Help choosing beach holiday abroad

[PurplePinata]

Hello, I'm looking to book a holiday in July for my 11 yr old daughter and I and could really use some advice please as I haven't been abroad for 12 years!

I'm looking for somewhere hot, within walking distance of the beach, sandy beaches, warm sea. Somewhere where there is plenty to do but not over crowded. Ideally activities for children nearby such as a water park. Lots of excursions too such as boat trips etc. Was thinking along the lines of Greece such as Kos, Skiathos, Corfu, Kefalonia, Santorini or alternatively Lanzarote or Turkey.

Does anyone have any recommendations of resorts? Would need to be self catering. Budget is maximim £1500. Was looking at Jet2 holidays which seems pretty good.

Many thanks in advance.

I've just come back from Kos, which was lovely. Was staying in Lambi Beach, an easy 20 minute walk to Kos Town, though Lambi stretches up a bit so it's worth googling the distance to Kos Harbour. There's a bunch of boat trips from there, great shops and tavernas plus Greek and Roman ruins.

Or look at Kardamena which is a resort town - I haven't been there but think it'd be a good bet for boat trips etc and there's a water park not far away.

Can't promise it won't be busy in July though! Incidentally I would skip Santorini - has amazing views but it'll be absolutely rammed and is really expensive. It's the sort of place you go for a couple of days just to see it, combined with another island.

Thanks @Owlcat42 that's really helpful. Will definitely skip Santorini! Do you mind me asking who you booked with? I want to use a reputable company but not pay over the odds. Jet2 seems pretty good but I don't know how it compares with others on price, customer service etc.

Relxia Lanzasur Club & Aqualava Waterpark, Lanzarote. Book through jet2.

I would recommend Alykes in Zante. The beach is lovely and safe for children. Lots of beautiful beach bars for drinks and snacks, Any of the hotels will let you use their pool, just buy drinks etc. Although I don’t personally advocate it. There are horse and carriage rides to next village ( which is more lively) and back. A couple of jetties for crabbing, catching small fish. Boat trips to see caves and turtles. We’ve just returned and went with Jet 2 - very happy with them. Kefalonia is lovely too!

I booked independently – flights with Ryanair and Jet2, and hotel through booking.com But Jet2 have a solid reputation for holidays and their flight experience is decent - someone else might be able to advise on what they're like compared to Tui etc but I would think they're a good option.

Puerto Pollensa in Majorca is lovely, had a great holiday there when DD was 12. There is a nearby waterpark in Alcudia, also a huge sandy beach there. Edited to add that this wasn't one of the places in your OP so apologies if off the mark!

@tinyprophet I think Puerto Pollensa is good for cycling and walking, too. Some people I know who are well travelled always rate this as one of their favourite places

Alcudia/Puerto Pollensa and the whole area in Majorca.

But it will be busy everywhere.

For slightly over budget you can get an AI in Turkey with watermark onsite for that on Jet2 if you want to remove the drudge of food provision (coming at this as a lone parent for many years 🤣)

Greece you can definitely do for that. We went to Perissa in Santorini last year in school holidays for £2300 for 4 of us (free child place). This was Perissa Bay with Jet 2. Whilst Santorini has a reputation for being expensive, Perissa really isn’t at all and is lovely. No water park but has the boat trips and really not busy until you go to the main resorts.

A simple money amount isn't really enough information about the budget. What does that £1500 need to cover? Hotel I guess, but then meals yes/no, drinks yes/no, excursions yes/no, flights yes/no, checked luggage yes/no (a suitcase both ways can cost £120), transfers yes/no? And for how many nights? 🙏

@samarrange sorry for not being clear. I'm looking at going for a week and this budget is for travel and accommodation only. It doesn't include food and spending money.

Thank you all so much for your advice and suggestions.

I was in Perissa years ago with my son - solo mum - and it was brilliant @JazzyAmbs .

Great beach, (black sad, volcanic island) and just a short bus ride over the island to the Santorini sunset and walks around the famous villages.

Not sure I'd go back at the height of summer though. It's become tourist crazy, like Amsterdam, Barcelona etc.

Protaras in Cyprus ☀️

What date can you fly and which airport (s)? End of July will be significantly more

Honestly as there last August, Perissa itself so quiet. I was shocked.