Where to take DS(8) in Europe for a few days in October?

[WetWeekend]

I want to take DS away for a break. We often spend 3-4 days in London & have also been to Cyprus & Disneyland Paris. I'd like to take him somewhere interesting for a few days - either somewhere warm with a pool or a city with lots of things to do. Ideally only a couple of hours away but definitely no further than 4 hrs. Any suggestions?

Barcelona or Rome would get my vote.

We did Barcelona last year with our 3 and we all had a brilliant time. So much to see and do which is interesting for adults and children at the same time.

Thanks Dewdr0p... I went to Barcelona for my honeymoon with DS's father so it would feel a bit odd going with DS when I'm not with his Dad any more. Rome was somewhere I was thinking of though. I don't know what the weather is like in October.

Having googled, I wondered about a cruise but have no idea what there is for children to do on a cruise.

Ooh sorry! I've been to Rome in October and the weather was very pleasant. I'd also love to take my dcs to see Pompeii/Herculaneum/Vesuvius.

Oh, that's good news! I've never been to Rome so that seems like a sensible plan. And Pompeii - I'd never even considered that. Thank you.

Any other suggestions? My local airports don't seem to fly to many places in October. I've been looking at the Algarve but I have no idea what it is like at that time of year. Or what there is to do other than the beach. It's a long time since I went there.

Venice would be lovely and can go watch glassmaking, go on boats, loads of dramatic historical bits.

Weather in Europe not pool weather in Octbut could still do sightseeing.or go Greece, Turkey,canary islands if you want Sun

I wouldn't go Algarve in October

Nice is lovely. You might be lucky with the weather. We sat on Villefranche beach on the 1st November one year. Museums, tourist train up castle hill, where there are great views and a huge playground. The old town around the Cours Saleya is gorgeous. Easy to do day trips by train or bus. Monte Carlo, Antibes etc.

I've been to Bologna and the Algarve in October half term. Algarve was actually really nice. Low twenties and we hired a car and spent a day in Lisbon. Bologna/Florence was lovely. Quite a bit to do in both and only an hour or so by train between the two.

Also how about Ireland? Dublin has loads to see and do.

WetWeekend, in answer to your question about cruises there is absolutely loads for children to do on board. Swimming, clubs, quizzes, shows, cinema, sport and a lot of eating! I think cruises make great family holidays as you can do as little or as much as you like either all together or separately from the DC. I love sightseeing so it means you can visit a new place nearly each day. I'm not sure how warm it would be on the ship within a 4 hour flight from u.k in October but think it would be a good temperature for sightseeing.

We've talked about going to Dublin a few times. I just think I need a bit of sunshine & am less likely to find that in Dublin than elsewhere.

Thanks for the info and suggestions, that's really helpful.

Forgot to add Palma and Dubrovnik could be good destinations for you.

I have always fancied somewhere like Dubrovnik. I will look into Palma too. Thank you.

we stayed in Rome for three nights in Oct term in 2011 with children aged 11 9 and 4. There are two airports - I think we flew from Luton with Easyjet. We rented an apartment just off the Piazza Navona through holidayvelvet. The kids had a great time - we hopped on and off the tourist bus and were really lucky with the weather - it was around 21 degrees. We paid extra for a guide around the Colosseum - really brought it to life for my 9yr old DS.