abroad for first time with 6dc...where to go????

[hyperhops]

ok, so with two exceptions (disneyland paris - 5 years ago ,and Italy with friends 11 years ago)we haven't been abroad since ds1 was born (he was 16 this year! We have done various UK holidays (cottages, caravans and camping!) and been to Ireland visiting dh family a lot...but......
I am possibly contemplating maybe potentially possibly(!) trying a family holiday abroad next summer...but I don't have a clue where to start!
So seasoned travellers...pleeeeaaase help me!
my set up: There are 8 of us- me, dh and 6dc aged 16,14,12,10,8 and 6 (currently)
Would like:
Thinking maybe self catering...although quite like the idea of AI...so open to all suggestions! Not camping.
Would like hot but not too hot to be outside
beach nearby
pool
family friendly
ideally things for both younger and older dc - may be happy with just pool and beach but other local options would be good

so any ideas folks ? WHere should I go? WHo do you all book with? Good websites to check out?

tia

I'd start with French Campsites! Not camping but lots of them have Chalets and Flats etc. attached. Look at Eurocamp and Yelloh! brochures to get ideas of paces and then use the internet to investigate further. Those places are good to find other young people to hang with, and have pools, restaurants etc.

Another option would be the Alps - lots of lake beaches, and lots of Germany and Austria have kids/young people activities for the resort (and often give you a discount card that includes free bus travel and discounts).

Somewhere with a kids club

I've just been to portugal and loved it - hotel had a private beach, several pools and we were in a one bed apartment with single bed and double sofa bed in kitchen diner and an enormous bigger that super king sized bed in the bed room. There were two bed apartments on the complex too. Being the algarve you get the breeze off the Atlantic so it never felt stiflingly hot. I loved it and can't wait to go back!

Ps- it had a kids club which my ds loved!

thanks both....
had thought about camp-sites and may well end up going with that...but would like to consider other options too.
Portugal sounds nice....
Think I want somewhere quiet. Some of the places I've looked at look far too busy and full on. TBH kids would be happy with a pool and a beach if weather was OK so don't need loads of entertainment etc... some nice local laid back restaurants/bars would be good...

have been browsing owners direct and there's some nice villas on there...
for those that book accommodation and flights separately who do you book with?

We always do villas (much smaller family though!) because they give you maximum flexibility esp with teens who want to stay in bed all morning vs your younger ones who will presumably be up and about earlier! A nice house, private pool, not too far from civilisation for supermarket, restaurants etc would be perfect for you. You don't need to take much luggage as you will a)be mostly in swimmers and b) there will be a washing machine

We mostly use Homeaway, but have done owners direct too. I just book flights direct with the airline (way ahead for popular summer destinations eg Majorca) at the same time as confirming the villa booking.

James Villas will book both accommodation and flights for you- we've done that a couple of times too- very reliable but the villa tends to be more expensive than if you book direct with the owner

We stayed at the El Greco in Portinatx Ibiza. It was AI right on the beach and also had a pool and a small (not busy) waterpark.
We went in August, yet it felt really peaceful and lovely location, but still enough to do.
In the town there were a few shops/cafes and nice walks.
It was also the kind of location where your older DC could have a bit of independence. There was pool competitions and beach football etc for the DC yet it still had a nice relaxed feel.