If you have fair/red headed children...

[ProcrastinationIsMySuperPower]

...where would you go on holiday early August?

DH and I both shift work and always struggle to get the same time off but by some miracle we both have 2 weeks in August. We want to go abroad, somewhere warm and with plenty to do for the kids (11&17). Our budget is on the modest side, about £3k for accommodation, flights and car. We really don't want to all be in one room and prefer self catering.

Only expect to get a week, obviously.

Where can we go that fits the bill, but where we won't have to hide away from the sun so our ginger kids don't fry?

I'd go somewhere like Valencia. It's probably my favourite holiday destination anyway, but it does sound good for what you need. I don't think I tanned at all on holiday there. We didn't sunbathe or anything.

Board shorts and rash shirt for the beach, both UV50. Hats, cotton clothes and live as locals do (siesta, use shade, walk slowly, don't fight the sun) for the rest.

Speaking as a daywalker myself.

Rash vest, hat, avoid the midday sun (which is what most locals do in the Med anyway).

I have burned on holiday (in the UK, ironically). DS never has. We are both sort of sandy gingers rather than bright pink Celtic gingers, but definitely pale.

just to say again, make sure it is possible to be cool at night, makes a lot of difference

I’m extremely prone to sunburn. I have to wear sun cream in daily life because I can get a sunburn doing things like walking outside for 5 minutes.

When we travel, I use specific spf clothing, big hats, a sun umbrella, and reapply sun cream every hour. I seek shade whenever possible. I send DH and dc out without me when I can. I still spend most of our holidays in the sun feeling a bit Ill and inevitably end up with an awful sunburn. Without Covid, I’m a big fan of indoor water parks. Kids get a holiday and I don’t fry to a crisp.

OP, Scotland was glorious this summer. High 20 degrees all week. Don't rule it out, my blond kids did just fine there.

I think you're going to struggle for your budget in early August as only your youngest is eligible for a free child place.

If you must go abroad, I'd agree with Spain / a Spanish island. Greece never seem to have free child places and is hotter in August.

Cote Sauvage in France? Or the Ile de Re/Olereon?

We live in the southern Med and mine have red hair. We do obviously get on with life but are inside a lot in July and August and swim or beach first thing or early evening only. Long sleeve sun suits, ultrasun and hats, but it is miserable doing battle with the heat. We try and leave in August tbh as it's so hot- it hit 48 this year.

Maybe mountains? Lake Bled?

I am red headed and am prone to burn/sunstroke/ heat rash when it's hot and sunny. We book holidays with this in mind and have had some fab holidays in France, Italy and Austria. We base ourselves in the Alps usually near a lake because we love water sports and have had some amazing holidays. Lake Annecy is probably our favourite but also loved Lake Como and Kitzbuhel area. Someone else suggested Netherlands which is also a great holiday location with loads to do and see and would definitely return. Our favourite accommodation has been through Airbnb as you can get somewhere that feels authentic to the area.

Portugal is great. Warm but with a breeze. And get some P20!

And France, but not the south.

In early August anywhere can be really hot OP. Even the UK, northern France, Holland, Belgium, etc, so you'll have to take a bit of a gamble.

Having said that, my family don't love hot weather either, so we avoid the Med in the school summer holidays. We've had great holidays in Brittany, Normandy, Holland, Belgium, northern Spain and the UK (but I appreciate you don't want to holiday in the UK). I wouldn't recommend anywhere in Scandinavia, due to the cost, as your £3k won't go very far there, but if you stick to north sea or Atlantic coastal areas it shouldn't be too boiling. However, UV is high at that time of of year wherever you are and whether it's 20 degrees or 35, so finding a sunscreen your DC can wear is a good idea, either that or make sure they cover up with t-shirt, long shorts and hat.

We've been to Brittany a few times and its usually late 20s-30° so not super hot. My DD has mousey/dark hair but very pale skin. The worst sunburn she has had has been on windy days in the UK.

Ile de re is nice.

We have the same issue DH fries! We just don't go to the hotter European beach destinations in the summer.

@underneaththeash

Ile de re is nice.

We have the same issue DH fries! We just don't go to the hotter European beach destinations in the summer.

LOVE IDR 🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷

Denmark! We have very similar complexions and would never go on a European beach holiday in august as we couldn't handle the heat. Copenhagen may be tough on your budget but it's a great place for a holiday. Loads to do, climate like a nice uk summer.

Scandinavia in general probably fits what you want in all respects apart from budget

northern/mid France. Italian lakes? Though I have fair children and been to Spain in august as well. Just used lots of sunscreen.

I burn very easily and get heat rash, a lot.

Factor 50 and an antihistamine daily for the heat rash. For me it's the uv and blocked sweat pores that triggers the rash not sunscreen, once I figured that out it made holidays much easier. Long lunches undercover, always use a parasol on the beach or pool - basically stay out of the hottest sun.

My kids are white blonde and use factor 50 many times a day if we're abroad, plus we spend lots of time outside beforehand to help acclimatise their skin to the sun. Really loose tops and they are allowed to choose whatever hat they want to guarantee they'll wear it as soon as we arrive.

What sort of activities do you do with your dc? Generally (unless it's somewhere like Disney which is totally set up for heat with shaded waiting areas and water misters) much outdoors stuff will be open-air, and therefore you'll still need hats and loose clothing.

I’m a ginge and my eldest is the the palest blond imaginable. It’s hard, we both tend to keep to the shade until late afternoon.

@ProcrastinationIsMySuperPower

I can sunburnt in Scotland this year, was a heatwave, 25 degrees

Oh I recommend the lanolin free sun sensitive sunscreen factor 50, makes me a bit chalky but it's the only thing to stop heat rash