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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

Your favourite holiday in recent years

111 replies

pointydog · 02/02/2008 15:12

What has been your favourite family holiday in recent years? Either in UK or nearby Europe.

(I don't want to know about holidays when you stayed at home. I'm looking for inspiration.)

And why was it your favourite holiday? (Because if it was because your dp proposed to you I won;t be able to recreate that.)

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ivykaty44 · 02/02/2008 15:17

Last summer in Zeeland, camping and cycling found it very family friendly and not over touristy - certainly not that many english there. Lovely beaches and weather was good.

We also went to Antwerp on the way back (we drove) and I really like Antwerp as a bit of a shopping city - would be a good place for a weekend break.

littledawley · 02/02/2008 15:24

Stayed here last year and it was lovely. www.bruern-holiday-cottages.co.uk

It's in the Cotswolds.

We've done Center Parcs but this was a much nicer place to stay. We spent loads of time with the children but the cottage was so gorgeous that we really enjoyed a glass of wine together when they were in bed. Some places can feel a bit bleak when the children are asleep and you don't want to leave them with a babysitter.

We did a four night break but will do longer next time. As with all UK holidays, it depends on the weather.

Also, check out www.babyfriendlyboltholes.co.uk

Haven't tried it yet but spend lots of time doing fantasy holiday planning!!

Original poster
pointydog · 02/02/2008 15:27

where is zeeland? what country?

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Original poster
pointydog · 02/02/2008 15:28

oo I don;t know the cotswolds at all either. Is that sort of middle/southy England? Nice things to do round about, I presume?

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moondog · 02/02/2008 15:31

I have to admit that we had a lovely time in Ireland last year (although have had irrational feelings of hatred towards the Irish for years after episode with Irish bloke.)

Sri Lanka was also magical as was Malaysia.

Original poster
pointydog · 02/02/2008 15:43

I always think ireland would be var expensivce but might look into it

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littledawley · 02/02/2008 15:43

Cotswolds is middle/southy indeed. You have to drive to visit wildlife parks etc. At the cottages their is a pool and play area - guess it depends on the age of your children.

We are also planning Ireland this year - I have lovely memories of our childhood holidays there every year but my sister says I'm talking rubbish and that it always rained!

We're booked into a villa in Portugal at Easter for a bit of sunshine but I'm not looking forward to the flights.

Original poster
pointydog · 02/02/2008 15:44

the dds are 11 and 9 so we're not bothered about baby things or sitters or clubs or any of that stuff

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moondog · 02/02/2008 15:53

Ireland is pricey.
Bloody nice though.
God we had some fantastic picnics on wonderful beaches.

Mercy · 02/02/2008 16:01

North Norfolk. Plenty to do and see, good fish and chips, great beaches etc.

We were very luck with the weather though which was a real bonus (it rained for most of last August iirc)

Zeeland is in the Netherlands btw.

moondog · 02/02/2008 16:05

I fancy Norfolk.
Also the Broads.
What's that all about then?
Are they rivers or canals or wot?

marina · 02/02/2008 16:08

Our standout holiday in recent years was the one we won with MN last year, to La Pignade campsite in Ronce-les-Bains near the Ile d'Oleron
I am mentioning it to you pointydog because we had always assumed that we wouldn't really enjoy a caravan holiday in France because we like to be off the beaten track and away from crowds.
We went in Spring half-term, the site was almost empty, the weather was pretty hot, certainly hot enough for extensive use of the outdoor pools and slides for most of the week, and the dcs, who are 8 and 4, absolutely loved it, and still talk about it non-stop
The holiday would have cost about £530 for the week, so not super-cheap, but it would have been worth every penny. Loads of lovely places to visit nearby too

Sunshinemummy · 02/02/2008 16:18

TRavelling round Greek Islands on our own steam. Just bought a flight into Athens and took it from there. Found some wonderful places and just had a great time exploring and relaxing.

Mercy · 02/02/2008 16:21

"The Broads are a network of mostly navigable rivers and lakes (known locally as broads) in the English counties of Norfolk and Suffolk"

I always wondered too!

Frizbe · 02/02/2008 16:23

broads are lovely, did them with ss, whilst preggers with dd1 not good for small kids though

Carmenere · 02/02/2008 16:23

Roundstone, connemara, co Galway. I love it there, we went there every year as children and I went back last year and it was fab, I love it. Stunning part of the world, great food and drink and people. Very expensive though.

moondog · 02/02/2008 16:25

Ooh yes Carmenere,was similarly impressed with that part last year.

Carmenere · 02/02/2008 16:28

Yes it is lovely isn't it I'm going to book a cottage and go with friends this year I think, tis lovely to see the little London dd running around getting the Atlantic airt in her lungs.

Original poster
pointydog · 02/02/2008 16:28

where is ile d'orleon? north, south?

now norfolk broads always makes a big DULL pop up in my head. But for no good reason so I will investigate.

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BecauseImWorthIt · 02/02/2008 16:34

Had a fortnight in Kefalonia about 3 years ago and loved it. Just the 4 of us in a lovely villa with our own pool. We were on the south coast and had a fantastic view over to Zante. Beautiful island, friendly people, lovely food and very reasonable prices.

unknownrebelbang · 02/02/2008 16:39

The cruise around the Baltics was fantastic.

We also had a great time in Duinrell (Holland) last Easter too.

brimfull · 02/02/2008 16:41

villa in Tuscany was a great holiday,although I wouldn't go in August next time.

dropscone · 02/02/2008 16:42

The area round la Rochelle in France is great for hols. We rent a house then do day trips to beaches on Ile De Re and Ile D'Oleron - great waves ! La Rochelle itself is very french - busy with tourists though not so many Brits as some of parts of France. Has great Aquarium, Maritime Museum, tower things at the harbour, loads of good restaurants. You can go see the Roman ampitheatre in Saintes. Lots of variety and should be good temp - hot but not boiling !

UK wise - we had a great October week in Scarborough and surrounds ! Also Tenby in Wales - great beach.

Original poster
pointydog · 02/02/2008 17:00

we did scarborough two years ago - had a great time

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moondog · 02/02/2008 17:00

Really PD?
Tell us more.