Full board/half board/AI but NOT a concrete jungle?

[Isabel1204]

Can anyone help me? We usually go self catering but next summer I'd really like to have a break from cooking and actually relax! Have never done a package holiday and generally prefer something informal and low key, and definitely not a concrete jungle like some of the all inclusive places seem to be. We will have a 1 and 3 year old so key is being able to feed the kids (and ourselves) decent food at kids tea time (5/5.30 ish) somewhere relaxed and kid-friendly. We don't need any crèche/kids club and we like to explore on holiday not stay glued to the pool for 2 weeks. Open to location, probably Italy, Spain, Greece or similar. Any ideas really appreciated as my google searches are not coming up with many affordable options! Thank you!

you may be out of luck if you want AI. That's because AI does tend to destroy all nearby restaurants, if any were there in the first place.

Most resorts used to tourists will cope with these hours; I remember from a trip to Kos (which attracts lots of Scandinavians) that the restaurateurs thought it was great -the Scandis want to eat when you do,then the Americans, then the Brits and finally the locals. So the restaurant was busy all afternoon and evening and everyone will be happy!

So Greece gets my vote, you can find places that are well touristed without being full of kiddy-drunks. And you'll get better food too.

Are you planning to eat with your DC at 5pm or feed them then and eat later, I wasn't clear from your post?
If you plan on being out and about a lot half board may be the best option. Portugal could work, perhaps an aparthotel where you can pick B&B or half board option and have your lunch wherever you are that day.

When we looked it seemed that a lot of places would only feed the children but not offer adult meals so early.

How about looking for an apartment complex with a B&B option. You could then go out and eat where and when you like and enjoy the hotel style for the rest of it. An apartment also gives more space and some privacy in the evening compared to one hotel room.

We liked Majorca, the area around Port d'Alcudia, still a small town with lots of restaurants, hotels direct at the beach, clean beach, shallow water, perfect for toddlers and also a lot to do on the island.

Thanks everyone. Ideally we'd like the convenience of eating at the place we are staying rather than having to be out at that time, but don't mind if we eat with them or eat later. If we eat later though I'd want where we eat to be very close by to where the kids are sleeping. Am thinking of a small cosy hotel/guesthouse type place rather than resort-type place ideally. This place looks amazing www.caseriodelmirador.com but out of our price range - if anyone knows of anything similar but cheaper I would love to hear! (Accommodation doesn't have to be luxurious, just the family hotel sort of concept)... Xxx

So are you after somewhere with evening childcare?

No, if we were eating later then it would need to be either meals provided that you can eat on your own balcony/terrace (room service of sorts I guess) or a very small place with a dining area right by the rooms where you can have your monitor at hand, both of these arrangements possible at the hotel in the link I posted for example.

It would be easier tbh if you just let kids nap late afternoon 2-4/5pm tbh then all eat at 7/8pm, later bedtime or baby sleep in pram, and all longer in bed in am.

With children I love Oman and South of France. However they rarely cater for dinner in the afternoon. But they can snack then.

What's your budget?

The apartments you linked looked lovely. I noticed meals were not included, I guess that would push the price up.

Artandco - thanks yes I know but getting our 3yo to nap would be impossible! Then we'd have a meltdown on our hands every night! Don't have a fixed budget exactly but I guess maybe £3-3.5k all in for 2 weeks.

Would you do the one you linked but for a shorter period of time to fit in with your budget? The apartment prices didn't seem to high. You could could do a few meals yourselves perhaps, easy baguette, cheese type of thing.

Hmm I think that budget is more for 1 week nowadays if you want anywhere half decent. 1 year old may travel free and stay free but 3 year old charged same as adult in many places.

Take a look at the 'Anassa Hotel' in Cyprus. We went last year for a few days with ds's then 2 and 3 and was lovely. I think they do early eating but just for kids, and have clubs from small, but we just used regular restaurants in evening later with them

Search Agriturismo on Google. 'Farms' in Italy that have a few rooms. I say farms loosely because the one we stayed at the old parents ran it and the owner daughter was a solicitor in the nearby town. They range from quite basic to fab with private pool & good food locally sourced is one of the main selling points for many. Very family friendly, figs from the garden for breakfast - you get the idea.

Agriturismo - 8 bungalows, restaurant. The cheapo airline do Sardinia in summer.