Summer holiday with kids - first since DH died in May

[Lalaland50]

hi there, I guess the subject says it all. My DH died in May, quite traumatically. I have two DC - DS13 and DD9 (who is autistic). They are desperate to go abroad after 2 years of shielding (my DH was very clinically vulnerable), so I'm looking for somewhere for us to go abroad for 7-10 days - preferably all-inclusive or half-board, somewhere I can relax and drink wine, and they can have fun. I know it will be difficult, everything is horrendous for us at the moment, but it's either we go away in the UK, which could be quite depressing if the weather is bad and expensive - or we don't go anywhere, which is not really an option for the kids- they deserve to have some fun. I don't have anyone we can go with, which I know would be better for me, so looks like it will be me and the two kids.

I think somewhere not too far but in a nice hotel, with good food, and preferably somewhere close by to visit with restaurants, cafes etc. We used to go camping in gorgeous areas of France, travelling around, and also stay in lovely places in Majorca for eg. when DH was alive, so this will be very different to what we're used to. I'd really like to avoid France, and I hate to say it, Majorca as well, as it reminds me of my DH too much - but if there's somewhere really special there, I would consider it. Does anyone have any suggestions?! Thanks.

I'm sorry for your loss.

What's your budget? Would a Club Med / Mark Warner appeal? There's Ikos as well but is £££.

I'd plug your details into something like travel republic and see what comes up.

thank you. I'd like to spend £3500, but know it will prob cost more like £5000!

Please make sure to check your passports are in date and valid for the dates and any countries that you choose. Check out the many threads on here re passports.

I would honestly recommend Turkey. We are very picky with hotels but we have been for 4 years in a row and absolutely loved it. We have been to Majorca and a few Greek islands, Spain too but the value for money in Turkey is great, especially with 2 young children as most have water parks. The royal dragon, side was fab. Sherwood Exclusive Kemer, best hotel we've been to. Both have strips outside the hotel with restaurants and cafes, both have water parks and private beach. I wouldn't recommend the other two as you said you wanted places in walking distance. X

A club med or similar

We stayed at the H10 rubicon palace in Lanzarote last Aug- a beautiful hotel with pools , great food and views - can walk along coastal path to playa Blanca with beaches , restaurants etc. v pretty. Would definitely recommend

La Pineda in Spain in between Barcelona and Salou, Portaventura Themepark five minutes away by bus same with Ferrari land, two spectacular water Parcs. Ten minute bus drive into Tarragona to see a Roman amphitheatre and Roman circus. The beach is white sand and blue sea, very shallow. Safe and enjoyable for children I stayed Iovely 4*a lovely hotel it was very inexpensive for what it was, outdoor and indoor pools, gym, cycle hire, bars and restaurant.

Very sorry for you and your kids, that must be so hard. I would also recommend Ikos . The food and wine is outstanding and there will be lots for the kids to do. Also even though when we were there it was full, it never seemed busy/crowded which might be better for your kids.

Sorry for your loss.

Look at Hotel Lopesan Baoab in Gran Canaria (loosely based on Disneys Animal Kingdom but with more of a spa hotel feel and great pools!)

Also Hotel Gran Meliá Palacio D'Isora Tenerife.

Lastly and this so gorgeous and great for families with lake views - Hotel Caesius - Lake Garda, Italy.

All have that something special whilst being great for the kids.

For the best all inclusive I recommend Egypt. Great hotels, great pools and great service. Lots of fabulous snorkelling.

Thank you so much for the suggestions, I'll have a look this morning.
@JazzyBBG For the Hotel Caesius - Lake Garda, what deal would you go for? I don't think they do all-inclusive? would there be other places to eat - and would I be spending ££££s on food if we eat out all the time (we are used to self-catering, but I don't want to cook). Thanks.

Firstly I'm so sorry that's so difficult for you don't go in the UK it's stupidly expensive a d can be quite shit and depressing Go somewhere in Spain or Greece , Malta or Portugal. Make sure it's a family friendly one check out there are lots of kids clubs activities etc.

It'll be good for you all
Check the reviews. Before booking

Hope you have a lovely holiday. It'll be different but it will still be nice

We're going to Benalmadena in Spain. There's a TUI holiday village there (we're not staying there though) and there seems to be a lot of aqua parks etc in the area.

You can use First Choice holidays to search all inclusive options. Turkey/Egypt will be very hot in the summer so I'd suggest Spain as there are so many options.

@Lalaland50 we went half board. There was a poolside cafe on site for lunch that wasn't expensive and a couple over the road. It wasn't ridiculously expensive at all for the extras but we went 2019.

I'll say IKOS as well.
we usually go via british airways and although it is expensive it sounds like what you need after such a terrible time.
also once you are there you won't need to spend another penny

I am sorry for your loss. I can only imagine the feelings of wanting to go away but how it’s going to be so hard.

All these people recommending IKOS are totally ignoring your budget (assuming you have to go in the main summer holidays). Seven nights in the most basic room with rollaway beds is 7,500 euros without flights. They do, 100% fit your requirements (and having been to one can confirm they are fab), but they have tripled in price since we went.

Have a look at Mauritius. The summer months are their winter and as a result the prices are low. BUT temperatures will be in the high 20s and you’d be unlucky to get more than a day of rain. Just avoid the east coast. We went in 2019 and paid £5,500 for all of us (four people) with direct flights in a five star all inclusive for two weeks. I know it’s not a short flight but ours were overnight there and back so made it a lot easier.

Thanks all. Yes, I did look at Ikos resorts and they look amazing, but way out of budget! @BookwormButNoTime thanks for the Mauritius recommendation. My late DH was actually Mauritian, so this was so lovely to hear. I do hope to take our kids at some point, not this year, but maybe next year, so I will bear this in mind. Thank you so much.

I know you haven’t mentioned a cruise, but if I had to go away with my kids on my own, this is what I would do.
the facilities for kids are super. And there will be lots of entertainment for you at night. I would feel totally safe going for drinks/dinner/a show on my own. Daytime you can visit new city every day and keep busy or just chill.
Royal Caribbean have some amazing ships in the Med over summer. The prices are reasonable at the mo.
friends of a friend got a family of 4 on Anthem of the Seas for £1500. This includes all food, but drinks are extra.
worth considering…,

I would second a cruise. You can get some good deals at the moment on various lines.

Hello OP, I am sorry that you are going through this- DC and I have been in the same place. After DH died, the first big holiday we went on was to Eygpt- all inclusive then a flight to Cairo, night train to Luxor then a flight home. It was awful, DC was happy enough but I was still feeling numb and the bloody constant attention from men wanting my email address, people trying to sell stuff etc was unbearable. So I would suggest avoiding Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia etc for now.

DC is older now and we do travel a lot. When covid happened we just got cheap flights to wherever let us in and we have discovered Greek, family owned apart hotels. We are in one now in Corfu. You will be looked after, have people to chat to and as long as you pick one with a massive pool, your kids will be fine.

Thank you all for the suggestions, I really appreciate it. You all spurred me on to book, otherwise I would have dilly dallied, and, funnily enough @willstarttomorrow I have booked an all-inclusive in Corfu..the Louis Kerkyra Blue. It looks really nice, just hoping they've got enough wine in stock...i will carry on looking at your suggestions for future breaks - I I hope to take the kids away as much as I can afford - I promised my DH at his funeral that the kids and I would live life to the fullest. However painful that is now. Holidays was one of his most treasured times with us, so I need to honour that. Thanks all.

@Lalaland50
Hope you all have an amazing time! Not sure when you are going but if it’s a busy date in a large airport, I would recommend booking fast track through security - you may not need it but it doesn’t cost much and would eliminate the stress if the security queue is massive.

Have a look at Croatia and Montenegro for future holidays - lots to do for all ages (and lots of wine).

@Lalaland50 I hope the three of you have the most amazing time. I can just imagine how you feel right now but what a wonderful thing your DH said to you and I would always remember that if things get tough.

My DM died in Jan 3 weeks before we had a big USA holiday booked. I was son conflicted at the time but it was honestly the best thing for us all after such a difficult time.

Hope you all have the best holiday.

We go to Torreblanca just down the road from here. We went to the Tui (first choice when we went) hotel 12 years ago and it was fab.

The great thing about this stretch of coast is the train goes up and down it and you can access all the zoos and watermarks and Tivoli theme park.

The beach is lovely and bars and restaurants all along it.

that's great hope youbhaveba lovely time and plenty of toasts to you DH xx