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Holidays

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

Original poster

OH FGS...please can someone convince my miserable dh that going abroad with children is not akin to having your fingernails pulled out <angry>

103 replies

DANCESwithaMuffinTop · 01/01/2008 18:04

Last summer we went to Devon for a week with dc (they will be 3 1/2 and 5 yrs this summer). It p*ssed down all week and although it was nice to be away as a family we couldn't enjoy the beach at the hotel we were staying at or the outdoor pool, had to wear fleeces and rainwear everywhere we went - blardy crappy british weather.
So (unsurprisingly) I want to go abroad this year with dc. Dh is being a complete pain about it. He's worried they are too young and what we will do while we are there.
Basically I want to be able to go to the beach, eat out, go swimming and do the odd trip to visit things (don't care what, water park etc or cultural things). SOOoo please could you recommend holiday destinations...the more specific the better...hotels etc. Also, do you use 'kid's club' type things while you are away - dh very concerned that we get a break too. Anyway if anyone can help I'd be really grateful. THANKS.

OP posts:
seeker · 02/01/2008 04:40

6 hour drive to a wet Devon - 4 hour flight to a sunny Canary Island - no contest!

Don't understand why people find going abroad harder than holidaying in the UK - enlighten me someone?

AussieSim · 02/01/2008 04:55

Any Club Med that takes 3 year olds in their kids club I would highly recommend. We had 10 days at a club med recently and we can't wait to do it again. The kids loved it and they were in kids club from 9 - 5 and then again for dinner from 6.30 till 8. Unsurprisingly DC3 was conceived ... All inclusive, friendly staff etc etc

I have done Australia to Germany with child/children 5 times. Your DH needs to trust that a little 1 - 4 hour trip to somewhere warm and sunny in Europe is very doable!

AussieSim · 02/01/2008 05:06

What about Club Med Turkey This one is 4 tridents - the one in Australia that I went to was just 3 tridents and it was good enough for what we were looking for. Anyway check it out on www.clubmed.com

If you are going to book though go through a travel agency and look out for specials - children free or 10 for the price of 7 etc.

twentypence · 02/01/2008 05:48

Too young my arse. I took ds to Melbourne at 3 on my own for 5 days. He has been to South Pacific islands, Australia, the UK (twice). We have been on a narrow boat with him. he is nearly 5.

A trip abroad is about a million times nicer than going somewhere with crappy weather. And a beach and a bucket and spade and I wouldn't be needing a kids club for ds.

rutternutter · 02/01/2008 09:07

We have been to Pierre et vacances in France when I was pregnant with Ds and every summer since when he was 6mo, 18mo and 30mo, and we have flown, hired cars, and last summer when he was 30mo we drove to one near La Rochelle. It was our first longish drive with him and he was fine. They are a great company, but I have not used the child club facilities as we normally go out of the French holiday season when I don't think they run. They have a great website showing all of the different accommodation avaiable from studio to houses and they often have good discounts for out of season or booking in advance. We tended to go out in the morning have lunch and then come back to the pool or go to the beach. Put DS to bed and have supper and a nice cold glass of rose ...Argh wish I was there now! Have also been to Pont Royal in Provence which is great for day trips all over the area, to Arles, Avingon, and all of the beautiful villages around. A bit more expensive but good too. We will be booking up again soon. PS I don't work for them!

cathers · 02/01/2008 09:07

Well said! Abroad every time. So much easier - and often cheaper! We've travelled alot with our 2 year old and abroad hols win everytime - less packing as hot weather = less washing/drying, great friendly people especially in 'traditional' areas of the med, ( not touristy centres), and free entertainment of a beach and pool.
Have a look at www.babygoes2. co.uk or www.takethefamily.co.uk for inspiration. Plan a flight bag for the kids, e.g books,stickers, snacks, etcher sketch, puzzles, cd ( we allow one an hour), don't have a long transfer from airport to hotel, try a taxi - much quicker and don't have to wait for anyone, and relax - kids will have different routines on holidays, ds stays up till 9 but sleeps in till 8 and will have 3 hours siesta, then you sunbathe to the max!
Haven't done the kids club thing as prefer independant hols but it is often possible to do an in-between version and hire a babysitter for couple hours a day as an option through your hotel.

mm22bys · 02/01/2008 09:25

We've been travelling with kids since DS1 was 4 months old, and have been all over the place, both in UK, Europe, and longhaul. We have two DSs now, they are 3.5 and 1, and are just back from 5 nights in Morocco.

Your two are actually at a great age to travel - it was a blast travelling this last time as DS1 was able to really enjoy it, and he didn't need those afternoon sleeps (nice sometimes have to admit) - one day he walked around the markets and medina for 6 hours.

Tell your DH to come on here, you will all have a great time abroad.

bozza · 02/01/2008 09:57

When the children were young we wanted the security of the car and their own stuff I suppose. But once they get to 3, like the OP's youngest, they don't actually need anything other than clothes and a few bits and pieces to entertain them. Also mine are fair with a tendency to overheat, which is less of an issue now they are older.

oliviaelanasmum · 02/01/2008 10:00

I have just got backl from a holiday in spain with our 3 dd's (6,2 and 14 weeks) and it was a blast. I was initailly worried about how much stuff i would have to take with me but oncew i packed my bags and then unpacked and took half of the stuff out again i was fine

OverMyDeadBody · 02/01/2008 12:41

When travelling abroad with small children it is not the destination that makes or breaks the holiday, it's your attitude

This is what I've learnt from extensive travelling alone with DS, the first time being when he was 5 months old.

OverMyDeadBody · 02/01/2008 12:46

oh and I also suffered camping in Devon last summer, in the rain, for a week . Everything was wet, and although I wanted to cry I suppressed that and planted a smile on my face as DS still had the time of his life, but he may have reacted differently had I been grumpy and complaining and miserable! In the end his enthusiasm and optimism rubbed off on me and it was ok (although, like you, I would much rather go abroad this year than risk that again!

tiredemma · 02/01/2008 12:47

Ds2 went on his first holiday abroad when he was 6 weeks old. no problems.

Original poster
DANCESwithaMuffinTop · 02/01/2008 14:58

OverMyDeadBody - part of me wants to shake you by the hand for that commendable attitude and the mean part of me wants to pinch your arm... for the holier than thou attitude. However I can't decide which one with this fence firmly shoved up my btm.

OP posts:
cat64 · 02/01/2008 15:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

CaurnieBred · 02/01/2008 16:56

Just go for it - dd is now 3 and since she has been born we have driven to Switzerland (7 months old), flown to Malaysia and east and west coasts of Australia (11 months), Gran Canaria (18 months) and Tenerife (2.5 years), interspersed with many trips up and down to Glasgow where I am originally from.

Lists, lists and lists are the key. I get mega stressed before we go, but once we are there it is bliss. As long as you go with the mindset that it will not be the same type of holiday abroad that you had pre kids (on the trip to Malaysia we met this strange breed of people that we had never met before - other parents with small children - usually at the pool at around 0830 hrs in the morning, when pre children we would still have been tucked up in bed at that time!).

OverMyDeadBody · 02/01/2008 19:12

sorry I didn't mean to come across as having a holier than thou attitude, was trying to sympathise with the shared hellish devon experience!

Judy1234 · 02/01/2008 19:20

We took them when they were under 2 because they're free of charge I remember in the days when cost was a major issue.

bozza · 03/01/2008 14:34

TBH when we went this summer the plane journey was fine, it was the interminable wait in the airport which was a PITA. But I wonder if we would have been better taking 6mo DS abroad than suffering him crying on the 10 hour journey to Cornwall.

Blu · 03/01/2008 14:37

They are at a brilliant age to take abroad.

Crawling / v small toddler is the scary time - take too much watching, want to toddle off, into pool etc, sleep and food too much of an issue etc etc.

LilRedWG · 03/01/2008 14:38

The Sofitel Taba Heights, Egypt, was recommended to me by Beetroot and it was a fantastic holiday! Only a five hour flight and wonderful hotel and staff! DD was 19 months when we went (last month) and a star on the plane and even during the four hour delay at Gatwick.

sparklygothkat · 03/01/2008 14:40

I actually found it easier to take my 3 abroad than holidaying in the UK. They are more relaxed, don't have to find things to do everyday (they spent their time in the pool and at the club)

stealthsquiggle · 03/01/2008 14:44

[complete hijack]

LilRed - long long long time no see. Holiday was good, then, I take it?!

I still have a parcel from the US for your DD if you still want it...

[end hijack]

To the OP - ignore DH and go for it. They are easily old enough. The hard bit is carting all the junk small babies need and you are well beyond that (and even that is worth it for some sunshine and relaxation, IMHO!)

Original poster
DANCESwithaMuffinTop · 03/01/2008 14:45

I WON! Thank you ladies. We are off to the South of France (baby steps!)

OP posts:
bozza · 03/01/2008 15:17

Oh enjoy. We had a lovely time there last summer when ours were that age.

lupo · 03/01/2008 16:45

AussieSim

surely when you take your kids on holiday it is to spend quality time with them, not stick them in a kids club/creche from 9am - 8pm, a couple of hours a day maybe, but all day every day. How old are they?