October Half Term - France? Amsterdam? Belgium? Help!

[hulababy]

Hi all. Trying to decide on where to go and where to stay for October half term. DD starts reception this year and we fancy 5-7 days away in half term for a nice break after the first half term.

Can fly locally (and cheaply!) to Amsterdam, Paris or Brussels. Fancy getting car hire, and then staying self catering (possibly villa or cottage)probably not directly in the centre.

Other alternative is to get a villa/cottage in Northern France and going over in our car on the Ferry. Trouble is we live in Sheffield so long drive down to ferry port.

Anyone have any suggestions of where to stay, where is nice in any of these areas? Or of websites you can recommend to look?

Looking for comfortable and cosy, but pretty reasonably priced.

TIA!

Center Parcs have places in Holland and Belguim. Maybe that's not what you;re after though...

Not sure DH would be too bothered by Centre Parcs. DD would like it. More likely to go somewhere we can wander about, get to the cities easily, etc. And maybe the odd coastal bit. Not really wanting too much activities as such.

We had a couple of days in Amsterdam before our holiday in Centerparcs.

It's over 20 years since I had been, and obviously had different priorities with 5 kids vs being a student. I really noticed all the shady characters

I would struggle spending much more than a couple of days there with kids. You can't just hang out in bars/restaurants, so need things to do. There are museums - Anne Frank, obviously, as well as the art galleries. A canal trip is a must.

Hotels in the central area are fairly expensives (we paid almost 500E for 2 nights on Damrak), and the cost of eating out is almost as much as the UK.

For a cottage to book yourself on line look at www.gites-de-france.fr

We've stayed here before

www.hoseasons.co.uk/holidays/eulodges/parks/CITY.asp?EP1023

We drove as its only about 90 mins from tunnel (although we live near Manchester) and has private secure parking.

It was good being the centre of Brugge but not crazy like other cities as it was March.

Apartment was very comfortable - we have a 1 bedroomed and took a put-you-up with us. There was lots of space for it in the bedroom.

Ooh, I remember starting this now!

We have actually got somewhere booked now. A place in Fruges, Northern France travelling over via the tunnel. Was really good value too - just £338 for the cottage and tunnel.