Would like a nice holiday abroad but don't know where to start!

[WestYorkshireGirl]

DH and I not big travellers , but want to do 2 weeks abroad with DD who will be 4 next Jan and we want to go in June and make the most of our last cheaper holiday!

We like walking, looking at historic things, swimming, nature and spending time together . Therefore, we don't know how we feel about a AI resort although we like the idea of not having to cook for ourselves and the prospect of some children's activities so we can get some time for ourselves occasionally .

In terms of location, we looked at the Italian lakes but all the hotels seem so dated (but this could be a European thing as I recall a lot of hotels in France being like this when I last went!) and expensive.

Ideally we want short haul and not to have to book a car, but I have no idea where to start, Budget is £3-4k. Will not consider camping!, but might be happy with a villa on a resort or a hotel. Any suggestions gratefully received! TIA

We did this with our then 2 year old, but it would have been more fun if he was 4 at the time. They had lots of well organised kids stuff (clubs, playrooms, pools, beach nearby etc). The food was not bad and you have a choice of a few different on-site buffets which works well with younger kids. There were post dinner kids discos too.

Not so good on the "historic things" though.

www.princesayaiza.com/en/promociones-especiales/180-para-disfrutar-en-familia

If you want the family friendly historic things holiday then we keep going back to Italy. Maybe get a cheap flight to Pisa along with a Tuscan villa not far from Florence for sightseeing trips. Some villas offer a cook service (often the owner who will do amazing meals for you).

We used this agent this year but there are many to choose from.

www.italianbreaks.com/

PS - slightly jealous you can do this out of school holidays still. Make the most of it!

Have you considered going to a ready erected tent, or a mobile home to keep the cost down? The Dordogne and Loire valleys in France have loads of history/pre-history and also some great camping. Both easy to drive to too. Most campsites have good, cheap family restaurants if you really want to avoid catering for yourselves completely, and you can dine out in France realatively cheaply too, if you stick to "menu fixe" in restuarants.