2 weeks abroad in Aug with small children; A&E within 1 hr drive

[ReceptionMum]

Hi, would appreciate some recommendations for a quiet-ish destination (abroad; near sea) for our long waited holidays this Aug (hopefully) with 6yo & 4 yo.

Wish list/MUSTs:

1. A&E hospital within 1 hr drive. My DS is finishing his long chemo treatment this month. He is ok, no mobility/etc issues, doesn’t need an everyday medical support but we need a proper hospital nearby just in case. We will, obviously, only go if he is OK-ed by his Doc here.
2. Flight 4 hrs max
3. Cannot book anything in advance, will be a last minute decision depending on how well/quickly DS recovers after his last treatment.
4. Don’t want an “all inclusive”. Self catering apt/small villa is what we are thinking about.
5. Somewhere with walkable restaurants/town centre, easy walks/drives nearby that children would manage.

Many thanks in advance.

I would suggest Oslo, Coopenhagen, Rome (would be hot though) or Tallin. Tallin is very child friendly and super chilled out. Pretty much every cafe we went in had a kids area. Museum's were super and the countryside was lovely. Like you, we prefer to go self catering rather than inclusive...

I hope your son's last chemo session goes well.

Airbnb in Barcelona?

Barcelona?

Mallorca. Port d’alcudia or Puerto pollensa both accessible.

Would you consider a UK break? Cornwall? Devon? Torbay area could be the Algarve in this weather!

UK coast or Northern Ireland - NHS cover and no insurance or language issues.
If you go to Europe, triple check your insurance will cover your son - you don't want a sepsis admission to be uncovered. Also take copies of your son's notes and his antibiotic plan (ideally get them translated into the appropriate language before you go).
But go
And have an amazing time!

Thanks for a quick response InsideOutRainbows

I wasn't very clear... Hoping for a beach destination. Not planning to fry us all there in Aug, but was thinking that we could spend evenings at the beach (rather than in front of TV)...

Ah, ok. Barcelona. Portugal and maybe Cape Verde (not sure about the hospital with the last one though...). Air BnB is a great suggestion.

Oh, thanks so much, so many responses already...

Would do UK if end up not being able to go far. But want to go on a plane, with a guaranteed weather. With all this medical mess kids haven't been on a plane yet.

Can delay a bit if he hasn't recover quickly, school OK-ed up to 1 week absence in Sept.

Yes, will definitely have all his medical records with us and will buy a private insurance as well. Thanks for all kind thoughts!

How are your language skills? DO you need to be somewhere that the doctors are likely to speak English?

In which case I'd say some like Sweden or Denmark, Netherlands. There are centre parks places in Netherlands I've seen talked about on here a lot, Landal.

Or do you prefer something quieter? More private with just your family and would you like some other people around?

I would holiday in the UK where you can access the NHS. Too many difficulties re holiday insurance with existing conditions etc & there would be no such difficulty under the NHS. If you must go abroad make sure it is somewhere English is spoken, and in all likelihood spoken well e.g. Scandinavia, Germany, The Netherlands.

We had an emergency in Cyprus and were impressed with the treatment - but it will be very hot in August. Port de Soller in Mallorca is lovely for a family holiday & approx 45 minutes drive from Palma, where there is a general hospital.

Cape Verde is not a good idea- we went there and were told the nearest big hospital is on Tenerife!

I would look at the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Germany or somewhere within the UK.

Barcelona's residents and as a city have had enough of Airbnb and their influx of tourists. There is much talk of further clamping down the likes of Airbnb there. I would therefore avoid any Airbnb letting in Barcelona.

Yes, my head keeps on screaming "UK only" but heart tries to find a solution "on a plane" - kids want it so much.

Talking "in principle" with our Doc , they didn't have any issues with Europe - lots of families in similar condition, they said, go. France and Spain were mentioned as "safe bet".

Out language skills are pretty basic - very limited French. So yes, English speaking hospitals will need to be considered.

Yes, my head keeps on screaming "UK only" but heart tries to find a solution "on a plane" - kids want it so much.

Talking "in principle" with our Doc , they didn't have any issues with Europe - lots of families in similar condition, they said, go. France and Spain were mentioned as "safe bet".

Out language skills are pretty basic - very limited French. So yes, English speaking hospitals will need to be considered.

Is there somewhere you could fly to in the UK? Exeter, the Channel Islands or Dublin? (depends where you live and if it would be easy to find flights at your nearest airport). That way the children can have the excitement of going on an aeroplane but you're near UK hospitals - no need to worry about travel insurance then either because your son's medical condition might make that expensive? Whatever you decide, hope you all have a fantastic time - it sounds like you deserve it!

Jersey?

Was going to mirror the suggestion of a Uk break. What about a holiday of two halves, a wee city break in Glasgow or Edinburgh and a beach in Cornwall. There’s loads for kids in Glasgow there’s some nice self catering out of the city. My other suggestion would be a Scottish island, the weather however would be a lottery.... but the beaches are amazing and the nhs if required would spring into action if required for your son.
Hope you get something that meets all your needs, and you have the most amazing time

www.hvidbjerg.dk/ This place is great, just as good as the photos. If it's anywhere near a suitable hospital it's worth considering, and you could hit Legoland too.

I was going to suggest the Channel Islands. Not Sark because there are no motorised vehicles, and the only way of getting to Guernsey is via a 45 minute boat ride. No flights are allowed to land on Sark.

Thanks for widening our options - never thought of a park in Denmark, for example. Will show the site to DH. His ideal was " a quiet Greek island " but this unfortunately doesn't come with a good hospital attached.

Don't think we will chose Scotland this time - yes, beautiful but cannot risk the weather. Have lived in East Coast Scotland for a few years, know too good what to expect.

The weather in Denmark is much like Scotland so if it's the lack of guaranteed weather putting you off I wouldn't choose Denmark.

I see it's been suggested but I'll second it - Jersey.

Can ferry or fly for the fun or if, but the journey is quick. They routinely airlift super emergency patients to the UK so the infrastructure is there. Lovely beaches to explore (loads of them) and lots of other fun things to do.

What about Malta?

I don't know specific areas but English is one of the official languages so you should be fine on that point and it's not that big that you can ever be that far from the hospital.

I'd double check how much it would cost to get travel insurance for your son as well, you may find the costs prohibitive if you need cover for existing conditions.

How about the Isles of Scilly? Lovely beaches, often much better weather than mainland, GPs on islands and helicopter to Truro if needs be.