What is the best way, sites, etc to book a cheapish, child friendly holiday abroad? What about good locations?

[RollingThunder]

I feel really stupid even asking , but I haven't booked a holiday abroad since the kids were born - I am a dab hand at finding a bit of a bargain holiday cottage in Norfolk, but don't know where to start with the equivalent abroad.

So any advise please - I want somewhere its going to be warm enough for the kids to spend most of the day on the beach - I need either an apartment or equivalent, so that when they are asleep (3 and 5) DH and I have somewhere to drink chat before we go to bed. Child friendly, not too expensive etc.

I don't know which countries to look at even - where is cheap to go to, child friendly etc?

What about hospital services, I keep reading slightly scary stories about how you end up with huge medical bills for the slightest things in some countries as their NHS equivalent is on its knees.

Any advice appreciated really.

NB - pretty sure we can't afford the all inclusive, kiddy club places, which is fine - really just want the equivalent of the Norfolk holiday cottage by the sea, but with guaranteed sun!

I would go for Italy or Languedoc in France. What's your budget. Do you want to fly or drive?

And when do you want to go? Are you restricted to the school holidays?

Restricted to school holidays - could spend around £1000, maybe a bit more - really just want child friendly, warm, beach - ds1 has some occasional medical issues - so need to be able to access care for him if necessary.

Could drive or fly - depending on distance.

Provided you have health insurance and your E111 you should be fine if you fall ill in Europe.

TBH as you are going school holidays you are already a bit late to get good deals on flights. We book flights and accommodation separately as usually get a better deal that way, but with 4 flights to pay for you would be lucky to get the flights within budget never mind somewhere to stay.

What I sometimes do for ideas is go onto the James villas website - shows you where you can fly from locally and gives you an idea about villas. I wouldn't book through them (sorry feel bad even typing this) but it will show you where you can go and what sort of villas are available.

We love the Dordogne and until recently our airport had cheapish flights to Bergerac, its not usually as expensive as the more popular touristy destinations in the Summer, but the weather is perfect for us as its not scorching.

If you drive is your £1000 budget for everything e.g. accommodation, petrol, ferries etc?

Try looking on chez nous and owners direct for cottages in France.

I can see Ryanair flights to Beziers for 4 for £518 euros and a cheap and cheerful apartment in Cap D'agde here Add a big suitcase and taxi from the airport and that is just about your budget. Sat 20th July. The beach is lovely there and everything in your doorstep - close to beach, shops, Aqualand, mini golf etc

Many thanks. Budget wise I really want to spend no more than £1500 on everything except spending money. So travel, petrol, apartment etc.

Will look at all the sites you have suggested.

Re health stuff we have the e111s, just need to check health insurance and what it covers!!

Good luck. We stayed here last year, it was just perfect - very rural, peaceful and a private solar heated pool

Its in the Vendee so not as far down to drive as we did the previous year when we went to the South of France.

Thank you everyone. Our house move has just fallen through, so at least we will have plenty of time now to plan something!!!