Lone parent with 2 kids - turkey or Spain?

[avocadosrus]

I'm trying to get up the courage to take my DS14 & DD11 away at Easter, I'm thinking of doing a week all inclusive somewhere but really don't know where. They would love somewhere with pools,slides & a beach, I am happy as long as they are! I keep looking at the reviews for places on Tripadvisor and talking myself out of places so does anybody have any recommendations for places that they've been with kids similar ages? TIA.

Spain. My DC love it. Nerja region is great. Turkey is not really safe - I was chased home every night in Kusadasi nearly 30 years ago. Can only imagine how bad it is now.

@Land0r oooooo fab somebody that's been, that's always good. They were super excited when I told them, the countdown is on!

I went to Lara beach on my own with my 5 and 6 year old last year. We had a ball!!

We went to Los Patos Park 2 years ago and had a wonderful time, hope you do too.

We got a taxi to the park and walked back, that was well worth doing, as is a trip to the Marina. Some lovely restaurants on the strip between the marina and where Los Patos Park is too. There is a beach bar just before the strip and my sons enjoyed playing by the sea as we sipped a drink and watched the sunset.

@Land0r yes we have been in February before. You’ll need jackets for sure and it’s not really summer clothes weather mostly, though you could get away with shorts some days, but we still had a great time. Most places were open and as it was the start of the season, people were really friendly and seemed more cheerful than they might be later on in the year also not nearly so crowded. The water park was open, we went there. A bit chilly but still fun. I’m really looking forward to going back.

Spain.
I go to Turkey alot, and have noticed that staff either rake over teenage girls or boys with their eyes......or talk over your head and always defer to the man in your party.
Also, we're not married. When a rep referred to me as wife, i said no and he said oh you have child together but you not married? Why? He was most perturbed.
So as an lp I would choose Spain.
I've been to Majorca lanzarote and gran canaria on my own and hired a car and never felt unsafe.
You could do self catering?

@BuzzLightyearsHoneyBun sipping a drink whilst my kids play is most definitely the type of holiday I'm after! I'm glad that you're experience of the hotel was positive, we're most excited!!!

I haven't read all the replies, but mainland Spain won't be warm enough for swimming at Easter, unless you find a heated pool. The Canaries are a much better bet.

I was in Benalmadena in April 2017 and it was ridiculously hot and the sea and pools were full, sun dresses and shorts and swimming in the sea every day.

I was also there in Easter 2017. The weather was beautiful, but our pool was freezing. I managed a quick dip in the pool and a paddle in the sea! Last Easter was cold and wet though.

I see you've booked now OP, so I hope it's warm enough for you. The cable car is worth going on and Malaga is easy to get to for a day trip.

Costa del sol I would so recommend. Fuengirola or benalmedena

CarolDanvers and EveryDayIsLikeMonday We were also in Benalmadena Easter 2017 and it was glorious weather, but yes, the pools were very cold. We still swam, but not as much as usual! We were there in April 2018 (at Los Patos Park) for 4 days and had 3 gorgeous days and one day of rain.

avocadosrus My girls love this park, which has birds and animals wandering freely:

www.visitcostadelsol.com/things-to-do/paloma-park-p81661

@Land0r that park is right up my kids street we'll definitely be paying that a visit thank you!

I know that the weather could be hit & miss but I'm not a sun worshipper and my kids are hardcore when it comes to swimming so I really don't mind what the weather does tbh, I'm just looking forward to the "break" ish 😬

@CarolDanvers I think that I'll just have to pack for every eventuality! I'm just looking forward to a week of not having to cook!!! 😬

I would always choose Turkey over Spain.

I've always been hassled in Spain and when I had my daughter with me, it could become scary.

I like Side in Turkey. Always been fine.
I've even been alone and it's lovely.

avocadosrus The park also has some play equipment and gym equipment in it. It's very peaceful and lovely to sit and read in the sunshine while the children play. Look out for turtles in the lake!

There's also the aquarium (in the marina) which is small but pretty good. Our one day of rain last April fell on DD1's 12th birthday, so we swam in the morning (in the rain) then spent some time at the aquarium later on.

www.visitsealife.com/benalmadena/en/

You would get much more for your money in Turkey than you would in Spain. We’ve been to Turkey twice and stayed in 5 all inclusive hotels with onsite water parks and private beaches for the same price as a bog standard 3 hotel in Spain. There’s also no reason to even leave the resort as food is amazing and entertainment is top notch, so you wouldn’t have to worry about the safety aspect (not that we felt unsafe whatsoever when we were in Turkey and the Turkish people are some of the friendliest we’ve ever met). Having said that, flights to Spain are a lot shorter which is a bonus whereas flights to Turkey are 4.5 hours which you may feel is a bit long for younger kids. Good luck in making your decision.

www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=mobile.kenzi-hotels.com/kenzieuropa/default-en.html&ved=2ahUKEwiEtLeh_f_fAhWVQhUIHS8JCocQFjAhegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw2y77I3FzYkRV-KarYKkeQ9
I went here in Morocco this year. Single parent, two children age 9 and 7. We absolutely loved it! First time taking kids abroad since h left. Honestky couldn't recommend it enough.

Take your fleeces. Spain won’t be warm at Easter.

Don't go to Nerja, vile place............

No seriously, it is rather lovely.

A lot of Nerja and most of Burriana Beach close for the winter, and are only just emerging at Easter.

I agree Milkysmum.

Morocco is amazing.

OP. you and your kids would love Marrakesh. The people are kind, welcoming and friendly.

It feels like Arabian Nights. And would give them a feel of a much broader horizon than boring Europe, wonderful as it is

thank you @iflyaway and @milkysmum I've booked Spain now as the flight times were better (DS only gets 9 days off) but will definitely bare that it mind for later in the year

Hi avocadosrus We'll be back in Benalmadena on Tuesday morning - I'll let you know if we see/do anything that hasn't been mentioned already. Looks like the sun will be shining for us - fingers crossed anyway!

Hi @Land0r oooooo fab I hope that you have a fab time I look forward to hearing all about your hols!