Holiday with 5 year old, 6 month old and a husband who is terrified of flying

[Shinebright21]

So it has been three years since we’ve been away and in that time it’s been incredibly stressful with life and COVID.

My husband and I have always been adventurous travellers - we’ve done many many amazing holidays. Now with two kids I just want an all inclusive place to stay, with kids entertainment, pools, beach and guaranteed weather. We are looking to go second week of July.

My first port of call was Turkey, Antalya but my husband is terrified of flying. He developed this fear after the Malaysian air crashes. He said to me he doesn’t mind France or Spain or somewhere in Europe that is accessible by train/ferry.

Can anyone recommend a good all inclusive resort that is family friendly - that we wouldn’t need to go on a plane?

I said to my husband it’s our ten year anniversary next year, and I want us to go as a family to Mexico with the kids. He’s got one year to get over his fear, and get help or I’m going with the kids and a photograph of him 😂

So far I really like the look Canary Islands but it’s like a 2 day boat trip from mainland Spain. My husband likes the french riveria but I haven’t seen any all inclusive resorts. I am absolutely shattered, and need a break - so as much as my husband keeps tempting me with amazing YouTube videos from Croatia and Rome and France I am insistent that with two young kids I need all inclusive!

Any suggestions or help would be very much appreciated!

[ChocolateMassacre]

@BirdOnTheWire

To drive or go by train to Portugal oer even Spain is going to take a long time. All that travelling with two small children sounds exhausting.

I second the cruise.
Total relaxation and all inclusive from the moment you step on board.

Hmm, that's true. My PIL did it a couple of years ago but, remembering back, it took them ages! 2 nights on a ferry to Santander (but the ferries are quite good for kids). But they were visiting northern Spain/Southern France... the Algarve is right at the bottom of Portugal!

[Shinebright21]

I forgot it was at the bottom of Portugal! 🙈🙈🙈 I’m back to looking in the South of France. We are going to discuss it this evening and hopefully the plan is to book somewhere tonight.

I don’t fancy the idea of a cruise - but I’ll look into it and see what I can find.

[Shinebright21]

Just to update

We have found somewhere near Barcelona. It’s about an hour away. It has all the things we are looking for!

Golden Taurus Aqua park resort.

Journey will mean Eurostar to Paris, then a six hour journey on the TGV to Barcelona. We will stay there one night and then head to the resort the following morning hopefully!

In terms of journey time, that’s ok for me I can manage that - my husband is very hands on to. Team work makes the dream work and all that 😉 Thanks everyone for all your replies!

[Riverlee]

Not guaranteed weather, but Disneyland in Paris?

[LizzieSiddal]

Hi Op, my Dh was exactly like yours- absolutely terrified of flying. So much so that we only ever holidayed in the Uk or France for 25 years, although they were very happy holidays, I decided I was off to see my brother in Australia, with ot without him.
He booked himself into oFear Of Flying course run by BA at Heathrow airport. It’s a day long course which cost around £400 iirc. It completely cured him and a week after the course we booked a 17 hour straight through flight to Perth, which we went on 6 months later. Dh was never once scared on that journey, he only wished he’d done the course years ago!

[LizzieSiddal]

Should add we’ve flown several times since and he has no qualms at all.

[Janek]

I know it's sorted, but just to say - we now have a fifteen year old and a thirteen year old and we have taken them to France and Italy by train at least twice a year, more often three times since the eldest was 8 weeks. It has never been a problem or harder than looking after them at home. You can get up and walk around the train, which is easier than on a plane. You allow as much screen time as they like. And the journey is broken up by changing trains/stations in London and Paris.

We live in the Midlands and can get to Limoges in a day, easily, and Turin in a day, but not arriving till 20:20. Admittedly this has got easier as the children have got older and their bed times are later.

We have also taken night trains to Milan/Berlin/Prague. I love travelling by train. You have consulted seat61.com haven't you? Also, of you're travelling from outside London consider getting a family and friends Railcard. We used to make the cost of it back in the first journey. It's more hit and miss now, with the different discount tickets available (although you can get the discount on standard advance tickets).