Last minute first family holiday ideas…

[Keznadudlex]

Hello,

Looking for some advice - we’re in a lucky position to be able to book a last minute summer holiday. First holiday abroad as a family, we have 3 kids age 12,8 and 6. Don’t want a super long flight, somewhere family friendly, close to a beach, preferably AI. We’ve had a crappy year or so and want somewhere to relax. Complete minefield looking through holiday sites so any suggestions would be very gratefully received!

Forgot to add - flying from Luton and tied to summer holidays as myself and husband work in schools.

What kind of budget are you hoping for?

Easyjet holidays might be a good shout from Luton.

Not fixed on budget really - I didn’t think of easyJet holidays to look!

Easyjet tend to be better value I find! But then some hotels are only available through other companies E.g. Tui. If Stanstead would be an option, you could also look at Jet2holidays, who I’ve had the best experiences with

If you’re not set on any particular location and want AI, beach, family friendly, good food, pools, I’d be looking at:

Dalaman area Turkey: Olu Deniz, Calis Beach, Marmaris - we’ve stayed at Liberty hotels and Sundia by Liberty and would recommend highly

Majorca: Cala Bona, Sa Coma, Puerto Pollensa, Alcudia - Iberostar hotels are great, Protur hotels in Sa Coma

Rhodes: Kolymbia, Ialyssos, Kiotari, Kalithea, Kalathos, Faliraki, Ixia - Atrium
hotels and Mitsis hotels come highly recommended

How hot are you wanting? Turkey can be scorching during July/August for example, which some people love but others wouldn’t!

Ibiza or any of the Balearics

For the 8 and 6 year old look at places with a decent kids club and entertainment team. They'll absolutely love it.

Majorca I got bit to death and didn't enjoy, no such problems in the canaries. The Bahia hotels in Tenerife are good

Jet2 are the best for this type of holiday. The resort check in is brilliant

Do you all have passports?

Thanks for suggestions!
We all have passports - I think turkey might be a bit hot for the kids possibly during July/august. Stansted not really an option for us but have family close to Gatwick so might broaden options to have an alternative airport and somewhere to stay before/after flights.

Jet2 all the way.

It's impossible for anybody else to choose your holiday for you. Nobody knows your budget, what you like to do, what kind of accommodation, what activities you enjoy etc.

Websites aren't 'minefields', you just need to decide where you want to go. For example, Jet2 website you can put filters in for type of accommodation, what catering basis, what facilities you want, airports.

You've already narrowed down that you don't want to go to Turkey, what airport you're going from, where you want to go, when you can go, what catering basis you want. So you can narrow it down further yourself.

I don’t think Jet2 fly from Luton or Gatwick unfortunately, just Stanstead in London. It’s worth looking at their website and seeing if you could make any of their other airports work, as they really are the best package holiday company IME.

The Canaries might be a good option, they’re actually often a bit cooler than the Med in August I’ve found. But the flight time is longer, obviously.

from Luton it looks like Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Tenerife or Gran Canaria would be options. Have a look and see if any take your fancy.

Holiday Hypermarket part of TUI but usually a few hundred quid or so cheaper

Bulgaria cheaper for AI than the usual places like Canaries/Balearics/Greece. Turkey also regarded as cheaper option.

https://www.tui.co.uk/destinations/bookaccommodation?productCode=056780&tab=overview&noOfAdults=2&noOfChildren=3&childrenAge=12,8,6&duration=14&flexibleDays=7&airports%5B%5D=LGW&flexibility=true&noOfSeniors=0&when=01-08-2023&pkg=1177817493/3/577/14&tra_o=1246776602/4295026&tra_i=1246776702/4295027&units%5B%5D=&packageId=056780GRZK007216908480000001690934400000TOM428216921440000001692144000000TOM4283DD02DD021177817493/3/577/14&index=16&multiSelect=true&brandType=T&bb=AI&room=&isVilla=false&searchType=search&durationCode=1415&rmpc=1|1|0|2|0|12,6-2|1|0|1|0|8&rmtp=DD02|DD02&rmbb=AI%7CAI&fc=n&greatDealDiscount=0&bb=AI&price=pp#page

Back from here last week. Lovely staff, clean and quiet yet 5min to main area and 10min walk to the beach.

Jet2 to Balearics or canaries for AI
I'm going to Majorca in July but actually Canaries may be a more manageable heat - last year it was 32 in Majorca and late 20's in Canaries the same week which I would have preferred

Fuerteventura has some nice family AI hotels.