Have you had a real gem of a holiday you would recommend?? please!!

[laurawaterford]

We had a truelly disasterous holiday this year in france (booked independently from a great looking website). Last year's in France was very busy and weather wasnt great.

We went to a small resort in Majorca two years ago to an apartment there and loved it. Clean, simple, relaxing and nothing to do but swim in the sea, eat and watch the entertainers at nights over some beers!! Can anyone recommend a holiday they have loved for a family of 7 (5 young teenagers). We are thinking of going back to same place, but I would love to keep eploring (without the risks!!)

PLEASE - ANYONE?? A 'can't go wrong' holiday for 7 of us (or possibly 6 as 18 year old may not be joining us next year... boo hoo)

florida its really cheap once you get there, sort out flights accomadation passess before you go

Depends how adventurous you are and how much money you want to spend but we have had a great time in morocco (too hot in the summer though) Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

All organised independently.

I live in Turkey p/t at present and recomend this country too.

Florida will be brill value if you book now.
Nearly $2 to the pound.
Also very stress free.

we went to greece and loved it - ages 7, 10 and 13 all found things to do.we booked via internet getting cheap flight sand an appartment via local site. some friends with older than us kids (all teenagers) went to an all inclusive two years running: corfu and then again on zakinthos and it worked well for them with everything paid for. they got both as last minute deals.

ooh! I'm excited!! Florida and Greece. Went to Greece years ago and loved it, and Ive never been to the States.

Whereabouts in Greece did you go Ska?

And Florida - even the 18 year old whooped when i showed her the replies!! So any guidance around where to stay there would be really appreciated.

Sorry if I sound as tho I'm not doing too much myself, its just that our holiday this summer was truly sooo bad we had to leave it, and ended up being separated because nowhere could fit us all in together, so we had two studio flats that were in separate blocks from each other (and no outside area or balcony to even go al fresco) in the middle of France.

So really want to get it right and not take any chances. Thanks!!

A really brill, super cheapy holiday we all (dd 10, ds 6 and 2) loved was staying in mobile home in Italy. We went in May half term, so was cheap and not too hot. Flew with Ryanair for £180 all of us return , hired Zafira for £340 from Europcar, and stayed in a lovely, quiet site (Belle Gaia or sommat) in Tuscany. We have since been back and had another brill holiday! The whole package cost less than a thousand pounds for twelve nights, look on keycamp website for discounts.

sorry, Laura, been away at work. We have been twice - once to Crete which was fab and I would recommend the place - you could do with a car though - it's called Istrion near Ag Nicolais (not sure of spelling) and we went to the island of Egina, near Athens, and stayed at the far end, no car used taxis! Both were fab and if you cat me i'll give you the links. Both times used the internet to get good places (apartments with no frills but clean!) and then found cheap flights. Paid via bank for the deposit and paid balance on arrival. Egina was slightly more tricky as we had to get a ferry after a long flight but it was fine!!!I think Ag Nik would be great for your teenager (our olderst is 13 and LOVED it) and Egina would also be great - lots of teenagers there. Both felt very safe

Sunsail. I know I recommend this everyone and sound like a stuck record but I just think they're fab and with teenagers even better. You can do a flotilla holiday where you all hop on a yacht and sail from island to island in Turkey or Greece (or other locations too I think). I haven't done the flotilla yet as our kids are too young (14 months and 2.9 years) but for teens it would be fab.

Or you could go to one of the Sunsail clubs. They have childcare from the age of 0 up to teens clubs. They get taught sailing and have races and just generally have a blast (and I think a much more wholesome holiday than lots of time spent in shops/clubs). There's a good vibe at night too plus you can do day trips to nearby towns.

ok. Enough - they really ought to start paying me commission. We're going again next year and I can't wait.

joshand jamie, the sunsail sounds really interesting. Myself and DH are here, too late tonight, browsing Sunsail and are captivated by the idea of it! How does it all work, in terms of flights and stuff? I like the idea of the club for the first week to learn sailing for the flotilla. I would love to know more!!

Another vote for Sunsail - we've been 3 times with them since we had the children and they are great.

Florida is great, I've been 3 times and loved it every time.

We also had a holiday in the Rockies in Canada which was fantastic, can't recommend it enough. the scenery was breathtaking, the people lovely, we're saving to go back in a couple of years when dd2 is older.

Just checked the prices for sunsail - pretty dear?!! (ther are 6 poss 7 of us) What does the price include?

Also interested in America - never been. Where would we stay?

Hi, following on from what imnot27 posted, I took my four kids to Italy with Keycamp this August and it was fantastic! We stayed at Club Norcenni Girasole (quite near Florence) in a mobile home and the site could not be faulted, there was so much to do if you wanted to, but v relaxing at the same time IYSWIM. Whole complex incredibly clean and well-maintained, well worth a look on the Keycamp website (and they also have their own website if you Google it). Plenty of opportunities to watch the entertainers over some beers each night too!

USA - you can 'camp' in campsites (fairly obviously) and what we did was stay with my sister and then go off for afew days at a time satying in bargain basement motels in family rooms. we could have got 6 in one room but only needed 5. they always give you a 'roll out' bed and i don't think we got charged extra. also hostels are cheap there i think you can rent villas too.

If you like Majorca then you might like Fuerteventura? We went to Aparthotel Broncemar Beach last summer (05) and we and the kids had an excellent time.

If you go on the MN home page, under Product Reviews, Winter Sun Holidays, you will see what it's like.

Best holiday we ever had.

Laura - not sure what the flotilla prices include as I've only done the clubs so far, but the clubs include flights, transfers, meals, accomodation, use of all equipment and facilities and full time child care.

if its all inclusive that's a much better price!! how terrific - i'll explore further

I also like the idea of America. I just don't know where to start in terms of making sure the whole accomm thing is a surefire certainty. Any particular recommendations of where to head for and where to stay when you get there. We are looking at paying about 2000 max sterling for accomm.