Finding a holiday HELP

[Willthekidsgeteasier]

Hi all- hoping for some help/advice…

I am looking to book a holiday for next year, me and 3 kids. I have no idea where to start! So hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

ive done a couple of google searches but get so consumed I give up!

only stipulations I have are

• abroad for 7 days (not too long a flight but not overly bothered about how long!)
• all inclusive
• this will be a term time holiday - all 3 aren’t in ‘detrimental’ years and I could never afford a school holidays holiday!
• decent pool/slides for the kids
• somewhere safe (guess this is a given- but see loads of cheap deals for places like Tunisia, but people are scaring me off them!)
• price wise - no more than £500 pp (ideally less but depends what it is!)
• a price that includes everything (flights, hotel baggage and transfers- might be a big ask!)

would really appreciate some pointers and even better if there are some examples!!

Also to add around end of April time (but also not fixed on any date whatsoever!!)

kids ages will be (in April 2026) 14,8 and 6

Hey!! Jet2 are fabulous with package holidays and you’ll get one of your children free too! Make sure that you type in ‘free child places jet2 so you’re on the correct one! You get your luggage, transfers, hotel and flights all in with no hidden costs and the main reason I consistently holiday with them as their customer service is exceptional. So many times they have helped me out!! And travelling on my own with young children I always feel like I need that reassurance that somebody is on hand if there are issues. TUI are also supposed to be good with free child places but I find their options limited. You can also buy rain cheque vouchers for jet2 (on Facebook sites or eBay either free of a couple of pounds) and this also gives you £60 off the holiday! Hope this helps lovely. Xxx

Thank you so much! This will be our first holiday and god I haven’t even booked it and im
anxious already! I’m not overly worried about actually getting there, and flying with them (perhaps I should be haha!) but just trying to find the right place is hard work!

Your eldest would be an adult price, so essentially you're looking for 2 adults 2 kids, which is achievable for 2k.
The weather isn't going to be great for a short haul holiday at the end of April though, are you flexible into May? Lots of holiday resorts open in May, but the weather is still not going to be as hot as it could be.
What airports can you fly from?

On the very limited search I did he still came up as a child- but appreciate the heads up, I’ll bear that in mind! We are extremely flexible on dates (as long as it avoids the school holidays where it rockets in price!!)
as long as it’s warm enough to be in the pool all day that’s all I (we) want. We would more than likely stay in the resort unless the beach is close enough but this isn’t a deal breaker - my kids only have experience of uk mud beaches and don’t enjoy it haha

airport wise my go to is Birmingham as I always flew from there growing up, but I am Oxfordshire based so flexible I guess?

Agree Jet2 are good. I've done a package with them the last two years and everything has gone smoothly.
Algarve 4 star on budget with slides Weather should be 20 degs which is plenty warm enough for going in the pool!

I shall now be spending all night on jet 2 searching 🤣 thank you so much!! I guess I just needed to spend a bit more time looking it just gets bit much and I get bored of looking at pools haha

So far for next summer, I've found that easyjet have the best deals for free child places. I like the look of this place- cap Salou is close to Port Aventura for a big water slide day out, and the flights are only 2 hours. This holiday is in June, so the weather will be a bit better, under 2k and in an apartment, so a bit more room.
Holiday

If you want water slides actually in the hotel, Turkey is probably your best bet, but I've never made it there myself so I don't know where is recommended.

Highly recommend Jet2 holidays, great packages, good price and very use friendly search function and filters.
I love looking for holidays to started to have a bit of a look for you, all inc at start of May from any London airport or Birmingham and got lots of good options coming up for well within budget. Cheapest was just over £1.5k and was for Turkey. Would you go for turkey? They tend really excel on water slides so thought that might tick a box for you. Especially if you’re just happy to stay in resort then don’t have to worry about beaches etc. Also turkey is likely to be nice and warm in April/May compared to other places
Otherwise I saw one good option in Rhodes for your budget

Some hotels have different age limits where children become adults. I agree Jet2 has always been great for us. I would just search all holidays for your dates and filter from there. Once you've got a few ideas of where you would like to go, ask on here/read all the TripAdvisor reviews and go from there.

Ah this is fab thank you!! Turkey is where I used to go growing up so I find I lean towards there- I will more than likely end up there I think, but definitely good to look at options! To be honest the kids are so laid back they are just excited for an actual holiday (even the teenager!!!) I’m now debating if I can blind fold them abs pretend we’ve been on an airplane and rock up at buttons - although that’s probably 3 times the price of an abroad holiday!!!

on a different note - if you like looking for holidays, I’ve seen a few old friends working for a travel company claiming to find cheap holidays (I haven’t spoken to them in years just seen on socials so I’m scared to ask them haha!) apparently it makes their holidays cheaper but earns them money (I’m sceptical it’s a pyramid scheme- but if it’s something you like doing might be worth a look?!)

I have no links to the above- I literally know nothing about but might be worth a look if you’re spending your time (very thoughtfully for a stranger on the internet!)

@Willthekidsgeteasier any recommendations for what areas/ region to visit in Turkey? We like a wander out on an evening, visit a couple of shops, have a little drink, visit whatever the local city is with our 5 year old.

Marmaris is where we initially went (I was prob around 9/10) but it was fab- I remember everyone being so kind- they LOVE kids over there (not in a weird way, they were equally as nice to my parents!). Our hotel had everything, but i remember a worker telling my mum about a Chinese restaurant in town- and it was the best I ever had! - I still remember it 30 years later!! We went back there a few times and then ventured to Bodrum and Antalya a few times. They were equally lovely but I remember marmaris being great for kids so maybe I should head back their with mine!!

I do remember a ‘turtle beach boat trip’ and loved every second seeing all the turtles in the water whilst you’re in a little rickety boat, and also a glass bottom boat (I was 17 on this one!) and can recommend for those without children- it was all inclusive on the boat and like a nonchalant child I fell asleep on the top deck with no sun cream- and had to fly home the next day covered in blisters!!!

I’d look at Turkey if going end of April as more likely to get good weather. Try and find a hotel with a heated pool as otherwise the kids won’t spend much time in the water. Have a look at Belek. Loads of hotels.

Another recommendation for Jet2 and if you get the app it’s £100 off per person.

Consider Cyprus for great weather early summer, or the Canaries. Majorca is a good easy destination with loads of hotels and a short flight time, and plenty to do for all age groups.

Ah guys! Thank you so much! Really appreciate your input! I’ve never done a holiday since I’ve had kids so it’s all a bit much, but you’ve pointed me in the right direction and I’m sure I’ll find something! Really looking forward to doing this for them! Whilst it won’t be every year- the first holiday just feels special! Xx