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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

3.5hr flight / 45m transfer / busy resort

42 replies

oct · 03/10/2022 10:30

Where could this be?

Anywhere within 3.5 hours so likely Spain, Balearics but not canaries or Turkey, possibly Portugal or certain parts of Greece??

The short transfer (private) is key less than 45m

When we get to the resort we want places to go things to do and see. Perhaps a marina / boat trip and another day trip.

Please let me know where I can start my search!!

OP posts:
Twilightstarbright · 03/10/2022 10:58

Not sure who is going but we like Benalmadena on the Costa del Sol. 15 min transfer and lovely marina and masses to do nearby. You can get the train to Malaga or visit Ronda.

Twilightstarbright · 03/10/2022 10:58

Malaga is 2.5-3hrs flight from the UK.

ilovepixie · 03/10/2022 11:01

Was going to say Benalmadena too. Lovely marina. Or Ibiza is lovely too.

LIZS · 03/10/2022 11:02

Majorca near Palma

Original poster
oct · 03/10/2022 11:34

Was thinking Majorca but wasn't sure which resort has the short transfer.

It's a family holiday 2 adults 2 children (10 and 12)

OP posts:
Original poster
oct · 04/10/2022 08:15

Any other options?

OP posts:
PuttingDownRoots · 04/10/2022 08:17

Cyprus would fit your bill except its a longer flight (4.5hrs)

KylieCharlene · 04/10/2022 08:19

Watching with interest OP.
I'm looking for similar.
DP and I, dc 13&11.
I've been focusing on Santa Ponsa but think the transfer time may be a bit much.

gogohmm · 04/10/2022 08:20

Our flight to fuerterentura was about 3.5 hours. Flights definitely are quicker out of our regional airport as less taxiing

MargotChateau · 04/10/2022 08:20

Tenerife? The flight was 4 hours but our all inclusive was only a 20 min coach ride and super family friendly with amazing pools. If you’re interested I’ll ask DP what the name of the place was as I have baby brain.

AriettyHomily · 04/10/2022 08:30

Ibiza - Es Cana, Cala Llonga, both have a bit of life but not too much!

LeafHunter · 04/10/2022 08:31

Croatia. Our flight was 2.5hrs. We don’t stay in resorts tho so can’t help with that. It also depends what airport you’re flying from too?

backinthebox · 04/10/2022 08:32

Crete fits this criteria. We went to Agios Nikolaos recently and the taxi was under an hour.

Doingprettywellthanks · 04/10/2022 08:33

Lanzarote

Whataretheodds · 04/10/2022 08:34

Where are you flying from?

Mainland Greece/Ionian under 3.5 hours from London

ceeveebee · 04/10/2022 08:35

Cascais in Portugal. Fly to Lisbon, it’s a short transfer from there. Lots to do and lots of nice beaches

BaronessBomburst · 04/10/2022 08:37

Valencia. It's not a resort but a city with beaches. There's plenty to do; markets, museums, day trips, the beach, shopping, historical buildings, art. DS12 loved it. Didn't get bored at all.

Bichette · 04/10/2022 08:51

Marseille/Côté d'Azur
Corsica?

GiantKitten · 04/10/2022 09:11

Corfu. It’s a 3 hr flight from Gatwick, and there are lots of nice lively resorts a short transfer away, though the very nicest IMO is Kassiopi which is 1 hour.

Skiingwithgin · 04/10/2022 09:15

We had a wonderful holiday in Cala dor in majorca recently, 50 min transfer. Marina and surrounding beaches are fab.

also anywhere in menorca will be less than an hours transfer. We like staying near Mahon though on that side of the island

BarbaraofSeville · 04/10/2022 09:23

Yes, if you're flying from London, Canaries, Greece and possibly Cyprus might be no more than 3.5 hours, but not if you're flying from Scotland or Northern England.

Transfers at the other end vary quite a bit due to the 'coach going round several hotels' factor and in my experience, they tend to overestimate this, but conversely may pick you up quite early so they can get to the airport on time for another flight.

You can overcome this and give yourself a bit more certainty by using a private transfer, either as an upgrade in your package, or arranged separately, or often by using public transport. Many places have a bus service from the airport to the main resorts.

Anyway, there's loads of places you could go, second the suggestion for Malaga area, loads of choice there, or Mallorca (we like Paguera, which is like Santa Ponsa for Germans, which is interesting, but they have 3 nice beaches and loads of Spanish food options too).

BarbaraofSeville · 04/10/2022 09:24

Or other Spanish Costas, or Greek islands if you're flying from the London airports, or Malta. Endless choice really.

bettytaghetti · 04/10/2022 09:30

Port de Soller in Majorca is a short transfer from Palma. Lots of restaurants around the port/beach and can take the funicular train to Soller and then onto Palma for a lovely ride through the countryside and day out in the city which is fun to walk around.

If you have a hire car, close to Deia or drive north to Port de Pollença, Alcudia etc

Passthecoffee · 04/10/2022 09:38

Costa Del Sol, flight into Malaga and then there's a wide choice of places down the coast within a 45minute transfer.

Isseywith3witchycats · 06/10/2022 15:00

Another vote for benalmedena we had a great holiday there georgous marina, bus into fuenegerola one way and torremelinos the other way bus up the hill to castle and village at the top up the cable car to birds of prey exhibition amazing views, a fairground at the bottom wasnt bored at all nice resort and plenty to do