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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

How to holiday with 2 year old twins?

26 replies

Tinkerbell2003 · 28/06/2017 10:38

This year we rented a self catering cottage in the UK but, pre babies, we loved to travel, and we're keen to go abroad next year when our twins will be just under 2 years old. However, the more I look into holiday options the more confused I get.

Neither of us are interested in 'resort' holidays and I'm not sure what you'd fill the day with when LOs are too young for waterparks, etc. So we'd prefer to stay somewhere where we could rent a car and do our own trips out before coming back for a swim in the pool. Because of that, I've been looking at Italy but private villas are extortionately expensive and hotels would mean an evening sat in the room in the dark from 7:30pm. Keeping them up is not an option, neither is going r the evening them sleeping in the buggy (DS we'd be fine but DD wouldn't do it).

So how do other people do it? Give me your best holiday ideas and what has worked for you at this age please.

OP posts:
OMGtwins · 28/06/2017 10:47

We're like you, self catering cottage in the UK, out in the mornings/lunch out and back for a pool swim in the afternoon.

We have friends who've done Airbnb abroad, or hired villas, with cheap flights and hire cars or things within walking distance only. No one I know with kids that age does hotels for the reasons you mention.

Italy was a good destination for my friends recently, cheap easyJet flights and a villa to themselves. Cost them a grand for a week all in. Others I know go camping to eurocamp or similar.

OMGtwins · 28/06/2017 10:47

We're like you, self catering cottage in the UK, out in the mornings/lunch out and back for a pool swim in the afternoon.

We have friends who've done Airbnb abroad, or hired villas, with cheap flights and hire cars or things within walking distance only. No one I know with kids that age does hotels for the reasons you mention.

Italy was a good destination for my friends recently, cheap easyJet flights and a villa to themselves. Cost them a grand for a week all in. Others I know go camping to eurocamp or similar.

Allthebestnamesareused · 28/06/2017 10:49

I was going to say that maybe Eurocamp in Italy might work for you instead. They are near Lake Garda and apparently very family friendly.

2014newme · 28/06/2017 13:38

We did eurocamp and neilsons with our two year old twins

Original poster
Tinkerbell2003 · 28/06/2017 17:14

Oooh never thought of Eurocamp and they have loads of sites in Italy. Thanks. Do you know if they move beds out of the room to accommodate cots? Depending on when we go, twins will be anything from 20-23 months and the twin room looks a little tight to fit cots around the beds.

OP posts:
allegretto · 28/06/2017 17:19

Hi - it depends on what you want to do! I preferred self catering when my twins were little and a campsite maybe with mobile homes is a good idea. Why can't you keep them up? That would really make things easier in Italy as everyone goes out at night when it has cooled down.

Sittinginthesun · 28/06/2017 17:23

My first thought was Eurocamp. They really are great for families.

Not sure about the beds. I think we squeezed a travel cot in, but they are tight.

Saying that, DS2 first slept in a bed in a Eurocamp holiday.Grin

A1Sharon · 28/06/2017 18:13

Yelloh Village Serignan Plage.
make sure you get aircon!

WaaWaaWaaa · 28/06/2017 18:29

Don't do it. Currently in Spain and counting every minute till we get home. 2 weeks is faaaaar long. Go with family if you can!

WaaWaaWaaa · 28/06/2017 18:30

We'll be sticking to shorter UK breaks until they're older

WaaWaaWaaa · 28/06/2017 18:30

We'll be sticking to shorter UK breaks until they're older

2014newme · 28/06/2017 18:42

Eurocamp provide the travel cots so yes they fit in. Request on booking.

The children's couriers will also babysit for a fee so you can go out in the evening. We went twice when ours were babies /toddlers and had a great time. Neilsons was awesome for the amazing kids activities but if you don't like resorts Italy not for you.

2014newme · 28/06/2017 18:43

Neilsons not for you, not Italy! Italy is great for you. Make sure you get aircon and decking. They will give you a gate for the decking so kids don't escape

Teds77 · 29/06/2017 10:11

Don't do it!!!

We had a week in a cottage right on the beach in Devon with my parents just before mine were two and it was great fun.

We also went to the south of France and stayed in a big villa with friends just after they were two and I'm glad we went but not sure it was that much fun!! The plus sides were that we got some sunshine, we had a pool which was good (really no need for water slides etc. Just a simple pool does the trick), we spent time with friends and the travel was easier than when we did the same trip when they were 13 months, oh and we got a separate room from the kids (previous year we squeezed two travel cots into our room and could barely move which didn't feel like much fun!)

I honestly would not have enjoyed the France holiday if it had just been the four of us and we really didn't enjoy any of the sightseeing we attempted to do with the kids - that was much easier to do in Devon where it wasn't too hot.

When we went away just after they turned three we had a total blast. It was just so much easier.

Then by four we did a three week adventure in California. Sorry for the stealth boast but just to say you do get the trips you did pre-kids, it just takes a little longer!

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Iwasjustabouttosaythat · 29/06/2017 10:21

Do a farm stay! Somewhere with baby animals and/or fruit picking. And old village maybe, with room to run.

Holidays are just the same thing with a change of scenery for the next few years. Make it pretty scenery. 😉

Original poster
Tinkerbell2003 · 29/06/2017 12:15

We've now found a lovely looking place on Lake Garda with eurocamp where we can choose either a static or a bungalow so thanks to everyone who suggested that. Going to hire a car too for day trips out. Appreciate that it may not be the most relaxing holiday ever but we're willing to give it a try.

OP posts:
Teds77 · 29/06/2017 14:56

You're a brave lady! I've had friends stay at this Eurocamp - www.eurocamp.co.uk/campsites/tuscanycentralitalyelba/in017-norcenni-girasole-club/ataglance.html

Good days trips possible as well.

You get a good Tamba discount at Eurocamp. Worth joining for if you're not already a member.

buckyou · 29/06/2017 15:01

Have you looked at Greece? We've just booked a really nice villa with pool for 200 a night. Taking our 2yo and 4 month old.

We also just went to broom hill manor in cornwall, it had individual cottages with private garden / hot tub with indoor and outdoor pools and games rooms etc. It was great for kids and loads of things to do in the area for kids.

allegretto · 29/06/2017 15:39

You get a good Tamba discount at Eurocamp. Worth joining for if you're not already a member.

I had no idea! We went to Eurocamp last year - damn!

millifiori · 29/06/2017 19:35

We had a lovely Eurocamp at I Pini near Rome with DTs when they were small. It was a small enough resort to be safe. There was a massive shallow pool. It's much more mainstream than the kind of travel you might choose to do without small twins, but it's more relaxing than trying to wing it when they're still so young. And at that age they love pasta, pizza, ice cream, the big plushy characters at the cheesy discos. They also loved Rome, the colisseum and gladiator displays.

bruffin · 29/06/2017 19:39

Centerparcs europe. Some are better than others for toddlers like Eperheide which has huge ball pit/ factory

minipie · 29/06/2017 19:44

You need Mousses in Greece (Simpson travel).

Ten villas (so not a big resort), shared pool, restaurant that delivers to your terrace (v useful if kids are asleep), and a fab creche/kids club so you can do some beach trips a deux. But it's full of MNers Grin

user1497787065 · 29/06/2017 19:52

We did a villa in France with our firstborn and then a large hotel in Lanzarote. Neither worked very well. When our daughter was born we found a fantastic small hotel in Crete. The hotel had about twenty rooms, a pool, garden and a bar. We usually had breakfast, a couple of hours by the pool and then we would pop her into her cot in our poolside room where she would sleep for a few house and we were able to spend time with our son in/at the pool. We would usually go out to eat early evening and then we could put them both to bed and we could have a few drinks, chat, play cards etc. This worked superbly for us. We had a few days out where they would step in the car either on our way to or from our destination. Our room was so close to the pool we always felt our baby was perfectly safe and still believe so.

Donthate · 29/06/2017 20:00

Villa pia might be good for you too

Bestbees · 29/06/2017 20:04

We have twin boys. At 2 we went for air b nb in copenhagen, epic. They even left a double buggy for us! We have since done helsinki for a long weekend and are going to france in the summer.

I think city breaks in scandinavia are great with little ones. Clean and easy to navigate. Plenty of kid friendly stuff to do (museums, brilliant parks). Self catering means normal bed time for them and wine for us in the evening. Must have a washing machine for us. This way we travel carry on only.

Good luck!