First holiday with a toddler - HEEELLLP - Where to go?

[SwivelHips]

We haven't been away for years, this year definitely going. DS will be 2.2 come August and we want to go abroad. Our ideal holiday is probably a villa with a pool somewhere, nice local restaurants/beach nearby. I'm thinking DS might be bored rigid by this so we'll need to make some tweaks.
The flight times maybe up to 3 hrs, with reasonable transfer time (although would get taxi/bus or whatever)

I don't think I can handle a big hotel with kids clubs fighting over the sun loungers etc....maybe somewhere with other families, child friendly but low key? Any suggestions please I'm stuck....?? Thanks

Turkey. They worship children. Whatever hideous thing your child did, they don't care. Italy much the same.

Too young for kids' clubs, anyway.

Very hot in Turkey and lots of sun cream needed in August. We took ours to Majorca but in early June. We went to Britany in August. Had a caravan right next to the beach and a mile away from a Michelin starred restaurant. Swimming pool on site and babysitters for the escape to the restaurant. Plenty of gites available too. We liked having our own car and a beach was a must - endless hours of water and sand play!

BTW sun is stronger in june than in August, heat not relevant. Kids should wear sunsuits and hats with neck veils plus tons of suncream at all holiday times in the med.

villa with a pool may not make for a relaxing holiday with a child unless it is fenced. Go for somewhere with a beach near.

Check out www.babyfriendlyboltholes.com I spent most of last evening on it and we've fallen in love with the alsagra villas in Tuscany. A teeny bit over our budget though might be worth it for the all the baby clobber already being there.

Just to say... I am older than everyone here. No such thing as sun suits when mine were little. I did say early June. I was extremely careful and we do not like extreme heat so heat is highly relevant to us and can be to young children. That is why we tended to avoid the school holiday season in the Med when they were very young.

I'd recommend Salou/Cambrills in Spain, it's a 2&1/2 hr flight from uk to Reus Barcelona & we took our daughter who was just over 2 & I was 5mths pregnant. We booked an apartment directly with the owner & got a taxi transfer from the airport about 20mins, it was great. Stayed near Cap Salou and it was just a great holiday. 1 week inc flights, accommodation & transfer £700 for all 3 of us!

top choice from mumsnet is the super lovely www.caseriodelmirador.com which sounds like exactly what you are looking for, other families, great food, easy flight to alicante, its on babyboltholes too, cheaper than tuscany..

I agree with "Do not go in August". I hate the heat and while children feel the heat less I just don't fancy spending lots of time indoors because it is too hot.

Even my Turkish friend who had a house in Antalya didn't go in August, they always went in May half-term.

Also enjoy the time outside the school holidays as long as you can, it is a lot cheaper (assuming you and your DH can do this).

Maybe look into South of France renting a villa...do you have other children? Is that why you are tied to August or is it because of work?

What about Menorca? Short flight, lovely beaches, lots of collections of apartments with shared pools and facilities, but you can self cater and do your own thing with option to eat out at different restaurants. The feel is a lot less 'in your face' at a lot of the resorts.

If you aren't bound by school holidays I'd go beginning of September.

I wouldn't go in August either - June or September - a bit cooler and not nearly so crowded. Sardinia is lovely for toddler friendly sandy beaches.

Thanks so much for your suggestions, I'm going to get my finger out and get something sorted. A few I've looked at were fully booked already for August...bugger. August is a must as DH is a teacher, bugger again.
Off to do some research and ignore DS still up watching tv with DH
Happy days :)

Go very last week of August then. When does school start back?

Quite early this year, think its 02/9 or something, that might be inset day though.
The ones I like we'd need to hire a car...don't really fancy the pullava of the car seat saga abroad.

What about Eurocamp?

Portugal

I've got Eurocamp on my list of things to check...
I thought Portugal was maybe a bit hotter than France etc plus longer flight times? Hmm I shall go and check :)

DS' first holiday abroad was when he was 17 months - and we had a week in Fuengirola.

It was much less hassle than I had anticipated - but he was a pretty easy going toddler.

We stayed on half board - the buffet style meant that there was always something suitable for his taste.

This was in late May - and was pretty hot.

I love France now, and we go every summer - to various regions. Sometimes it has been too hot, but if you have air con in your villa/apartment and car then it's fine. Brittany or Normandy might be good for your needs. Not so far to drive - and the weather is generally nice, but not crazy hot.

I'd say Eurocamp etc if you need the on site facilities, if not then have a look for an independent villa/gite.

We went here on the Italian Riviera when dd was a baby. We went early September and had the huge pool to ourselves. Shops, restaurants and the beach within 5 min walk. We flew to Nice and got the train, though Genoa would work equally well. Basic cooking facilties. We used to feed dd and get her ready for bed then go out for a stroll on the seafront and a drink. If she was a good mood/asleep then we ate out, otherwise we grabbed a pizza or something and went back to apartment. I did get some nice deli food one day too.

Another seconding Portugal. We stayed in the Algarve when DS was 2.5 - it was not too hot (August) & I'm a fair-skinned Scot.

another vote for Caserio del Mirador
best place by a mile for toddlers, wins mumnet and babyboltholes badge every year.
www.mumsnet.com/reviews/travel/hotels-in-europe

more internet research tonight I guess, thank you.
casero the one near Jalon, it looked great but would we need to hire car?

we went to caserio del mirador twice when ours were small, really gorgeous and perfect for young families, i should write a review really but always thought would prefer to keep the secret! Never even noticed they were top of mumsnet best list! so i guess the secret is out. yes def hire a car, public transport is non existent and with kids and with only a week or two you really dont want to be faffing around with public transport and rubbish spanish taxis with no car seats.

early June is a lovely time in med - flowers out, lovely long light days, locals not yet exhausted.

still stronger UV than August though. Science. My point was that heat is not related to UV strength. Obvious to most who listened at school, but so many keep going 'oh I only wear sunscreen when it is hot' and that's why so many get burnt.