What holiday do we want?

[clare8allthepies]

We didn't take our children abroad when they were little, for years we didn't really have the money plus flying with toddlers sounded like a nightmare that we didn't want.

We finally got them passports in Feb 2020 just in time for lockdown 🤦🏻‍♀️ We did have a trip to Paris last year including a day at Disney as well as a Haven holiday in the summer. Now we are thinking about this year. My partner wants to get a villa somewhere as he likes the idea of a private pool and not being crammed in with loads of other people like we might be in a hotel. I'm not keen for 3 reasons,

1- it could be in the middle of nowhere which means I would have to hire a car and drive abroad which I'm not very confident doing, I'm the only driver. 2- a completely self catering holiday would mean me shopping, cooking and cleaning up the entire week which is what I spend my life doing here. 3- I worry that with no activities or entertainment the girls (9&13) will just want to be on their devices which they could do here!

Is the benefit of a relaxing private holiday worth sucking up the above for? I've been going round in circles for days now and I have lost all perspective if I am BU or not!

There can be a happy middle option: self-catering villa with a private pool in a small town. That way you can chill out, not drive and eat out every day?

You can get an apartment which is attached to a hotel - these were the self catering options for many years ago - but they rent them out as all inclusive -

Ive seen some in Spain and Tenerife - there must be more!

although you don’t get your own pool.

Self catering as long as you are within walking distance of the beach/restaurants/shops is quite nice, but at your DCs’ ages, I’d prefer a hotel. Other kids for them to play with, as well as a complete absence of household chores.

1. Book a villa in a town or a small hotel resort so you don't need to drive anywhere. Or somewhere with good public transport and/or day trips that include transport. I would recommend Majorca.

1. Make it very clear to your DH what your limits are in terms to cooking , shopping etc. What will he contribute on holiday? If we self cater abroad we have a mix of cooking easy food and eating out.

1. Do your research and book somewhere with activities your DDs will like, e.g. a water park. If you were at a resort with lots of people would they go to the kids clubs and take part in the activities - or want to go on their devices anyway?

No private pool but when my children were that age we had some great holidays at campsites in Italy and Spain - bit of self catering, bit of eating out, kids could roam a bit, evenings were nice. We stayed in one on the coast near Girona where we could walk into the local town/to the beach.

For example: Villa in Alcudia, Mallorca

You'd better hurry up if you want to go this summer though! Lots of people will have booked last year.

We're doing Majorca, and staying in self catering but one that's part of a resort so there are restaurants on sites clubs and activities we and the kids can join in with or we can head out and eat at local restaurants or get on a bus and visit the local harbour
I would rather all inc just to reduce all the food stress but the cost is prohibitive and although have to buy stuff for lunch and breakfast it will be very very simple ham cheese bread and salad and then eating out in the evenings! Definitely no cooking being done while away!

Get DH to find something that suits him & his DC.
Tell him in no uncertain terms that you are not driving, shopping, cooking etc - others are quite capable of doing the drudgery that you do the rest of the year.

Thank you so much for all of the helpful advice, I was feeling very grumpy and mutinous earlier but I'm much more confident now that we will be able to find something that we're all happy with.

You are right, a self catering holiday in a private rental will be a case of "same shit different location"!

Even if you and DH agree to eat out every evening (if you are going in July/August you would probably need to book all your restaurants in advance unless you are happy to eat late?) - you will still have to cater for breakfast, lunch and daytime snacks unless you are happy to eat out for all three meals per day?

How old are your DC? With a private pool one of you will need to watch the pool at all times, they'll be no lifeguard or other people to notice if your kids are in trouble in the water.

I always insist that DP and I stay in a hotel, all inclusive otherwise it's not a holiday for me!

How does your DH think you will divide up the cleaning, cooking and looking after DC so you both get a holiday?

We're doing AI in Majorca. I've never been to Majorca and just fancied it with the DC.
I hate self catering with a passion and want to not cook or clean on holiday. I want an easy life these days on a resort big enough to roam around

My best holidays with young DC was with Mark Warner but in June outside of the main holidays so much cheaper and full of DC the same age. Their kids clubs were just amazing and great for us parents too as you'd meet similar people to hang out with. I think Nielsen are just as good but I've never tried them.