For Pete's sake, tell me where to go on holiday!

[BB01]

Ok disclaimer: have just had miscarriage, am feeling hugely hormonal and, moreover, unreasonable and unrealistic.

Am DESPERATE for a nice holiday. Was desperate before the MC and now need one even more.

We've already used our holiday budget up for this year, I recently became a SAHM (completely my choice, I realise!) and we have been pretty spoilt for travelling and holidays in the past. We have a fifteen month old who won't sit in a highchair, carseat or buggy for more than five minutes without tears. I'd ideally like better weather than UK (we'll be going in next few months) but would consider UK. Budget is low although as we're dipping into our savings could increase if absolutely amazing and worthwhile (but really shouldn't). So ideally no more than £500, £600 at a push for the three of us. My absolute ideal is all inclusive (not necessarily posh but just good reviews) in warmish place with early kids' meals (keeping her up does NOT work), not self catering, and separate living area and no more than four hours' by plane or car (we're in Yorkshire) and plenty of places for DD to run amok. AIBVU?! There must be somewhere out there. Would consider Center Parcs, other holiday park etc but food looks very expensive and is there really much to do for toddlers? Would consider city break but where? Would at a push consider a cottage in UK but I just can't get over the image of us all sitting in a grim living room eating ready meals while it lashes it down outside! Help me please!!!

If you can get it done before the child is two it goes free, so that is £300 max for each adult, to include flight, accom and food. If you want to go before next May and want it hot it must be Canaries or Egypt.

I'd recommend the Canaries although Egypt will be cheaper for obvious reasons. Obviously avoid half term and Christmas.

warm-ish could be southern Spain, the kind of place where you get the longer trips for the pensioners escaping the UK winter. Don't laugh, they don't vomit all over the pavements and have high standards for accommodation so follow their lead!

Marrakech - look on the MN travel guide pages - this place may tick the boxes

www.thomson.co.uk/destinations/africa/morocco/morocco-marrakech/marrakech/hotels/clubhotel-riu-tikida-palmeraie.html?im_id=affiliate&ib_id=thomson&it_id=cj&ia_id=775031

Thanks Special! had not really considered mainland Spain but it's a good idea. Might be cheaper than Balearics. Looked at Canaries but just seems expensive for what you get and not so keen on the scenery so would only go back if it was an amazing hotel! Egypt looks ideal but worried flight just too long.

Thanks Dinky had actually seen that on a holiday website but hadn't seen that link, cheers!

If your child is so difficult, will this be the holiday from hell? How will you manage on the aircraft if your DC will not sit for 5 minutes without crying?

I am so sorry for your loss. Can you possibly get grandparents to have your toddler while you and DH go away. You will have a stress free time and I cannot think you will enjoy a city with a toddler crying in a buggy. Your budget would get you a holiday in Paris or Palma, Majorca, for example.

excellent.

Tenerife is very scenic - volcano in the middle, amazing sunsets, wonderful walking - but your access to that would be limited with a toddler.

out of season Spain won't be hot but will be pleasant, like the best British early summer weather. Do pick somewhere that has out of season 'life' and make sure you don't choose a kiddy-drunk resort!

Thanks Milly you do have a point! We have managed a trip abroad before to Croatia though we had extra hands from my family. I think I only briefly thought of the city break idea cos she loves tearing round museums and city squares. But yes getting around the city wouldn't be so easy. We don't have family nearby so she's not really used to being with anyone enough to leave her and I wouldn't really want to, although you have made me think - we might manage a night away sometime. Would ideally just like to go the three of us.

Thanks Special will definitely look at Spain. I did like Tenerife for a change but it's just not my ideal kind of scenery IYSWIM so wouldn't want to spend much miles hotel was really great (and can't afford the one we went to last time, boo!).

Sorry reply to milly should have said 'the three of us this time'

Malta?

Malta definitely.

How about a luxury family hotel here? There are some high quality ones that specialise in catering for families. Not abroad, but a bit of luxury. I would, however, try and get your DD used to a baby sitter. It is quite important she can be looked after by other people so you get a bit of time to yourselves.

Thanks Milly, it's not really an issue for us at the moment that we can't leave her as we don't want to leave her for more than few hours (and she's ok with that) but I get your point. Have struggled to find any nice UK hotels that aren't stupidly expensive but do like that idea.

Ooh Malta, will have a look, thanks!