European Holiday suggestions with a 18 month old

[cleoowen]

Thinking Europe as don't fancy a longhaul flight and our budget is £1000 to £1500 for a week.

Thinking somewhere costal with sandy beaches, short walk to restaurants/shops so can go out in evening. But also somewhere to hire a car and go out and about as think ds will be bored just with beach time. Not sure what place would suit ds as he's too young to do all the kid clubs and slides etc but too old to just lie on the beach.

To save money thinking beginning of September but want somewhere with hot weather but not too hot for ds and dh.

Anyone know the best time to book flights ANC accommodation to get the best discounts?

Really loved the look of Croatia last year but was ££££ is this still the case and is it child friendly?

Suggestions please?

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Italy, eurocamp or similar?

Would love to go to Italy. Does it have sandy beaches? Anyone recommend a family friendly villa with either shared pool or own pool.

It may not be what you first envisioned but I took mine to Barcelona.

There is a nice sandy beach across the road from the "city" and a newer quieter man made beach further down.Lots of apartments or hotels with pools.
You could easily do beach in the morning and wander round a Gaudi in the afternoon. There is the Port Vell complex that has an Aquarium and small fairground rides next to the beach. The adventure park on the hill Tibidabo is great for little ones (quirky) and some scary rides for grown ups.

Thanks for the suggestion. I ve been to Barcelona and it was lovely. So wanted to go somewhere different and a not a city.

Croatia has mainly stone / pebble beaches. Italy has lots of sandy beaches, jesolo, Puglia, viareggio, sardina www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g671579-d637515-Reviews-Residence_Riva_Azzurra-Cannigione_Arzachena_Costa_Smeralda_Province_of_Olbia_Tempio_Sar.html this is one of many .....

www.hofvansaksen.com/gb-en/holiday-park/the-netherlands/drenthe/hof-van-saksen

This might not be what you're thinking of, but there are sandy beaches around the lake, fab kids activities, big soft play, pools, lots of different places to eat out.

www.hofvansaksen.com/gb-en/holiday-park/the-netherlands/drenthe/hof-van-saksen

Somewhere where an 18 month old is easily restrained! Sorry that,s not that helpful but we took ds to Cornwall for a week when he was 18 months and it was honestly the most stressful week of our lives! He was just at the age where he wanted to destroy everything and not go in the buggy when we were out but didn't want to walk either I was so pleased to get home! So my advice would be to keep it very very simple as your lovely 9mo might well be a toddler on the rampage by then!

Sardinia.

We absolutely love Croatia. Went twice (late August/ early Sept.) in the last 3 years. First time we travelled with our 3 year old DS and the second time we also took his 3 month old baby sister.

We fly with EasyJet to Split, hire a car and then drive to Makarska Riviera to Baska Voda, about an hour drive from Split airport.

We have our favourite beach, where we spend most of the days swimming and snorkelling. It has pebbles, not sand but is so beautiful - Brela beach . We stay in Baska Voda, as it is a popular destination for families with young children, all bars and restaurants are child friendly and there are plenty of activities for children of all ages. I would definitely recommend Croatia, pebble beaches are not too bad, the water is crystal clear and most days there are only small waves, so very easy to swim with young children.

I second Sardinia! Or Juan Les Pins - great beach for babies.

We went to Brittany (Trinite Sur Mer) when ours were that age. They were used to being in the car. Lovely weather, although we liked June. Beach nearby the caravan site was excellent and there were several other beaches nearby. Babysitters available and a Michelin starred restaurant down the road.

We also went to Majorca. Did self catering, but balcony was too low and I don't think they have the same building regulations as we do. I felt it was unsafe. Brittany was way less trouble! Takes longer to get there but we had an overnight cabin.

How about France? Easy to get to, cheaper in September but still good weather. A specialist family destination would relieve the stress - you could try here www.toddlerholiday.com