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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

Cheap but classy holiday- Spain?

41 replies

NCfortoday2021 · 16/02/2023 17:55

Long story but am divorcing so will be going on holiday with just me and my two daughters (3,9) for the first time. Normally we hire a villa with pool in Europe, hire a car etc but a) I won't be able to afford that on my own and b) have never driven in Europe as DH always drives. Will obviously need to learn but this summer won't be the time!

Was thinking maybe Spain would be affordable but I really really don't want a touristy Brits abroad place. I like quiet, cultural, good local produce etc. Any ideas for areas or hotels? Will have to be some kind of resort I think without a car.

OP posts:
SnarkyBag · 16/02/2023 18:03

Don’t know about Spain but perhaps Eastern Algarve? Cabanas is gorgeous very traditional Portuguese, nice bustling feel but not a huge amount of British tourists. Great food and much cheaper for eating out etc. Has a train line so easy to hop on a visit other places.

QueSyrahSyrah · 16/02/2023 18:05

There's lots of resorts in Spain that aren't
'Touristy Brits Abroad'.

Port de Soller in Majorca is one of my favourite places.

Slimjimtobe · 16/02/2023 18:07

Lisbon in Portugal might fit the bill
it’s lovely

InterestingPhenomenon · 16/02/2023 18:09

Valencia is a classy city with lots to do for kids, near the beach and not full of drunken Brits. You won’t need a car.

onlyconnect · 16/02/2023 18:30

Soller in Majorca is nice with a tram down to Porta Soller. You could find a hotel there with a pool. We took a taxi from the airport but there is a little train from Palma although that might be tricky with 2 young children.

I'm in a slightly similar position to you this year but one of my children is quite a bit older which opens up opportunities. We're going to Malaga- hotel with pool but lots of culture and good good ( I hope!)

TheFairyCaravan · 16/02/2023 18:31

Menorca. It’s brilliant for families and isn’t “Brits abroad” at all.

cocksstrideintheevening · 16/02/2023 18:35

Budget?

Ibiza would be my choice every time.

Heatherbell1978 · 16/02/2023 18:47

Valencia! I holidayed there alone in between jobs years ago and it's beautiful. There was a huge beach and boardwalk that was lovely and quiet. Definitely classy. If you want somewhere in the future where you could gain confidence driving Ibiza is a good shout. I went a few times with friends in my 20s/30s and drew the short straw to drive but it was absolutely fine. There's really just one road that goes around the island!

AnyFucker · 16/02/2023 18:49

I second Menorca

So1invictus · 16/02/2023 18:52

I third Menorca.

Crikeyalmighty · 16/02/2023 18:54

Llafranc. Very lovely very Spanish and a cheap flight into Gerona-

www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/spain/articles/Llafranc-Spain-Secret-Seaside/

Winterlove · 16/02/2023 18:56

@onlyconnect we did Malaga last year as a couple and booked a hotel with a pool! It was a lovely holiday.

SpotOnMyBot · 16/02/2023 18:58

On my first holiday as a single parent, I took the kids to Tenerife. Didn't need to drive as stayed in a hotel that had 2 big lovely pools and a path to the beach. It was so easy and gave me a lot of confidence for future holidays. Good luck!

thaisweetchill · 16/02/2023 18:59

Spain really isn't that cheap anymore! It's much cheaper to go to Greece or Portugal.

Greece id recommend Cyprus or Corfu. Anywhere in the algarve is lovely.

Corfu I'd say less British/touristy

FoxtrotOscarFoxtrotOscar · 16/02/2023 19:06

Cádiz
Malaga
Javea or Denia (fly to Alicante)

Original poster
NCfortoday2021 · 16/02/2023 19:45

Some great ideas to research thank you. Portugal would be lovely but that was our last family holiday so I think would be too painful with memories, for me and my eldest.

OP posts:
Makemetry · 16/02/2023 19:56

Spain is still comparatively cheap when you consider flights, accommodation and transfer costs. I’m going twice this year and went last year as well because nowhere else came out cheaper. There are a lot of flights and that seems to help keep costs down.

BaroldFromEastenders · 16/02/2023 20:03

thaisweetchill · 16/02/2023 18:59

Spain really isn't that cheap anymore! It's much cheaper to go to Greece or Portugal.

Greece id recommend Cyprus or Corfu. Anywhere in the algarve is lovely.

Corfu I'd say less British/touristy

Cyprus isn’t a Greek island it’s a different country

Original poster
NCfortoday2021 · 16/02/2023 21:37

Yes flights were on my mind with it- flights to Greece are quite a lot

OP posts:
NancyJoan · 16/02/2023 21:41

Croatia is very reasonable once you are there, as well as incredibly beautiful.

Hawkins003 · 16/02/2023 22:33

SpotOnMyBot · 16/02/2023 18:58

On my first holiday as a single parent, I took the kids to Tenerife. Didn't need to drive as stayed in a hotel that had 2 big lovely pools and a path to the beach. It was so easy and gave me a lot of confidence for future holidays. Good luck!

Random question but how did it go with the lawyer neighbors ?

bellamountain · 16/02/2023 23:51

Nerja in Spain? Santa Eulalia in Ibiza? Puerto Pollensa in Majorca? Menorca has some lovely family friendly resorts. Puerto Mogan in Gran Canaria is also very nice.

NoDairyNoProblem · 17/02/2023 00:10

Binibeca Menorca wasn’t too expensive and had a nice safe feeling. Mixture of cultures, quiet but friendly and a short taxi ride from the airport.

Babyenroute · 17/02/2023 00:16

Love Malaga and not overly touristy compared with some of the Spanish resorts (you won't get beans on toast on the menus 😁).

Poshjock · 17/02/2023 00:28

Oh I loved Nerja.

Sitges is lovely, loads of beaches and nice old town with a bit of history. Its also a very short and cheap train journey into Barcelona if you wanted a city day.