First Neilson holiday - what do I need to know?

[Seren20]

We’ve booked Neilson Croatia for this summer but we’ve never done a Neilson holiday before. We’ve always stayed self-catering in holiday villas with family and are really looking forward to being away with just the three of us - and no cooking!

We’ve wanted to go to Croatia for ages and the childcare for the little one (4) looks good. I am a little concerned it might be a bit too sporty for us but we’re hoping to do some sailing.

Can anyone offer any advice to make the best of our holiday? What do we need to know before we go? TIA!

Go to the welcome meeting at the start of the holiday, they’ll tell you all you need to know. Also if your transfer is a sociable time of day you may have a rep come round on the coach so tell them it’s your first Neilson holiday and what you’re into and they’ll tell you useful things. Sign up for activities at the start of the week, you can always drop out but things can get booked up. Take good waterproof sunscreen. Have a great time.

Pop your sunglasses on some kind of string as if you’re new to sailing you may lose them on your first day …. Happened to me back in the day! 🤪🤪

It’s great and often quite sociable which might be nice with a little one

It is pretty sporty but there are also plenty of people lounging around by the pool so you can do what you like. If you look on their site or download the app you should be able to find a copy of the activity planner to give you an idea of what to expect. There's so much on but I'd advise choosing one or two things to do and plan your day around that - the welcome briefing is a great place to go and chat to the staff though they now have activities on their app. Most activities are fairly relaxed in terms of booking, though waterskiing slots are always highly sought after! If you're planning to sail, you can join a class or once you're reasonably confident go free sailing - except during regattas you can normally walk up and take what boat you want. Kit is generally well looked after and the Neilson team are very enthusiastic.

Aside from activities, there never seems to be enough space in the wardrobes so I find one or two of those fabric hanging shelves are very handy. The hotel tower is a bit of an eyesore from the surrounding area but the views from the top are stunning and a sunset cocktail from the roof bar is quite special. Kids clubs are lots of fun and depending on age you may not see your kids much, though family mornings are great. The Paklenica national park is worth a visit, walking distance to the resort to a very beautiful ravine which is famous for its rock climbing. There are lots of quite touristy restaurants in town though if you head along the main road rather than the side road into town there's a little kiosk that does fish and chips for a lot less (the resort will direct you).

Anything else you need to know do ask, we've been to Alana a couple of times and are Neilson veterans - it's quite addictive!

Thank you all very much. I will see if I can download the app or find a timetable online. Oh and we’ll definitely get some string for the sunnies! 😎

Are there any excursions (Zadar? the National Park?) which you’d recommend? Any really nice restaurants nearby? I already had my eye on cocktails at the rooftop bar! 🤩

Zadar is really beautiful

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/holidays/5372916-alana-beachclub-croatia-neilson?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=app_share

Happy to answer any kids club questions, DM me.

It's lovely and your 4yr old will have a blast in kids club! You can do as much or as little as you like. Some people go to do just one sport or activity all week and others dip in and out of things and try a range of activities. There's some sessions that need advance booking and then things like kayaks or SUPs you can just take out from the beach. The gym classes are aimed at all abilities and you can take bikes out either with a group tour or on your own and download their suggested routes. I'd say go with an open mind and try new stuff because it's all included!

This is making me excited! We’re going on a big family holiday, sisters, parents, 7 kids between us this summer. We will however have a very small baby with us, sorry to jump on, but will we be ok with a pram around the hotel for naps etc?

Of course....

They're fabulous holidays! Same for Mark Warner. Lots of people who go are SE based with kids in private schools and are generally much posher than us but we've always had a blast.b

So pleased to find this thread! Thinking about going post GCSE and A levels in early/mid July with 18 and 16 year old girls. It's not really the point of the holiday but are there likely to be kids their ages there? I know Scotland finish early and private schools... would be a bonus if they could socialise!

They're pretty sporty but have declared they just want to chill by the pool. That's up to them I suppose! Bet they'll be lured by the activities though, and DH can't stand sitting still so it sounds like a great holiday for him

If any of you are set on water skiing it’s well worth booking a bundle in advance, it will give you priority. Our ds is a massive water skiing fan so that’s what we did.

Oh, that’s interesting, I doubt we’ll be bothering with the waterskiing but are there other things that we should book in advance?

@Seren20everything else is booked at the welcome meeting. It can be quite overwhelming for those who haven’t been to one before. Most guests will be returnees, and rush around to get the times/slots they want. It’s worth looking at the timetable and activities before and deciding which ones you want to prioritise, especially if the planner indicates a limited number of slots. Whereas something like beginner sailing, easy/social bike rides has loads, early in the week spa slots tend to go quickly (along with water skiing - you get two each during the week).

Loads of post GCSE & A levels teens when we were there similar time last year. Also lots more Scottish people than in our previous Neilson holidays which have tended to be later in the summer. My post A-level DS had a great time, out every night.
Lots to do, also possible to spend lots of time not doing anything. Family morning paddle along the coast is good, pickleball was good fun - and I am not the least bit sporty!
There is a fantastic authentic local restaurant up the hill, up the road opposite the supermarket heading towards the National Park. It’s in an old courtyard and there’s a wee museum about some of the people who lived in the region. Food and local wine were amazing.
I wasn’t sure about the resort when we first got there, don’t know why, but loved it by the end. Sunsets on the beach or from the roof top bar were awesome. You’ll have a great time!

@MrsMacYorkie the Scottish people will be because there’s flights from Edinburgh to Croatia which there isn’t to many of their resorts!

Hello! We are going in May with 9 and 11 year olds. They are pretty good sailors already so was thinking hot shots for them but I feel like I won't see them at all! Plus they are not super sociable. Do you know if hot shots is flexible or would it be best to stick to the free kids clubs? Do you know how easy it is to book private lessons for kids? If you see this..Thank you!

@Twobigbabies we haven't done hotshots so you'd be best to check with Neilson HQ for a definitive view. The normal clubs are pretty flexible about signing in and out. Hotshots tends to be a bit more structured so kids get in enough sessions to get qualifications - however, if they don't want qualifications signing them out shouldn't be a problem. One option might be to just do the sailing sessions and not the windsurfing ones, though be aware that hotshots timing tends to be worked around the wind and water conditions.

I have to say in that age group not seeing kids while kids club is open is fairly common, because they make friends and have a ball! Family mornings are good for doing things together though.

I think they need to be 14 before they can do sailing on their own. If you're competent sailors they'd probably let you all go out together on family mornings. Private sessions with instructors are generally pretty easy to book though you might need to avoid peak session times.

Anyway hope that helps, have a fantastic holiday!