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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Where for summer 2024?

9 replies

HouseofGods · 27/12/2023 13:49

Would love some inspiration or recommendations please.

We're a family of 4 (children will be 9 and 6) and have typically been on all inclusive holidays (except Florida and I have to say I didn't enjoy villa life, the same routine of making breakfasts/lunches and some dinners plus doing the washing up didn't feel like a holiday).

Recently we've stuck to Spain, Portugal and the Canaries. I feel like I could easily pick any of those hotels and we'd have a great holiday but I'd also like to try somewhere new. I work close to the travel industry and colleagues are definitely a bit more adventurous but they're also younger and child free so I need to remember that happy kids are the key to a happy holiday.

Really fancied Croatia but all inclusive seems less of a "thing" there. Is it reasonably cheap to eat out when there? Cavtat was coming up but I don't know anything about it and if there would be enough for the kids to be entertained? Some of the bigger resort hotels had a 3 hour transfer and that's a hard no, can't think of much worse especially as we'd have to travel to an English airport for a direct flight.

Apologies for the rambling but if anyone has any gems that would fit the bill for a family that likes swimming, activities, short transfers and walking distance to bars/restaurants that would be much appreciated. Bonus points for a proper gym onsite or near to a CrossFit gym.

OP posts:
MaryActsLikeSheDontCare · 27/12/2023 16:45

I don’t know anything about Croatia.

Some of our favourite family holidays have been to Lake Garda, Italy. We would do half board in a hotel or self catering.

After months of carefully researching it, I’ve booked Majorca for next summer.

HouseofGods · 27/12/2023 17:59

Sounds lovely. Where in Majorca? We went to puerto pollensa when DC1 was a baby but went in May so I don't think we got the best weather. Loved the resort though.

Weirdly hadn't considered Italy as I expect it to be a bit too fancy for my boys who like daytime entertainment, although not in a kids club!

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MaryActsLikeSheDontCare · 27/12/2023 18:16

It’s Puerto Pollensa 😂 Glad you liked the resort. It seems popular.

We went to Bella ltalia in Lake Garda once. It was lovely but definitely not fancy. It’s a campsite and very much geared towards kids and entertainment/activities - pool, walking distance to the town, on the lake etc, and it also has a hotel on site so that you can stay there for half board (I don’t think they do all inclusive).

Have fun planning!

Forgottenmyphone · 27/12/2023 18:22

How about a Mediterranean cruise?

HouseofGods · 27/12/2023 19:56

MaryActsLikeSheDontCare · 27/12/2023 18:16

It’s Puerto Pollensa 😂 Glad you liked the resort. It seems popular.

We went to Bella ltalia in Lake Garda once. It was lovely but definitely not fancy. It’s a campsite and very much geared towards kids and entertainment/activities - pool, walking distance to the town, on the lake etc, and it also has a hotel on site so that you can stay there for half board (I don’t think they do all inclusive).

Have fun planning!

I was just looking at that place after you said Lake Garda! There seems to be a few campsites with hotels that could work for us and apparently only 90 minutes to Venice. I'd love to visit there but wouldn't have fancied a full on city break there with the boys.

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HouseofGods · 27/12/2023 19:58

Forgottenmyphone · 27/12/2023 18:22

How about a Mediterranean cruise?

Not for me I'm afraid. I get sea sick on anything and everything. Parents and in laws have all done the usual "you won't feel it moving" but the worry of it is enough to put me off. I've done short ferry trips and had to write off the rest of the day as I don't get over the feeling for a good few hours.

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TedWilson · 27/12/2023 20:22

Croatia is fabulous. Look at the Valamar Hotels sold by TUI. In particular Isabella Valamar is wonderful. It's not All inclusive (although you may be able to upgrade to that) it's generally sold as half board but the drinks aren't over pricey. Kids facilities are brilliant and it's beautiful.

alicelauraa · 27/12/2023 20:41

Dalyan in Turkey is lovely. I've been elsewhere in Turkey and never felt completely comfortable but Dalyan has always felt very safe and friendly. Plenty of lovely hotels (Holiday Calbis is a favourite) and lots of restaurants and bars and shops, without being too young and clubby. Set on a river so a shortish boat trip to the beach or across the lake in the opposite direction to Koycegiz for markets etc. There are plenty of companies offering boat trips, adventure trips (waterfalls, 'safari' jeep tours etc)

LoreleiG · 28/12/2023 09:17

Following for ideas. Also not been very adventurous with my kids until now and would like to cast the net.

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