Never taken the kids abroad before, please give me your ideas on where to go!

[HappyLittleTreeFriend]

Kids will be 6 and 3 when we go, looking to go in the summer half term - we’ve never taken them abroad before, and I’m just finding the options a bit overwhelming! Want to do a nice sun, sand, sea holiday maybe one of the Balearic islands or a Greek island, DP suggested Valencia - we want somewhere kid friendly where there’s lots for them to do, if we’re staying at a hotel/apartments does anyone have any tips for ones that have good kids’ facilities like fun swimming pool, water slides, play areas? And we want to be beachfront or very close!

Imo, hard to go wrong with a package holiday to Majorca.
We prefer Jet2.
If it’s an early flight budget in a stay at an airport hotel and use Jet2’s Twilight baggage drop the evening before.

There’s so many places in Majorca, but we’ve settled on Port d’Alcudia.
Huge bay, gently sloping beach.
We’ve stayed in Garden ApartHotel and across the road the Zafiro Tropic.

The bus(coach) into Palma allows you to put buggies into the storage holds if you fancy a day out there, or take the short bus ride to Port du Pollenca or Pollenca old town. You can walk to Alcudia old town in 20 minutes.

The Canary Islands are great for kids - Lanzarote is fab.

Menorca is fab for families. It's where we went first when our DC were little.
Look at Cala Galdana, Punta Prima and Arenel d'en Castelle.
Recently been to Valencia and it's much more of a city break with a beach 20 mins away, although there are beach hotels. Not loads going on at the beach for little ones either. Wouldn't recommend in this instance.
The best holiday we had though with slides etc was Pine Bay Resort, Kusadasi although DC were very slightly older.

jet 2 have good package deals
my top tips would be to look at the transfer time and book a resort close to the airport!

Menorca would be good for a first trip abroad with DC

Echoing @tanstaafl recommendation. We went to Port D'Alcudia when we had a 3 year old. We were looking for short flight time and a safe beach, The very, very gently sloping beach is good for small children. Obviously you have to be extremely vigilant but it's not super crowded and the water is very shallow so excellent for young children and lovely golden sand for sandcastles. There is also a water park with slides etc (which we don't visit.)

The old town is slightly inland and quite attractive. The main tourist area is a bit built up (in common with a lot of Spanish beaches) but it's all very family friendly.

First trip abroad with family I would suggest short flight and all inclusive hotel in the Balearics. Jet2 website will help you narrow it down. Find a family hotel with slides and park.

If that works for you you can be more adventurous next time.

Aw thankyou to everybody for these recommendations! Think I will have a browse tonight and definitely sounds like Mallorca/Menorca will be the best bet for a first holiday abroad! I like the sound of Port D’Alcudia for sure.

You've had great recommendations. I wanted to add to the chorus re: Jet2. I travelled independently for years but have become a massive fan of their holidays as they really take the planning stress away. Regular updates as to when and where the transfers will be, the flights are pleasant and they are not patronising.
You will have a great time.

We're hoping to do the same this summer with 5 and 2 year old. We're looking at the below

https://www.jet2holidays.com/beach/balearics/menorca/son-bou/royal-son-bou-family-club?ds_rl=1206481&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3Yez1dnShAMVEYBQBh0Inw9FEAAYAiAAEgKyavD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

@Broodywuz I was just going to mention the same hotel as that's where we're going this summer with 6 and 3 year old! It will also be our first time taking them abroad.

Greece! The sea is just perfect.

Yep same as everyone saying. It's our first time this summer taking dc age 6+8. We've gone for Jet2 package deal to Majorca. Can't wait!

We used jet 2 as well, all good!