If you fancy soaking up some sun that might not be guaranteed in our climate, try travelling around France.