Really special family holiday - is it possible?

[Pogosgirl]

I'm in need of inspiration. It's my husbands 50th next year and I would like to splash out and gift him a really special holiday. The problem is we have two small children (3 and 5) so I need to find something that also works for them.

We are based in Buckinghamshire and have never flown with them but we could attempt it for something really cool.

I'm struggling for ideas! Please help!

3 and 5 are lovely ages to fly. Keep it short haul. What is your budget? What kind of thing would make a special holiday for him?

Budget can be flexible - you only turn 50 once! He loves history, fishing, walking etc, swimming but not a beach person.

Rome?

Easy to navigate, great food, history, Italians love kids too.

Flight isn't too long, transfer not too long.

Kids can eat pizza, pasta and ice cream.

You can be as busy or as chilled as you want to be?

Also free drinking water all over the city

Malta - places to swim in the sea vast amounts of history and a lot of the food is Italian influenced so children are likely to be happy to eat it. Some nice boat trips you can take which little ones should enjoy.

Sounds like a good place to start looking. I think he would approve of Italy. Any recommendations for places to stay that are family friendly?

How about one of the northern Italian lakes? Garda is beautiful and you can do a day trip to Verona from there or up into the mountains.

Any chance of leaving the dc at home with someone and go for a short break without the dc?

Rome is only ok…Florence is ten times nicer!!

Ah interesting. Italy I think is a great shout. Perhaps a family resort- do they exist? No we have to take the little ones with us we have no childcare options 😊

I love Rome but it's very easy to do as a couple weekend in the future. I'd say a 3 and 5 are probably the worse combo of ages. It's a brilliantly walkable city but the 3 year old will need a buggy and the 5 year old will probably slow you down.

If you were prepared to do long haul you might think about Charleston South Carolina. Lots of civil war history, walkable city, very different to the U.K. but obviously easy enough with the language.

Mallorca. With a day of sea fishing for your husband? I know that’s what my husband wants for his!

What about somewhere like Sorrento? Loads to see history wise but also hotels with pools, boat trips etc for the children.

If you can afford it, go to a kid friendly all inclusive. We did Thailand this year with 3,7 and 8 year olds and it was the closest thing you'll get to relaxing heaven with small children!! They were happy and we were happy. My husband was 50 this year too!

The best holiday we went on with the kids was Larressingle, we stayed in a cottage with it own pool. You are right by the castle and it is meant to be the most beautiful village in France. There was the medieval siege which the kids loved.

I'd be tempted by a cruise, childcare options available for you to have some romantic meals, could see lots of different places, but lots of entertainment for the kids too.

Which month do you want to go?

Can be flexible 😊

Agree that Italy is the most family friendly country imaginable - most of the med is very family friendly but Italy is the pinnacle imo. I'd go to the Tuscan coast near Pisa and do a day trip into Pisa once or twice...

There’s a fabulous resort with kids called parco san marco on lake Laguno.

We did a Norwegian cruise with p and o this year. Sailing from Southampton. Very easy to check in and lots of fun activities on board. It really is an easy way to travel with children and they loved it too.

Center parcs abroad.

We love the UK one and there is so much to occupy the kids that they will be shattered at bedtime leaving time for you in the evenings.

Couple that with sunshine and lakes and it could be great fun!

Italy is lovely but Rome is so busy. Even in the off months. Not sure that a city break with 2 young children would hit the mark. Sardinia might be interesting, especially if you've never been. Small boutique hotel perhaps?

Agree, we did the same. Kids loved it. So much to do and as a family too. Amazing, breathtaking scenery - very special

Med cruise with Italian stop offs for the win

Italy would be lovely.

There is a really cool Castle AirBnB in Vittorio Veneto (amazing restaurants, lovely square with ice cream). You can do a day in Venice and also a day trip to Garda (both fun with young children). Belluno has nice fishing river. Dolomites on the doorstep. Really beautiful and not outrageously expensive.