Holiday Help!

[LazyDoll]

Hi,

Myself and my family (husband and 3 children aged 7/9/11) have holidayed exclusively in the U.K. since the children were born bar one trip earlier this year to explore the Artic circle area for a snowy adventure.

We're keen to get exploring more as a family but are finding cost prohibitive.

We've thought a week away in the Easter holidays or May half term may be cheaper.

The children are very keen to go in a sea without wetsuits and that's their only requirement!!

We'd like somewhere with some water sports options, maybe a water park, nice beach and not too touristy/bit off the beaten track. Our idea of holiday hell would be all inclusive and not leaving the hotel complex to give you more info.

Open to advice re accommodation. Always do glamping/holiday cottages in U.K.

Just don't really know where to start!!

Any help gratefully received.

How crucial is the swimming in the sea bit? Temperatures in Southern Europe may be lovely and warm at Easter/May half term but the sea will still be freezing as it’s too early in the year for it to have warmed up. Swimming outdoors in a heated pool should be fine though! So if that’s your main requirement then you’d probably need to look at long haul rather than short haul... unless you’re all super hardy that is!

I would be cautious about thinking a pool in Europe might be heated, usually they aren't, so super cold. How about October half term, sea would be warmer by then?

They are very hardy (swim in sea in U.K. all year round - Christmas Day included) but the warm sea was my main aim!

May need to find a (very) bargainous summer holiday instead 🙈

And Yes to sea not pool!

October is a thought. I hadn't considered that. I've just come back from Sicily and the water was super warm.

We have been away at spring bank half term several times, and mostly enjoyed good weather. Our favourites were the Makarska riviera in Croatia and Crete, just along the coat from Malia (and much, much quieter than Malia). We hate the all inclusive, stuck in a hotel complex type of holiday as well.

Ooo thanks Japonica. Funnily enough is been eying up Croatia so I'll take a look

I'd ....sorry - excitable reply!

The Med sea is warmer in October than May but, some resorts will be out of season in October and possibly a bit quiet. Cyprus might be good.

(BTW - you're not locked into all inclusives and are allowed to leave )

I'll look at Cyprus too thank you - any particular area? re all inclusive- I think our budget wouldn't allow us to leave as we'd feel we then couldn't eat elsewhere etc but I do appreciate your comments. I just don't think it's for us

We stayed at Paphos one October. It's a very popular large resort but we stayed at a hotel well away from the main part. Car hire was super cheap when we went (think we paid less than €90 for a week) so we travelled about a lot.

I was just mentioning all Inc thing because sometimes it can work out cheaper than sc/villa, even with additionally eating out, especially at the end of seasons when the tour operators are desperate to make some money.

Ah that's a fab tip thank you

maybe have a look at Maderia?

Budget?

Unrealistically low

How low?

Need a figure to help

We flew to Florida last year around this time. How long are you going for? Europe has some good family friendly places dotted around Europe. It’s worth looking at trip advisor to see what you can realistically afford. Also pay attention to reviews etc. Compare prices and scope out any possible bargains.
Do you like skiing? Beaches? There are lots of holiday brochures available on the Internet as well in paper. Does the idea of a cruise sound appealing to you or not? Consider all your options. I also suggest you see a travel agent for advice and support. They might also offer some more information on possible destinations worth visiting as a family. Get hold of a few brochures. Then make a decision.
Hopefully you’ll have a good time. We stayed in a hotel room and used on-site childcare. Also we dined at local restaurants and cafes as often as possible.
Once or twice we visited a family friendly museum or shopping centre in the area. It was fun. Once in a lifetime opportunity to vacation. My family loved it. I’ve still got a keepsake gift from the trip abroad.

In general Turkey and Bulgaria are cheaper than other med resorts. Tunisia is also cheap but you should check foreign office advice for there

How about Morocco or Jordan

Would you hire a car ? I think there’s a water park near Barcelona and there are plenty of flights to there. There are little villages and towns along the coast which I don’t think are too big and touristy.

Looking at 1 week. May or October school holidays to keep cost down. Bit hesitant to give a budget as literally no clue how much holidays like this cost! £2K maybe. Beach/lake or warm holiday as stated in initial post. Want to explore an area a little. Eat local food. Not looking for any holiday clubs/childcare etc. Children (and ourselves) all enjoy being outside/water sports/walking. Happy to Airbnb rather than hotel. I think that was all the questions!

April 2018 Mom thanks for your comments although I'm not sure you fully read my 'brief'. I'm glad you loved your holiday

I've been to Morocco and Barcelona so probably wouldn't revisit but there's lots of food for thought here. Thank you 😊

Your problem with Cyprus in Oct half-term will be the flights, which are really expensive and will eat up your £2k budget. You'd be better off going to the Med (southern Spain probably cheapest).