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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

First Holiday Abroad with 2 children in August - any suggestions?

26 replies

MrsHoneybean · 11/02/2013 16:53

Hi
We are hoping to go abroad with our children for the first time this summer in August, for a week to 10 days.

I have been to a travel agents to try and get a feel for somewhere to go and the agent kept banging on about Turkey. I went years ago and remember it being incredibly hot!

I am really not sure where to take our children for the first time. They are not used to a hot climate having only ever having holidays in the uk.

My children are 6 and 8 and are excellent swimmers. I am kind of thinking of all inclusive with swimming pool facilities.

I had thought Brittany but have been warned off that as the weather is similar to here.

Ideally we would love to just lie in the sun watching them mess about in a pool where its not sweltering hot that we melt!

I also thought a long haul would be better for their first holiday/flight.

Any suggestions greatly received!!

Thanks

OP posts:
givemeaclue · 11/02/2013 18:45

You do want to go long haul? Or don't?

What is your max flying time and budget? Will you be sharing room with dcs?

Original poster
MrsHoneybean · 11/02/2013 21:08

Short haul I think. I guess max flight time probably 4-5 hrs. We'd rather not share room with children, but I guess that depends on costs. Max budget no more than £3000.

Thanks

OP posts:
makemineapinot · 11/02/2013 23:13

Majorca or Menorca are ideal for families and not too hot x

specialsubject · 12/02/2013 14:46

August is generally bloody hot in the Med - I've been a rep and was always a bit Shock at people who went at that time and then grumbled at the heat...

the Canaries could be slightly cooler as they have a more stable year-round climate.

Fluffy1234 · 12/02/2013 15:31

I've been to Costa Brava and Costa Dorada and found those places to be slightly cooler than a lot of Med places. I second the Balerics, I know quite a few families whose first family trip abroad was Menorca. It is hot though but fine for a swimming pool holiday.

landofsoapandglory · 12/02/2013 15:36

I've melted in Majorca in June and September! Wherever you go it is going to be hot.

I love Majorca, our favourite part is Cala D'Or.

EnglishGirlApproximately · 12/02/2013 15:37

Balearics will be hot but you can't really go wrong there for a family holiday, Menorca is coming up reasonably cheap. You're budget isn't that high for high season which is probably why the travel agent suggested Turkey, tends to be a bit cheaper than Spain, Portugal etc. If you can forget going AI how about a campsite? Great for families, cheaper than a hotel and you could do Costa Brava which is a short flight and not too hot. Camping Cypsela is lovely as is Playa Bars on Costa Dorada.

oneofthegiantsisme · 12/02/2013 15:41

Does it have to be August? May half term might give you more pleasant weather (and cheaper prices). We went to Tuscany for our first holiday abroad with the kids at half term last year (OK, that was actually June, but the principle holds); we went for a mobile home on a holiday park, with a great pool complex, and had a fab time. DC were 12 & 10 at the time. With a mobile home you don't have to share a room - you can get 2 or 3 bedrooms, whatever suits your family & budget.

givemeaclue · 12/02/2013 18:03

Only issue with may half term is its only one week

Wishihadabs · 12/02/2013 18:06

We went to Crete last year with dcs the same age. It was great 26-30 degrees.Fantastic pool.Ready good value too (2100 half board I think)

Original poster
MrsHoneybean · 12/02/2013 18:49

I did wonder whether it would be too hot.

We can't go in May as my hubby can't get time off.

Someone else suggested Eurocamps in France...

With so much choice I am getting confused!!

Thanks for all hour comments though.

OP posts:
Fluffy1234 · 12/02/2013 19:29

MrsHoneyBean It's not to hot, especially for a jumping in the pool all day type holiday. Perhaps for lots of sightseeing you would find it hot. Theres nothing worse than going somewhere and its not quite warm enough or super windy and the pools are cold. When my DC were the age of your DC we had some lovely relaxing holidays like the one you described. Mine are teens now and have more or less out grown digging in the sand, watersides and pool based holidays. How about a hotel with it's own water park?

Original poster
MrsHoneybean · 12/02/2013 19:38

Actually a hotel with a waterpark sounds fab!

OP posts:
landofsoapandglory · 12/02/2013 20:05

I was looking at holidays today, I came across one in Cala'n Bosch Menorca that had unlimited access to the waterpark. It was with Jet2Holidays, I'll have a quick look to see if I can find it. The only trouble is I don't think they fly from London Airports, but you might find it with another operator, and it was probably self catering because we prefer to eat out.

landofsoapandglory · 12/02/2013 20:10

Here you go.

It is coming up at about £1700ish for the four of you self catering in August for a week. Cala'n Bosch is lovely. It is all centred round a Marina, has quite a few restaurants to eat in, and a really nice beach. We went when our's were small. It is a real family resort, there isn't any rowdiness.

diabolo · 12/02/2013 20:22

I would certainly recommend somewhere in Menorca.

This is a good website:-

www.menorca-net.co.uk/

Original poster
MrsHoneybean · 12/02/2013 20:34

Thanks landofsoapandglory and Diablo.

I will go and look. Smile

OP posts:
CPtart · 12/02/2013 20:36

Our first three holidays abroad were to menorca, it's a lovely place for families. We went end of August, it wasn't unbearable, just plenty of sun cream and in the pool all day. Highly recommended.

givemeaclue · 12/02/2013 20:36

Menorca lovely, went in august was hot but fine , make sure you have air con, we went basic and broiled at night. Lesson learned.

landofsoapandglory · 12/02/2013 20:40

We've been here 3 times with our DC. For children your DC's ages it is brilliant. It is totally aimed at children, there are activities all the time, a splash park for them to play in, a big pool and at night they have shows and discos for the kids. They did use to have a show where they dressed the kids up and got them involved. The first time we went, it was the first holiday DH and I sat back and really relaxed.

It is situated between 2 small beaches that are coves. Both are lovely and you can snorkel in them and watch the fish. The water is calm and warm. There are loads of places to eat out, it is a very child friendly resort.

diabolo · 12/02/2013 20:42

givemeaclue - we've never needed aircon in Menorca (July & August, last year was 30 degrees plus some nights) - we've been fine with stand-alone room fans or ceiling fans. I gather it depends on the type of building.

A dip in the pool before bed helps me Grin

FellatioNels0n · 12/02/2013 20:43

I have been to Turkey twice - the first time in May when it was beautiful and the second time in August and I found it too hot. Great place though.

diabolo · 12/02/2013 20:45

I love Turkey - went to a place called Turunc, over the mountain from Marmaris - might as well have been a different planet.

www.myturunc.com/

landofsoapandglory · 12/02/2013 21:02

I want to go to Turkey but DH won't even entertain the idea! Sad

LaFlotte · 13/02/2013 11:18

If you fancy a water park holiday, Siam Park in Tenerife is brilliant! Perhaps renting an apartment or villa and buying a pass for a few days at the water park? We did this one half term and it was brilliant. There are buses that collect you and take you to the park so you don't have to drive there.

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