Holiday with 18 month old

[Shoegal03]

Hello,

I am looking to book a holiday for mid September, for myself, my partner, my MIL and our 18 month old. We used to like beaches, boutique-y guest houses, driving scooters along coastal roads, nice suppers in tavernas, hiring little boats etc, and I know that none of that really works with a toddler, so just looking to have the most relaxing time possible, enjoying some sun, in southern europe!

Can anyone recommend any holidays they had with a child this age?
I am very open minded to any kind of (sun) holiday - whether its a villa or a resort (although I'd rather avoid the sort of all-inclusive resort with lots of water slides etc, maybe forever, but definitely until our child is older...) , or an apartment , or even something totally different.
I would ideally like somewhere with a pool, as I feel like the beach might be a bit too exposed/sandy/stressful with a toddler who likes to eat everything they can get their sticky hands on and can't swim...

If anyone can even name or link a villa/resort/apartment they stayed in, even better!

Thank you :)

I found places with pools very stressful when my DC were non swimmers. I much preferred beaches , there is more to do and it is safer. We tended to rent villas or apartments and swim in municipal pools or pools belonging to the complex but wouldn't lounge by the pool. We would vary our days, swimming, sightseeing , going to the beach . We still ate out with DC of all ages although we would tend to either get them to sleep well before going out so that they could sit up with us or get them out for the count sleeping in the buggy in the restaurant while we ate.It depends a bit on the DC .

Look at Tigaki, Kos.

I'm with the other poster who dislikes the busy hotel/apartment scene. The pools are hectic and more of a safety issue in my opinion.

When my DC were younger we rented villas with pools. Some have them gated for safety.

As for the location I'd recommend Menorca. They have the most beautiful sheltered coves that feel very safe. On some beaches you may find just a handful of people.

I'd say aim for a short flight and vv close proximity to a beach.

The Greek Islands should be good at that time of year. We booked a self catering apartment with a shared pool, near the beach and tavernas. We ate out every evening as young children are made very welcome and are allowed to run around and make noise.

Have a look at Troulos on Skiathos and San Stefanos on Corfu.

We only did s/c at that age, DD wasn't one for staying up late and sleeping in, it was a lot easier for us to have dinner and then put her to bed and sit on the balcony/terrace with a glass of wine and snacks.

Food was bought ready to be eaten or we went out to restaurants.

We had often a pool but because it was just us, it was safer to ensure nothing happened. DD loved the beach though and regardless where you are, you need to watch them like a hawk anyway.

abnb.me/RMdDLVFhezb

Really beautiful! We loved it.
Water really shallow. Stroll along beach to restaurants etc.

We went to Ibiza, amazing place for kids of all ages.

We went to Zafiro Palace Andratx last year when our son had just started crawling and considering it again this year when he'll be 18 months. It's child friendly but not xx hold focussed like the a lot of the other hotels in the Zafiro chain. But what I do like about the Zafiros is that you can get a swim up/private pool room and they have a moveable gate to close over your balcony so you can pen your little one in so they can't fall in the pool!