Winter holiday with a 1 year old?

[Beagadorsrock]

Hello!

We'd like to go on holiday this winter, when our baby will be 1. We are having trouble deciding where to go (and if to go anywhere at all!) because

• we've already flown to Europe several times [definitely NOT on holiday, very stressful situations] and know that flying can work but is lots of faff / equipment / no rest, so longish haul may be a problem

• I'd love sun&beach but my DH thinks the baby won't enjoy himself just sitting there (like I would!) and we'd spend all our time entertaining him anyway, so an expensive, say, Caribbean holiday would be wasted

• he thinks we need self-catering so as to have room to walk/rock the baby to sleep/not go stir crazy in one room

• but for me part of 'rest' is not having to clear up after us all the time! So self-catering for me would only be an option if the place (region, area, etc) were fantastic (a beach?...)

So we keep going in circles and not deciding anything! Does anyone have any ideas or advice?

I'm planning something similar for next year, my friend had done a Caribbean and Cuban winter hols and she said the all inc relaxing resorts are great if you get one that is family friendly (she traveled around Cuba a bit then went to a resort). She had a 11m baby with her, said the main thing was just making sure they were in the shade rather than entertaining them.

I've had a look and seen some potential hotels in the Dom Republic, Barbados, etc. I don't have any recs to go on, but there does seem to be plenty that would be suitable (I'm thinking family friendly as they would have less objection to a screaming baby if it happened).
The other option might be a cruise, as I know friends who have done that with a baby and said it's easier, but I'm not entirely sold on the cruise concept for myself.

I'll be watching the other replies with interest.

This package is amazing and the hotel is fabulous. They will put a travel cot by the pool for your baby to nap in and 3 hours of childcare is included. The two bedroom suite has a kitchenette so you get the best of both worlds.

Hi! We've booked a week in Lanzarote this winter with our one year old DS. We settled for Lanzarote as we should get some sun and the flight is not too long. DS is at a stage where he cannot sit still for more than 30 seconds which I would find stressful on a long haul flight.

We have booked a 1 bed apartment with a kitchenette and are staying on a half board basis. We opted for an apartment rather than a hotel as we hope having a lounge and bedroom will give DS a separate space to sleep/nap rather than us all being stuck in one room. Although we will have the options of cooking ourselves and half board at the apartment complex, we got our deal at a price that will still allow us to eat out (I also don't want to spend the week clearing up!). But it's handy to know if DS is really tired one evening we can cook or get a meal on site.

Our DS requires a lot of entertaining so I'm hoping a mix of swimming, wandering into the local town and bigger trips will keep him happy.

Wanttogo

what package is that?

Hippo - it does sound interesting, we'll look at Lanzarote, thanks

Definitely self catering/suite so you can sit separately and also with a washing machine in the complex!