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Original poster

Holiday in Europe at Christmas - needs to keep the DC and PIL happy. Please help!

12 replies

GalindaArduenna · 12/03/2023 22:45

DP has said for years that we should go somewhere warm for Christmas to give MIL a break, as she always hosts (no one else has a house big enough!) and she'd like a Christmas where she can relax and someone else cooks. However, it needs to keep everyone in the family happy and not be £££, are we asking the impossible?!

We have:

PIL - mid 70s, various health issues including FIL's mobility, they are fine on short flights (Canary Islands etc) but wouldn't want to go much further afield - like to spend hols pottering about or relaxing at the hotel
DC - twins aged almost 8, very active, like to do lots of exercise
DP - doesn't mind doing a bit of sightseeing but frankly would prefer to spend all the holiday doing zero
Me - bound to end up knackered anyway as I try to accommodate everyone Confused

Really what we need is somewhere half board/ full board/ all inclusive, reasonably warm over Christmas, with plenty of activities for the DC but also no hassle for PIL if they just want to take it easy.

Am I being a bit optimistic thinking we can find somewhere to suit us all that isn't megabucks?! We looked at Tenerife as FIL really likes it there, but it was coming out at over £2K per person for around 10 days, which isn't really doable Sad - any suggestions gratefully received!

OP posts:
MolkosAshtrayHeart · 12/03/2023 22:54

Does it have to be Europe? I went to Agadir in Morroco one Christmas and it was 25-30 degrees every day and relatively cheap. Hotels all had pools and were right on the beach for the kids, lots of options to have a Christmas meal at many of the hotels too if that’s important to you and lots of day trips and excursions offered. Agadir as a whole was quite ‘resorty,’ felt like I could have easily been at a beach resort in Europe but without the European price tag.

Original poster
GalindaArduenna · 12/03/2023 23:15

The main reason for Europe is that PIL can't cope with long flights any more @MolkosAshtrayHeart - I'd happily go further (but then I'd happily go somewhere cold, and they don't want to!). Thank you very much for the suggestion though, I'll definitely look into it - I just want somewhere PIL can rest but the DC can keep busy, it's tricky!

OP posts:
Crikeyalmighty · 12/03/2023 23:18

Does it have to be warm? Because otherwise I would think a nice hotel somewhere like kitzbuhel or Seefeld (Austria) would fit the bill- tons for the kids and nice cafes and bars and hotels to lounge in - everywhere is expensive at Xmas and new year though -

MolkosAshtrayHeart · 13/03/2023 07:31

GalindaArduenna · 12/03/2023 23:15

The main reason for Europe is that PIL can't cope with long flights any more @MolkosAshtrayHeart - I'd happily go further (but then I'd happily go somewhere cold, and they don't want to!). Thank you very much for the suggestion though, I'll definitely look into it - I just want somewhere PIL can rest but the DC can keep busy, it's tricky!

Morroco is only a 3.5 hour flight so closer than Canary Islands and some of Europe. Tunisia is only 3 hours, Egypt 4.5 and Turkey 4 as other places outside of Europe that might be worth looking into.

Clymene · 13/03/2023 07:37

Turkey will be freezing at Christmas. Agadir is a good call. But I think you might struggle to find anything super cheap at Christmas. They ramp the prices up for flights

Fivemoreminutes1 · 13/03/2023 08:19

I was going to suggest Morocco too. Have a look at Rui Tikida Dunas and Aqua Mirage Marrakesh.

Georgyporky · 13/03/2023 10:15

I think Madeira fits the bill, we went there last Xmas.

Wide range of hotels, there's bound to be one suitable for all of you.

Crikeyalmighty · 13/03/2023 11:36

I think Madeira isa good call, although might be a bit limiting activity wise for the kids? I still think the better option is Alpine and a posh warm hotel

JingsMahBucket · 13/03/2023 11:50

Possibly Sicily might fit the bill?

Timeandtune · 13/03/2023 11:53

No idea about £££ but would a cruise be an option?

Original poster
GalindaArduenna · 13/03/2023 22:17

Thank you to everyone for your ideas!!

@Crikeyalmighty, it does have to be somewhere warm as MIL suffers terribly with her arthritis in cold weather, winter here has been hard for her. I love a Christmas market and the snow but sadly we can't do those sort of holidays with her.

@MolkosAshtrayHeart I'll definitely look at those flight times, thanks - FIL isn't a fan of 'foreign food' (he can just about cope with the Canary Islands as they're all catering for English people!) so as long as the hotels have food he'll eat, that should be fine.

@Fivemoreminutes1 those hotels look lovely!

I'm looking at Madeira as well @Georgyporky as I understand they have Christmas/ New Year festivities as well? That might be good for keeping the DC entertained, I'm just worried that it might not be quite warm enough for MIL to have a relaxing holiday.

I hadn't considered Sicily @JingsMahBucket but will investigate!

A cruise would be fab @Timeandtune but DTS1 has precisely zero common sense and I would be constantly on edge!!

OP posts:
Charlieandlola · 13/03/2023 22:36

Centre parcs in Europe ? No idea if any are warmer but ticks the activity for kids box

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