Best holidays with young kids?

[babybouncer]

I'm starting to look at booking next summer's holiday as we left it a bit late this year and ended up paying more than we wanted. Kids will be 3 and 6. So far we've been to Devon twice and France twice and the US once on family holidays and while Devon and France were fun, we're thinking of somewhere a little further afield, but given how expensive it was to get to the US, maybe flying somewhere in Europe. (The memory of a 12 hour drive is too recent to want to drive anywhere again!)

A few friends have recommended flying to an apartment in a resort with beaches and pools, but I think young kids (and me - I'm not good at sunbathing) might get a bit bored.

Where have you taken young kids and why was it good?

Cala n Forcat in Menorca is Very kid friendly and Menorca has everything within driving distance no matter where you stay and where you want to visit. The Talayot Apartments are lovely and great for small children.

Self catering in Northumberland has been DC and my favourite

Holidays our DC have really enjoyed and we felt were very child friendly;

cruises- you will not get bored, there's so much to do and you get off somewhere different most days.

Jersey- we stayed at the Merton- pools, slides, surf rider. Plus loads to do on the island and easy to get around.

One year we went to Duinrell in Holland- it has fair rides, bike hire, waterpark, soft play, plus near some interesting towns.

Disney Paris on Eurostar, but you could fly.

Majorca- we went on the train to Soller, Cala D'or, Palma for the day.

The Talayot apartments are like Butlins in the sun which if it is your thing you will love! If not i wouldn't go and wish I never had!!!

I don't think you can beat camping for kids. But in desperation for some half decent weather we are thinking Austria.
We went skiing in Mayerhofen pre-ds and it seems like I would be amazing with small kids in summer. Nice, casual hotels with lots of pools and swing parks, loads of walking/exploring and bike rides.

People can be a bit sniffy about package holidays but we found that with small dc they can be amazingly stress-minimising and excellent value for money. We went several years running to various Thomson 'Family' places. Some are very close to airports, so a very short transfer. Brilliant pools, beaches, huge buffets catering to every taste, kids' clubs and activities which the kids love (and the parents love as they get a bit of a break). Frequent buses to the town, no need to have the hassle of car hire. Yes they are busy and noisy but we had a fantastic time. Definitely did not get bored.

The algarve. Perfect for families with young DC. Lovely safe beaches, but other things to do too.

Agree with AugustAngst - we did our first ever package holiday at Easter. We went all-inclusive to the Atlantica Aegean Blue in Rhodes with Thomson - flew from bournemouth which is only 30mins from us. Least stressful, most relaxing holiday we've ever had as a family. Swimming pools, kids clubs and waterpark onsite. Food was amazing and everything was geared up for children which just made it so easy. Hired a car for 3 days to explore Rhodes. Dd's were just 7 and 2 and elder DD is already asking to go back next year and said she preferred that to Disney Paris which we did last month. Don't get me wrong we all loved Disney too but for stress free we'll be booking another all inclusive package next year!

Sensatori resorts are fab and I thought I would never ever do a package holiday either

Eurocamp

I hate camping and go mad in package holidays. We normally got a villa and explore the area. No worries about bedtime or meal time or sleeping in one room or naps or milk or anything else.

Only when DD turned 4 it was a bit more difficult as she needed some playmates so we now book apartments in a complex so I still have the freedom of my own space but DD has friends to play with.

We do a long-haul flight and 10 days AI next year but AI is not by choice, we couldn't book the hotel otherwise. I like not to have to think ahead for shopping for a change and we did it in the past and it can be great. But I wanted to wait until DD is older as she wasn't the easiest to deal with in the evenings.

Barbados is fab with kids. No need to go AI and is easy to get around sight seeing. Otherwise there is always Florida.

Nora you can leave your hotel, villa or apartment and explore the area if you book a package deal.

I know and we do. We stayed at various 4-5 star hotels and most times food was only average, restaurants were crowded and in some cases unappealing to go to and eat.

We don't like the entertainment.

But you pay for all these, regardless if you use them or not.