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Holidays

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

Original poster

Honest opinions most welcome.....

10 replies

BananaMammy · 03/05/2025 13:46

So I have 2 DS 4yo & DD 3yo. We holiday'd at home in Ireland last year but this year it's costing the price of a foreign holiday! 🤦‍♀️ so I've taken this as a sign as last year we chickened out from travelling too far as we'd never been away as a family b4.

We were not sun holiday ppl b4 kids do all of this is very new to me and the great unknown.....

Now my questions;

  • are they still too young?
  • should we go self catering or all inclusive?
- is all inclusive actually worth it? Children would be quite picky.
  • is a hotel with entertainment actually worth it?
  • can any age children attend the daily animation/ entertainment? ( if available at the location)
  • i see not all resorts do childrens clubs from 3yrs but TUI seem to offer some.
- are these safe? - are children well looked after/ cared for?
  • what resorts/ locations would you recomend?

Looking forward to hearing from you all.....

OP posts:
xmasdealhunter · 03/05/2025 17:43

What about something like Eurocamp? You'd get the benefit of being in a holiday park (some of which have kids clubs), so you'd get the pool, splash park etc, but have the flexibility to either self cater or eat in either the local town or on site. Klein Vink Village Plus | Limburg | Eurocamp has a kids club from age 3, spa on site, and is in a national park. It removes a bit of the stress from going away if everything is on site, and you've got a house to go back to rather than a hotel room, which I found easier with younger kids, especially as they were in a separate room so they tended to settle better, and it also meant DH and I didn't have to tiptoe around the hotel room in the dark once they had gone to bed. My kids have always loved the eurocamp kids clubs, the staff are great with the dc.

Lovelynames123 · 03/05/2025 17:49

Mine were 4 & 2 when we first took them abroad, went to a Holiday Village which was fine but the weather was awful, pouring rain for nearlythe entire time...8 weeks later we went to Majorca, dc loved the beach and pool, the mini disco, kids club, unlimited drinks and ice creams.

We've been away at least twice a year since then and they've always loved it, helped with their swimming, no bother on flights. I wouldn't hesitate, we too were unsure but were spending the same in UK as abroad so took the chance

allmycats · 03/05/2025 18:01

You could try Bluestone in Wales - loads of activities both indoor and out - like center parks but better. You could get the ferry, which is much easier with the little ones. I can promise you it is good

Original poster
BananaMammy · 03/05/2025 19:47

allmycats · 03/05/2025 18:01

You could try Bluestone in Wales - loads of activities both indoor and out - like center parks but better. You could get the ferry, which is much easier with the little ones. I can promise you it is good

This is so beautiful- thank you for the suggestion. Pity it wasn't closer to holyhead. Just checked 4hours by car from holyhead or 6.5hr to Fishguard from Dublin. Dublin is 3.5- 4hrs from us so that's alot of travelling unfortunately.

OP posts:
Original poster
BananaMammy · 03/05/2025 19:52

xmasdealhunter · 03/05/2025 17:43

What about something like Eurocamp? You'd get the benefit of being in a holiday park (some of which have kids clubs), so you'd get the pool, splash park etc, but have the flexibility to either self cater or eat in either the local town or on site. Klein Vink Village Plus | Limburg | Eurocamp has a kids club from age 3, spa on site, and is in a national park. It removes a bit of the stress from going away if everything is on site, and you've got a house to go back to rather than a hotel room, which I found easier with younger kids, especially as they were in a separate room so they tended to settle better, and it also meant DH and I didn't have to tiptoe around the hotel room in the dark once they had gone to bed. My kids have always loved the eurocamp kids clubs, the staff are great with the dc.

Edited

Yes, we have looked at some Eurocamps but flights are all so expensive.... somehow it seems better value to go on a package deal. Yes, wherever we end up going will definitely be at least a 1bed apartment as my kids sleep in their own rooms. Don't want to spend a full week sitting on a balcony till bed time. Lol

This park is class but not keen on driving and also can only fly from Dublin to dusseldorf. Would ideally be looking to fly from Belfast unless there was some exceptionally good deal to make up for the 3.5hrs to Dublin. The joys of living in a country with practically no airports!

OP posts:
Sunnyglowdays · 03/05/2025 19:52

No too young at all, I would go AL especially they’re picky, entertainment suitable for all ages. TUI own kids clubs are very staff, qualified staff, secure, you have to submit photos of who can collect the children which are always checked.

WorthyOtter · 03/05/2025 19:55

They are definitely not too young! Go all inclusive. Eating out is so expensive and with kids you'll probably find it best to stay in the hotel most of the time, with the pools and entertainment. Entertainment is a must imo. Weve only ever been to Spain or Balearics (I don't like flying any further), es cana in Ibiza was my favourite it's lovely

junebirthdaygirl · 03/05/2025 20:03

Ours were 4 months and 2 the first time we went and every year after even when third arrived. Yes go! Don't see it as difficult see it as fun. We did apartments and later campsites. Go in June or September so not too hot. It's lovely to see them running in and out of the sea without shivering like here in lreland. They will love it.

overitalmost · 03/05/2025 20:07

We took our children to CalaDOr in Majorca from the age of 2 until they were adults. Great resort,not too trashy,beautiful scenery and so much to occupy any age group.
Daughter now takes her family there.

MoodSwingSet · 03/05/2025 20:21

For that age, check out Kinderhotels/Familotels. Best thing with young children. They are usually all inclusive and have both kids clubs with tons of activities and also babysitting. Nobody minds kids running around and being kids, as nobody without small children would stay there.

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