Need inspiration for a two week July holiday with a six year old

[Antsinmypantsneedtodance]

DH has agreed to a holiday for first 2 weeks of July, but i'm feeling a bit uninspired on where to go. Hoping someone can inspire me. Its us and DD who is 6.

Open to long and short haul. No all inclusive type places. Prefer air bnb or villas. Not spain or spanish islands (done those a few times recently).

So where would you go?

Holiday ideas i've considered but not totally feeling (maybe someone can talk me round).

Florida - gulf coast. Worried it'll be too humid.

Canada. Flying into toronto then out of hallifax to see PE island. Worried not enough to do for DD. Also considered into toronto and out of nyc. But we've done nyc before and it feels a bit samey.

Sri lanka - after a bit of resesrch this is now on my to do list. But worried i don't know enough about it to plan a decent trip in a month or so.

Realised that seems I only want long haul destinations but would be open to short haul if it sounds fun. Inspire me.

NOTE: as I know how these threads can go. This is not rage bait. We have a seperate savings account for holidays to be able to afford to travel and go without years of notice.

Swiss alps could be really cool, maybe do a road trip in a camper van or get hotels. Beautiful scenery and loads of activities if you are up for it, hiking, biking, swimming in the lakes. Some of the touristy towns have event evenings throughout the summer for a real Swiss feel. Or do a road trip with the Black Forest in Germany, through to Switzerland then through to Italy and the lakes there if you are feeling adventurous.

Los Angeles to San Diego road trip?

Southern Germany, Bavaria or Lake Constance.

We loved it when DD was that age. Plenty of child friendly activities, public fun pools with slides and lidos if the weather is warm.

we always had an apartment and you need a car ideally. But you may cut it very close finding something decent and not too pricey. It’s a popular area and often people book 9-12 months in advance.

Austrian Tyrol mountains! They have some amazing family friendly hotels (not mega complexes) with loads of facilities for kids. A lot of these accommodations also include 'summer cards' which gives access to free local public transport, activities, and most importantly free cable cars up the mountains (which can be expensive).

The mountains themselves again have absolutely amazing mostly free outdoor activities for kids coupled with stunning views! The best holiday with kids we went on (6 year old twins) was staying in Mia Alpina - Zillertal Family Hotel. Best family hotel we've ever stayed in.

Bear in mind the US is hosting the world cup mid June - mid July so places could be a bit crazy which would rule it out for me!

We did a 2 week trip from Porto - Pinhao - Nazares a few years ago and flew home from Lisbon. One ot our day trips was to São Martinho do Porto (Atlantic coast which was a life saver - sea breeze which made it cooler in 30 degree plus temps) which I thought would be a great base for young families. Beautiful safe bay. Close to Obidos (must visit).

I definitely would not consider a road trip with a six year old child on her own in the back seat. Marginally better if there’s another child to mess around with, but scenery seen from the back of a car does nothing for kids. And bored six year olds are cranky, unhappy kids who’ll have a miserable time and so will you.

I would not go on a two week holiday with a 6 year old. Seems a long time to keep them entertained away from home.

I don't think that I would be booking anything now if I hadn't already (and I booked this year's holiday before Xmas). Airlines might have hedged their fuel prices 6 mths in advance but is meaningless if the supply isn't actually there! I'll be surprised if it doesn't hamper lots of flights by start of June.

The Alps are great in summer - in particular Austria or Italy, but mountain resorts in France, southern Germany or Slovenia are also good.

If you can afford it, then a "Kinderhotel" is ideal. Some are all-inclusive; others have apartments where you can choose to use the hotel facilities as much or as little as you want while doing your own thing the rest of the time. The Ellmauhof in Hinterglemm is a good example of a typical "Kinderhotel" but there are dozens of others. All typically have a pool, spa area, play areas indoors and outdoors, often a working farm with farm animals, ponies to ride, rabbits and goats to pet etc. Most also employ staff to entertain and look after the children so that the parents also get some rest and relaxation.

Otherwise, regular hotels are also welcoming towards families - Austria and Italy are very child-friendly countries.

What does your DD enjoy? Does she love being in a pool or the sea? Does she love animals? Does she love physical activities? Would she enjoy sightseeing and walks or be bored witless (mine would be!)

Would she want somewhere she can meet other kids - if so then you could combine a low key resort with a kids club for one week with more travelling around in the other week.

With things the way they are right now I would focus on Europe - tbh many long haul destinations don’t have ideal weather in our summer anyway.

Imo, São Martinho do Porto would be a great base for a holiday with young DC.

Another recommendation (from a previous day trip of another road trip holiday) would be Northern Spain - A Illa de Arousa

We did Sri Lanka recently ( with 5 year old). We loved it! It was no problem entertaining him for 2.5 weeks. We did safaris, toured temples and tea plantations, tuk tuks, botanical gardens, saw elephants, beach’s and train rides, short child friendly hikes. Stayed in hotels with pools. Cookery classes were a surprise hit with him. He found random local children or some other tourists on occasion to play with.
However I probably wouldn’t go this summer as the prices have rocketed for direct flights or via Istanbul. So wait until Iran malarkey sorted.

I would do a Slovenia, Croatian, Italian tour. The caves in Slovenia you take train into at postjana mine loved ( he would have been 4 years at time) and the nearby castle. The beach’s along coast. Theres a super child friendly hotel in Rovinj for kids vibe a few nights. Trieste museums, or go to grado for beach. Udine town is lovely for Italy city and butterfly house nearby. Into various areas for mountains. There’s terme olimia in Slovenia for thermal spa a few nights ( can also ‘glamp’ here which is fun for kids - or normal hotels). And Ljubljana town has great food and atmosphere, boat ride, zoo, huge gardens.
You can fly into Venice, Trieste, Ljubljana
Or fly into Venice and head to lake Garda

@reluctantbritwho did you book your accommodation in Lake Constance through when you went? We stayed 3 nights at the youth hostel there last time and we plan to go back for a week in 2027.

We did a week in a little airbnb style place on a Greek island with DD6 last year. Lots of beach and pool time, v low key, gentle pottering through the town - and talking to all the cats. Just right for her at that age.

@MinnieMountain it was via Vrbo, an appartment near Tettnang.

The Swiss site is really expensive, good for a day trip but not to stay.