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Holidays

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

SEN winter sun holidays

4 replies

softslicedwhite · 11/04/2024 12:57

I could really use some help working out where to go for a winter sun break over the Xmas holidays this year.

We are a family of four with DS age 10 and DD age 6. DS is autistic and has high support needs, he has high rate DLA, Blue Badge, wears a sunflower lanyard. He does struggle with travel but once on a train/plane he settles reasonably quickly and uses his ear defenders and tablet to block most of it out. He could cope up to 3/4 hours on a flight. Max. We have done caravan and chalet holidays with him and once he's settled in the environment he manages pretty well and will explore the park, pool, cafes etc.

The main point here is he's an absolute sun worshipper and we really really struggle from Nov-Feb when he can't just slide the kitchen door open and go outside in whatever he is wearing. He has sensory issues with long sleeves, coats, jumpers and refuses to go out in the rain. Our indoor entertainment options are limited and there's a lot of frustration.

DD6 is neurotypical and wants to see the whole world! She is happy to wrap up and go out in winter but would love so much to go on a plane (she's never been on one) and would happily play on the beach or in the pool every day.

We want to go somewhere warm, so DS can stay in his short sleeves, ideally a safe and secure complex that isn't too busy, reducing overwhelm for DS. Happy to go SC if within reasonable walking distance of restaurants/cafes. Both kids love the water so pools also a huge bonus.

We are thinking Canary Islands but I'm a bit overwhelmed by the amount of resorts and the variety. We like a bit of local cuisine but we will have to probably order a lot of chips, as we can't indulge ourselves to quite the extent we could before having kids.

If anybody has any recommendations could you please share them? Just as a starting point more than anything.

OP posts:
softslicedwhite · 11/04/2024 12:58

Forgot one major point. Budget £2k - £4k at absolute max.

OP posts:
jeaux90 · 13/04/2024 09:33

It's hard to recommend because your ask is so wide but with DD14 who is ND I'd say the best times she has had when she was younger was when we had an apartment within a larger hotel complex. Meaning we would have breakfast when we want in the apartment (transitions were always the sticking point) with none of the domestic drudge for me for lunch and dinner but either that option if she was a bit overwhelmed or tired.

I'd opt for one of the smaller resorts in Tenerife or Grand Canaria.

reluctantbrit · 13/04/2024 09:43

I am not sure if the Canaries are really that warm over Christmas.

Ideally you need Caribeean or something similar but obviously the flight time and the budget mean it won't work.

Can you stretch to February half-term?

softslicedwhite · 13/04/2024 10:19

reluctantbrit · 13/04/2024 09:43

I am not sure if the Canaries are really that warm over Christmas.

Ideally you need Caribeean or something similar but obviously the flight time and the budget mean it won't work.

Can you stretch to February half-term?

Yep, Feb half term could work and thanks for your input. I think small resort like poster above said, and in Feb. Ok, I'm going hunting.

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